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Cat loves to play with the potty...HELP!
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Hi everyone,
My cat Dot has recently developed unceasing obsession with playing in the litter box, with the kitty litter. She amuses herself by slapping the kitty litter around in the box (yuck!). I keep the litter clean, but still...
I tried all I can do discourage her from doing that, to no avail. I don't want to scare her away, lest she associate fear with kitty litter and won't use the litter ever again.
What should I do? It's grossing me out. :P
Thanks!
Originally posted at 7:56PM, 8 June 2008 PDT
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zmustapha edited this topic 3 months ago.
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Have you changed the type of litter recently? When I changed litter (briefly) last year, Isaac started playing and sleeping in the box! Once I went back to my regular litter, he stopped.
Posted 3 months ago.
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Nope, same litter. The last time I changed litter, the cats used the bathtub as toilet.
The litter is Swheat Scoop. Made of wheat. I've been using it for four years.
Posted 3 months ago.
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I wouldn't think clapping your hands and/or yelping would produce anything more than discouraging this particular behaviour. Cats (as well as dogs) tend to associate locations, behaviour and other contextual elements tightly. This is because they lack the cognitive skill to abstract particular elements from the situation.
For instance, I once befriended a stray cat that use to sit by a particular porch, when I was on my way to work. He was very shy and it is only afer a while that he would let me approach and pet him. Still he feared my very much whenever I would encounter him at any other location. He only new that "that guy" who comes to him by "that porch" is friendly.
So, I do not think your cat would necessarily avoid the litter box if you only react to him when he is in a playful as opposed to a "relief" mood.
Posted 3 months ago.
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Have you changed litter, water or food locations?
I had the same problem years ago when I 1st got my cats but it was due to the litter tray being too close to the food bowls or water.
What age is your cat? has it been neutered yet? It maybe a hormonal thing.
TBH I have no idea but thought I may suggest the two that did came to mind, just incase.
I suppose Could always try new type of litter just incase something has put her/him off it lately somehow.
Or put less litter in so it is less tempting to play with.
BTW is it an inclosed litter tray (I dunno there proper name, but look like crisp box) or an open type litter tray? I dunno why I am asking that but you could try changing one type for another.
Any change in there stool or urinating? May be sign of attention to a medical problem?
TBH I am totaly randomly guessing at things to check just incase you may of missed something.
Best of luck.
EDIT - After re-reading it seems like it is more a playful habit than an attention thing...... Maybe get the cat some new toys incase she/he is tired of the old ones. Also only let her/him in the room where the tray is when they scratch the rooms door or meow outside it to let you know they need the toilet. If the cat can only access it when it needs it then it may forget about playing with it when it does not.
Sorry for typing so much nonesense... too much redwine, I'll stop now.
Originally posted 3 months ago.
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xecutey edited this topic 3 months ago.
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Maybe get him another box to play in? Most cats love being in boxes! Get a cardboard box and put some of his toys in it. Lay a blanket of some sort in it.
My cats have nylon cubes with a hole they can stick their head out of. As soon as I get one of their tails out (it's a toy made out of a string of fleece with feathers at the end) Snowcone runs to the cube and waits for me to dangle it in there for her. Like I'm fishing for kitties.
Posted 3 months ago.
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If it's still a young kitty, it'll probably grow out of it. My Brian did that when he was little, but he stopped as he grew up.
Posted 3 months ago.
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