{"id":636344,"date":"2024-08-12T04:32:23","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T08:32:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=636344"},"modified":"2024-09-16T23:14:02","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T03:14:02","slug":"why-do-cats-use-litter-boxes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/cat-behavior\/why-do-cats-use-litter-boxes\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Cats Use Litter Boxes? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nInstincts<\/a>
\nHygiene<\/a>
\nCommunication<\/a>
\nTips for Cat Litter Training<\/a>
\nLitter Box Regression<\/a>
\nImportance of Spaying and Neutering<\/a>
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You might be quite impressed with your cat\u2019s ability to check out a tub of litter one time and know exactly what to do with it. Why can\u2019t dogs be like that? Even though we\u2019re super impressed with our felines\u2019 bathroom habits, one must wonder\u2014why do cats need a litter box?<\/p>\n

And what causes them to just know what they\u2019re doing when they see one? It\u2019s called instincts. Despite our cats being some of the most fearsome predators of their size, they still want to hide from animals bigger and higher up on the food chain than they are. So they bury their urine and feces as a way to hide their scent.<\/strong> In the wild, they may use dirt, sand, leaves, etc., to cover their tracks, but domesticated cats just use a littler box.<\/p>\n

Here are some reasons that cats use litter boxes when other animals don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

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Cats Use Litter Boxes Instinctually<\/h2>\n

So, if you ever have a kitten blow your mind by being litter trained by round one\u2014it\u2019s to be expected, but not always guaranteed. One thing is for sure, kittens and cats come with built-in wiring to cover their waste.<\/p>\n

Out in nature, cats can have many predators to watch out for. Some examples might include dogs, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, eagles, and many other larger animals. If these animals can smell cats\u2019 already-strong droppings, they might be hot on their trail.<\/p>\n

This is something that a lot of other animals don\u2019t have to worry about, such as dogs, for instance. For the most part, dogs tend to be larger than cats and are more of a force to be reckoned with when it comes to predators than cats are. Dogs tend to mark an area with urine or feces in an obvious way, in order to make it obvious to other animals that they were there, whereas cats want to hide the fact that they were there.<\/p>\n

Of course, most domestic cats never have to worry about getting eaten by a predator. They are too busy snoozing in their favorite sunny window to fathom getting eaten.<\/p>\n

Regardless of our cats present day, humans have certainly gotten lucky that our cats prefer the coverage. Otherwise living with them could be quite challenging.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cats Are Masters of Hygiene<\/h2>\n

Cats absolutely love keeping clean and they spend many hours a day grooming their beautiful coats. They don\u2019t want any dirtiness clinging to them, so they meticulously stroke their coats to remove any debris. In fact, they spend up to 50% of their day keeping up with baths.<\/p>\n

They also want to use a litter box for the same reason. It keeps all their waste in one place and keeps the other areas where they live clean. So, it should make you feel good to know that cats are very clean animals, despite any setbacks with litter training.<\/p>\n

In actuality, if a cat is refusing to use the litter box, it can be because there\u2019s a problem with some aspect of the litter box. It could be too dirty and need to be changed, or they just don\u2019t like the litter or the litter box for some reason.<\/p>\n

Cats Use Waste for Communication<\/h2>\n

While cats can definitely hide their poop like a pro, they also use their waste to communicate with one another\u2014 for social and mating purposes. Our cats can learn so much information about others just by giving their waste a good sniff. So, in some cases, they may not hide their waste if they have a reason to communicate with other cats. They may be looking for a mate, or want to reinforce their territory.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Mesa Watthanaphichai, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tips for Cat Litter Training<\/h2>\n

Even though cats are very smart and just know to use the potty like a baby bird knows to eat a worm, not all will pick it up with ease. Some cats have trouble due to several different factors\u2014but most can be summed up in the simple terms of every kitty is different.<\/p>\n

Even if it seems like your cat picked up litter training, there are still a few measures you can put in place to ensure that it sticks. If you are having issues convincing your cat to use the box, here are a few tips.<\/p>\n

1. Start Small<\/h3>\n

At first, you won\u2019t want to give your cat access to the full house. Partial access is fine, but realistically you will want a small space with a floor that is well-protected or at least easy to clean (like wood or laminate).<\/p>\n

Allowing your kitten too much space at first can certainly create room for secret accidents you don\u2019t find until much later.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Natasha Zakharova, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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2. Have an Easily Accessible Litter Box<\/h3>\n

Buying a litter box might seem like a no brainer but your little tyke might appreciate some help. If you get a lower litter box with an easy access point, it can help your cat remember where it is and make climbing in a breeze. Don\u2019t put the litter box too out of the way or in noisy areas.<\/p>\n

Some folks choose to use small cardboard boxes or tin trays the first few weeks to create an easily disposable open concept for training. Ultimately, it is whatever is easiest for your cat.<\/p>\n

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3. Buy the Right Litter<\/h3>\n

There are tons of different litter box materials on the market right now.<\/p>\n

You can select from the following and then some:<\/div>
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