Why does my cat sleep in the sandbox?

There are several reasons that they can take a cat to sleep in his sandbox, as a stressful situation, the arrival of a new member to the home or the discomfort of his bed.Therefore, it is our obligation to analyze the situation, find the exact cause that motivates this change in their behavior and, above all, go to the veterinarian to diagnose or rule out any health problem.Although it may seem that the fact of lying in the litter box does not indicate anything, the truth is that sometimes it is a clear sign that something in The animal's health is not good.Keep reading and discover in ExpertAnimal why your cat sleeps in the sandbox and what to do in each case.

Why does your cat lie in his litter box?

Many cats like to sleep in their sandbox, without this implying an underlying problem, so if your cat has always had this behavior, it does not necessarily mean that this attitude hides a health problem.your cat may lie in the sandbox for a question of behavior and preference , nothing more.Now, if it's a sudden change and never before lying in his litter box, then if you have to worry because your pussy is trying to tell you something, then we will see the main causes that explain why your cat lies in the sandbox if he did not do it before.

He is sick

A cat that is not well and feels the need to go to the bathroom more times than usual, can choose to lie near the box or, directly, lie inside the sandbox.This way avoid having to run or urinate out of the litter box.So, in addition to looking at whether your cat sleeps in the sandbox, you need to pay attention to whether your cat :

• Urine more than usual.
• Has difficulty urinating.
• Defecates as usual or has difficulty.
• Urina and defecates with the usual color and consistency.

If you notice any change in your cat's bowel movements or behavior in terms of performing your needs, it is probably the reason that justifies lying on the litter box.In this case, whether you notice that your cat goes to the sandbox a lot or if you have detected an unusual color in its feces, it is essential to consult the veterinarian so that examine the animal and determine what happens to it.

Keep in mind that this change in cat behavior may be indicative of the presence of serious diseases such as diabetes or insufficiency In addition to being a symptom of infection of urine, kidney stones or cystitis, among other problems, the earlier you go to the specialist, the more likely the animal will be diagnosed in time and, therefore, treated properly and connected.p>

Your cat likes to lie in the sandbox

Many are the cats that lie in the litter box simply because they like it, they feel comfortable and safe .This happens, especially when there is more than a sandbox or the box is always kept clean, remember that cats are very neat animals and this would only be done by preference when the place is not dirty.Also, if your bed seems uncomfortable and not It has another surface to lie on, the sandbox may be the best option to rest.

Now, is it appropriate to let the cat sleep in the sandbox? Clearly not.Although it seems to you that you maintain proper hygiene of the sand, it is not always possible to control it because for this you should monitor your cat 24 hours a day.So, to ensure the health of the animal, we recommend to look for an alternative That is more attractive to sleep and avoid, thus, continue to lie in the sandbox.A good substitute can be a cardboard box, since both containers have a similar shape.Know your cat, his likes and preferences, and try to cover them so that they sleep safely and without risks.

Suffer stress and find a safe place

A stressed cat is accustomed to alter his behavior , showing more nervous, susceptible, aggressive or carrying out actions that he did not do before, such as lying in the sandbox.of a new member (human or animal), a move or any modification of his daily routine, however small, are factors that can stress your cat and make him look for a safe place to rest .your mind, what better place to isolate yourself than one that contains its smell and also nobody visits? In this sense, in general, the litter box is usually located in a little traveled and remote space of the home due to the smell that it can emit, so that this will be the place chosen by the animal to calm down.

If the cat feels threatened, it is normal to look for a safer alternative to sleeping, so if you suspect this may be the reason that explains why your cat sleeps in the sandbox, inquire into the cause of the stress and avoid it to return the animal to its emotional stability.See our article on "Things that stress cats" and solve the problem.

You need to defend your territory

It is no secret to anyone that cats are very territorial animals, so the arrival of a new member in the home can make the animal feel its resources threatened and end up having the need to protect them, including the litter box.This is called resource protection, and although it is a natural behavior, it is not positive because it can induce an aggressive attitude and harm coexistence, as well as alter the emotional stability of the animal.

On the other hand, if you just adopt a new cat and this is the one that sleeps in the sandbox, it can happen as a result of the territoriality of the oldest cat .In other words, if the feline that already lived in the home does not let him use the litter box, it is normal for the new cat to sleep in the sandbox at the slightest carelessness to ensure that he can use it when he needs it.

Although some cats are able to share their resources peacefully you, many others prefer their privacy and refuse to use a box used by others.To avoid these problems, it is always recommended to provide a litter box to each cat, and add an extra.Check our article "Do two cats can use the same sandbox? " and discover what to do.

On the other hand, if you have noticed that the coexistence between them is not correct, visit our article "How to present a cat to another cat?" and implement our advice to remedy it.

What to do if your cat sleeps in the sandbox?

The most important thing is to identify the cause that explains why your cat is lying in the sandbox and treat it, as well as visiting the veterinarian to rule out any health problems.In addition, you can follow these tips:

• If you live with more than one cat, make sure you have the number of litter boxes appropriate to the number of cats .
• Provide your cat different comfortable and safe surfaces to sleep and place them in strategic places of the home that you might like, such as low-traffic corners or high spaces.To do this, place several cardboard boxes or blankets on shelves Sure they can be excellent solutions that will make your cat stop lying in the litter box.
• If you plan to make any changes at home, whatever it is, remember to carry it out progressively to prevent your cat it is stressed.
• If your cat is very nervous, the use of synthetic pheromones , as I admire them Given by the Feliway brand, it can be very useful to make you feel calmer.

It is also important to pay attention to the cat's general behavior and check if there is any another change, although it may seem insignificant.Yes, look at the amount of water you drink, if you eat well, if you lose more hair than usual, the consistency and color of stool and urine, if you are decayed or apathetic, if you bite or rejects.Detecting these small alterations in time can lead to an early diagnosis that will help ensure the success of the treatment if the animal suffers from a health problem.

If you want to read more articles similar to Why does my cat Do you sleep in the sandbox? , we recommend that you enter our Behavior Problems section.