cat sits on edge of litter box

meg_2006

We've only had our cat a few months.  I've observed him the past few days sitting on the edge of the box to do his business, even though the box was completely clean.  He's declawed, and we have a clay clumpable litter.  We have a third box upstairs with pine pellets, and it's enclosed.  He doesn't like that one as much but uses it on occasion anyway.  Any ideas as to why he sits on the ledge of the downstairs boxes?

starlettedir

Weird habit? Can you try a covered box?

aggiebug

My guess is he doesn't like the feel of the litter on his feet.  This seems to happen more frequently in declawed cats.  If he is making it into the box and not spilling a lot of litter I am not sure I would worry about it.  But if you are you may want to experiment with other litter.   My concern with a covered box is that he may feel like he cant use the box because he doesn't want to step in the litter and may end up using the bathroom outside of the litter boxes.  You may move the one covered box you have to different locations  to see if that helps, but don't make covered boxes his only available place to use the restroom.   

Sharpschruter22

Most likely, it hurts! Some litter can be very painful to dig in for cats who have been declawed. You should try a finer grit litter or sand and see if that will help.

bonjour2u2

Was he declawed recently? Maybe his paws are still healing and the litter hurts sometimes. My cat is declawed and has an enclosed litter box and sometimes she'll put her front paws on the edge of the box and stick her head out the front while she's pooping, not sure if that position helps her go or what her deal is. Maybe that's kind of the same thing with your cat, he just needs a different position to go sometimes? I think it's more likely that the litter bothers his paws, though.

hlmlvt

First when was he declawed long time ago?  If so then could be something else.  When he does this does he actually go to the bathroom or does he look like he is straining?  You have to watch male cats especially because they can block and if they are not passing urine they can become extremely sick and can die if not caught in time.  I am not trying to scare you but really watch what he is doing. If he is there and you see him straining see if anything comes out even a dribble.  Some cats get FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) stress, anxiety can do it and it makes them strain, urinate blood, some cats can have crystals in their urine or even stones in their bladder.  

This could also be he is constipated, many cats can get this.  Is he the only cat in the house?  If so check the box and him to see like I said if he is straining if any urine comes our or stool.  If the stool is coming out and it is hard might be constipated and might need an enema.

These are things that can be helped but you have to watch him and male cats can block where as it is a little harder for a female but it can be painful.

Keep us posted.

If non of this then can be behavioral, the vet would want to do a urinalysis just to rule out that nothing is going on there and then discuss further treatment if needed