ChinChin and The Case of the Misplaced Poop

I recently got a call from a family whose cat, ChinChin, was pooping right next to the litter box. They were stumped—if the litter box was so close, why not just use it? Their theory was that ChinChin was mad at them for some unknown reason. Had they upset him by going on vacation? Or maybe having guests over was the issue? ChinChin was otherwise well-behaved, though shy, often hiding when visitors arrived. They believed he was being passive-aggressive, pooping outside the box out of spite.

Before visiting, I knew one thing for sure: ChinChin wasn’t doing this to “get back” at them. Cats simply don’t think that way. While it’s tempting to assign human emotions to our pets, their behavior usually has practical causes, not emotional manipulation.

When I arrived, I quickly spotted a key issue. Their apartment was on the garden level, and the litter box was right by the front door. ChinChin, being timid, wasn’t around, so I started with some questions. I asked about his favorite napping spots, food, and water bowls, and then had them bring ChinChin out. He was very food-motivated, so with a treat on a telescoping spoon, I was able to coax him into the hallway. As he watched me from a shelf, we continued discussing his habits.

While we were talking, the mailman arrived, and ChinChin darted back to the bedroom. That’s when it all clicked.

First, the litter box had a lid. Though these are popular with humans, many cats dislike them. For ChinChin, it must have felt like a dark, smelly cave, even though it was regularly cleaned. Cats have sensitive noses, and plastic boxes can retain odors. I personally prefer metal boxes without lids, but the key is finding what works for each individual cat.

Solution #1: Remove the lid from the litter box.

Next, the location was problematic. The entryway was where all the action happened—friends, delivery people, and mailmen came and went. For a shy cat like ChinChin, this was a high-stress zone. Timid cats prefer to greet people on their own terms, often retreating to a safe space until they’re comfortable enough to come out.

Solution #2: Move the litter box to a quieter room, away from the front door.

I followed up with the family later, and guess what? ChinChin stopped pooping outside the litter box!