THE REASON WHY CATS USE LITTER BOXES

THE REASON WHY CATS USE LITTER BOXES

Why Do Cats Use Litter Boxes? Survival of the Fittest

In simple terms, survival of the fittest is the idea that the individual more able to achieve its goals through speed, strength, and intelligence, will succeed. That individual might win food, shelter, subordinates who reduce its workload, or whatever it requires to reproduce more. Those offspring will inherit and in turn pass along those successful traits to the next generations.

Cat Litter Box with Drawer - P1061

 

Why Do Cats Use Litter Boxes? Animal Instincts

All animals have instinctual behaviors and that includes your domesticated cat. Once upon a time, the ancestors of your cat successfully lived on their own in the wild. They could hide from predators, catch prey, and find food to live and reproduce. And you might be surprised to hear that the simple act of using a litter box is actually—yep, you guessed it—instinctual.

Transparent Cat Litter Box -  P541-B

 

Why Do Cats Use Litter Boxes? Cover Your Tracks

To avoid being eaten or attacked by predators, ancestral cats had to cover up their tracks. The ones who had higher fitness, or who were more likely to survive and reproduce, knew that they needed to hide their waste in order to mask their scent. The smarter cats gravitated toward soft dirt or sand, since their granular consistency made it easier to bury their waste. This is why cats are naturally attracted to the feel of cat litter and know what to do once they feel it beneath their paws.

Cat Litter Box Square C-160005 – P899.75

 

Research shows that in a group of feral cats, the dominant cat leaves its waste uncovered in order to mark his territory. The subordinate cats then cover their waste as an act of submission. This may be the reason why, in a multiple cat household, the dominant cat may leave its waste unburied in the litter box.

 

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