Ugh how can I get my cat to cover up her poop?

Question

She doesn't cover up her stuff in the litterbox. She THINKS she does, cause she bangs her paws on the side several times...but when she hops out, it's not covered at all. And it's strong enough that the smell fills the room if it's not covered soon after she goes. So I have to go behind her and scoop some litter over it and spray some air freshener. What can I do to teach her? Or can she be taught?

I've been feeding her purina kitten chow, cause it was that or meow mix kitten...that's all my grocery store had!

Answer 1

Sound like your kittys mother- wasn't a very good teacher! I'm afraid there isn't much you can do about this problem. Hygiene is a "learned" behavior- & if she doesn't know the "right way" (to YOU) by NOW- it doesn't look too good. Now it's POSSIBLE- she doesn't like THAT brand of Kitty Litter (Don't YOU have a favorite toilet paper?); or maybe her litterbox is too small for her... But beyond THOSE ideas- what she "does"- is what you "smell". Sorry. :(

Answer 2

Ever tell someone they have something on their face? Well when you do, and they reach up to wipe it off, they never get the exact spot of that stray piece of food...do they. They get close but miss it almost every time...until you say, "No, it's a little to the left." Then they get exactly where it is and wipe it off with no problem.

Unfortunately, your cats not the same. You can't tell them to scoop a little more to the left and they get it. So...I guess you're going to have to live with it. You might try a bigger litter box--giving her a little more room to move around and check her "stuff".

As for the smell...two things. A. Try putting a stick-up air freshener near the litter box, or B. Change her food. Some of the cat food's on the market can cause a cats poop to smell worse than others. A good rule of thumb my vet told me is never feed a cat food that is colored (red, dark brown, green, etc). He equated colored food to being something like candy...it's not as good for them. Try Science Diet or a Pro Plan variety--that's what he recommended. Oh! And don't feed them canned food...that will definitly make it smell worse.

Answer 3

My cats have the same issue. You may be able to help with the smell by changing her food to a healthier one. An all natural food will have less of the stuff that cats don't need, which will end up in their poop. Less waste equals less smell. I was told this by the vet and it's true. I tried Science Diet for a while and it only helped a little. I really like Felidae.

Answer 4

I think it is pretty much just a habit they develop when they are first litterbox trained - whether they cover it or not. I can't think of a way you could train her to cover it. You could try maybe putting more litter in the box or get a bigger box so she'll have more room to dig around it.

Answer 5

Hey man!whats w/this 'scold her' Sh__..e'll only resent it.me too.

Well, I've got your solution,still...
O!Hell-i just know you wont like it.
i guess theres maybe better, less 'intimate' methods,but,if so,i confess i dont know'em.though,some find my answer offensive, it is a CORRECTABLE kit-cat first-time offense.since you can change this behaviour i reccomend you do what it takes.so,here's my suggestion:
-wait til kits finished litterin'&still in the tin[for consistency sake,any escapee ought to be softly caught&released back in box],then,when she starts to pretend...take her 2 front paws[again gentle,remember,its not against you, just a missunderstandin']in yer own 2. lightly lift & manipulate her arms-sweeping motions,for gatherin sand, & coverin stuff over.
you know, just show her what you'd do if you had to do it.[& like you will if you leave it unchecked.]everytime.until she's finally used to it. then kitty'll do what she's s'posed ta.herself.
coupla notes:
*#1.) assertain there's no health issue.oft box-trained cats begin acting strange like that due a paw sensitivity [grains of cheap sand trapped,oyster-like,causing infection.or a cut.burns. or bruises.etc.,broken-up claws.
-inspect them.
**behaviour may arrise when a new cat's introduced,a bathroom intrusion she just aint diggin.this ought to resolve itself soon enough.
***during training keep in mind,lotsa kit-cats hate having feet messed with.start loving handling paws daily,gradually increasing time she can stand it.try while treat-feeding.
*if assured your situation fits none the aforementioned,assume yer poor pet never learned proper, Teach.
like i say,i've only the one way.but it works.
[oh yeah-not a great 'pet-project' for anyone pregnant]
so
go on
have fun with it!
[weirdo]
from yer
everluvven
-s

Answer 6

I have 5 cats and all of them cover thier potty, except one. He poops and runs into the other room. leaving it to stink. If I don't cover it one of the others usually does. They are all unique.

Answer 7

well, usually cats learn by themselves(at least my cat does it)but if she doesn't then you should try and teach her but i'm not quite sure how.scold her as you teach and then give her a treat when she learns