I love kittens, but I must admit, they’re kind of weird. One minute they’re destroying your home, and the next, they’re just sitting in their litter box doing nothing.
If you just saw your kitten sitting in their litter box, doing absolutely nothing, don’t worry, as it’s a natural behavior for many cats.
However, if you have a senior feline who recently developed the habit of just sitting in their litter box, perhaps there’s a medical issue in question.
In this case, you should visit the vet immediately.
Possible reasons for this behavior include medical conditions, such as constipation or urinary blockage, stress and anxiety, and behavioral issues.
This article will cover all the possible reasons and help you understand this behavior in-depth, so let’s jump right in.
Cat Sitting in Litter Box but Not Peeing: 10 Possible Reasons
Cats sit in their litter box, not peeing or pooping but staring at the wall for many reasons.
Most cats don’t like a dirty litter box. So, if cat owners don’t scoop their cats’ litter boxes daily, their pets will just sit in their litter or completely avoid it.
Remember that you must provide a clean litter box for your kitty. However, if you’re on top of your cleaning game and your cat’s still acting weird, there’s likely a bigger issue at hand.
Let’s discuss possible causes for your feline sitting in the litter box, starting with the less serious causes.
1. Anxiety and Stress
Your feline might prefer the litter box as their hiding or resting spot because they’re stressed or anxious.
Cats often look for a hiding place when stressed or anxious. They could hide under the bed, on a high shelf, or in their litter box, as it’s small and familiar.
Possible reasons for stress in cats include changing daily routines, fireworks, a new home, etc. You can help your cat relax in the following ways:
Provide a Hiding Place
If you believe your cat is stressed, you can offer comfortable hiding spots, such as a cat condo, cat bed, or cardboard box. If your feline has a good hiding place, they’re less likely to camp out in their bathroom.
Install a Cat Flap
If you have a cat flap, every time your feline feels stressed, they can flee and return when they feel better. If you have a small or indoor kitty, don’t worry, as you can still help by allowing free movement within your home.
Encourage Physical Exercise
Physical exercise does wonders for people and cats, so initiate play if you’re feeling stressed and suspect your cat’s going through the same thing. Playing with your cat will help alleviate stress and strengthen your bond.
2. Your Cat’s Still Learning
If you adopted a little kitten, they’re probably still learning how to use their litter box. Small kittens can also play in their litter box.
They probably find the litter fun, so let your feline play and learn as they go. As cats age, they know litter boxes aren’t for playing or resting.
You should be happy if your small kitten uses their litter box and plays with it, as the opposite would be worse.
3. They’re Just Sleepy
The reason for a cat laying in their litter box doing nothing could be tiredness and sleepiness. Your small kitten’s still learning what’s a litter box for, so give your furry friend some time.
Moreover, climbing over a litter box can be challenging for a small kitten. So, if you see your feline sleeping in the box, don’t worry. Your cat likely got tired and needed a nap. Over time, your cat will learn litter isn’t the most comfortable pillow.
4. Curiosity
If your young cat keeps visiting their litter box but does nothing, they’re probably just curious.
If you’ve been using the same litter box and cat litter throughout your kitty’s life, this is less likely, as your cat’s familiar with the setup, so there’s probably another cause for their weird behavior.
However, if you recently purchased a new litter tray or cat litter or moved the box to a new location, that’s probably why your cat hangs around their litter box.
Remember that cats like habits. Therefore, sudden changes can confuse their brain. Once they realize it’s nothing dangerous, they will return to normal.
5. Asserting Dominance
If your feline just sits in their litter box and you have multiple cats, they’re likely asserting dominance. Cats can get along in a household. However, there’s always a social hierarchy, and your kittens will want and mark their territory.
When a cat sits in their litter box, it’s their way of saying to the other cats that this is their territory. So, it’s normal behavior.
Cats marking their litter boxes won’t be a problem if you have multiple litter boxes. However, if you only have one litter box for all your cats, your other cats might start using your carpet for peeing and pooping, which isn’t good.
You can quickly fix this issue by providing more litter boxes. Each cat in your home must have a litter box, plus one spare so that problems like this don’t happen in the future. For instance, if you have two felines, you should provide three litter boxes.
Additionally, make sure their boxes remain in separate rooms. That way, each kitten can easily find their litter box.
These steps can help you prevent a confrontation between your cats.
6. Litter Box Issues
Cats take their bathroom hygiene seriously. Therefore, small changes in their litter setup or leaving their litter box dirty can disturb their routine.
Moreover, they can refuse their litter box if it’s in a place lacking privacy. So, ensure you put your cat’s litter box in a low-traffic, quiet area.
If you’ve recently moved the litter box to a new location and notice a change in your cat’s behavior, consider moving it back or finding a better place.
Other possible issues with your cat’s litter box include:
The Wrong Type of Litter Box
If your cat dislikes their litter box, they will avoid it or just sit in it. Therefore, explore different litter boxes and see which one your feline likes.
Moreover, make sure you’re using the right type of litter.
Most cats don’t like scented cat litter. So, if you recently replaced your cat’s old litter with a new, scented one, consider bringing back your old cat litter.
Dirty Litter Box
A feline’s sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than yours. So, if they encounter a bad-smelling litter box, they will avoid it or sit in it and do nothing.
To prevent this, scoop solid waste daily. Moreover, change your cat’s litter regularly and fully replace the litter weekly. You can also thoroughly clean your cat’s box with warm water and soap monthly.
If your cat’s weird behavior continues after you clean their litter box, consider buying a new box. Remember that plastics should be replaced annually, as plastics absorb and hold odors over time.
7. A Need for Privacy
If your kitty feels like they’re lacking privacy in your household, they might decide to retreat to their litter box for a nap.
Also, small enclosed litter boxes can confuse your feline. They might mistake their bathroom for their bedroom and sleep in it.
If your cat seems to be resting in their litter box regularly, you can change their habit by providing other comfortable and private sleeping spaces.
You can install a cat tree with a perch where your feline can safely rest. Also, since cats enjoy hiding in small cardboard boxes, you can offer your kitty a cardboard box for relaxing.
8. Your Cat’s in Labor
If you have a pregnant cat visiting her litter box without using it, she might be going into labor and is thinking about giving birth in the litter tray.
Most female cats do this because they see their litter box as a private spot, but you shouldn’t allow this to happen as a responsible cat parent.
Remember that your cat’s litter box has bacteria, despite how much you clean it, so your feline and her babies can get sick.
Instead of allowing your cat to give birth in her litter tray, try providing a comfortable and peaceful nesting place where she can deliver her babies safely.
For instance, you can give your kitty a cardboard box that’s big enough for her to lie down in and high enough so her babies can’t climb out of the sides.
Make sure you line the cardboard box with newspapers and some blankets to keep her and her babies warm and comfortable.
Extra tip: Set a nesting place up a few weeks before your cat gives birth. That way, she will have enough time to realize where she’s supposed to deliver her babies.
9. Constipation
If your cat isn’t pregnant, stressed or anxious, curious, sleepy, and dissatisfied with their litter box, they may be constipated. Your cat wants to use their litter box, but they just can’t, which can be annoying and uncomfortable.
What’s Causing Constipation in Cats?
Constipation isn’t uncommon in cats. (*)
Felines get constipated frequently for several reasons, such as dehydration, lack or excess of fiber in their diet, or serious health conditions (kidney disease, hyperactive thyroid, and diabetes).
Let’s discuss these possible causes of constipation in cats:
Dehydration
Cats don’t like water much, but you can easily make your feline drink more water by installing a water fountain or pouring a small amount of tuna juice into their bowl.
Remember that if your kitty doesn’t drink enough water, their stool will turn hard and painful to release.
Too Little or Too Much Fiber in Their Diet
The fiber in your cat’s diet feeds the good bacteria in their stomach to help increase the size and weight of their stools.
Fiber also softens your feline’s stools, making it easier for them to pass.
If you’ve recently changed your feline’s diet, perhaps their new one doesn’t provide the proper amount of fiber and causes constipation.
Health Conditions
Is your cat sick? Chronic or serious health conditions can also cause constipation in cats.
Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your cat’s health is in danger, so they can quickly determine the issue and provide proper treatment.
Constipation Treatments
You should take your feline to the vet as soon as you notice a change in their toilet habits, as untreated constipation can cause irreversible damage to their GI tract.
Your vet will offer constipation relief medication. Or an enema if it’s a severe case. If a medical issue causes constipation, your vet will prescribe medications for the underlying condition.
Constipation Prevention
You can help prevent future constipation by increasing your feline’s fluid intake and encouraging exercise and play. If your feline drinks enough water and stays active, they’re less likely to get constipated.
10. Urinary Blockage
If your male cat isn’t constipated, they may suffer from a urinary blockage. A urinary blockage usually happens in male cats, but female cats can also experience urinary blockages.
Males have a longer and narrower urethra, increasing the urinary blockage risk. So, if your cat sits in their litter box doing nothing, perhaps this is why.
One of the main causes of urinary blockages in cats is crystals.
They form and pile up in your kitten’s urethra, bladder, and other parts of their urinary tract. Eventually, they block off the passage of urine, making peeing difficult for your cat.
Other causes of urinary blockage include urinary tract infections or bladder stones.
Whatever the cause of your cat’s urinary blockage, it must be treated immediately. Otherwise, your cat can suffer kidney failure, heart problems, or even death.
Cat Hanging out in the Litter Box: Final Thoughts
If your feline sits in their litter box doing nothing, but you’ve confirmed with your vet that it’s not a medical issue, it’s likely a temporary behavior.
So, don’t worry and let your cat deal with whatever they’re dealing with on their own.
Remember that you must keep their litter box clean and provide better hiding spots. And hopefully, their bizarre behavior will go back to normal.
See more: My Cat Is Laying On Me All Of A Sudden
*image by Svetilos/depositphotos