What does a cat raise when it goes to the toilet? - briefly
When a cat uses the litter box, it raises its tail.
What does a cat raise when it goes to the toilet? - in detail
When a cat uses its litter box or goes outdoors to relieve itself, several actions and behaviors occur that are integral to the feline's toilet habits.
Firstly, cats exhibit specific postures when preparing to defecate or urinate. For defecation, a cat will typically assume a squatting position, with its hindquarters lowered close to the ground. The tail may be raised and curved slightly over the back. This posture helps the cat maintain balance while expelling waste.
During urination, cats often adopt a similar squatting position but may also lift one or both front paws off the ground for better stability. The tail might be held vertically, away from the body, to avoid contamination of the fur with urine.
Before and after using the litter box, cats engage in grooming behaviors. They will lick their paws and use them to clean around their genital area, removing any residual waste or odors. This meticulous grooming is not only for hygiene but also serves as a territorial marking behavior, spreading the cat's scent throughout its environment.
Additionally, cats may exhibit certain behaviors after defecating to cover their waste. If using a litter box with loose sand or soil, they might scratch at the surface with their hind paws to bury the feces. This instinctual behavior is rooted in their ancestral habits of wild cats, aiming to hide their scent from potential predators.
In summary, when a cat goes to the toilet, it raises its tail, adopts specific postures for defecation and urination, engages in thorough grooming before and after, and may cover its waste if using a loose litter material. These behaviors are deeply ingrained in a cat's natural instincts and play a crucial role in maintaining their cleanliness and territorial markings.