Why Do Cats Scratch The Floor Around Their Litter Box

Ideally choose an unscented scoopable litter that cats love such as dr.

Why do cats scratch the floor around their litter box.

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. Solving this problem is a matter of removing the smell of your cat s poop primarily by changing its litter box. Learn why cats scratch in or around the litter box. 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.

This is not an unusual behavior. Sometimes cats will engage in this behavior if the litter box isn t. 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. Instead this is still him trying to be sneaky and not let predators know where he is.

Most of the time this is normal. In the wild cats don t come back to a meal they ve stored for several days. 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. 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.

So we enlisted the help of our litter box mentor marilyn krieger to see if we could help you minimize the scratching issues. Find a good cat litter that your cat likes. Cats love space and litter. If the litter box is not big enough the litter digging will translate into constant side scraping.

They love to roll around throw litter around or even scratch inside it. They see this as a playground. Excessive scratching is a theme with you guys. As puzzling as it may be some cats simply enjoy digging and playing in their litter boxes.

While this can be baffling this is usually because their litter boxes are not enough to mask the scent of their excrement. 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. But sometimes scratching in the litter box becomes excessive. Scratching the area outside of the litter box may simply be her way of laying claim on the place where she does her business.

There s nothing wrong with your cat. Your cat may be marking her territory. Cats will do. Litter box is not big enough this is probably the main reason why your cat is scratching on the walls furiously.

Cats are particular about their cleanliness and grooming but they can exhibit confusing behaviors like scratching the floor after pooping. Many cat owners assume this is a clear sign that the cat isn t interested in the food. This assumption is inaccurate. 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.

Consider getting a shallow cat box or placing a ramp at the entrance of the box. Cats have scent glands on their paws.