Covering poop must be a typical cat action, right? Yes, but not always. In essence, wild cats bury their feces for two reasons: first, to hide their existence from possible predators.
The second is to show that they don’t pose a threat to cats that are more in charge. Instead of leaving their waste in grassy tussocks, which elevates it and draws attention to it, these more dominant cats typically leave it on top of them.
Therefore, it would seem that the only situation where a domestic cat would bury her waste is if another cat in a position of dominance was nearby. However, cats frequently conceal feces as a form of entertainment. So why does your cat not do it?
Pleasing others
People have encouraged this behavior in our domestic cat population by choosing (and breeding) only the “clean” cats. It’s not strange for cats to urinate in public; it’s just part of being a cat.
If your cat has routinely dug and covered as part of anticipated litter box activity and suddenly makes a statement with exposed excrement, consider what else may have changed. The cat may be using this to signal to other cats—or even a stray cat lurking outside the window—that the area is his or hers.
Territorial statement
Jaguars, leopards, lions, and tigers, who are powerful cats that compete for territory in the wild, do not bury their excrement as a statement that they have claimed that area as their own. In order to let other cats—or their owner—know they are there, a domestic cat may choose not to bury their excrement. Even though he has lived there for some time, a cat might not feel that it is his domain. The smell of their faeces can be used to identify them.
Natural inclinations
Cats who opt to leave a deposit outside the box or elect not to cover the box may only be responding instinctively. Some cats never learn to bury their waste, despite the mother cat frequently modeling this habit.
Only twice did the cats try to dig a hole prior or cover it after they went potty, according to one study that actually trailed down female pet cats and observed them poop 58 times while they were out and about. Wandering cats may use unburied trash as another form of marking.
Litter Box Issues
When it comes to litter boxes, size does matter. It’s possible that your cat can’t turn around to bury her waste because of the size of her litter box. Additionally, cats can be finicky, as the saying goes. She might prefer not to use the litter box any longer if she doesn’t like the way the cat litter feels or thinks it’s too dirty. If you believe either or both of these statements to be accurate, try a new brand of litter or get a larger litter container.
Medical Issues
Despite the fact that there are no recognized medical disorders that would cause your cat to quit burying their waste, if your cat is in any kind of pain, whether it be in their paws, when going to the bathroom, or just generally, it may deter them from spending more time in the litter box. Cats who have recently had their claws removed may also decide not to bury themselves.
If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your family pet, know the pet’s health history, and may make the best recommendations for your pet.
