The Litter-box: A Study in Cattitude

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

26 Mar 2006 04:16 AM

What does your cat really want when it comes to the litter-box? I can only speak about mine as each and every feline has its own particular preferences. I have two type of boxes for my five cats; closed and open. Both seem to work well as some of the cats prefer one and some the other. I also use two types of litter, and that seems to be okay with them as well. Some of my cats "vant to be alone" as Greta Garbo's immortal cry, while others couldn't care less if a party of ten people were in the room with them and the box. Cats are funny though; whatever they prefer, they prefer loudly. This is what is known as cattitude.

Cattitude takes many different forms. It can be a dirty look if the animal is interrupted while in the process of using the litter-box. It can also include the way they throw the littler around as all of my cats do it differently. This is a constant source of amusement for me, as I had no idea there could be so much variety in one single action. One of my cats throws the litter from one of the open boxes into the other with his paws, making a mess in both boxes. Then he leaves the box, surveys the damage and walks away looking very contented. I have another cat that has lived in my house for two years and she is so private that I have never even seen her in the litter box, not even once.

I have another cat who uses the litter-box as an alternate closet / storage area. I find socks and gloves (and God knows what I would find if I really scratched the surface). The box area has also become an event, so to speak, a social gathering place to exchange booty, gossip and in general, pass some quality kitty time.

I don't mind. I just wonder about these creatures I live with and marvel at their ways.

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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Emily Price (4736) 26 Mar 2006 12:22 PM

My dad's cat is nicknamed "tubby". If the litterbox isn't to his "standards" then he uses the tub.

Libby Pelham (12866) 26 Mar 2006 09:48 PM

I have one little prissy Miss (named Muffin) that will pee in the floor if the litter box is not up to her standards. The other three cats could care a less!

Marjorie Dorfman (2577) 27 Mar 2006 10:44 AM

Talk about cattitude! you two certainly have cats that live up to the word!