Why do cats lie in litter trays

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I have one of those too Peggy, he is called Lupin!

[Peggy C]

I have had this problrm in the past  I always thought that it was because the litter  feels warm
I wouldn't worry about it   I once had a cat that liked to sleep in the washbasin!

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Yes wooden pellets here too.

I think she is Ok cos she is on the roam and has also nearly come downstairs.

[CuteCats]

Could be cystitis?  I have heard that if cats feel unwell they lie in their litter tray and when my Cashie had a bladder problem he was never far from the litter traya lthough he never actually lay in it.

Sounds like a trup to the vets would be a good idea if she is acting strangely.

Jo

Two of ours did that when they were poorly.  In both cases they couldn't get to the tray quick enough.  On reflection, I wonder if I should have got a vet bed to make them more comfortable?  I suppose you learn from your experiences though.

[heather sullivan]

My elderly cat of 18 who lives down at the stables with my horse, has been at home for about 3 months as the weather turned cold, and she loves rolling and sitting in her litter tray, which has the small wooden pellets. I think she misses rolling in the dirt and she does that to pretend she is outdoors still.  She only does it when litter tray is clean, not when it has been used!

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Thank you all.

No not cystitus but has had an on off upset tummy which responds very well and quickly to probiotics......must order some more.

It suddenly reappeared just before she started lying in one of the trays and it did go very cold last night and this tray by a radiator.

She has been indoors soley now for 3-4 weeks but is staying upstairs and not seemingly wanting to go out at all.

I dont want to take her to the vets unless absolutely essential as it will mean trapping her in the house and very stressful for all.

I have only been able to stroke her for the last 3 weeks after nearly 7 years and am just building up a little bit of trust although she is terrified of feet. She is a semi feral calico tortie who started living outside  about 6 months ago until she only came inside for a quick feed and left again.

[maddercow]

Could be cystitis?  I have heard that if cats feel unwell they lie in their litter tray and when my Cashie had a bladder problem he was never far from the litter traya lthough he never actually lay in it.

Sounds like a trup to the vets would be a good idea if she is acting strangely.

Jo

[CarolM (Wendolene)]

I think its just a comfort thing Gill.  It may be the stress of being confined when she's not used to it or it may be that she's unwell.  When we took Korky to France we had a big cage for him wiith vet bed on the floor and a corner litter tray.  We found that he liked to sit in the tray and  if he needed to toilet he would use the vet bed.

[Dawn F]

I'm sure someone (possibly Liz) has mentioned cats doing this before

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I have seen Siamese hiding in trays at cat shows but Sasa is a tortie and has never done anything like this before.

[Sarah_Jane]

i dunno loads of my foster kittens have done this wen they first come in so iv always ut it down o they know what the litter is and arent sure of the smells of the blankets iv put in?????? hope someone answers soon 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Is there a reason for this?

Are they feeling ill?

Have they just made it a bed?

Is it a problem?