Litterbox Love?

loribeth

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I wonder if this 'odd' behavior is common or just weird ...my 2 year old kitty sometimes just sits in his litter box ...or lays down in it ...sometimes he appears to be playing in it.  It' not like all the time but often enough where it seems odd.  I usually scoop twice a day, his fascination doesn't seem to correspond with scooping ...just random.
 

LTS3

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One of my cats occasionally sits in the litter box, too
I'm not sure why she does it. I think cats are just strange sometimes
 

lamiatron

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I wonder if this 'odd' behavior is common or just weird ...my 2 year old kitty sometimes just sits in his litter box ...or lays down in it ...sometimes he appears to be playing in it.  It' not like all the time but often enough where it seems odd.  I usually scoop twice a day, his fascination doesn't seem to correspond with scooping ...just random.
Hi @LoriBeth

Most of everything our cats do, is always weird. Sitting or "playing" in the litter box could be one of those things. my cats went through a period when they were both kittens, where they would both go into the same litter box at the same time...and use it...together. It was weird...but over time they grew out of it (thank god).

However, a cat sitting in the litter box, or aka "sitting in his own filth" is not always a good thing, and should not be ignored. It could be a sign that your kitty is not feeling secure, confident in his/her own surroundings, and is trying to surround itself with a scent that is most familiar to it, to feel safe...which is sitting in the litter box. What other place in the whole house has the most amount of kitty scent other than the litter box? 

Here are some things to consider:

1) have there been any major changes for you and kitty recently?

2) did you perhaps get a new pet?

3) did you move? or change the furniture around?

4) could something have happened to your cat while you were gone to make him/her feel insecure?

5) is this a new behavior, or has kitty always been like this?

6) how often does he go sit in the litter box, and for how long each time?

7) when was the last time you took kitty to the vet? maybe its time for a check up..

My girl Jet was super stressed out when we found our 3rd cat Gunther, and we were going through the process of kitty intros. She would sit in her litter box all day. and if she wasn't in the litter box, she would be hiding. It broke my heart. She's good now tho...and her and Gunther get a long really well.

I'm not trying to make you worry! i'm sorry if this post is a bit of a downer...and I could be wrong. This could be just a weird kitty quirk. I hope that's what it is!
 
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loribeth

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Hi @LoriBeth

Most of everything our cats do, is always weird. Sitting or "playing" in the litter box could be one of those things. my cats went through a period when they were both kittens, where they would both go into the same litter box at the same time...and use it...together. It was weird...but over time they grew out of it (thank god).

However, a cat sitting in the litter box, or aka "sitting in his own filth" is not always a good thing, and should not be ignored. It could be a sign that your kitty is not feeling secure, confident in his/her own surroundings, and is trying to surround itself with a scent that is most familiar to it, to feel safe...which is sitting in the litter box. What other place in the whole house has the most amount of kitty scent other than the litter box?

Here are some things to consider:

1) have there been any major changes for you and kitty recently?

2) did you perhaps get a new pet?

3) did you move? or change the furniture around?

4) could something have happened to your cat while you were gone to make him/her feel insecure?

5) is this a new behavior, or has kitty always been like this?

6) how often does he go sit in the litter box, and for how long each time?

7) when was the last time you took kitty to the vet? maybe its time for a check up..

My girl Jet was super stressed out when we found our 3rd cat Gunther, and we were going through the process of kitty intros. She would sit in her litter box all day. and if she wasn't in the litter box, she would be hiding. It broke my heart. She's good now tho...and her and Gunther get a long really well.

I'm not trying to make you worry! i'm sorry if this post is a bit of a downer...and I could be wrong. This could be just a weird kitty quirk. I hope that's what it is!
Thanks for your reply Lamiatron:

to respond:

1) have there been any major changes for you and kitty recently? 

None that I can think of

2) did you perhaps get a new pet? 

Nope

3) did you move? or change the furniture around?

Nope

4) could something have happened to your cat while you were gone to make him/her feel insecure?

Don't think so

5) is this a new behavior, or has kitty always been like this?

I've had him 4.5 months ...he has done it right along

6) how often does he go sit in the litter box, and for how long each time?

Maybe once a week  for just a few minutes

7) when was the last time you took kitty to the vet? maybe its time for a check up..

About 4 months ago ...he seems healthy, active & happy ...just an odd quirk I guess but good questions to bring to mind

His box is kept very clean ...I scoop twice a day ...of course there still is plenty of kitty scent I realize ...sometimes it's like he is pouncing around in his box ...then he steps out & goes on his way
 

stewball

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My Lotto who died last may a year ago, used to do that, but not when he was ill. I used to refer to it as going to ground. I never lasted long.
 

lamiatron

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.....

His box is kept very clean ...I scoop twice a day ...of course there still is plenty of kitty scent I realize ...sometimes it's like he is pouncing around in his box ...then he steps out & goes on his way
lol that makes me think of kitten behavior! so cute. 

Well from what you've described, to me it doesn't seem like he's doing it out of insecurity, or anything bad..he just likes his litter box i guess? If you feel there may be something wrong, its always best to take him to the vet. He has only been with you for about 4 months...it could be that over time this is something that will stop...or maybe this is just a weird quirk he has..I think it would be good to make sure that when he's in the litter box pouncing around he's not eating litter...some cats do that. 

My girl Jet does do that once in a while..(pounce around in the litter box) and it's always after i clean the boxes out..she goes in each one and then she digs around and sniffs around and examines my litter cleaning capabilities. lol. But when she used to sit in there all day, during the kitty intros..it broke my heart because she was doing it because she was having a hard time. I would come home to find her in the litter box...like a loaf with her tail around her. when i would take her out and put her down..she would just slink back in there looking at me with the saddest eyes... :( 

That's pretty much the reason why i wanted to bring that to your attention...that sometimes cats do it because they feel insecure..and they are stressed and not happy with their surroundings. After your description I don't think that's the case with your kitty. 
 
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