Over the past few days I've noticed that my cat gets into her litter box, starts to dig around, then notices her tail and jumps at it. Then she spends half a minute chasing her tail - while still in the litter box - and then its like she suddenly remembers why she was there. So she'll start digging again, then maybe notice the litter flying in the air when she digs and she'll launch into the air and pounce at the bits of litter. After a while, she gets back to digging and will eventually does her business. Yesterday she did this about five times in a row. And then she jumped out of the box and ran off. She eventually came back again to actually use the litter.
I find it very strange. She doesn't actually play with her feces or anything, just chases her tail or the litter granules. I really want to try to get her to stop because I think its a bit gross having her play in the litter box and roll around, and then go climb on the couch or into someones lap! How do I get her to stop this?
2006-11-27 18:45:27 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
My weirdo kittens did this as well and still do it now occasionally. The tough thing is that you don't want to spray them while they are in the litter box, because then they will have a negative association with the litter box.
My suggestion would be to keep plenty of toys handy that will distract her from the litter box. Picking her up and moving her is probably also fine.
Sometimes I notice that my cats will go into the litter box not to play, but to "tidy up." I clean my litter box religiously once a day and bleach/refill it once a month. Is there a chance your cat is actually trying to bury or cover up something offensive in there to her?
Added: I also notice that my cats will "play" in the litter box when the litter level gets low. They seem to prefer a higher litter level and really like their business buried very deep. Ever since I started filling up the boxes with more litter, it has been more of a business area of the house, rather than pleasure :)
2006-11-27 18:49:01 · answer #1 · answered by Mini K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My kitten used to do that too - play inside the litter box and sometimes even lay down in it (its always clean). I think its the sandy grit texture that attracts the digging and playing. I did nothing and eventually, after a couple of weeks, the kitten tired of the silly game... yours will too. If it really bugs you, try distracting your kitty with a feather teaser or some other cool cat toy. She just wants to play. Show her that there are real interesting games to play OUTSIDE the litter tray! See, if you punish her for playing in the litter box or otherwise discipline her, she might develop an aversion for the box - then you'll have a bigger problem.
2006-11-27 18:54:58 · answer #2 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
haha... my cat has been known to just lay in the litter box. usually it is clean when he does this, but sometimes its not. he used to dig & dig & play FOREVER when he was younger. it drove us CRAZY when we lived in our little apartment. i havn't noticed it so much in the last year, but then again we have a big house now. well, all i can say is that yes, it is gross, but it isn't that uncommon. i would really just let her be. you don't want her having any bad associations with the litter box. you want her to like it! just keeping it super clean will help it not be so gross for you.
for stopping the flying litter issue- you have to just buy the covered box & clean up what does escape from that. it does help a lot though. especially when they are diggers...
2006-11-27 18:58:40 · answer #3 · answered by christy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could dock its tail. No, bad joke. Are you useing the clumping litter. Then you only need to use an inch or two in depth. That could help on the amount of debris exiting the box with your kitten.
Also, some vets use shredded paper as litter as it is better on he paws. That probably won't fly like the litter.
2006-11-27 18:57:53 · answer #4 · answered by feliciadawn7 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well it also has to do with her age if she still a kitten then she will do that alot. try to get her attention when u see her doing that like for example try to pound on the litter box or buy a litter box that has a cover on it. maybe that will work good luck.:) xj
2006-11-27 18:57:49 · answer #5 · answered by ❤נαcкiε❤ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hide the litter box or lock the cat up in the house
2006-11-27 19:43:42 · answer #6 · answered by doudou 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have a covered litter box and my cat would HIDE in there-seriously, whenever you couldn't find him around the house, look in there...I don't know why cats do that....
2006-11-27 19:36:33 · answer #7 · answered by Philip B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a smaller box for now or one with a lid. At least she isn't scooping the pissballs out of the box & playing hockey with them like mine did! LOL!
2006-11-27 18:49:36 · answer #8 · answered by ebonyruffles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had 3 cats before. It is purrfectly normal for a cat to do. Yes, you might think it is gross. The cat might think that it is gross that you pee in his giant water dish everyday before he drinks from it
2006-11-27 19:28:47 · answer #9 · answered by Cat News 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends...if she's a kitten, she needs time to mature. If that's not it, do some research on training cats online or in a book, or see your vet.
2006-11-27 18:55:06 · answer #10 · answered by Byte-Sized Cookie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋