Why Does My Cat Play in the Litter Box? · Kinship Leave a comment

Most of us exit of our option to keep away from our cats’ litter bins. So, it’s shocking to see our cats truly hanging out in these bins, enjoying and doing different foolish issues. They might be digging like loopy, sniffing, doing laps, kicking the litter out, zooming in and across the field, and even mendacity down in it. 

Why on earth would they select to do something apart from “their soiled enterprise” within the litter field? Learn on to be taught why.

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Why do cats play or dig in their litter field?

Simply because your cat is doing issues apart from peeing and pooping of their litter field doesn’t imply they’re enjoying. There are instinctual behaviors that go together with peeing and pooping, which serve a function. Issues like digging, burying, sniffing, kicking litter out of the field, and even circling within the field are oftentimes much less about them enjoying and extra about their instincts. 

Alternatively, in case your cat is resting within the field, appears to have zoomies within the field, or is batting round a stray piece of poop (eww), that could possibly be extra about leisure worth. There are additionally litter-box behaviors that may clue you into a possible well being problem, corresponding to digging within the field however not truly “going” in it.

As traditional, it’s by no means as clear because it appears with these fascinating creatures. 

The explanation why cats play or dig of their litter bins

Let’s speak about why your cat could also be digging, enjoying, or doing different issues of their litter field. The extra about their underlying motivations, the higher understanding you’ll have of what they could have to cease this conduct.

Investigation and marking territory

Cats use scent as a communication device. It’s a option to say, “Hey, I used to be right here.” What has loads of odor to assist ship that message? You guessed it: pee and poop. They will additionally unfold their scent by scratching and even rolling within the field. 

Your cat most likely does a couple of laps within the litter field when they should go, sniffing to see who’s been there and if their very own scent has light since their final go to. They might additionally sniff round within the field after one other cat makes use of it. Similar concept. Who was there, and when? Inquiring cats need to know.  

Making ready to pee or poop

To not get too private, however similar to you could have a course of whenever you go to the lavatory, your cat has one for going to the litter field. It often features a ritual of sniffing, circling, extra sniffing and circling, then digging. Typically it’s a fragile motion of litter. Different instances, they appear to be attempting to tunnel by the ground. 

They’ve some enjoyable with it. Now they’re able to do their enterprise.

Burying their feces or urine

After the pre-pee (or -poop) guidelines, they need to do the post-pee guidelines. This often includes extra sniffing and spinning. Then most cats will bury their enterprise. That’s an instinctual conduct. Within the wild, they don’t need potential predators choosing up on their scent from far-off. They usually don’t need to tip off potential prey. 

Your cat could scratch on the sides of the litter field. That’s additionally an try to bury. The litter field might be too small or could not have sufficient litter in it. 

Not all cats bury, which may make for a smelly room. Sadly, there’s no actual option to train them to bury. It’s instinctual and discovered from watching mother as a kitten. Some cats simply don’t really feel the necessity to do that, or could need to depart a stronger scent. 

Dislike of their litter field setup

In case your cat isn’t burying, digs obsessively, or has a tough time discovering the best spot to go, the litter field is probably not becoming their wants. Widespread culprits are:

• Containers which are too small

• Litter that isn’t straightforward to dig and bury in, like pellets

• Not utilizing sufficient litter 

• Not feeling secure and safe within the space

• A grimy field…which leads us to the following level

Litter field must be cleaned

Your cat desires a clear field. It’s best to, too. Not solely does it cut back odors but additionally means much less ickiness in your cat’s paws. If the field is stuffed with earlier pee and poop spots, your cat could dig round looking for a clear spot and canopy the previous spots. 

Cat boredom

A bored cat will discover their very own leisure. Which will imply enjoying within the litter field, operating out and in of it, digging, freaking out because the litter strikes round, even bringing toys into the field. That is extra frequent with kittens, however it may possibly occur with older cats, too. It might not even be boredom, however simply that they benefit from the expertise.

Anytime I add clear litter to the field, my cat comes operating and begins frantically digging the place the brand new litter is falling. It’s a celebration for him. 

Submit-poop zoomies

Plenty of cats get the zoomies after they poop. It’s a bizarre cat factor that we cat lovers simply roll with. They might come flying out of the field, zoom to the opposite finish of the house, then again out and in of the field, sending litter flying. 

A scorching day

Litter may be cool, particularly clay litter. And what cat doesn’t love sitting in a field? You understand the cat saying, “If I suits, I sits.” Put these collectively — a scorching day and a field stuffed with cool, clear litter — and your cat sees a great resting spot. 

Stress or nervousness

A nervous or fearful cat will search for any sense of safety. In some instances, that could be their litter field. You see this usually with cats in shelters or small, confined areas with no hiding spot. They’ll lie within the litter field as a result of it provides extra of a barrier between them and no matter is making them nervous. 

Medical causes behind why your cat performs within the litter field

Keep in mind, simply because it appears like play doesn’t imply it’s. In reality, one of many foremost methods cats tell us one thing is flawed is thru modifications to their litter field habits. 

Bodily ache or discomfort

Ache from any a part of the physique can result in a change in litter field conduct. Your cat could also be digging much less, sitting within the field, peeing over the facet of the field, and many others. 

Feline UTI, bladder infections, cystitis, or urinary blockage

Urinary points are frequent in cats attributable to their low thirst drive. You could discover your cat going out and in of the litter field a number of instances, perhaps digging and squatting like regular, however solely peeing a tiny quantity or under no circumstances.

Constipation

That is one other scenario the place you may even see your cat going out and in of the field, straining and attempting to poop, with no luck. 

When to hunt professional assist

Any sudden modifications in litter field conduct warrant a vet go to. This contains frantic digging, mendacity within the field whereas it’s soiled, consuming litter, going out and in of the field often, straining, and many others. 

In case your cat is attempting to pee however can’t, don’t fiddle. Get to your veterinarian immediately. One thing like a urinary blockage can flip lethal in a short time if not handled. 

In case your cat is displaying indicators of stress which are impacting their litter field conduct, or they aren’t utilizing the field, speak to a feline conduct guide. They may also help. 

Backside line

• Your cat could also be enjoying within the litter field attributable to boredom, pleasure, and many vitality that wants burning off.

• What appears like play would possibly truly be instinctual conduct that comes together with peeing and pooping, like digging, burying, and sniffing.

• Some litter field conduct can point out stress or a possible medical problem, which warrants a go to to the vet.