Kitty wiping paws on wall???

[HayleyRosie]

I met a woman in the pet section of Wal-Mart last night who said every time her cat leaves the litter box he/she wipes his/her paws on the wall. She asked me if I had any idea why he/she does this. I has no idea. Do any of you?

[wayne0214]

Haley Rosie, Assuming the litter box is clean, her cat could be doing this in a natural attempt to cover her litter. I know that some of my furkids will try to cover their litter, after covering it within the box, by scraping outside the litter box, even though there is nothing there to cover with. -they only go through the motions. I have found this is more so when the litter box is too small for the size of the cat.

..........wayne

[jenluckenbach]

I agree... The cat probably thinks this is covering up the, let's say...recent addition to the litter box, if you know what I mean. Out of 13 cats, only about 4 really use the litter to cover. They scratch on the floor, on the wall, on the sides of their covered litter box, everywhere but the litter. It is so silly. If there is a throw rug or towel near to the box they might even try to pull that over to cover.

[koxka]

If there is a throw rug or towel near to the box they might even try to pull that over to cover.

LOL

[krazyaboutkatz]

After Pepper and Sunny use the litterbox they will usually run over to their food dish and try to cover up the food as well. I've never understood why they do it after using the litterbox. Sometimes cats do the strangest things.

[LoudLou]

Originally posted by krazyaboutkatz
............try to cover up the food as well. I've never understood why they do it after using the litterbox. Sometimes cats do the strangest things.

Garbonzo Bean wipes his pawson the wall to remove litter that is stuck to his paws. He also trys to cover up food that he doesn't like or want...never after using the facilities but if he doesn't like something he'll try to cover it up. Confuses me too.

[Vio&Juni]

Yep, I agree with everyone - either he's trying to cover, either he's trying to clean his paws.
Juni does the same. If I had more space for her (I hope I will have soon), I would put a very rough carpet on a bigger territorry, so she could clean her paws on it and not fold it over the litter box. Still, not too big, because I would have to wash it often.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Maybe the reason this kitty is wiping his/her paws on the wall is because there isn't a paw towel immediately available. Perhaps a towel rack should be hung in the location indicated by the cat and a clean towel provided?????

[Cataholic]

Originally posted by Edwina's Secretary
Maybe the reason this kitty is wiping his/her paws on the wall is because there isn't a paw towel immediately available. Perhaps a towel rack should be hung in the location indicated by the cat and a clean towel provided?????

And, if that doesn't work, I am going to suggest that it is their way of MARKING THEIR TERRITORY/POOP/FOOD SUPPLY. I have read this several times in various resources. Cats do this- even when obstensibly they appear to be 'covering up'- to tell themselves, "This is mine, no need to worry"...so, they would mark around the food bowl, to essentially say, "hey, Fido, this is actually my food"...or similar sentiments. Cats carry scent makers in their paws, base of tail, and glands near the mouth. So, while we think they are covering their litter box presents, really they are just marking a big area around it that says it is theirs, and they are covering it up, to hide the activity. Does that make sense?

So, when your friend's cat is pawing the wall, he/she is just letting everyone, including herself, know that is her place- no need for alarm.

[JillLovesMinnie14yrs]

Oh man that is my Boo Boo Kitty all the way. He takes his huge polydactal feet and "dances" on the walls and floors constantly. Also, he does it on countertops, desks, tables, (even in the snow!!) He is sooooooo funny. He also wipes his paws inside water glasses. Anyone else's cat(s) do that?? It's a riot to see them dunk their feet in water!!!!!