Dealing with a Cat That Won't Cover Poop: Solutions Ins

Why Cats Don't Cover Their Poop: The Reason Behind It

Covering their waste is not just an instinct for cats; it's also a skill that requires learning and plenty of practice.

When kittens are separated from their mothers too early, they often start to learn the art of covering their waste after they begin to use the litter box independently. This learning process typically occurs during a critical period between the ages of 3 to 8 weeks. During this time, kittens will follow their mothers to the litter box, imitating the digging and covering behavior. Through observation and extensive practice, they master the skill of covering their waste.

However, if the mother cat is a beginner herself, or what we might call a "cloud cover" expert, her offspring may not pick up the knack of covering waste. If the mother leaves her kittens too early, the kittens may only learn to cover their waste instinctively, which we often see as the "cloud cover" method. This involves the act of covering without concern for the effectiveness, scraping against the sides of the litter box, walls, or even outside the box without actually covering the waste properly.

How can you solve the problem of a cat that doesn't cover its waste properly?

Early Learning

Whether a cat can master the art of covering waste is closely linked to its early growth experiences, particularly from the time the kitten starts to use the litter box independently at around 3 weeks of age, through the weaning period, which ends around 8 weeks. This is the most crucial period for a kitten to learn how to cover its waste with litter.

Therefore, it's best to avoid separating kittens from their mothers before the weaning period. Kittens that learn and practice during this time will generally be able to clean themselves and use the litter box, even if their covering isn't always effective, but they will still perform the action.

What if the mother cat doesn't cover waste properly, or doesn't cover at all?

If the mother cat doesn't know how to cover waste, the kitten won't learn the basic actions:

Enter the litter box, sniff for a suitable spot, dig a hole, squat over it to defecate, then use the front paws to cover the waste, sniff to confirm it's covered, and repeat the action if necessary.

Cats that use the "cloud cover" method will enter the litter box without digging a hole, and their covering process won't be effective. They typically scratch away from the waste, sometimes outside the box, on the walls, or even against the walls, sniffing to see if the smell is still there, and then continue to scratch a few more times before leaving, regardless of whether the waste is covered.

How to correct a cat that hasn't learned properly?

Whether it's a kitten separated from its mother too early or a mother cat that isn't skilled at covering waste, the following methods can help improve the situation:

Increase Litter Depth

Thicken the litter to about 58 centimeters in depth, which is usually sufficient. If your cat doesn't have a habit of digging, you can add more litter to increase the depth to 8 or even 10 centimeters. This helps prevent the cat from not digging because the litter is too thin and also makes it easier for the cat to cover the waste from other areas.

Increase Litter Box Size

The litter box should be large enough for the cat to move around comfortably. A small litter box can make the cat feel cramped and unable to turn around, leading to improper covering.

What size of litter box should you choose?

If space is not an issue at home, opt for a large litter box that can accommodate four cats lying down, which is especially suitable for cats that don't cover their waste properly. The standard size is one that can fit two cats lying down, so avoid small ones that can only fit one.

Repetition

If you notice that your cat hasn't covered its waste properly, take the cat to the litter box and show it how to cover its waste. Cats usually try to cover their waste when they smell it. If the cat doesn't cover it, supervise the process to ensure it's done properly. This may involve some risk, as the cat's paws might accidentally get沾到 waste.

Peer Learning

Cats learn more effectively from experienced cats than from trial and error or human instruction. If possible, find or purchase a cat that is skilled at covering its waste and use it as a demonstration. Through observation and supervision, your cat can quickly learn the technique of covering its waste.