How to Stop Cat Litter Tracking: Fix the Cause First

Your guests arrive on Saturday. You swept the hallway this morning. By dinner, there was grit under your bare feet again. Last night you found a few grains in the bed. There's already a mat by the box, and it hasn't fixed things.

Here is how to stop cat litter tracking without a fight. First, work out why litter leaves the box. Is it kicked out, or carried out on her paws? Then change one thing at a time. Last, trap more of what still gets out. One rule sits above all of it: a tidy floor is never worth a cat who avoids her box.

Spot Where the Litter Comes From

Litter leaves the box in two ways, and each has its own fixes. Some cats kick it out while they dig and cover. You'll see a ring of grains around the box, and maybe some on the wall. Other cats carry it out on their paws. Then you'll find a trail down the hall, on the couch or in the bed.

Watch one visit from across the room. Notice where the grains land. Most cat litter tracking comes down to one or two of these causes:

Most cats have one or two. The sections below take each cause in turn. Change just one at a time, though. The steps further down show how.

Right-Size the Box and Entry

A box that's too small makes scatter worse. International Cat Care (iCatCare) gives a simple rule. The ideal tray is one and a half times your cat's length, from her nose to the base of her tail. PetMD notes that a box that's too small can make a cat dig even more. So measure your cat and the box before you buy anything else.

High sides and top-entry boxes are the usual fix. They can cut scatter, but they ask more of your cat. The ASPCA warns about sides that are too high, or a top-side opening. Either one may make it hard for a cat to get in or out. PetMD adds that top-entry boxes are a challenge for senior cats, cats with arthritis and some overweight cats. And the Cornell Feline Health Center says kittens and elderly cats need boxes with low sides.

Covers come with a catch too. Cornell notes that people like covered boxes for stray litter. But from your cat's point of view, covers hold odors in. iCatCare adds that some cats feel vulnerable in a covered tray with only one way out. That's more likely in a home with other cats. For many homes, the better middle ground is a bigger open box. Look for sides that catch flung litter, with one low spot to step in.

Where the box sits matters as well. A wall on one side gives flung litter something to hit. So does a corner, if the front stays open and she can see the room. Just don't wedge the box into a tight nook. The ASPCA says cats like a quiet spot that isn't "cornered." They want to see others coming and have more than one way out. And give each cat her own box, plus one extra, as iCatCare advises.

Rethink the Litter and Its Depth

The litter that tracks least isn't always the one your cat will use. As a general pattern, fine and light grains cling to paws and fur more easily. Bigger pieces, like pellets or crystals, tend to stick less. They can roll and scatter in other ways, though.

Your cat gets a vote here. Cornell says most cats prefer unscented, finer-textured litter. The ASPCA says cats generally prefer clumping litter with a medium to fine texture. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that silica crystals can be harsh on sensitive paws. Cats are sensitive to essential oils and strong scents. So keep the litter unscented.

Depth is the easiest thing to change. Cornell and the ASPCA both suggest about one to two inches. The ASPCA says to use that rather than three to four inches. iCatCare says research shows cats prefer about 3 cm, a little over an inch. That sits at the low end of the range. PetMD draws the "too shallow" line at 1.5 inches, since a cat who can't cover her waste may kick more. So aim for one to two inches. If she flings litter, try a little less. If she struggles to cover, add a little more.

If you do switch litter, go slowly. Cornell suggests adding small amounts of the new litter to the old. VCA describes the same idea over a few days, mixing in more and more of the new litter. It also warns that a few cats reject a change no matter how slowly you go. If that's your cat, go back to her old litter for a while.

Tidy Long Paw Fur Gently

Long fur on the paws works like a little broom. It picks up grains in the box and drops them across your floors.

iCatCare's grooming guide notes that mats often form between the toes and pads. It suggests checking there each time you groom. Gently tease out anything caught in the fur. Don't reach for scissors, though. iCatCare warns that in matted fur, it's hard to see where the skin ends and the hair starts. You could cut your cat. If the fur between her toes is long or matted, ask a professional cat groomer or your vet team to tidy it.

Change One Thing at a Time

Small, single changes show you what works, and they're easier on your cat. Swap the box, litter and spot in one weekend, and you won't know what helped. Or what to undo if she avoids the box.

1. 1

   Pick one cause

   Choose the one that best matches what you saw.

2. 2

   Make one change

   Less litter, say, or a bigger box. Not both at once.

   Why: then you'll know which change helped.

3. 3

   Watch for a week

   Notice how often she goes in, and whether she digs and covers as usual.

4. 4

   Keep or undo

   Keep the change if she uses her box as usual, or picks the new one. Undo it if she doesn't, then try the next cause.

Trying a new box or a new litter? Add it next to the old one instead of swapping. The ASPCA suggests putting boxes side by side for a while, each with a different litter, to see which one your cat uses. Once she uses the new one well for a week, move the old box to another spot as your extra box. Or take it away.

Never scold her for digging. PetMD explains that cats bury their waste so it won't draw the attention of larger predators. Digging is normal cat behavior. The Feline Veterinary Medical Association warns against yelling, squirt bottles or physical punishment. It says they can increase fear and stress, and lead to more unwanted behaviors.

Catch What's Left Every Day

Even after the fixes, some litter will still get out. So do litter mats work? They help, as one part of the plan. A mat helps trap the grains that make it past the edge of the box. No mat catches everything.

The Double-Layer Litter Mat has two foam layers with a hidden pocket between them. The top layer has honeycomb holes. Many of the grains from her paws and kicked-out litter drop through into the pocket. Every few days, open the pocket and tip the mat over the box. The litter pours back in. Its own product page says no mat catches every grain. Fine grains on fluffy paws can still travel.

Already have a mat, and still find litter everywhere? Check its size and spot first. A few tips:

• Spot: lay it flat right where she steps out.
• Size: pick one that reaches well past the side she exits from. The Double-Layer Litter Mat comes in three sizes.
• Pocket: empty it every few days and give the mat a shake.
• Wash: rinse it with water when needed, then let it dry fully.
• Creases: it arrives folded, so weigh down the folds for a day or two.
• Edges: check them now and then. Replace the mat if your cat chews it.

Then keep a short daily routine. Cat Friendly Homes says to remove waste at least once a day and add litter as needed. It also says to wash the box every one to four weeks with soap and hot water only. Avoid strong chemicals or ammonia-based products. If you use a non-clumping litter, it says to change all of it every week. Sweep or vacuum around the box every day too. Before guests arrive, a quick pass with the vacuum covers the rest.

Call Your Vet for These Signs

Some litter box changes are a vet problem, not a tidiness problem. PetMD advises seeing your vet if the kicking is new, or if her litter box habits change in other ways.

Straining, or many trips with little or no pee, can't wait. Cornell says a cat with a blocked urethra may strain and make frequent attempts to pee. She may produce little, if any, urine. Cornell calls this a true medical emergency, and male cats are at greater risk. If your cat strains or keeps going back and passes little or no urine, call your vet or an emergency clinic now. That goes double for a male cat.

Has she already had accidents on furniture? Once your vet has checked her, here's how to get cat pee smell out of a couch.

When your guests walk in this weekend, the hallway won't be perfect. It doesn't need to be. Fix the cause you found. Let a mat help with what's left, and keep the sweep short. The real win is a cat who still walks into her box without a second thought.

Questions this guide did not cover

Is a dusty or scented litter bad for my cat?

Many cats dislike them. Cat Friendly Homes says aromatic or dusty litters are unpopular with many cats. It adds that perfumed crystals or other scents can cause asthma in cats, and in people. VCA notes that clay litter makes dust that can irritate cats and people with breathing problems. Cats are sensitive to essential oils and strong scents.

How many litter boxes do I need in a home with stairs?

At least one on every floor your cat uses. The Feline VMA's handout goes further: one box per cat, plus one extra, on each floor, in quiet spots that are easy to reach. iCatCare sets one per cat plus at least one extra for the whole home. It says to spread them around the house, not all in one area, and away from food and water bowls.

Should a kitten start with a small litter box?

A small tray is fine at first, but plan to upgrade. iCatCare says you may get a smaller tray for a kitten. Then replace it with a bigger one as she grows.

Should I use a litter box liner?

Most cats would rather you didn't. The ASPCA says most cats don't like box liners or lids on their boxes. Cat Friendly Homes says many cats do not like liners or covers, but a shy cat may prefer a covered box. If she hesitates at the box after you add a liner, take it out.

Related reading

• How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of a Couch (Even When It Keeps Coming Back)
• Vinegar vs. Enzyme Cleaner for Cat Urine: Which Actually Removes the Smell?