There are several reasons that can lead a cat to sleep in its litter box, such as a stressful situation, the arrival of a new member to the household or the discomfort of their bed. Therefore, it is our obligation to analyze the situation, find the exact cause that motivates this change in behavior and, above all, go to the veterinarian to diagnose or rule out any he alth problem. Although it may seem that the fact of lying down in the litter box does not indicate anything, the truth is that sometimes it is a clear sign that something in the animal's he alth is not right. Keep reading and discover on our site why your cat sleeps in the litter box and what to do in each case.
Why does your cat lie down in his litter box?
Many cats like to sleep in their litter box, without this implying an underlying problem. Therefore, if your cat has always had this behavior, it does not necessarily mean that this attitude hides a he alth problem. Your cat may lie in the litter box for a behavior and preference issue, nothing more. Now, if it's a sudden change and you've never lain in his litter box before, then you should be concerned that your kitty is trying to tell you something. Next, we will see the main causes that explain why your cat lies down in the litter box if it did not do so before.
He is sick
A cat that is not feeling well and feels the need to go to the bathroom more times than usual, may choose to lie down near the box or, directly, lie down in the litter box. This way he avoids having to run away or urinate outside the litter box. So, in addition to paying attention to whether your cat sleeps in the litter box, you need to pay attention to whether your cat:
- You urinate more times than usual.
- You have difficulty urinating.
- You poop as usual or have difficulty.
- You urinate and defecate with the usual color and consistency.
If you notice any change in your cat's stools or in his behavior in terms of fulfilling his needs, it is probably the reason that justifies him lying in the litter box. In this case, whether you notice that your cat goes to the litter box a lot or you have detected an unusual color in its feces, it is essential to consult the veterinarian so that they can examine the animal and determine what is wrong with it.
Keep in mind that this change in the cat's behavior may be indicative of the presence of serious diseases such as diabetes or kidney failure, in addition to being a symptom of urine infection, kidney stones or cystitis, among other problems. The sooner you go to the specialist, the more likely your animal will be to be diagnosed in time and, therefore, to be treated properly and successfully.
Your cat likes to lie in the litter box
Many cats lie down in the litter box simply because they like it, They feel comfortable and safeThis happens, above all, when there is more than one litter box in the home or the box is always kept clean. Remember that cats are very neat animals and they would only do this out of preference when the place is not dirty. Also, if your bed seems uncomfortable and you don't have another surface to lie on, the sandbox may be the best option for you to rest.
Now, is it okay to let the cat sleep in the litter box? clearly not. Although it seems to you that you maintain correct litter hygiene, it is not always possible to control it because for this you should monitor your feline 24 hours a day. Thus, to guarantee the animal's he alth, we recommend to look for an alternative that is more attractive for him to sleep in and thus prevent him from continuing to lie down in the litter box. A good substitute can be a cardboard box, as both containers are similar in shape. Get to know your cat, his tastes and preferences, and try to cover them so that he sleeps safely and without risks.
You are stressed and look for a safe place
A stressed cat tends to alter its behavior, becoming more nervous, susceptible, aggressive or carrying out actions that it did not do before, like lying in the sandbox. The arrival at home of a new member (human or animal), a move or any change in their daily routine, no matter how small, are factors that can stress your cat and make it look for a place safe to rest In your mind, what better place to isolate yourself than one that contains your scent and, furthermore, no one visits? In this sense, in general, the litter box is usually located in a space in the home with little traffic and far away due to the smell it can emit, so this will be the place chosen by the animal to calm down.
If the cat feels threatened, it is normal for him to look for a safer alternative for him to sleep. Therefore, if you suspect that this may be the reason why your cat sleeps in the litter box, investigate the cause of the stress and avoid it to return the animal your emotional stability. Check out our article on "Things That Stress Cats" and fix the problem.
You need to defend your territory
It is no secret to anyone that cats are very territorial animals. Therefore, the arrival of a new member of the household can make the animal feel its resources threatened and end up having the need to protect them, including the litter box. This is called resource protection, and although it is a natural behavior, it is not at all positive because it can induce an aggressive attitude and harm coexistence, in addition to altering the emotional stability of the animal.
On the other hand, if you've just adopted a new cat and it's the one sleeping in the litter box, it could happen as a result of la territoriality of the oldest cat In other words, if the feline that already lived in the home does not let him use the litter box, it is normal that the new cat sleep in the litter box as little as possible to ensure that it can be used when needed.
Although some cats are able to share their resources peacefully, many others prefer their privacy and refuse to use a box used by others. To avoid these problems, it is always recommended to provide a litter box for each cat, and add an extra one. See our article "Can two cats use the same litter box?" and find out what to do.
On the other hand, if you have noticed that the coexistence between them is not correct, visit our article "How to introduce a cat to another cat?" and put into practice our tips to remedy it.
What to do if your cat sleeps in the litter box?
The most important thing is to identify the cause that explains why your cat lies in the litter box and treat it, as well as visit the veterinarian to rule out any he alth problem. Also, you can follow these tips:
- If you live with more than one cat, make sure you have the number of litter boxes appropriate for the number of cats.
- Provide your cat with different comfortable and safe sleeping surfaces and place them in strategic places in the home that they may like, such as corners with little traffic or high spaces. To do this, placing several cardboard boxes or blankets on secure shelves can be excellent solutions that will stop your cat from lying in the litter box.
- If you plan to make any changes at home, whatever it may be, remember to do it progressively to prevent your cat from becoming stressed.
- If your feline is very nervous, the use of synthetic pheromones, such as those administered by the Feliway brand, can be very useful for make you feel calmer.
It is also important to pay attention to the cat's general behavior and check for any other changes, even if they may seem insignificant. Thus, observe the amount of water he drinks, if he eats well, if he loses more hair than usual, the consistency and color of feces and urine, if he is listless or apathetic, if he bites or rejects us. Detecting these small alterations in time can mean an early diagnosis that will help guarantee the success of the treatment if the animal suffers from any he alth problem.
