Cat watching other cat use litter box

[twocatsonehouse]

Our two cats have developed an odd behavior -- one stands intently watching the other while they use the litter box. We aren't seeing litter box misses or other accidents ... but both cats like to investigate what the other is doing.

We have 4 year old sisters that we adopted from a shelter a few months ago and they have lived together their entire life. This behavior is new. We assume it is a dominance behavior but we're uncertain what we should do about it, if anything.

 

[yosemite]

How many litter boxes do you have? The general rule is one box per cat plus 1 extra. When Mika was at our house, we had 2 boxes - one for Bijou and one for her. They both used both boxes but it was important to have 2.

 

[aswient]

Some of mine do that, as soon as one cat hears another one in the litter box they go over and watch them. I don't know what the attraction is but it intriques them for some reason. If I'm passing by I usually just shoo them away from the one in the box.

 

[fifi1puss]

Mine watch too. They watch me too.

They never seem bothered by each other so i leave it alone. Their just nosey.

 

[russiankitten]

My cats some times do this but not so often it gives me any concern plus mine are kittens and still learning. One thing you could do if you think it might be upsetting the other cat (hay I wouldn't want my brother sneaking up on me when I'm going for a wee) EEEEK!!! You could get one of those box litter trays (not sure if thats the right name) where there is a lid on the top and flap to get in? Or perhaps you could use a screen. I think if they are adult cats this could be intimidating to the one using the tray. And yep you need one tray per cat plus (ideally) an extra one.

 

[twocatsonehouse]

The cats only use the basement box when humans are in the basement. We even had another box on the main floor, but they didn't use it that frequently. They essentially use the box with the best location in the house.

There don't seem to be any problems with this behavior yet ... but we're curious about what they're doing.

 

[going nova]

Originally Posted by TwoCatsOneHouse

The cats only use the basement box when humans are in the basement. We even had another box on the main floor, but they didn't use it that frequently. They essentially use the box with the best location in the house.

There don't seem to be any problems with this behavior yet ... but we're curious about what they're doing.

One of our boys inspects the box after his brother uses it. Sometimes, he helps to cover up the messes. Maybe they're looking out for each other in a way?

 

[cats4sky]

they watch me too lol., wether im going to the bathroom or taking a bath i have an audience lol.

idk what it is but ive caught Princess checking out the boys while they do their business, i just wrote it off as curiosity, cause shes only 10 months old, and we only had her for 4.