How to Stop Cat Litter Tracking and Clean Up Around the Box

Cat litter rarely stays in the box. It sticks to paws, gets kicked over the edge during digging, and ends up in a gritty trail across the floor, in the carpet and sometimes in your bed. This guide covers how to cut down on tracking without upsetting your cat, and how to clean up the litter and any spills around the box, on hard floors and on carpet.

It follows the litter tray guidance of the RSPCA and the UK vet charity PDSA, and the tracking tips of the litter maker Arm & Hammer. Cats can be particular about their box, so change one thing at a time and watch that your cat keeps using it.

Why litter ends up everywhere

• Paws and fur. Granules get caught between the toes and in long fur and drop off as your cat walks away.
• Digging and kicking. Many cats dig and cover enthusiastically, which throws litter over low sides.
• Scooping. Litter falls off the scoop on the way to the bin.
• The litter itself. Arm & Hammer notes that most litter will track to some degree, and that some litters track more than others.

Cut down on tracking

1. Put a mat under and in front of the box

Arm & Hammer calls litter mats one of the best inventions for helping stop litter tracking. A mat with a textured surface catches granules from the paws as your cat steps out. Bigger is better if you have room, and Arm & Hammer suggests shaking out, vacuuming or washing the mat as part of your litter cleanup. Choose one with a waterproof or rubber backing, so a spill or a miss does not soak through to the floor.

2. Look at the box design, but put your cat first

Arm & Hammer suggests covered boxes, where litter can only escape from the front opening, and top-entry boxes, whose higher sides keep litter inside. The RSPCA and PDSA, however, both say cats differ: some like a covered tray, others want an open one. A good middle ground is a large, open box with high sides and a low entry point. If you try a covered or top-entry box, keep the old box available at first, and switch back if your cat starts going outside it.

3. Use less litter

The RSPCA says the litter should be deep enough for your cat to dig and cover, while noting that cats differ in how deep they like it. In our view, a moderate layer of about one to two inches meets that need and gives your cat less to kick over the side than a very deep one.

4. Change litter type slowly, if at all

Some litters scatter less than others, so a different litter can help. PDSA warns that cats can be particular about litter, and the RSPCA says strong scents, from litter or cleaners, can put a cat off its tray. If you switch, the RSPCA suggests bringing in the new litter gradually over about a week, or offering it in a second tray, rather than changing it all at once.

5. Scoop over the box

Arm & Hammer advises keeping the scoop over the litter box when you remove clumps, since carrying it outside the box lets particles fall on the floor. Keep the waste bag or bin right next to the box.

Cleaning up scattered litter

On hard floors

• Sweep or vacuum dry litter daily. Arm & Hammer suggests keeping a hand broom and dustpan, or a hand vacuum, near the box so it is easy to do. Grit left on the floor gets ground in underfoot and can scratch wood and laminate finishes.
• Do not mop loose clumping litter. Clumping clay litter turns into a sticky paste when it gets wet. Sweep or vacuum first, then damp mop.
• Stuck-on clumps: let them dry, lift them off with a plastic scraper or the edge of a card, then wipe the spot with a damp cloth and a cleaner suitable for your floor.

On carpet and rugs

• Vacuum slowly in several directions; granules settle deep in the pile.
• Do not rub wet litter into carpet. Let it dry, break it up gently, then vacuum.
• Better still, keep carpet away from the box, or put a large washable mat over it.

Litter is hard on a vacuum. To keep yours working, see how to clean your vacuum after pet hair.

Spills, misses and smells around the box

Litter that is wet when it lands outside the box often means urine went over the edge or your cat went just outside the box. That needs more than sweeping.

1. Pick up the wet litter with paper towels and blot the spot.
2. Treat it with an enzymatic cleaner. The RSPCA and PDSA both recommend an enzymatic or biological cleaner for accidents, so the smell does not draw your cat back to the same spot. Follow the label and test it first on your floor or carpet.
3. Check the wall and baseboard behind the box too. A UV black light in a dark room shows dried urine on floors, walls and the sides of the box. See how to find pet urine with a black light.
4. Avoid scented cleaners near the box. The RSPCA notes that strong scents can put your cat off using its tray, and says to use only cat-safe products.

For the floor type under your box, see tile and grout, laminate and vinyl plank, hardwood or carpet and fabric. For keeping the box itself fresh, see our litter box smell control routine.

If your cat suddenly starts going outside the box, or strains or goes very often, talk to your veterinarian. Changes in litter box habits can have a medical cause.

A simple litter area routine

• Daily: scoop over the box, sweep or vacuum around it, shake out the mat.
• Weekly: vacuum or wash the mat, wipe the floor and the wall behind the box, check for wet spots.
• Monthly: move the box and mat and clean the floor underneath; check corners with a black light.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Our Pet Cleanup Kit has gloves, an enzyme odor product, an absorbent powder and a UV black light in one pouch, so you can deal with a miss next to the box before it soaks in. Check the label to confirm it suits your floor, and test it on a hidden spot first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to stop cat litter tracking?

Combine a large, textured litter mat with a high-sided box and a shallow layer of litter, and sweep or vacuum around the box every day. No setup stops tracking completely; Arm & Hammer notes most litter tracks to some degree.

Do covered litter boxes reduce tracking?

They can keep more litter inside, but the RSPCA and PDSA say some cats like a covered tray and others do not. Try a high-sided open box first, and if you test a covered one, watch that your cat still uses it.

How do I get cat litter out of carpet?

Let any wet litter dry, break it up gently and vacuum slowly in several directions. If the litter was wet with urine, treat the spot with an enzymatic cleaner afterwards.

Why is there wet litter outside the box?

Usually because urine went over a low edge or your cat went just outside the box. Clean it with an enzymatic cleaner, check the box size and litter depth, and see your vet if it keeps happening.

Sources

• RSPCA: How to train a cat to use a litter tray
• PDSA: How to litter train your cat
• Arm & Hammer: 5 tips to help stop cat litter tracking

This guide is general cleaning information. Follow the product label and your flooring maker’s care instructions, and test cleaners on a hidden area first.