Why does cat poo just outside of litter tray?!

[C1239]

My 9 month old kitten seems to be going through a stage of pooing just outside the litter tray... he is indoors at the moment not gone outside yet and his litter tray is in a quiet place in the house... he goes to the right area but sometimes poos next to it! I thought it was because he had outgrown his kitten litter tray so I’ve got a bigger one but he’s still doing the same thing.
I’ve watched him wee in the tray a few times and he seems to like balancing on the sides on the tray whilst weeing in it... not sure why his whole body isn’t in the tray when he’s using it?
Does anyone have any suggestions of how to stop the poo accidents?!

Try a covered tray?

Maybe doesn't like the feel of the litter. What type do you use?

I use wood pellet litter which he’s been on from when we got him at the rescue when he was 5 months.
The new litter tray I brought does have a hood actually, I just haven’t put it on because I thought it may put him off going in to use it at all?!

Cats have a substrate preference for the 'feel' of the litter under their feet and like to dig in it before peeing - so I'd agree with demented pixie he doesn't like what's provided. Standing the tray on newspaper would make any accidents easier to clean but try different litter textures to see if that solves the issue.

Lots of cats don’t like weeing and pooing in the same tray, thats why cats should have two trays available. So that could be the issue.

Ha! No but if there are any suggestions , I'd like to know too.

Your kitten might like a Pee Tray and a seperate Pooh Tray?
Does he dislike the litter ? Is it too harsh to dig?

Ours have a large , covered deep tray (I know there should be Tray/per Cat + spare but ours always used the same one even when we gave them two massive trays )

It is scooped regularly and every time it is used .

I was listening to our male cat peeing (very loud ) scrape scrape ...........then he poohed on the rubber mat!!.

He is very shy , so the only thing I can do is say "Seriously ?" or he'd take flight .

Try ultra clumping litter & two trays.

First time mine had to use wood chip he flicked his poo out of the tray. Very embarrassing as it was his first time in a cattery.