August,
     Sounds like Chami could have learned her litterbox habits from mom and dad.  As long as she is using it, albeit her own way, I wouldn't think you have to change it again.  As for the digging and covering, I think that is pretty common with a lot of kitties.  I know mine does it.  She has covered boxes and even scratches the top of the box until she is satisfied that everything is "just right".   

Thanks, Mandycat and Catbird,

Chami is the "choosy" one of the bunch, and is the most sensitive about cleanliness.  Even when she eats, if a piece of kibble falls out of the bowl while she's eating, she'll go around the bowl to eat that piece before going back in for more.

One time when they had just started living with me and I wasn't sure how the silica worked, I went to the box to stir it to even out the urine.  Chami came to watch.  I thought about changing the crystals, but then wondered maybe there was another day left in them, so I stirred the crystals and started to leave.  Chami looked up at me, meowed a couple times, and then when she saw that I was looking at her, she started urinating outside of the box!

I immediately changed the litter and cleaned the box, and there was no trouble after that.

I thought she was just brilliant!   

(The other 3 don't seem to mind if the crystals are a bit yellow, but Chami definitely does not approve.)


After Chami finishes her business, she tends to run away from the box without looking back.  The other 3 perch to clean (where Chami perches to do her thing), and only Yoyo and Lulu sometimes cover theirs (I'm fairly sure Mooch is the boss of the group).

I guess since Chami seems to be using the new box and litter without a problem, we'll stick with it and see how it goes.

Thanks!


LOL about the scratching metal!  Ikes!

I found out Mom cat had a one-kitten litter before my 4.  And this half-brother is also a percher!   

Alex0, I laughed about your returning chewed books.  I bought someone a present that had a plastic wrapper on it and when I was wrapping the present, I heard crinkle crinkle and looked over to find vampire bites.  I had to explain them in the birthday card. 

That makes sense about the paper and wanting to play/eat it.  Thanks for the reassurance. 

I've got some that perch and some that don't.  My perchers/balancers are my lighter cats.  They only perch once the litter is no longer fresh enough for their liking.

I don't do boarding when I am away, I prefer that someone comes to my home to feed the kitties and flush the toilet. Cats are a lot more comfortable in their own environment. As for possibility if they need to be boarded at the vet's, should be no problem. Once you train the cat to use the toilet, they are able to switch back. Though they may have some preferences.

When I got Sophie we had a litter box until she got big enough to start toilet training. Mitzie actually preferred litter for No.2, while Stefie who is a clean freak preferred toilet when given a choice. During the training, I had to remove litterkwitter contraption for him since he just wanted normal, clean toilet with no litter. Though he demonstrated he is able to use it when nobody removes it for him (which would result in litter all over the bathroom due to his compulsive need to cover up and very enthusiastic digging and litter flying all over the place  ).

   OH MY GOSH!

I just saw Chami SITTING down in the paper litter to urinate!  I...I thought I might cry!  This is fantastic!  I'm so happy for her!