Your cat has a soft bed, a window seat and a spot on the sofa. Yet you keep finding it curled up in the litter tray. It looks odd, and a bit worrying. Sometimes there is a simple explanation, but this is one behaviour where the first thing to rule out is a medical problem, and in male cats it can be urgent.
First: when it is an emergency
Cornell also notes that stress seems to be an important factor in feline idiopathic cystitis, a common bladder problem, and that changes in environment, feeding schedule or the animals in the home can trigger it.
Other reasons a cat lies in the litter tray
Social stress or a move
On VetHelpDirect, vet Liz Buchanan BVSc explains that litter sites are an important resource for cats and part of their territory, and that a cat moved into another cat’s territory may hold on to the tray as a place it feels in control. She also warns owners to watch for urinary blockage, which she describes as a common result of social stress.
Guarding in a multi-cat home
If there are not enough trays, one cat may claim one. RSPCA Australia advises one of each resource per cat plus one extra, in separate locations.
Pain
Buchanan also mentions joint disease and other painful conditions that can make squatting hard, which is another reason for a vet check.
A new or young cat
A kitten or a newly arrived cat may simply pick a small, familiar, enclosed spot. If your cat is new, our guide on how long to keep a new cat in one room explains how to set up a safe base with separate sleeping and toilet areas.
What to do
- Rule out medical problems. Watch your cat in the tray. Any straining, frequent trips or small amounts of urine mean an urgent vet call. Otherwise, book a check up anyway.
- Add trays. One per cat plus one extra, in separate places, as RSPCA Australia advises.
- Give better hiding places. Covered beds, boxes and high perches give a stressed cat somewhere safe to retreat that is not the tray.
- Reduce tension. If another cat is the problem, separate resources and spaces. See why cats groom each other and then fight for signs of tension.
- Keep the tray clean and appealing. Avoid sudden litter changes; if you did change the litter recently, read what to do when a cat stops using the box after a litter change.
- Do not punish. Removing a cat from the tray roughly or scolding it can add stress, which may make the problem worse.
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Straining, little or no urine, crying | Emergency vet now |
| Lying in tray after a move or new cat | Vet check, more trays, safe hiding spots |
| Lying in tray, stiff or slow | Vet check for pain |
| Kitten napping in tray, otherwise well | Offer a cosy bed nearby, keep the tray clean |
FAQ
Why is my cat sleeping in the litter box?
It can be a sign of a urinary problem, stress, guarding the tray from another cat, pain, or simply a kitten or new cat choosing a small familiar spot. A vet check is the first step.
Is a cat lying in the litter box an emergency?
It is if your cat is straining, passing little or no urine, or crying. A blocked bladder is a true emergency, especially in male cats.
Can stress make a cat sleep in the litter box?
Yes. Vets describe the tray as an important territorial resource, and stress after a move or a new cat can make a cat cling to it.
How many litter boxes do I need?
RSPCA Australia advises one per cat plus one extra, in separate locations.
Should I move my cat out of the tray?
Not roughly. Check for urinary signs first, then give your cat better safe spots and enough trays.
Sources
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
