Where does your cat sleep? Veteran cat owners will respond with a matter of fact answer. "Where ever he wants!". Because they know that cats, especially their own, are quirky little beasts with minds and attitudes, all their own. On top of that a human who is owned by a cat, or a den of cats, knows that these little kings of the felines are not conducive to training or following house rules.
Cats have some quirky behaviors. However, sleeping in the litter-box is one behavior that even perplexes some veterinarians.
Seriously, cats sleep just about anywhere they want. Being tight, little compact balls of fur when sleeping and wiry Houdinis' when finding a comfy spot, they actually fit just about anywhere.
For the most part, where a cat sleeps speaks to their sense of security and safety, in a particular environment. Having extensive experience as a cat owner, and with skittish rescue cats, cat's who are insecure will likely sleep in a tight and hard to get at place. Or in their litter box.
Going with that experience, cats who sleep in a litter-box are either old and not well, or insecure. Assess the cat's environment to see where the problem may be.
Is there anything new in kitty's life? Have you moved? Have you adopted another cat? These things, in particular, could have your cat seeking the simple security of home. The one thing that is theirs personally, and feels "normal" or like home, to him.
Many cats will not use a litter-box with other cats. Inconvenient as this may be, your favorite fuzzball may be guarding her territory from the new interloper. You may have to add personal boxes for your kitties.
It goes without saying that indoor cats equate their litter-box with security. Check out how the kids are handling the cat. Is there a small addition to the family who just became aware of the cat? Toddlers can be very hard on the family pet. Lets face it, all they see is a great interactive play toy, no harm intended. Yet, if your tail, fur and ears were harshly pulled at, while the miniature version of your owner giggled with glee, you'd hide in the bathroom too.
Again, the litter-box creates a small, tight place of security for your cat. Especially, the enclosed boxes that are on the market now, and in most homes. If there is a child or even adult in the house who is too rough with the house cat, he may be fearful of the environment and sleeping in the box. Simply monitoring and teaching the kids appropriate contact with the cat will have your cat sleeping on top of the TV again, in no time.
The saddest reason for this odd behavior is age and illness. One cat owner took her cat to the vet because kitty wasn't eating. After a stay at the vet and some surgery for a feeding tube, for a month, the cat was released to the owner. Now this cat was considered to be on the elderly side. So most likely he was overwhelmed by the surgery, and slept in the litter-box at the vet, which she was informed of when she picked up her pet. The veterinarian could find no physical reason for this behavior, as the cat was healing on schedule. Therefore it was left at odd behavior. Whether it was for security of a place that had the familiar scent of home, or simply fatigue from the illness and surgery no one will ever know. However, at home the cat began exhibiting the same behavior.
Again, age, illness and a sense of security are probably the issues here. It may just have been easier and more comfortable for this old lady cat to remain in the litter-box when she became tired
Even with some research on the topic the answers remain the same.
Honestly, cats sleep where they want, anytime they want. You may not allow your kitty to sleep in the bed with you, and you may be firm on that point, and your cat knows it. But, ask yourself this, how many times have you returned from the bathroom, in the wee hours of the morning, just to have to put kitty on the floor and remind her of the rules?
Do a study of your cat's sleeping habits. You will likely find that she sleeps one place for weeks at a time and then moves, only to sleep in the new place for a week or two. Or, he may sleep in the windowsill after lunch, on a dining room chair, under the table in the morning. And my favorite, in the linen closet, all the way in the back and often being shut in. That's when you know you hear him and have to search for the cry. A suggestion, when putting the linens away on laundry day, check the dark corners of the towel shelf, kitties love warm clean laundry.
If you do find your cat sleeping for an extended time in the litter-box, check his food. Is he eating? Has he become thin or more unsociable than usual? If these appear to be the case, or if he is obviously not feeling well, a visit to the vet is in order.
If the other factors are the main issue found just do what you can to make her feel secure and wait it out. As soon as things become normal to her she will move back to the top of the couch for those late afternoon naps.