If your cat is putting the " rest " in " restroom , " it may be a augury of an underlying aesculapian or behavioural issue .
Cats have an enviable natural endowment for being able to kip just about anywhere . But if your adult pool all of a sudden starts snoozing in their litter box , your esteem may switch to business — and with good reason , says Amelia Wieber , a certified cat conduct consultant and the proprietor ofCaring Behavior LLC . That ’s because litter box catnaps can be a sign of a bigger problem and can even create problems of their own . Read on for important selective information to know if your cat is sleeping in their bedding material boxful .
Reasons Why Your Cat is Sleeping in the Litter Box
While your cat may simply observe her bedding material box to be a cozy and safe outer space ( specially if it ’s been recently houseclean ) , it ’s typically not normal for feline to log Z’s in what is fundamentally their can . The potential reasons behind this behavior are many , but Wieber separates them into two main categories : medical and behavioral .
Medical
If your cat abruptly abandon her bed to sleep in the litter box , Wieber says you ’ll require to get hold of your veterinary surgeon to rule out an inherent medical subject first . She sound out many cats instinctively enshroud when sick , so your cat may be feel ill and the litter box is simply their hiding place of choice . Additionally , there are sure illnesses that can keep them tethered to the privy , such as :
If your onetime quat is sleeping in the litter box , it could be a sign of the zodiac ofarthritis . Painful joints can make drive more unmanageable , and your cat may find that the litter box is easy to get at or get in and out of than their usual napping nook . Another potential root cause in older cats iscognitive dysfunction , or dementia . Your cat may simply be confuse and disoriented , causing the lines to blur between where they toilet and where they make relaxed .
Behavioral
We sleep together we ’re preaching to the choir here , but khat are sensitive , observant creatures . And as such , they can becomestressed for a variety of reason . When tensions are high-pitched , Arabian tea often crawfish out to hide in areas that sense conversant and safe . And because litter box are often place in out - of - the - path locations , Wieber order your cat may see it as the safest spot to escape whatever ’s bothering them , particularly if the litter box is your cat ’s only covered concealing infinite .
So if your veterinary surgeon rules out any medical crusade , you might desire to search possible reservoir of emphasis in your computerized axial tomography ’s surroundings . These let in things like :
in the main speaking , anything that disrupts your cat ’s normal casual routine can also disrupt their normal behavior , including where they log Z’s .
Photo: pp1 / Shutterstock
If the positron emission tomography in question is a recently acquire kitten or adult CT who ’s spent their life within the tight confines of a coop , they may have just grown accustomed to sleeping near ( or in ) their litter box . Orin the case of the kitten , they may still be learning the dispute between the convenience and where they rest .
Can Sleeping in the Litter Box Make Your Cat Sick?
Unfortunately , it can .
Litter box sleeping is n’t just a potential sign of a great job . The act itself can cause issues for your cat . " It ’s certainly not ideal for a cat-o'-nine-tails to kip in the orbit where she relieve oneself and defecates , " Wieber explains . " It could go to bacterial infection of theeyes , pinna , and perhaps the vesica . " Skin infections can occur as well . Moreover , she notes that if bedding gets caught in your guy ’s pelt while they ’re catching some ezed ’s , grooming could channelize those clay clump to their digestive tract and cause a blockage .
How to Stop Your Cat From Sleeping in the Litter Box
How you get your cat to arrest log Z’s in the litter box will depend on why your feline companion is there in the first place . The cause dictates the fix .
1. Visit the Vet
The first step is to visit your veterinary surgeon so they can ascertain your cat for any implicit in aesculapian issuance . Keep in psyche that even if the cause is aesculapian , you may need to make some environmental change as well .
All cats take well-situated hiding post , says Wieber — includingoptions that are up off of the ground . She add that this is specially significant if you ’ve recently added a Modern pet to your plate .
see out theIndoor Pet Initiativeat The Ohio State University to review your computed tomography ’s surround and correct any want .
2. Consult a Behaviorist
If you surmise the main impulsion behind your computed axial tomography ’s Modern dormancy point is emphasis or some other behavior takings , Wieber says you may want to partner with acertified cat behavior consultantorboard - attest veterinary behavior specialistto pinpoint what ’s causing the unrest . " They will be able to help you desensitise your khat to stressors that can not be completely mitigated [ e.g.a newfangled child ] , " she explain , " and can help youcreate option rest placesfor your kitty . "
Regardless of the drive , do n’t expect a fast fix . It may take a while before your Arabian tea find more comfortable sleeping somewhere else . In the lag , you’re able to use pot cuddle times as an opportunity to bothconnect with your catand remove any litter that ’s gotten caught in their pelt mid - short sleep .
