5 Litter Box Behaviors Of Cats That Are Weird

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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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.