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Possibly strange litterbox behavior

post #1 of 7
8/28/09 at 4:26pm
Thread Starter 
I say possibly because maybe it's normal for some cats?

When I came home yesterday my new kitty was using the box. She was standing on her hind legs with her front paws on the top of the box and doing #2. Her stools have been a little soft, but no diarrhea. Do some cats just use the box this way? Or should I be concerned about it? I've only actually seen her using the box one other time and she was squatting then like my other cats do.

She and the other cats have been doing well adjusting to each other. Rare hissing or swats now. She does sit by me a lot, but doesn't like to be pet and rarely climbs on things or scratches (I've seen her use the post 2 or 3 times, and have never seen her scratch anything else.)
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post #2 of 7
8/28/09 at 4:51pm
I have a couple that go this way. They all have their special ways of using the box!
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post #3 of 7
8/28/09 at 7:19pm
I have a cat that has some litter box issues, so I've done lots of research If your cat doesn't go outside the box, it's probably just a quirk. However....I've seen a film by Dr. Dodman that shows cats that don't care for their litter - and some of them will do just about anything to keep their feet out of the litter while using the box - usually just before they abandon the box altogether and start eliminating elsewhere.

Should she start having 'accidents', besides a vet check for UTIs, I'd suggest providing another box with other litter, to see if it is a litter preference issue. I'd recommend trying Cat Attract - I've had tremendous luck with that. But, I really hope it's just her way, and best of luck with the transition.

BTW, got enough boxes for all the kitties? Some kitties really really dislike using boxes where another cat has gone.
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post #4 of 7
8/29/09 at 7:20am
A few of my cats do this too. I use the covered litter boxes and they will stand with their front paws on the ledge and their head and shoulders out of the box. For the most part only my larger cats do this, I assumed it was because they were too big for the box.
My sister's cat is huge, he weighs 20 lbs. and stands about 2 feet high on all fours, and he uses covered boxes also. He's hysterical to watch use the potty. He will back up into the box as far as he can go, but he's so large that half of him still sticks out of the box and he has to keep his front paws on the floor.
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post #5 of 7
8/30/09 at 10:28am
I agree; sounds like she's just finding her most comfy way to potty.

My Charlie put his two front paws on the lip of the box and then hoists one of his back legs up there as well. Then he just lets it rip. It's horribly obscene, but absolutely hysterical.
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post #6 of 7
8/30/09 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by darlili View Post
I have a cat that has some litter box issues, so I've done lots of research If your cat doesn't go outside the box, it's probably just a quirk. However....I've seen a film by Dr. Dodman that shows cats that don't care for their litter - and some of them will do just about anything to keep their feet out of the litter while using the box - usually just before they abandon the box altogether and start eliminating elsewhere.

Should she start having 'accidents', besides a vet check for UTIs, I'd suggest providing another box with other litter, to see if it is a litter preference issue. I'd recommend trying Cat Attract - I've had tremendous luck with that. But, I really hope it's just her way, and best of luck with the transition.

BTW, got enough boxes for all the kitties? Some kitties really really dislike using boxes where another cat has gone.

I agree with all of this excellent post, especially about the multiple boxes.

Sometimes it's just a quirk.

However, the one thing I would add is to make sure the boxes are big enough. Sometimes cats will do edge hanger type squats because they feel like they don't have enough room.

And beware of tip overs!

I've had great success with tall sided rubber-maid (tm) tubs as litter boxes. Lots of room, and no danger of missing the box!

like this

.
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post #7 of 7
8/31/09 at 7:24pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone. I've seen her use both boxes in a normal squatting position since then, so maybe she was just trying to avoid a previous deposit in the box that day!

I have this box upstairs and am going to get another one for the downstairs bathroom. My boy kitty likes to try to dig to China every time he uses the box and splatters litter everywhere, and at least one of them ends up going outside the box at times because their behinds hang over the edge of the shorter, smaller box. I've really liked this one (from Petsmart, $17.99)

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