The answer is that cats don’t know how to use the litter box. Having more than one litter box reduces behavioral and territorial issues. If you’ve cleaned the litter box, tried a different sized one, and moved it to a different spot in your house and your cat still isn’t using it, he recommends seeing your veterinarian. Modern survival of the fittest. In her free time, she likes exploring the seacoast of Maine where she lives and works remotely full time and snuggling up on the couch with her corgi, Eggo, to watch HGTV or The Office. All animals have instinctual behaviors and that includes your domesticated cat. It’s a territorial thing that goes on between cats. 1 decade ago. 9 Answers. Why Do Some Cats Play in the Litter Box? How often do cats use the litter box? They have no one to fear. Due to a desire to stay safe and not get into fights, your cat may opt to spend a lot more time indoors, thus increasing the need for an indoor litter box. It does look like a sandbox, after all. 2+ litter boxes for multiple cats is more sanitary. For you, it’s a frustrating inconvenience. Reasons Why You Cat Doesn’t Use Their Litter Box at Night. Maine Coon cats do use a litter box, just like with other cat breeds, as long as it is clean, spacious, and wide enough to accommodate their large size. In this study, no overall preference was seen for covered versus uncovered litter boxes. But if two of the litter boxes are placed at opposite ends of the house, stalking is cut off at the pass. If you have 3 cats, you need 3+1 litter boxes (a total of 4). 16 mins ago. To avoid being eaten or attacked by predators, ancestral cats had to cover up their tracks. How often do cats use the litter box? For some cat owners, the litter box is a huge pain in the neck because of all the scratching and digging that occurs in there. Yes, two cats can “love” each other, eat from the same bowl, and sleep in one bed. “The litter box may be too small, in a busy area of your home or difficult to access,” says Dr. Cassidy. Cats need their own litter boxes and prefer not to share even with other felines. Why do cats play in the litter box? 1 reason people surrender their cats to shelters. You will try to block the punch, move your head, or at least flinch. And, the fact they help to keep the odor under control is great for their owners. There are actually underlying reasons. Whether you've adopted a cute little kitten or a tough outdoor cat, you may have to train the furry thing on proper use of the litter box. Here’s How to Tell, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), This $25 Foot Peel Is Better Than a Pedicure, Here’s How to Keep a Cat from Scratching the Furniture, How Smart Is Your Cat? This is why cats are naturally attracted to the feel of cat litter and know what to do once they feel it beneath their paws. Why? So it makes sense that your cat would prefer to use a clean litter box versus one that’s so full of pee, it burns his eyes, nose, and throat. Read on and let us discover the reasons why. Open boxes make it easy to scoop out dirty litter, refill and keep clean. They do it by instinct. The subordinate cats then cover their waste as an act of submission. Do You Have Enough Litter Boxes? If you have more than one cat in your household, no matter how well they get along they need their own space. The answer is that cats don’t know how to use the litter box. Anonymous. For 4 cats and upwards the more litter boxes the better, you’ll have quite the task on your hands … Copyright: © Automated Pet Care Products. It all comes down to animal instincts. 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