I have two cats (a male and a female). My female cat uses the litter box, then instead of covering her urine or poop, she just walks away. A minute or so later, my male cat will go into the litter box and cover it up for her. I have never seen this behavior before and I am wondering why she doesn't do it herself... I was just chalking it up to her being a little prissy thing that refuses to get her paws dirty.

Shawn,I have four cats,all with their own idiosyncratic behaviour.As long as they all use the litter tray,you have nothing to worry about.One of my cats,Millie,sometimes plays in a "clean" tray,moving the litter about,with her paws.She tendes to make a right mess.I'm sure the other three think she's a little odd :D

Is your female a long haired cat? I've noticed this behavior more in long haired cats.

I see this behavior a lot working at a veterinary clinic so don't worry. It's not all that uncommon... mostly just gross and inconsiderate! LOL

Nope, she isn't a long hair, but she is half siamese (the other half mutt LOL). She is just a dainty little thing that obviously expects her brother to clean up after her ;)

Shawn,I have four cats,all with their own idiosyncratic behaviour.As long as they all use the litter tray,you have nothing to worry about.One of my cats,Millie,sometimes plays in a "clean" tray,moving the litter about,with her paws.She tendes to make a right mess.I'm sure the other three think she's a little odd :D

My kitten Tillie was like that. Used to play in the litter tray make a right mess all over the floor. Then she started using the litter tray as she should. Then she progressed to going out side. She would be out all day but would come in to use the itter tray every time she needed the toilet only to go back out after. (she just did not get it) Whereas Mitzi got it first time. I happen to think some cas are a little slow at getting things whereas others are quick off the mark. I think its learning abilites just like us humans.

shawnie6874 - your female cat seems to be portraying a personality trait. As long as she using the litter tray and not the florr or the nearest pot plant then I would not worry. Maybe she likes having a male run around after her ll ;)

Hollys right as long as she is using the box I wouldn't worry my friends cat does her business in his sink hehehehehe now that's a problem.
All three of our kitty boys use the tray but the eldest rarely covers his poop the middle one goes in after him and cleans up. Cats are just curious creatures and they do everything as they please.

Nice to know a lot of us are cat lovers.One of my cats,George,is from ferral parents.He is a rogue,and will only let you stroke him,if he feels like it.Me and Sally rescued him from a dirty barn,in the Warwickshire countryside.I won't name the place,as they are being investigated by the RSPCA,but we had permission to have him,as he was only six weeks,approximately,when he came home with us.The other three cats we have,are from "normal" backgrounds.
We are not animal rescue,or anything like that,except Sally has a friend who lives near the farm in question,tipped off the RSPCA,and after talks,well,we got George.Our son loves the cats,and they have taken to him.Now he says can we have a dog :D
No!

Nice to know a lot of us are cat lovers.One of my cats,George,is from ferral parents.He is a rogue,and will only let you stroke him,if he feels like it.Me and Sally rescued him from a dirty barn,in the Warwickshire countryside.I wont name the place,as they are being investigated by the RSPCA,but we had permission to have him,as he was only six weeks,approximately,when he came home with us.The other three cats we have,are from "normal" backgrounds.
We are not animal rescue,or anything like that,except Sally has a friend who lives near the farm in question,tipped off the RSPCA,and after talks,well,we got George.Our son loves the cats,and they have taken to him.Now he says can we have a dog :D
No!

Oh I'm with you there millie really doesn't ever want to ask me or ben for a dog it won't go down to well I can assure you

Nice to know a lot of us are cat lovers.One of my cats,George,is from ferral parents.He is a rogue,and will only let you stroke him,if he feels like it.Me and Sally rescued him from a dirty barn,in the Warwickshire countryside.I wont name the place,as they are being investigated by the RSPCA,but we had permission to have him,as he was only six weeks,approximately,when he came home with us.The other three cats we have,are from "normal" backgrounds.
We are not animal rescue,or anything like that,except Sally has a friend who lives near the farm in question,tipped off the RSPCA,and after talks,well,we got George.Our son loves the cats,and they have taken to him.Now he says can we have a dog :D
No!

Don't think a dog would go down too well with your cats?

She maybe expressing her superiority. Is she first at the chow dish while the male waits? Try a second litter box in a different location and see if she doesn't improve her habits.

For first time pet owners, if you can borrow a baggie of poop to put in your new litter box, that will get the message across as to where to go.

She maybe expressing her superiority. Is she first at the chow dish while the male waits? Try a second litter box in a different location and see if she doesn't improve her habits.

Why does she need to improve her habits? Some cats just don't cover it up - no biggie. I've got one like that and I don't worry about it. If you have two litter boxes, they'll both use whichever one they dang well please at any given moment.


For first time pet owners, if you can borrow a baggie of poop to put in your new litter box, that will get the message across as to where to go.

Borrow a baggie of poop? Did you read the thread? Somehow I think not. The cat knows where to go - she just doesn't cover it up. It's not hurting anything.

Not to mention the thread is well over 4 years old anyway.