Why is my cat pooping outside the litter box?

Pooping outside the box, sometimes just beside it, is the cat telling you something about the box or her body. Rule out constipation, pain or other medical issues first. Then look at the setup: a box that’s too small, hooded, hard to climb into for a senior cat, kept too dirty or sitting in a busy or scary spot. Some cats also want separate boxes for urine and stool. A bigger, uncovered, low-sided box in a calm location, scooped daily, solves a lot of these cases.

When to call a vet: If she’s straining, the stool is abnormal or the change is sudden, have a vet rule out constipation or pain first.