Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Litterbox - race to be first

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/17/2008


Question
I have several cats and , of course, numerous litterboxes. No matter if one of them has just gone to the litterbox, if I am cleaning one of the others, there seems to be some kind of competition to be the first one to use it. Sometimes, I don't even get through putting the new litter in before someone jumps in. It seems even if it is just a " drop " of wee, they have to be the first one in.

What causes that behavior? Everyone in my kitty family seems perfectly happy and satisfied otherwise.

Thanks so much!

Answer
Mary,

That is typically normal strange behavior! 2 of my cats are the same way. It has got to be a secret cat thing that only the cat knows why they do it!

I think I could keep emptying the litterbox and put fresh litter in it and they would still try to be the first to use it...over and over!

Mine don't seem to do it when I clean the clumping litter, just when I empty the box and put NEw litter in it.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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