I realize a lot of cats do prolonged scratching after using the litterbox. Mellie does that, too. She covers her waste and then spends another five minutes scratching at the sides of the box. I've read many posts from other people whose cats do that but I don't ever recall reading any explanation for it. I've got a theory, and I wonder what you all think: I'm guessing that she does it because the litterbox isn't clean enough for her. I wonder if after scratching to cover she still smells cat waste and so her instinct prompts her to cover it better. But she's already covered her waste under the litter, so perhaps she still smells something on the sides of the box, and that's why she scratches there. You've noticed how cats sniff the litter after covering to make sure it's well-covered.
What do you all think? Mellie isn't happy with my litterbox hygiene? Or does someone else have a better explanation of why cats continue scratching at the sides of the litterbox long after their waste is covered? Thanks .....
What do you all think? Mellie isn't happy with my litterbox hygiene? Or does someone else have a better explanation of why cats continue scratching at the sides of the litterbox long after their waste is covered? Thanks .....
