My cat waits to use her litter box until she hears me going downstairs to clean it?

Question

Lately, my cat has been acting peculiar, especially with her potty habits. She's peed and pooped a few times outside of the litter box. I tried to find a solution, and found that whenever she hears me going down the steps to our basement to scoop her box, she races down there to use it. It seems she waits for me to go down before using the box. I didn't move her box to a new location, and she had been using it regularly. This is a fairly recent thing.

I clean or scoop her litterbox everyday, and I did put two down there -- thinking she may prefer one for #1, and the other for #2. As it turns out, she does indeed use one for pee, and the other for poop. But.....she waits for me to go down there before doing anything.....

Answer 1

I had a cat like that too. All of a sudden she didn't want to use the litterbox if it had anything in there. She just became a princess overnight. I didn't mind. It found it quite comical that she would come running to use it right after I'd clean it.

You'll either have to make sure that you keep it clean as much as possible or maybe give her more than one box. Or, get one of those self cleaning litterboxes? I have never used one so I can't help you with that, sorry.

Answer 2

Houses in CA don't have basements as a rule and it always gives me pause when I hear of people putting litterboxes down there. I sort of feel it's like asking the cat to use an outhouse. How can you know if it needs cleaning or scooping when it's down there?

I would advise you to get a box upstairs for the cat as it sounds like she is not happy with the cleanliness of the box in the basement. You don't want her to get in the habit of going around your house so be advised that you had better reconsider where it is placed and how clean you are keeping it.

Answer 3

Doesn't really matter, does it? She's going to use it no matter what. Just keep it clean at all times...unless you want her pooping and peeing all over the house. Use clumping litter and clean it once a day...I clean my cat's box at night before I go to bed. Have not had any problems with her not using it, even when it's slightly dirtier than usual. My sister's cat used to jump in the box and play with the litter and kick it outside the box every time it was cleaned...LOL. Crazy cat.

Answer 4

Are you sure she is crapping outside the litter tray, or is she doing it in the tray then scooping it out afterward? My two kittens have started doing that when I am at work - never when I am here. Like you, the litter is always fresh and changed every 3 days, the excretia is sieved out twice a day and I use freshener.

Also, the minute I clean the tray and put fresh litter in , the pair of them immediately come and dump in it. It really annoyed me at first, but I have now come to accept it. When I am rich I am going to get my own back by changing it every time they deposit and see if they can keep it up!!

Answer 5

Cats are really fickle about their boxes. A lot of kitties won't use a dirty box. Sounds like that might be the case since she gets excited and uses it when you go to clean it. Try cleaning it more often, or getting an automatic litter box. My two cats watch me clean their box and then take turns getting in and using it right after. Drives me crazy, but I would never punish them for using the box.

Answer 6

I've read that cats are tempted to use the litter by the sound of new litter being scooped in - I guess your cat associates it even with your coming down the stairs, it just means "clean litter" to her. That would be my explanation (my cat does tend to use the litterbox right after I scoop clean litter in. Even if he used it right before that too...)

Answer 7

Maybe u don't clean the box often enough. Cats like clean litter in their box and clean dishes to eat out of.

Answer 8

it rather is a difficulty with a great style of cats, have self assurance me. i offered a great corner muddle container that has lots bigger facets and a low front so they are able to get in extra handy and function a great style of enclosed room to dig -- it form of feels to inspire extra digging. additionally bit the bullet and purchase a bag of Dr. Elsey's Cat entice muddle (Petsmart sells it). it rather is costly at $sixteen a bag even nonetheless it has some thing in it that seems to entice cats like a magnet and that they like to dig in it. It additionally lasts 2 or thrice longer than different litters and would not song or make airborne dirt and dust. it rather is nicely worth a attempt, i think of. some cats will use a lined container which helps administration the scent yet some won't. you will desire to attempt that still yet be arranged for them to not like it (shop a generic one close by). For scent administration i admire the Arm and Hammer floor corn muddle (tan and brown granular stuff) , It has a piney scent like clean decrease timber and controls urine scent rather nicely. One great disadvantage is the darn stuff tracks all over the homestead because of the fact it rather is like sawdust.

Answer 9

You might need to move the box out of the basement. Cats do very odd things . Mine likes to use it when she know I am changing it then when I'm finished. I keep litter box in my batroom , she goes to it when I go to.

Answer 10

Like as lot of females... she wants an audience in attendance.

It's the same reason that women always go the the bathroom in pairs and bunches whenever possible.... they like the excitment and laughter... the sympathy when things aren't coming out so easily... and, of course, there's the thrill of making a big splash in front of their friends and getting a round of applause.

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