Why doesn't my cat cover his leavings in the litterbox?

Question

My cat is very affectionate and loving. He's such a great cat. However, he never covers up his #1's or #2's in the litterbox. It's gross because in the summer heat it gets disgustingly smelly. I clean his box often but if he uses it while we're at work the house will reek of you-know-what when we get home. Yuck.

I've seen him use it. He does his thing and then steps out of the box. And then its HILARIOUS because he paws at the ground around the box like he's covering it, but since he's not even in the box anymore it's just silly. He's done this as long as I've had him, but he was around 1year when I got him so I'm not sure what he was like as a kitten.

Also, we need to keep about an inch of water plugged in the bottom of the bathtub because if we don't, he'll use that as his box. Only the tub though, it's really strange. Clearly there's some weird litterbox complex going on but is there anything I can do to help him past this? Anyone else with this problem?

what u talkin&#39; bout? · Accepted Answer

My male cat is the same way. I think maybe they just weren't trained properly. I figure at least he puts it in the right place. That is a blessing!

Butterfly · Answer

I don't know about the bath tub but some cats don't cover their poop...Do you use a good quality odor reducing litter? I use Tidy Cat Immediate Order Control scoopable and it seems to work fine...I have two cats and the odor is minimal...I try to scoop every day and I add a little fresh litter...Then once a month I remove all litter (I use Johni Cat liners) and put in new...The odor is, as I said, very minimal...
One other thing you could try is this: When the box is clean, gently place your cat in there, take one of his paws and "paw" the litter for him...Do it several times...It may work--worth a try...

Anonymous · Answer

He might just not like the litter. try changing the litter brand. lol there are some littler boxes with doors on them, and you could get a door for the box, then close the door on him when he goes in so he cant get out. then he might cover it but....idk. just a dumb suggestion. since it stinks, you could try plugging an air freshener as close to the litter box as possible

Anonymous · Answer

i think it absolutely has everything to do with the litter. It could have a smell he does not like, causing him to use it and get away pronto. he could be trying to use the tub to avoid the box too.  he probably sees the tub fill up and empty itself, so he could figure that would happen with his poop and tinkle too. yeah, try out a few different kinds of litter, and if that isn't helping, get your vet involved.

kubism05 · Answer

My cat sometimes doesn't cover hers either.  Sometimes she does, sometimes she doesn't.  I don't get it.

Anonymous · Answer

It is not uncommon for cats to do that.

dee · Answer

Because like some people they want other to think their **** don't stink

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Why doesn't my cat cover his leavings in the litterbox?

7 Answers