Cats are hardwired to cover their waste as a survival mechanism — and many cats will continue scratching surfaces near the box even when they haven't fully covered it. The behavior is instinctive covering behavior that has run past its practical usefulness. In most cases it requires no intervention at all. The main question is whether your cat is actually covering in the litter, or bypassing the litter entirely — which may indicate a problem with the box itself.
What You're Noticing
After using the litter box, your cat scratches the sides of the box, the wall next to it, the floor around it, or the area in general — sometimes for quite a long time. They may also scratch inside the box but without much actual covering of the waste. This happens consistently, every time, or occasionally.
Why Cats Do This
Instinctive covering behavior
Wild cats cover their feces to hide their scent from predators and prey. This instinct is so deeply embedded that domestic cats retain it even though there's no practical need in a home environment. Scratching around the litter box is an extension of this covering behavior — the cat is going through the motions of concealment even when they haven't achieved it. Many cats do this with surfaces that can't be moved (walls, floors) seemingly without realizing it won't accomplish anything.
Dissatisfaction with the litter
Sometimes a cat scratches the walls rather than the litter because they dislike the litter texture, depth, or cleanliness. The litter isn't satisfying to dig in, so they "cover" with the nearby surfaces instead. If your cat enters the box but barely touches the litter before scratching the walls, the litter itself may be the issue.
Box is too small
A cat in an undersized box doesn't have room to properly dig and cover. They may scratch the sides or outside because they need to make covering movements but can't do it properly within the box.
Marking behavior
Scratching surfaces also deposits scent from paw pads and is a form of territorial marking. Some litter box wall scratching may serve this secondary function.
What to Notice
- Is your cat covering the waste at all? A cat who doesn't cover but vigorously scratches the walls may be communicating dissatisfaction with the litter.
- Is the box big enough? The box should be at least 1.5x the length of your cat. Most commercial boxes are too small for large cats.
- Is the litter clean? Cats are very clean animals and may refuse to dig in dirty litter, covering outside instead.
- How deep is the litter? 5–8cm (2–3 inches) of litter gives cats enough to properly dig and cover.
What You Can Do
- If the scratching is just habit behavior and your cat uses the box normally: nothing needs to change.
- Ensure the box is cleaned at least once daily — cats are much less likely to cover in a soiled box.
- Make sure litter depth is adequate — 5–8cm minimum.
- If you suspect litter dissatisfaction, try a different litter type. Fine-grain clumping litter is preferred by most cats.
- If the box seems too small, try a larger one — storage containers make excellent oversized litter boxes.
When to Consider a Vet Visit
- The scratching behavior has changed suddenly after previously being normal
- You're seeing other litter box changes — going outside the box, straining, unusual frequency
- Any straining with no urine produced — this is an emergency, especially in male cats