Learn why cats scratch in or around the litter box.
Why do cats scratch the floor around their litter box.
Before or after your kitten or cat eats or drinks it may paw scratch or knead the floor as if it is digging or burying something.
We have received quite a few questions about why your cats scratch the beejesus out of everything around them right after they do their business.
Excessive scratching might mean your cat is trying to tell you something so find what it could be.
Most of the time this is normal.
As puzzling as it may be some cats simply enjoy digging and playing in their litter boxes.
Find a good cat litter that your cat likes.
Sometimes cats will engage in this behavior if the litter box isn t.
Here are some reasons why your cat might be scratching the walls the sides of the litter box or the floor just outside the box.
Your cat may be marking her territory.
If you re feline pal has taken the time to physically cover his food rather than just pawing on the floor he s just going the extra mile.
Cats will do.
This is not an unusual behavior.
Litter box is not big enough this is probably the main reason why your cat is scratching on the walls furiously.
So we enlisted the help of our litter box mentor marilyn krieger to see if we could help you minimize the scratching issues.
While this can be baffling this is usually because their litter boxes are not enough to mask the scent of their excrement.
If the litter box is not big enough the litter digging will translate into constant side scraping.
Many cat owners assume this is a clear sign that the cat isn t interested in the food.
This assumption is inaccurate.
They see this as a playground.
Consider getting a shallow cat box or placing a ramp at the entrance of the box.
Often the cat box is too small for the cat or there isn t enough litter or there s too much litter in the cat box.
Solving this problem is a matter of removing the smell of your cat s poop primarily by changing its litter box.
Cats are particular about their cleanliness and grooming but they can exhibit confusing behaviors like scratching the floor after pooping.
There s nothing wrong with your cat.
For older cats the litter box should be easy for your senior cat to get into.
Cats love space and litter.
In the wild cats don t come back to a meal they ve stored for several days.
Scratching the area outside of the litter box may simply be her way of laying claim on the place where she does her business.
Cats have scent glands on their paws.
In fact your pet is demonstrating an instinct shared even by the big cats and it is a very positive sign that it is feeling at home in your house.
But sometimes scratching in the litter box becomes excessive.
They love to roll around throw litter around or even scratch inside it.
A common mistake cat owners make is that when their cat swipes their paw on the floor around their food dish they think that they are covering up the food like they would their poop in a litter box.
Cats who scratch the floor or wall after using the litter box are usually making a comment about the litter box itself and or the litter that is being used.
