Do they have object permanence? They may understand that when we clean and throw it away, it leaves with trash. Whether they understand the concept of trash and things entering and leaving the home, and whether there is a universe where we go besides the vet, are all separate questions. I'd wager they understand we get rid of it, however much they understand when we make food appear
Oh absolutely! Mine tells me when she needs something, and walks me over to it. Dirty litter, empty water or food, toy stuck somewhere.
Just curious if they understand the concept of things leaving their purview and still existing.... Wait.. as I'm writing this... If they know to go find things, they must understand the concept of taking things away from a space.. right??
If one of mine wants a specific litterbox cleaned (2 cats, 5 boxes) he shits and doesn’t bury it. But he doesn’t shit in it when I’m at work, and only if I’m about to walk past that specific litterbox.
My Plush Princess howls when she needs to 'go', then sits and supervises me cleaning out every speck of non-litter, then does her performance and announces loudly, 'I'm finished, I'm done, let the bells ring out and the people cry...'. Note: she's a tortie with personality to match.