Why is my cat sleeping in her litter tray?

[Merryoldgoat]

Just that really. I have a lovely moggy who is 15 years old so old, but in decent healthy generally and is mostly an indoor cat.

In the last few weeks she’s started sleeping in her litter tray.

She’s purring, happy, seems fine, but it’s odd. There’s no poo in there.

Its a large covered tray but she has plenty of other enclosed places she can go.

Any ideas?

Penelope did this when I first adopted her. It was a hooded tray and I think it felt safe for her. If it's unusual behaviour, I'd pop her along to
The vet.

One of mine does this occasionally but it's something he's always done. If it's a new behaviours I would take her to be checked by the vet.

I’ll book her in. Glad to hear it can be normal.

I’ve noticed she generally likes to be in enclosed places of late. We have some shelves she likes and she can get into the hallway closet too.

My elderly girl cat did this once or twice, with a covered tray.

I just assumed she liked the novelty and also that the litter made for a warm, if somewhat lumpy, mattress.

She also tried a few nights in the little tent bed thing I bought her, but has now eschewed both and sleeps on the sofa.

I wonder if she could be in pain. At fifteen I'd be extremely surprised if she didn't have some kind of arthritis.

It'll be comforting to her.

I get this with my fosters too. They are scared, feeling poorly, and want to feel secure.

Given your cat's age, you'd be well advised to make an appointment with her veterinarian. It'll probably just be age related minor ailments, but now is the time to recognize and plan for her old age.

Very brief update - took her to the vet and she says she couldn’t see anything obvious but her kidney was a little enlarged - got her a flea treatment, wormed and a shot of antibiotics in case urine infection.

She seems much better already after a week. Thanks for the advice.

That's good news, I'm glad she's doing better! :)