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Out of all the species of pets in the world, cats are the most
mysterious of them all. Unlike canines, it's much harder to read
the body language of felines because of its subtleness. On top of
that, they also have cryptic behaviors when they have to use
their litter box. Here are five litter box behaviors that are
weird:
Avoiding The Litter Box Completely
Even though felines are known to be mischievous, there may be
times when you cat starts to avoid the litter box completely. If
your cat exhibits this behavior out of the blue, you should take
it to the vet as soon as possible. One of the reasons why felines
stop using their litter box is because of a medical condition. If
your cat has a urinary tract infection, it will start associating
the litter box with the pain it experiences while urinating. As a
result of this, your cat will start searching for different areas
to relieve itself.
Attending Nature’s Call Just Outside The Litter
Box
As a cat owner, nothing is more annoying than finding your
feline’s feces just outside the litter box. However, you
shouldn’t get irritated with your feline because it is trying to
tell you something important. When your cat exhibits this
behavior, it is an indicator that it is unhappy with the litter
box. If the litter box is dirty, your feline will prefer to
attend nature’s call in another location. Also, if you changed
the litter recently, your feline may be uncomfortable with it.
Safeguarding The Litterbox
If you have two or more cats at home, you might have seen them
safeguarding their litterbox. Felines are protective about their
litterbox and don’t like sharing with anyone else, including
their species. To avoid fights, you should place a couple of
litter boxes around your house. With an adequate number of litter
boxes, your felines can relieve themselves in peace.
Leaving Its Poop Uncovered
Although felines are known to be extremely neat and tidy, there
may be times when your cat leaves its poop uncovered. One reason
why cats exhibit this behavior is that their parents wouldn’t
have given them lessons to cover up their poop. Another reason
why cats leave their poop uncovered is to assert their dominance.
Try changing the litter to see if it is going to change your
feline’s weird behavior.
Using The Litter Box Right After You Clean It
As soon as you clean the litter box, your cat will immediately go
and relieve itself. While this can be irritating, you shouldn’t
be harsh on your feline. When you clean the litter box, you
remove most of its territorial markings. Your feline
re-establishes its empire by using the litter box after you clean
it.These are the five litter box behaviors of cats that are
weird. If you have any doubts regarding this topic, feel free to
leave a comment below!
Tips on litter training your kitten
Generally, cats are naturally very clean animals. Chances are,
your kitten will already know how to use the litter box. Your
kitten’s mom will have begun the litter training process before
the kitten started living with you. However, sometimes, orphaned
kittens or kittens who were adopted too young have not developed
this habit.Here are some tips to train your kitten on how to use
the litter box.
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Set the litter box in a
quiet secluded locationEnsure that you place the litter
box in a calm area, where your kitten can do its business
safely without anything to disturb it.
-
Make sure you induce the use
of a litter box at the right time.Newborn kittens do not
start using the litter box until they are around three weeks
old. Introducing them to the litter box is appropriate after
they are three weeks old. Be patient with the kitten and
continue to offer treats or rewards until you're confident that
it is using the litter box regularly.
-
Keep the litter box area
cleanCats are very particular about their health and
cleanliness. Ensure that you place their litter box and their
food in two separate areas. It’s also important to clean out
the litter box every day, to avoid infections and to regularize
cleanliness. A clean box is preferred, and it will keep them
coming back to it every time they need to use the bathroom.
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Choose the right litter box
and litter for your kitten.Choose a box that gives your
kitten easy access, with a shallow litter box and an open lid.
For kittens who are less than eight weeks old, provide a
shallow lip for it to walk into the litter box.Kittens have
more sensitive skin than adult cats, so make sure that you
choose a litter that is not scented and a litter that is
dust-free.
-
Notice when your kitten
wants to do its business.Train your kitten to use her
tray, by providing the tray as soon as you see that your kitten
wants to go. You can also make it easier for your kitten by
placing it in the tray. If you keep doing this, your kitten can
find the litter tray all by itself by smell and location. A cat
litter that can absorb odours and nor form clumps is a better
option.
-
Use positive reinforcement
and reward successful attempts.Kittens respond well to
positive reinforcement. When your kitten uses its litter tray
correctly, make sure you give your kitten lots of praise and a
small treat as a reward. Your kitten will gradually learn how
to associate the litter box with good feelings. Encouraging
your kitten with words and gifts will ensure that it uses the
litter box regularly.