http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/Barb111/306 I have often wondered about the way cats are innately programmed to use their litter boxes. I had a few ideas but wanted to see for sure if my ideas were at least in the ballpark.So I looked up the reason why cats use litter boxes and why sometimes they don't or miss etc...  So this is what I found out, a kitten pretty much comes programmed by the Mom (of course) to use the litter box. It is also an in born trait. Wild cats bury their waste to hide themselves or their presence from predators. O.K.,so thats pretty simple but I have heard of people who have had difficulty once their cats are already using their "potty box", thats what we call it----- and they say that cats basically want their box clean. I know mine does if i miss a scooping they tell me,meow Meow MEOW or go and stand by it and look at me and look at the box. They especially Jon Jon will wait until one of us gets home and cleans the box. Poor Boy he is a Lil neurotic about cleanliness. But its better that than the other way. Whoever says that cats are dumb don't have a clue!!! I have often wondered about the way cats are innately programmed to use their litter boxes. I had a few ideas but wanted to see for sure if my ideas were at least in the ballpark.So I looked up the reason why cats use litter boxes and why sometimes they don't or miss etc...  So this is what I found out, a kitten pretty much comes programmed by the Mom (of course) to use the litter box. It is also an in born trait. Wild cats bury their waste to hide themselves or their presence from predators. O.K.,so thats pretty simple but I have heard of people who have had difficulty once their cats are already using their "potty box", thats what we call it----- and they say that cats basically want their box clean. I know mine does if i miss a scooping they tell me,meow Meow MEOW or go and stand by it and look at me and look at the box. They especially Jon Jon will wait until one of us gets home and cleans the box. Poor Boy he is a Lil neurotic about cleanliness. But its better that than the other way. Whoever says that cats are dumb don't have a clue!!! en-us