You may also be wondering how to stop kittens from playing In litter box? A litter box is a place our cats instinctively or through training take out their metabolic waste. These litter boxes are also known as cats box, cat pans, or potty.
The litter box is where kittens do their business, but they can also dig, scratch, lie, and play.
Cats with loud litter boxes can be annoying. I expect infant kittens’ litter box sounds, but sometimes it’s too much, especially when they scratch and give me goosebumps.
Is this normal for kittens or a serious issue?
This article explains why and how to deter cats from litter box playing.
Is it normal for kittens to play in the litter box?
It is normal for your cats to play in their litter box, digging, scratching, and burying poop. These are no cause for alarm, you should only be worried when your cat takes this as a habit or sleeps in the litter box.
Why do kittens play in their litter box?
Kittens play in their litter box for boredom, medical issues, pregnancy, anxiety, and stress. Your cat may play in the litter box for no reason, so you must pay close attention to pick up clues.
-
Boredom
Bored cats reflect in many ways. Cats may play in their litter boxes if they miss you: “if you don’t want to spend some time with me, im going to get your attention by any means possible” Sometimes playing with the cat helps. You can buy a cat pod.
-
Health issues
Cats are susceptible to urinary tract diseases or problems such as kidney stones, feline idiopathic cystitis, and urinary tract infections. These conditions can cause a strain or delayed passage of urine, which might prolong your cat’s stay in the litter box.
Dermatitis, fleas, and other skin irritation could cause the cat to have a dust bath in a bid to try and rid itself of the infestation. Regular grooming habits can help you identify these skin issues on time and get appropriate shampoos or your vet can prescribe something. Here’s how you can brush a cat that doesn’t let you brush her.
-
Is the cat pregnant?
If you were pregnant or have a partner who is, visit the hospital for checks to learn your due date or week.
The cat will spend time in a litter box if it’s pregnant since it’s looking for a safe spot to have kittens.
-
Marked the litter box as part of his territory
If your cat has marked the litter box as part of its territory, you may have issues cleaning it. They could attack you if you go near their litter box, in cases like this, show them what you’re doing, then close them out. A more typical sign of a cat being territorial is that he’ll rush back to the litter box and play, as soon as you’re done cleaning.
Another case here is–if you have more than one cat in your house, don’t just get a cat bed or a litter box. Rather, get one for each as this will avoid conflicts and challenges that could relegate one cat to staying and playing in the litter box.
-
Stress and anxiety
Different things are capable of stressing your cat out. Bringing home a new pet, loud noise from fireworks, building construction, thunderclaps, change of apartment.
When your cat is stressed out, it looks for the calmest place where it could relax and cool itself. For example, Ragdoll is based on relationships, a breakdown in a relationship with your ragdoll can cause anxieties which can make him relegated to the litter box.
How To Stop Kitten From Playing In Litter Box?
You can use smart methods to deter a five-week-old, 4-month-old, 7-month-old, or even a year-old kitten from playing in the litter box. More like a young cat thing.
Playing in the litter box may not damage the cat, but the noise and sand and excrement on the floor are annoying. Tell us which worked by trying the following.
-
Change the litter box from an open box to a box with cover
The open tray has so many cons, they don’t mask odor sometimes. It is easy for the cat to litter the ground with both litter and poop when they dig, although it’s easier to clean. If you are using a regular open tray, you should think of switching to a litter box with a lid.
A litter box could help limit dirt and poop that may be left on the floor as your cat plays in the litter box.
-
Wait it out
Playing in the litter box is stressful for everyone, especially with all the noise and litter. Cats usually cease doing this as they grow and only go when necessary or pregnant.
-
Get a cat pod
If your cat has a cleaner place where they could sleep and hide away from noise and disturbance, they are most likely to head for their cat pod or bed. It’s no secret that cats sleep for a minimum of 15 hours daily, in absence of a pod, your cat may adopt the litter box as a place to play.
A cat cave is meant to have everything the cat needs to relax, from a brush where they can rub their face, to cushions. You can learn how to build a cat pod yourself.
When you have a kitten, and it goes to play in the litter box, you could use a favorite treat they love and lure him back to his pod, this will teach him to relax and play in its pod, instead of the litter box. You can do this by dropping in a form of an extended dotted line. You can place the treats 2 and a half feet apart, all back to its pod.
-
Clean less often
Ensure you got a lid, if the cat still goes to the litter box playing for a long time, take a while before you clean the box, the cat will eventually find his litter box less attractive for play. This is an extreme method, but it works like charm.
-
It’s time to remove the catnip and other toys
We may have trained our cats to use the cat box with toys or nips. Get rid of cat nip! Cat nip, mint, and field balm affect cats differently.
One in two cats are herb-sensitive, and catnip-sensitive kittens usually show indications at 3–6 months. The catnip oil smell releases nepetalactone, which makes cats happy. After eating cat nip, your cat will wait two hours to respond.
While some cats play fiercely, others quiet down after sniffing. Catnip in the litter box entertains them. Remove it! Avoid litter box play by placing catnip in the cat’s pod or cave.
-
Give your cat some attention
An hour playtime each day is all your cat needs, the more involved you get with your cat, the more bond and fun time you guys will create together. Why don’t you toss out some toys you see your kitten playing with within the litter box. Why won’t he prefer your praises, treats, tricks, and petting?
Cat scratching litter box excessively
Your cat will scratch their litter box excessively if they are having diarrhea or intestinal disturbances. They will further scratch their box if dirt is trapped in their foot pads and toe beans, this dirt can make them so uncomfortable. Also, it’s a way of interacting with other cats. You can stop this by giving them the same treatment listed above.
Conclusion
We finished discussing how to deter cats from playing in their litter boxes. If your cat is sitting in the litter box for extended periods, it may be stressed, challenged by other pets, growing, or too comfy. This may indicate that you have not spent enough time playing with them.
As little as getting more play time from you, investing in a cat pod and removing toys and catnip from their litter box will stop a cat from playing in its litter box.
