It also has something to do with you: why do cats have to hide their feces in the sand?
December 13, 2023
0
Cats, which lick themselves for certain minutes of the day, are among the animals that are notable for their cleanliness. In fact, this characteristic of cats makes them
Cats, which lick themselves for certain minutes of the day, are among the animals that are notable for their cleanliness. In fact, this characteristic of cats makes them one of the most suitable creatures to keep at home. But when it comes to hiding their feces, There are completely different reasons than cleaning.
Without further ado, these adorable animals: The reasons why they bury their feces let’s see.
There is an interesting detail about cat feces.
This feces generally smells the same to us, but cats have the same odor in their urine and feces. unique scent molecules called pheromones This allows him to distinguish his waste from other cats.
Cats carefully bury their feces to mark their territory. It is based on their long history of using urine and feces. Smaller, vulnerable and obedient domestic cats belong to the vulnerable cat group in terms of pedigree.
For this reason, they bury their feces even if there are no predators where they are. This action of theirs is just in case, even if there is no creature that poses a threat to them in the area they are in. of the instinct to protect oneself It is caused by.
Again, every domestic cat sees its owner as strong and dominant and therefore feels weak and threatened.
The famous zoologist and behavioral scientist Desmond Morris expresses this situation with the following sentences: “In an undisturbed home, every domestic cat feels like a creature under the pressure of its owners. Therefore, under normal circumstances, many cats bury their own feces in the litter box or in the garden of the house. It protects itself against the ‘hunter’ in the house.”
In addition, predators can detect their prey by the smell and location of their feces. For this reason, burying feces is a tendency of the weak and vulnerable cat group. Because cats that do this hide more easily and The possibility of being preyed upon by foreign cats has been largely eliminated.
However, not every cat hides its feces.
In the wild; Dominant cat species that compete for their territory, such as lions, tigers, jaguars and leopards, a way to indicate that they want to take over a certain area They do not bury their feces.
But feral cats sometimes become predators so as not to draw unwanted attention to themselves or to the nests of their offspring They tend to hide their feces.
Let’s get back to domestic cats. What could be the reasons why domestic cats do not bury their feces?
Although burying feces is an instinctive behavior in domestic cats, these cats may sometimes defecate in unusual places other than their litter. One of the biggest reasons behind this behavior is that when the cat is still a kitten, This behavior is not shown or taught to him by his mother.
If this is causing the problem, feed the cat with the correct commands and instructions You can teach him to poop in the sand. Especially if it is a puppy, your job is much easier.
In addition, cats generally like clean litter.
If If the sand has not been cleaned for a long timeThey may not want to poop here anymore. It is also recommended that the toilet bowl is approximately 1.5 times the size of the cat. If this area is small for the cat, he may not use it for defecation.
At the same time, a change of home or the arrival of a new animal in the house can cause stress for cats, and such situations can prevent cats from defecating in the toilet bowl. If all conditions are met and your cat still refuses to go to the litter box There may be a health problem behind this. At this point, consulting a veterinarian will yield the healthiest results.
Ashley Johnson is a science writer for “Div Bracket”. With a background in the natural sciences and a passion for exploring the mysteries of the universe, she provides in-depth coverage of the latest scientific developments.