March 7, 2025, 4:31 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Cats are extremely clean animals that generally attach great importance to their hygiene. Scratching at the edge of their litter box is a behavior that many cat owners observe — and ask themselves: Why is my cat doing this? Is it normal, or is there a problem causing it?
My cat Archie sometimes goes through episodes where he frantically scratches at the edge of his litter box after doing his business. He might have already buried his waste, yet the scratching continues. I have often wondered what he is trying to achieve with this. At first, I thought he might want to clean his claws. As Archie generally has a few health problems, I couldn’t rule out the possibility that he was unwell. But what other possible causes are there when a cat scratches the edge of the litter box?
Cat Scratches the Litter Box as a Natural Instinct
Scratching is an ancient, instinctive behavior that originated in the wild. Cats bury their droppings to minimize odors and avoid attracting predators. In the wild, scratching means safety — even if your indoor cat has no enemies, this instinct remains.
If cats scratch at the edge of the litter box rather than in the litter itself, it could indicate they are searching for an ideal spot to bury their waste but are unable to locate it. This often has to do with the size or condition of the toilet.
Dissatisfaction with the Litter Box
Cats are picky when it comes to their litter box. Scratching at the edge of the litter box can be a sign that they are unhappy with their toilet. One reason for this may be that there is not enough space. If the litter tray is too small, the cat cannot move around sufficiently and cannot bury its excrement as desired. But the wrong litter can also be a trigger for scratching. Some cats prefer a certain consistency or odorless litter. Litter that is too coarse, heavily scented, or clumping could be unpleasant for the cat.
The hygiene of the litter tray can also play a role. Cats attach great importance to cleanliness. If the toilet is not cleaned often enough, they may avoid contact and scratch at the rim instead.
Or perhaps the litter tray is simply in an inappropriate location. A noisy, busy, or hard-to-reach litter tray can also lead to the cat being unhappy. The cat expresses this dissatisfaction by scratching at the litter box.
Cat Scratches as Marking Behavior
In some cases, cats scratch not only for hygiene reasons but also to mark their territory. In addition to the smell they leave behind in the litter tray, scratching at the edge can be a gesture to tell other cats: “This is mine!” This is particularly common in multi-cat households.
Stress and Discomfort
If your cat suddenly starts scratching the edge of the litter box conspicuously often, this could also indicate stress or health problems. Common stress factors in cats include changes in their environment, such as moving house, a new pet moving in, or new furniture. Conflicts with other animals in the household can also cause stress in cats. Boredom or a lack of activity also makes animals feel unwell.
Health problems such as urinary tract infections or digestive disorders can also be responsible for the behavior. If the scratching occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason and lasts for a long time, a visit to the vet is advisable.
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Conclusion
Scratching at the edge of the litter box is a natural behavior, yet it may also signal that your cat is unhappy or stressed. By closely observing your cat’s needs and reacting to changes, you can create an environment in which your cat feels completely comfortable. If the behavior continues to be conspicuous, a visit to the vet can provide clarity. For my cat Archie, the solution involved switching to a larger litter box. Since then, he no longer scratches at the edge.
Sweety the Cat Only Scratches the Edge of the Litter Box
“My cat Sweety only scratches on the edge of the litter box. She rarely buries her business successfully. She’s been doing this since we got her when she was just under a year old. I suspect that Sweety found the litter in the litter box unpleasant or even painful at the time. This is also supported by the fact that she always deposits her urine on the edge of the toilet. She has essentially developed a habit of entering the litter box as infrequently as possible and avoids contact with the small, sharp stones when scratching. This behavior is so deeply ingrained in her that she continues to exhibit it, even though we now use a soft organic litter.”