Why Is My Cat Laying in the Litter Box?

Updated Nov 20, 2025

Cats are obsessively clean, so their lying in the smelly cat litter box is irregular. The two most common reasons why your cat is lying in their litter box (or even sleeping in it) are stress and a medical problem. 

To figure out exactly why your cat might be lying in the litter box, you will need to watch their behavior closely and find more information. 

If you're wondering, "Why is my cat laying in the litter box?” you should be concerned and take action to correct the situation. Use the following guide to dive deeper into 6 reasons behind this behavior and what to do about it.

1. Stress 

The small, enclosed space of the litter box with its familiar smells is comforting to a stressed cat. If they are stressed, the litter box will feel like a safe haven for them. The same happens if they are feeling threatened by another animal or person.

Your cat could be stressed because;

• You recently adopted them
• You just moved houses
• You brought a new cat, dog, or other pet into the home
• You had a baby, or there's a new person in the house
• You remodeled the house

Stressed cats also exhibit other symptoms such as excessive grooming and scratching, increased meowing, excessive sleeping, and aggression towards people or other animals. They could also have physical symptoms such as reduced appetite and shedding fur.

If your cat is hiding from you and is staying in a tense, crouched stance with its head lowered, pupils dilated, and tail tucked in, that's a stressed cat.

You may not always be able to identify or remove the source of the kitty's stress. Usually, the behavioral issue should go away in a few days, and all you can do is clean their litter tray often, so they have a clean place to hide in.

Another solution is to evaluate your cat's environment and find out whether it provides enough areas for the kitty to hunt in, hide, scratch, and sleep.

Consult a veterinarian if your cat is overly stressed or won't return to normal behavior after a week or so, talk to your vet. There could be additional causes for their acting up, for which the vet will prescribe a mode of treatment.

2. Sickness 

Just like us humans, cats suffer from ailments such as urinary tract issues and stomach upsets. Problems with waste elimination make them want to lie near or in the litter box.

Urinary Problems: If your cat has urinary issues, such as crystals in the urinary tract, passing urine can become extremely painful or even impossible. This is a serious medical condition that primarily affects male cats and requires immediate veterinary attention. Think of urine crystals as the feline version of kidney stones in humans. Cats are more susceptible to these struvite crystals if they are older, overweight, or eating an unbalanced diet.

Other signs of urinary problems include:

• Urinating outside the litter box
• Vocalizing while in the litter box
• Straining while urinating
• Licking themselves excessively in the genital area
• Blood spots in urine

Gastrointestinal Trouble: Gut health problems like constipation or diarrhea may result in cats resting in the litter box. 

Look for other signs of gastrointestinal trouble: 

• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Dehydration
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy/listlessness. 

Pain & Mobility: Painful joints make entry and posture difficult; seniors may stay in the box or soil near it. Offer low-entry, large boxes, reduce litter depth, and ask your vet about pain control and environmental modifications. 

Seek veterinary help if you suspect urinary tract or digestive tract issues. The vet will do some diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of the problem and prescribe treatment to deal with the medical issue.

3. Territorial Behavior

If you recently introduced another animal into the house, your cat could be staying in the litter box for either of two reasons. The first is that they're feeling threatened, and the litter box feels safe and familiar.

This behavior can also be triggered by guests in the house, loud noises such as nearby fireworks, or an unfamiliar environment. If there is another animal involved, staying in the litter box also lets them mark it with their pheromones as their own territory.

If you introduced multiple cats, follow the golden rule: get a litter box for each cat in the house plus one extra. Cats cannot share litter boxes for behavioral and health reasons, and each cat feels safe and secure in their own box with its familiar smells.

If you have just one litter box, the dominant cat could be trying to bully the other and keep her away from the litter box. This is common behavior for felines trying to establish dominance. So make sure you get each cat their own special litter box.

4. Pregnancy/Nesting

Another reason could be that the kitty is pregnant. If your cat isn't altered and has access to a male cat, they could be pregnant and seeking a place to give birth. The litter box will feel safe, secure, and familiar, even though it's not a hygienic place for your pregnant cat to give birth in.

If your cat is pregnant, provide them with a better alternative. A cat cave can be a snuggly box or enclosed space where a kitty can hide and feel safe. Place the cat cave near the litter box, where the cat will still have the familiar smells of the litter box.

Later, you can transition the cat to a more convenient place on a windowsill, cat perch, or shelf, providing a clean, quiet nesting area away from the litter box.

5. Boredom 

Cats love their routine and are famously meticulous about their litter box habits. If they suddenly start to act up, it could mean they want you to pay attention to them.

One of the reasons for the cat’s behavior could be boredom. If you have not been spending time with your kitty recently or have been away, they might be trying to get your attention.

Young cats and kittens especially want to act up when they're feeling bored or playful. They could knock things down with their paws, attack your legs as you walk by, and get the zoomies. Eventually, they will be so bored that they might play around and, after, create a sleeping spot in the litter box.

If that's the case, get your cat something new to be excited about. A new climbing post, catnip-infused toy, or treasure hunt will fix their litter box problem in no time.

However, remember that playing in the litter box is normal for kittens, and they could just be exploring and discovering things. Just keep an eye out to ensure that they don't bring up poop and track it all around the house.

6. Litter Change & Texture

A sudden switch in litter type/texture can cause box camping or avoidance.

Cats love familiarity. Cat litter is a big part of their life, so learning how to choose cat litter helps keep your cat happy and comfortable. However, if you recently changed out your cat's litter to one that feels different, they may be exploring and familiarizing themselves with it. 

Lying in the new litter also helps your cat introduce familiar smells and mark it as their territory.

Your cat might start lying in or messing around with its litter if you change from one type of cat litter to another. For example, swapping a non-clumping vs a clumping cat litter will feel unfamiliar to your cat, making them want to explore it more.

Some types of cat litter, such as paper litter, could also feel comfortable and soft enough for your cat to want to lie in.

One thing to watch out for is if the cat is feeling itchy and scratching a lot. Parasites like fleas or skin conditions will require expert help from the vet.

General Takeaways by Age  

• Kittens: As we mentioned earlier, exploration/play is actually common for kittens; keep boxes very clean, supervise, and provide cozy beds/caves so the litter box isn’t the best nap spot.
• Adults: Think stress, territoriality, or recent litter/box changes; separate resources and restore the last known-good litter setup.
• Seniors (12+): Suspect pain/mobility; use low-entry, large boxes with less litter depth and discuss pain control with your vet.

Note that these tips are all meant as general guidance. Every cat is unique, so observe your cat’s behavior and consult a veterinarian if you notice persistent changes or health concerns.

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Litter box habits are one of the surest ways to discover your cat's health problems. For example, blood in a cat's urine is a sure sign of urinary tract problems, while alkaline or acidic urine could indicate various types of infections and kidney problems.

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Sources: 

1. Cat Vills. Why is my Cat Sleeping Inside The Litter Box? https://catvills.com/why-cats-sleep-in-litter-box/
2. The Spuce Pets. Litter Box Problems in Senior Cats. https://www.thesprucepets.com/help-older-cats-with-litter-box-553889