Why Does My Cat Lay By His Litter Box? (Is This Odd?)
If your cat is laying by his litter box you may be wondering why, if this is the done thing, or quite unusual…
Why does my cat lay by his litter box?
If your cat is laying by the litter box it is likely to be doing it for comfort. However, if it is lying inside the litter box this could be for several reasons. The most common being it’s in pain, feeling anxious, or has a issue urinating.
So, now you know. But, why could your cat be sitting its litter box but not peeing? is it normal for a kitten to sleep in a litter box? Could some cats lay by the litter box just for comfort? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…
How can you tell if your cat is just laying by the litter box for comfort?

A cat on a mat next to its litter box.
If you want to know if your cat is simply laying by the litter box for comfort you need to look out for its behavior and body language. For example, if it is acting aggressively, lost interest in its food, or acting lethargic then this may be an indication that it’s not comfortable and it has an issue.
However, if it has none of these signs then it could confirm that it just wants to lay by the litter box for comfort. And, it may not be an issue after all.
Why is my cat sitting outside the litter box?
If your cat is sitting outside of the litter box this could be for several reasons. The most common issue is that it is unhappy with its litter box or wants it cleaned. It can feel unhappy with the litter box for many reasons such as the size, depth, or location.
Sometimes you may just need to give the litter box a clean and your cat may be more than happy again. If keeping the litter box is quite an effort then you can consider getting a self-cleaning litter box (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad).
If a self-cleaning litter box is not for you then you will have to commit to a regular cleaning schedule to keep your cat happy.
Why is my cat sitting in the litter box but not peeing?
Your cat may be sitting in the litter box but not peeing because it has a problem urinating. A common problem is that it is blocked an either unable to pee at all, or struggling to pee. If itis the latter, it could only be getting a very minimal amount of urine out.
This can be quite a painful and stressful time for your cat. So, if you fear this could be the problem you need to get your cat looked at immediately so that your vet can offer some suggestions or solutions to make your cat better.
Why does my cat sleep in the litter box?
If your cat is sleeping in the litter box it is not a good sign. It is unlikely to be doing it for fun, because a litter box itself is not the ideal description of comfort. The likelihood is that it has a health issue such as a urine infection, or a blockage that is causing it pain or discomfort.
If there is any doubt, or some obvious body language to suggest this is the case then you need to seek some medical assistance from your vet to check it out.
Is it normal for a kitten to sleep in a litter box?

A kitten crying.
If a kitten is sleeping in a litter box then it could just be doing this for fun. Kittens are quite playful and do odd things that an adult cat would not consider. This could be due to their nievaty or just care-free demenor. However, an adult cat sleeping in the litter box would suggest a potential issue.
If your kitten keeps doing this and you are keen to stop it you may need to question if you have supplied it with comfortable alternatives. For example, does it have a cat bed (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad)? Have you made its bed comfortable enough?
If your answer is no to any of those questions then you will need to address them and then see if your kitten goes back to sleeping in the litter box.
Could your cat lay in the litter box for comfort?
Some cats could use the litter box for comfort. This is usually if the cat is struggling to find peace and comfort anywhere else in your home. For example, if you have a busy and noisy home your cat may find the litter box as the best place to escape to.
If this happens, its likely to gravitate to a covered litter box (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) because they create a self-contained hiding spot that shelters them from the noise better than an open one.
If this is the case you may need to evaluate the environment your cat is placed in. You may need to offer them a more peaceful space so they do not have to go and hide in the litter box.
What’s the most common health issue for cats laying in a litter box?
The most common health issues that may cause a cat to lay in litter box is an Uniray Tract Infection (UTI), or urine crystals. Both if these can cause the cat pain and discomfort. Also, they are likely to be laying there straining to pee due to these conditions.
Here is more detail on these conditions:
01. Urinary Tract Infections
Uriniary Tract Infections (UTIs) are known to pee a lot but when they do they struggle to get the pee out. When this happens they may strain and call out to you. It can be painful to watch because they don’t know what to do.
Also, in some cases, you may see some traces of blood while they strain. This can also lead to some cats peeing on their owners bed, or other furniture because they lose control of their bladder.
02. Urine crystals
Urine Crystals are tiny particles that appear in your cat urine that can cause it pain and discomfort. It often causes irregular urine issues such as not peeing enough, or too much.
Could crystals in the urine cause a cat to lay by the litter box?
Crystals in your cats urine could cause it to lay in the litter box. This is because it could be having difficulty using the litter box and just hovering their waiting for it to happen.
If this is the case you need to consult your vet as soon as possible to see what they think and seek some advice to get it sorted.
Could stress make your cat sleep or hide in its litter box?
A stressed out cat could sleep in the litter box. This is because the scent of the urine can give them some level of comfort i fthey feel stressed about a certain situation. It may seem hard to believe because the litter box is often dirty and soiled but cats can look past this.