Very Strange Litter Box Behavior

My new male cat - almost 6 months old - has recently developed a strange ritual: whenever I clean his litter box, he uses it, either urinating or pooping while I'm there. He seems to be undisturbed by my presence. I have had cats my entire life and have never encountered this. All of my other cats would be very hesitant to use the box while I was around. This one seems to be not only indifferent to my presence but actually chooses to use the book when I'm there. I can even scoop it as he goes about his business. I don't know whether to be flattered or dismayed as I can't figure out if this is a sign of trust and comfort or a well intentioned insult. I am completely at a loss as to the meaning of this. I would appreciate some insight or thoughts into this behavior.

I have had my kitten since thanksgiving and she is not bothered by my presence poking around her litter box either. I just assumed it was because I am like her mother. If it means something awful, you'd never know it from any of her other behaviors.

Harley is the same way - he doesn't seem bothered at all!

I have three that do this- makes life interesting-

I have one that follows me around every time I scoop and uses the litter box while I scoop. I just wait for him to finish and discard it right away.

I have 2 out of my group that will push each other out of the way to get in and do their business first while I"m cleaning it. I always wondered if that was just their strange little way of "claiming" it. The minute it's being cleaned they do their business. Could it just be possible they are claiming this particular spot as theirs? Mine will even attmpt to do their business in more than one box as I move from box to box.

Chichi won't use the box if I so much as walk past it while she's in there Murphy on the other hand thinks when I am in there, he is supposed in there

Sam and Clio jump in the box before I can get the lid back on after I clean it. They seem extremely happy when they are doing this. Go figure.

Originally Posted by laureen227

i call it 'christening' the box!

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Oh that is too funny! Thats what I call it too. Maybe it does have to do with a dominence thing - cause the one that always winds up doing her business first in my house is my alpha cat. In fact most of the time (just so I get everything), I'll kneel down near it and then tell her "come on, do what you gotta do and lets get on with things" and I wait...hehe. and they say we are "cat owners"?? try the other way around - they are human owners. How many humans would you kneel down next to the toilet for and wait till there done??