Keeping cats indoors prevents potential conflicts with wildlife and exposure to parasites and toxins . If you from time to time ( and responsibly , of class ) jeopardize outside with your cat however , you might have witnessed her dust bathing .
Why do cats tramp in malicious gossip , on the nose ? While there ’s limited research about this subject , our experts offer insights into what may drive cat detritus bath , how to manage it , and potential dangers to take note of .
Why Do Cats Roll in Dirt?
Why do computed axial tomography roll aroundonanything ? field of study are circumscribed , but our expert shed some Christ Within on this common behavior .
They’re Motivated by Scent
Cats rely intemperately on their sentiency of odor to communicate with other cats . In fact , they have perfume glands in their manus , cheeks , and around the tail , saysDr . Sasha Gibbons , an associate veterinary surgeon at Just Cats Veterinary Hospital in Stamford , Connecticut . These secreter , she says , “ pass off odors that stand for to other cats that the space is claimed . ”
Arabian tea dust bathing may also be a survival method acting . “ rove in dirt that another predator has lead his scent in may be a fashion to mask the more vulnerable cat ’s own scent , ” says Marilyn Krieger , a certified cat behavior advisor and owner ofThe Cat Coachin the San Francisco Bay area .
To Cool Down
On a hot day , a cat swan in dirtmight be a fashion to try embossment from the heat and sun . You might notice your African tea loosening the top layer of ironical soil to reveal the coolheaded bed beneath , says Pam Johnson - Bennett , certify cat behavior consultant , author , and owner of Nashville - basedCat Behavior Associates . “ It ’s common to see the cat linger on the nerveless stain after . ”
To Relieve an Itch
If your cat has a hard - to - reach itch — which might be a sign of a flea infestation — it may feel salutary to stretch and roll out in the dirt , says Krieger . “ The texture of the grease is complete for live up to that itch . ”
A Form of Play
A cat rolling in dirtmight be trying to pioneer play , articulate Bennett . “ computerized tomography do n’t have one functionary play collection motion but a plebeian one seen is revolve from side to side . ” If you bump to be outdoors , a CT may rove around in the turd or grass as a way to initiate shimmer .
A Response to Catnip
wheeling is a common reaction to encountering catnip , says Bennett . Catnipcontains a chemical substance called nepetalactone , which can extract euphoric behaviour , include rolling in the dirt .
As Part of a Courtship Ritual
Afemale catmay roll on her back , including in the dirt , to show interest to male suitor . This behavior may be accompanied by purring and rubbing up against an object .
Do Cats Roll in the Litter Box?
It ’s not as vernacular as sport outside in the dirt , but when cats roll in the litter box it ’s often for the same reasons .
“ Rolling in the litter box is one direction a cat may circulate additional odor to claim ownership or produce a intimate scent , ” say Bennett . It ’s more common when the box has just been clean and arrest fresh bedding material , she adds .
It can come about more oft in multiple cat households where conflicts are present , Krieger say . “ The big cat who is being pick on or is the scurvy big cat on the totem pole may roll in the bedding material box . drift in litter box stick the scent from the other cats on them . ”
There could also be a perceived payoff to performing this behavior . “ This has not been search , but from a behavioural perspective there would be something about the behavior that the cat finds reinforcing , either while they are performing the behavior or straightaway afterwards , ” says Valli Parthasarathy , a board - certified veterinary behaviourist withSynergy Behavior Solutionsin Portland , Oregon .
Are There Dangers for Cats Rolling in Dirt?
Dirt is not inevitably an issue unless it contains wild materials . Here are a few to watch out for .
Parasites
flea , tick , and other parasites can tarry in your soil . “ For lesson , felineroundwormeggs can be found in the soil . If ingested through groom this can head to transmission . flea or tick can hop-skip or crawl on board if the cat is rolling or rest in the dirt , ” says Parthasarathy . Get your cat on flea and tick preventive medication to ward off parasites .
Toxins and Poisons
Any eccentric of chemical solution you use on or around your dirt — let in pesticides , insecticides , and rodenticides — has the potency to make your cat sick . Weed killers for example , often containglyphosate , which veterinarians say can cause a variety of symptoms in cats , including vomit , lethargy , anorexia , respiratory issues , and even destruction . Always expend apet - dependable weed killerif your felid likes to explore outdoors . Even seemingly innocuousflowerslike tulips , lily , and Narcissus pseudonarcissus can be toxic for cat .
“ Cats are such effective self - groomers so if there are any contaminants or chemical in the land , there ’s a risk of exposure of ingestion , ” says Bennett . If you ’re interested about your cat being expose to toxins , she enunciate gently wipe her down with a towel before she starts grooming can help .
Debris
Even if you ’ve done due industriousness in computed axial tomography - proofing your own pace , do you make love what ’s in your neighbor ’s chiliad if your guy should accidentally tramp away ? Remnants of glass or pull tabs from fundament , for example , can cause hurt .
How to Stop Your Cat From Rolling in Dirt
There ’s no way to prepare this behavior out of a computerized tomography , saysDr . Liz Stelow , tribal chief of divine service of clinical behavior military service at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at University of California , Davis . “ So , it ’s all down to management . ”
One obvious solvent is to keep your computed tomography indoors . “ Provide the computed axial tomography with textured object they can fray , ” offers Krieger . You ’ll often rule these object oncat treesor other cat toys .
What to Consider If You Do Let Your Cat Outside
Since a computed axial tomography rove in dirt can be expose to a number of potential peril like pesticides , parasites , and piranha , take some preventive steps can help reduce these encounters .
For illustration , consider building a solid cat enclosing orcatio . Or endue in a goodcat harness and trey . “ This give the owner command to direct the quat away from serious country outside , ” says Gibbons . And it goes without saying , always be nearby to manage .
“ Realistically , the practiced way to deepen behavior is to forestall access and then teach an alternative behavior , ” says Parthasarathy . “ If you are with your cat in an enclosed area , or on trey , you may try redirecting their attention with a toy or treat and moving them away from the dirt . ”
If your cat does roll around in the dirt , head off punishment , read Krieger . Instead , “ Give them other things to do that gratify the reason for rolling in turd . ”
If you suspect fleas or itching is the causa of your cat ’s rolling , it ’s good to schedule a veterinary engagement to facilitate your cat find respite . If the rolling is an attempt to stay cool , provide other option like clean , nerveless body of water and shaded areas , Bennett offers . “ But best of all , keep your true cat indoors where you could moderate the climate for ease . ”
Always check with your veterinary surgeon or a certified cat behaviourist if you have doubtfulness or are implicated about your bozo ’s health or behavior .
