Some cats simply do not bury their poop. The important question is whether this is your cat's usual pattern or a new change alongside discomfort, avoidance, or a different stool or urine pattern. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) notes that some cats cover waste and others do not; both can be normal. Its guidance also says that eliminating outside the box deserves veterinary attention. Read the AAFP feline behavior guidance.
If the habit is new, start by watching your cat rather than trying to teach a digging technique. Does your cat enter easily, turn around, and leave comfortably? Is the litter still familiar? Is the box clean? Those observations are more useful than guessing why a cat scratches the wall instead of the litter.
First, compare today with your cat's normal routine
A cat that has always left waste uncovered but otherwise uses the box normally may simply have that habit. A sudden change is different. Note whether your cat is making repeated trips, straining, vocalizing, avoiding the box, or passing waste elsewhere. The ASPCA's litter box guidance advises a veterinary check when elimination problems begin and highlights frequent trips with little urine as a reason to seek care. If your cat appears unable to urinate, contact a veterinarian urgently.
Keep a short note for a few days: time of visit, whether waste was covered, how long your cat stayed, and any change in urine or stool. If you use a self-cleaning box, check the waste before it is cleared when practical; the machine cannot tell you whether a change is medically important. Our guide to monitoring litter habits with an automatic box offers a simple observation routine.
Check the box before changing the cat
Make sure there is room for your cat to turn and dig, and that entry and exit are easy. The ASPCA lists a too-small box, difficult access, and a hood or liner that bothers the cat among common setup problems. Its advice also favors a shallow bed of litter, generally about one to two inches, while individual preferences vary. See the ASPCA setup recommendations. Follow your particular automatic box's fill line and approved litter instructions rather than applying a manual tray depth to its mechanism.
Look at cleanliness and location next. AAFP recommends routine scooping and enough boxes in separate locations for multi-cat homes. A self-cleaning unit still needs waste-drawer checks, litter top-ups, and periodic cleaning; it does not remove the need to watch whether your cat is comfortable using it. AAFP's litter box care guidance explains the underlying preference for clean, accessible boxes.
Consider whether the litter feels right underfoot
Scratching the walls, perching on the edge, shaking paws, or avoiding digging can be clues that a cat dislikes the litter texture. Cats Protection says these signs are worth noticing, but a sudden change in toileting can also have a medical cause. It recommends keeping a familiar litter when it works and introducing a change gradually or offering a choice of trays. Read Cats Protection's litter selection guide.
Do not swap litter solely to make a cat bury waste. First check what your automatic box is designed to sift; then offer a suitable alternative separately if you want to test a preference. Changing litter, box position, and cleaning routine at the same time makes it harder to see what helped.
Where does an automatic box fit?
An automatic box can move waste out of the litter area after a cycle. It cannot make a cat cover waste, diagnose illness, or guarantee that an individual cat will accept the box. For Canadian shoppers considering an open-top option, the PawNovi OmniScoop automatic cat litter box has a visible entry and pull-out waste drawer. Check the current product information and your cat's needs before choosing a new box.
If your cat is using the box comfortably, an uncovered deposit alone may need no correction. If the behavior is new or accompanied by straining, repeated attempts, avoidance, or waste outside the box, talk with your veterinarian. Keep the box clean and accessible while you investigate.
Topic inspiration: A Reddit discussion about cats leaving poop uncovered surfaced the question. Reddit comments were not used as a source for health or product claims.
By PawNovi Editorial Team · Published November 2, 2026