Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat

1. 

   Hello! I recently got 2 kittens and they are about 8 weeks old now. My little girl, Marin, loves to play in her litter box...so much that she gets her feet completely covered in her own mess and then she gets it all over my carpet. I've had cats before, but I've never had this issue. I feel like i have to wait by the box and check her everytime she comes out to avoid the mess. I'm concerned that might discourage her from using it if I'm jumping all over her. I'm very confused since cats are usually very clean and she keeps doing this. Is it possible she will grow out of this?

   Posted 3 years ago by iheartfenix #

2. 

   Some kitties are just like this. It's in their playful nature. Have you tried changing litter brands? One of my cats plays in some litter brands and not in others.

   Posted 3 years ago by gini #

3. 

   I haven't. I use Fresh Step which is what I've always used in the past, but i will try that.

   Posted 3 years ago by iheartfenix #

4. 

   A lot of cats grow out of it with time, too, if a change in brand doesn't work. Good luck :) Perhaps in the meantime is there a room (like a basement or some other large space without a carpet) that kitty can stay in so she doesn't track on the carpets?

   Posted 3 years ago by gini #

5. 

   I do keep her in the kitchen while im away which really makes cleanup a breeze if there's an accident! =] Thanks!!!

   Posted 3 years ago by iheartfenix #

6. 

   You might try shallowing out the litter in the box a bit. Try making sure that the litter's an inch deep or less. While not as easy to scoop the litterbox, it makes it less fun to play in, if she can't dig to China.

   And you're definitely right about not wanting to reprimand her while in the box! That would be bad.

   You might try watching her use the box, and as soon as she's done using it (and covering, if that's something you want her to do), distract her with a toy to get her out of the box. A Cat Dancer or a toy on the end of a stick or string will usually do the trick... drag it away from the litterbox. Chances are your kitty will follow!

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

7. 

   It could be that she's trying to clean up after herself, but she is just messing it up and getting it on herself as she's trying to cover it up. You might want to keep an eye on her and see if she's getting herself in a good position to "cover" instead of just scratching in the litter.

   Posted 3 years ago by LadyKat of IA #

8. 

   Also, you might want to make sure the litterbox is big enough. Sometimes if it's not big enough, they don't feel they have enough room to maneuver. I use a couple of cement mixing trays from the hardware store for litter boxes; they're deeper and larger than most litterboxes.

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

9. 

   Paper litter is less messy, and maybe she wouldn't play in it. But if she did, it's not so smelly, and wouldn't get on her so much. I like it.

   Posted 3 years ago by AV #

10. 

    I'm thinking maybe the box is too large for her. Is that possible? Also, please make sure you aren't using clumping litter for her.

    Posted 3 years ago by petpntr #

11. 

    Both of my kittens can fit inside the box at the same time, so I think the size is good...not huge, but not too small. My boy, Hamilton, has never stepped in a fresh mess and tracked it on the carpet, so i would think its a good size...at least for him.

    Posted 3 years ago by iheartfenix #

12. 

    Just an update on Marin! Shes doing so much better. I think shes realized that when she gets it on her feet it equals bath time! =] Also, I did shallow her litter a bit which seemed to help!

    Posted 3 years ago by iheartfenix #

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