When it comes to cats, nothing is more sacred than their litter box. Bringing home a new cat can cause tension and confusion, especially when the new cat starts using the old cat’s litter box.
Understanding why this happens is important for maintaining harmony and cleanliness in your home.
In this guide, we’ll explore why your new cat might be using your old cat’s litter box and offer practical tips to address and solve this issue.
Common Reasons For The Behavior
Sometimes even with the best litter box training, you will have one cat that still prefers to use the other cat’s box.
It doesn’t always have to be the new cat that is encroaching on the resident cat. It could be the other way around as well.
There can be a couple of reasons for such behavior.
Exerting Dominance
When we talk about dominance, we often associate it with a trait that is more common in dogs. Dogs are pack animals and will look up to the most dominant dog or alpha leader.
Although cats are solitary creatures, they tend to also form a social hierarchy in cat colonies and multi-cat households.
Cats exact dominance by:
- Rubbing its scent on items
- Spraying or urinating to mark its territory
- Eliminating in a litter box to leave its mark
- Excessively grooming another cat
- Fighting or physically bullying another cat
Some cats are more dominant than others for a couple of reasons.
If the cat wasn’t well socialized as a kitten, it will grow up with behavioral issues. Stray or feral cats that often have to fight for food and shelter will also grow to have a dominant streak in them.
Litter boxes are treated as valuable resources to cats and even more so to one that is dominant.
I’m not sure how dominant my cat but he often looks at me when cleaning his litter box to make sure I’m doing it right.
One of your cats could be trying to exert its dominance by placing its scent markers in the other cat’s litter box. This is a signal to the cat that this box is mine and I’m the boss.
Learning By Looking
If your new cat is a kitten, then this reason applies more to you.
Everything in the world is still new to the kitten. It is still learning the ropes of being a cat and learning to navigate its environment.
Kittens often cling to older cats. During their early years, they follow their mothers everywhere because she provides food and shelter.
This instinct is still carried forward when your kitten arrives in its new home. It might cling closely to your older cat and observe what it does.
Your kitten might start using the resident cat’s litter box because of the way it smells. It might have also seen the older cat use it and is now trying to copy its actions.
Nothing wrong with that.
Your little kitten has figured out what it needs to do when it’s time to use the toilet.
Type Of Cat Litter
Cats can be very particular about the type of litter in their boxes. If you’ve recently gotten a new cat, check with the shelter or breeder about the litter they’ve been using.
Cats may have preferences for certain types of litter due to texture, scent, or familiarity. If you use different types of litter for each cat, one might prefer the other’s litter box.
To avoid issues, consider using the same type of litter for both cats to meet their preferences.
Solutions And Strategies
Proper Introduction Of New Cat
Gradually introduce the new cat to its environment. Start by keeping them in separate spaces to allow each cat to adjust without feeling threatened.
This helps reduce stress and prevents territorial conflicts.
Providing Multiple Litter Boxes
A good rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat plus one extra. Place these boxes in different areas to give each cat their own space and reduce competition for resources.
Encouraging Use Of New Litter Box
Place the new cat in front of their designated litter box to help them recognize it as their own.
Maintaining Cleanliness
Regularly clean all litter boxes to ensure a hygienic environment. Use unscented litter to prevent aversion, as some cats are sensitive to strong smells.
This helps encourage consistent use of the litter boxes.
Nora is a passionate writer with a love for books, animals, and gardening.
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