It’s not a secret that cats are clean animals. In fact, they’re the only species of domesticated animals that will bury their waste in order to keep their homes tidy. Still, there are some things you can do to make it even easier for your kitty (and yourself) to live with litter.
Choose The Best Litter Box
The size of a cat’s litter box should be at least as large as its body. If you have multiple cats, consider getting multiple litter boxes so they don’t feel crowded. A general rule of thumb is that each cat should have access to at least one litter box at all times and preferably more. Wherever possible, locate the individual pans near each other in order to minimize the amount of time spent moving between them.
- Plastic or clay-clumping cat litter is the most popular choice among cat owners. You can also use non-clumping litters, but they need regular cleaning to prevent ammonia smells and bacterial growth in the box. These can be easily found at an online pet store like PetCareRx, where you can choose from a diverse range of products that match your requirement.
- Cats prefer covered litter boxes because it gives them privacy and helps keep smells down in homes with multiple cats or dogs that might use the same area for elimination purposes (which is called “marking”). However, if you’re training an older cat that has used an open one its whole life, it may take some time before it adjusts to using an enclosed one instead.
But don’t give up; be patient and encourage them by using their favorite treats or new toys whenever they use the new box correctly during this transition period.
Pick A Litter Type
When it comes to cat litter, there are two main types. Non-clumping cat litter is made from clay or silica and doesn’t absorb urine. It’s generally cheaper than clumping types, which use bentonite clay to absorb liquid and turn it into a gel-like substance that you can scoop out of the box. The non-clumping one doesn’t control odor as well as clumping litters do. If your cat is an “eliminator” rather than a “scatterbrained pooper,” you may find yourself changing the whole box frequently (which kind of defeats the purpose).
Clumping litter can be useful if your pet has trouble aiming in one direction when relieving itself. Some cats also like clumping litter because they feel more comfortable on top of an absorbent surface instead of sitting directly in their waste material during elimination. This is especially true for overweight kitties with sensitive paws.
Introduce Your Cat To The Litter Box
To make the transition as easy as possible, start by setting up a litter box in a quiet, easily accessible area of your home. Make sure that it’s placed away from doors, windows, and other areas where your cat has access to roam around. It should also be out of reach of children and dogs.
The next step is introducing your cat to the new setup. Do this by placing some of her used litter into the box with fresh kitty litter on top of it. They’ll soon get used to using this new place for bathroom breaks.
If you want them to feel comfortable about going potty in front of you or other people in general, start off by putting them in the enclosure and rewarding them with treats when they obey. This will help build positive associations with using indoor facilities.
Avoid A Dirty House While Keeping Your Cat Happy
Cleaning a cat’s litter box is not difficult, but it can be time-consuming. You can use many kinds of litter and clean it in different ways, depending on your preference. For example, if you have multiple cats or are simply looking for something more convenient than traditional clumping clay litters, you may want to consider using silica gel crystals. They’re better at absorbing moisture and odor than other types of litter because they don’t break down as easily when wet. But they also tend to be pricier than conventional clay litters and natural alternatives.
To keep your cat happy while staying on budget:
- Use an enclosed or covered box with high sides that prevent scattering outside the house.
- Scoop solids out of the box once or twice a day (depending on how many cats use it) and dispose of them in the trashcan after washing out any clumps with hot water, if needed. Soak solids overnight before rinsing again, so there isn’t any smell left behind when cleaning later.
Conclusion
If you’re having trouble introducing your cat to the litter box, take a deep breath and try not to panic. It’s best not to rush this process, but if your cat is already used to using another type of container or spot in the home, start there. Just remember that as long as you keep up with your cat’s health and cleanliness needs, keeping them happy is easy!
