Why Do Cats Scratch the Side of the Litter Box

Many owners are wondering: Why Do Cats Scratch The Side of the Litter Box? This is quite common behavior, but the reasons can be different: from natural instincts to signs of stress or toilet problems. In this article, we will analyze in detail why Cats scratch the litter box, when it is normal and when it is worth paying attention and what you can do about it.

Why do Cats Scratch The Side of the Litter Box?

If you notice that your cat scratches the side of the litterbox, the first thing that is important to understand is in most cases it is natural. Cats by their nature will scratch the surface to:

mask the smell
clean the paws
Leave tags (scratches and smell from the paw pads)

The behavior of why cats scratch the side of the Litter Box can be used as a routine sabotage. But sometimes an excessive or obsessive scratch can indicate discomfort.

Cat Scratches The Side of the Litter Box: Common Reasons

Why Cat Scratches The Side of the Litter Box? Here are possible reasons:

Masking instinct In nature, cats mask the smell of their waste, and scratching at walls is part of this behavior.
Dissatisfaction with the litter Sometimes the cat is scratched against the wall, and not the litter, if she does not like the texture or smell of the litter itself.
Few litter in the tray If the litter layer is too thin, the cat cannot comfortably bury the waste and begins to scrape the walls.
Too small a tray If the tray is cramped, the cat can unconsciously touch and scrape the walls.
Habit or ritual In some cats, this is just an individual feature that remains with them for a long time.
Stress or boredom Outgoing behavior, including scratching the side of the litter box, may be a sign of stress.

My Cat Scratches the Sides of the Litter Box: When Should You Worry?

When does my cat's scratching the Sides of the Litter Box become a cause for concern?

If the cat grinds for a long time and often, the toilet process itself takes too much time.
If the animal screams or meows during scratching.
If the cat stopped burying the waste and simply picked the walls.
If other signs of stress or change in behavior are noticed.

In such cases, you should contact the veterinarian or revise the conditions of detention.

Why Do Cats Scratch The Side of Litter Box: Size and Cleanliness Issues

The behavior of Why Do Cats Scratch The Side of Litter Box can be tied to size and cleanliness.

Possible reasons:

The tray is too small, and it is inconvenient to turn
The tray is dirty, and the cat shows discontent
The walls of the tray are too low, and the cat lacks the depth for the usual digging

Solutions:

Pick a larger tray with high sides
Wash the tray at least once a week
Maintain a sufficient layer of litter

Why Do Cats Scratch The Side of their Litter Box: Can it be corrected?

Is it possible to change the habit if the cats scratch the side of their litter box making it too intrusive? Sometimes - yes.

What will help:

Selection of a more comfortable litter
Buying a tray with tall and smooth walls
Regular cleaning and control over litter levels
Installation of an additional tray if you have several cats
Ensuring sufficient physical and gaming activity

If the habit persists despite all the changes, you should consult a specialist.

Conclusion

The behavior of Cat Scratching the Litter Box is in most cases part of the cat's nature and instincts. However Excessive or obsessive scratching can signal problems with the tray, litter or general discomfort.

Understanding why cats scratch the side of the litter box helps to timely adjust the behavior, choose the right accessories and create comfortable conditions for the pet. Balanced care, a high-quality tray and an attentive attitude to the habits of a cat will help to solve most of such situations.

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