Let’s be honest, cats are fussy creatures, even when it comes to their bathroom habits. If you don’t meet your cat’s litter box standards, you’re going to be dealing with a lot of mess around your home. So unless you’re okay with that, keep reading.
Cats have weird habits concerning the way they use their litter box, which can be messy at times. So keep in mind that punishment is not the right way to deal with this. The first step is getting in touch with an animal behavior specialist so that you can learn how to deal with complex litter box situations. The next step is knowing how to properly deal with your cat’s litter box. Here’s a brief guide on everything you need to know about cat litter.
The Box
When it comes to litter boxes, you need a box for each cat in the house, plus an extra one. This way, none of your cats gets eliminated from using the bathroom. There are many choices of litter boxes out there. For example, covered boxes provide your cat with extra privacy while using the bathroom. Watch out for covered boxes though as they may cause extra odor inside the box which can be repellent to your cat as well. You can also opt for self-cleaning boxes that add a touch of automation to your cat’s litter box and prevent litter mess around your home. If your cat is used to traditional litter boxes, then it’s better for you to stick to them, as it may be harder for cats to change their litter habits.
The Set-Up
You may want to keep your cat’s litter box away from sight to minimize its odor and mess, but cats will refrain from using the box if it’s placed too far or in a cold, creepy area like the basement. Your cat will prefer to have its litter box in a place where it can have some privacy, so be prepared to make a compromise. Be careful from noise or heat radiation next to your cat’s litter box. While noise will scare them away or be unpleasant to them while using their box, heat can magnify the odor, making it less likely that your cat will use it. Place the box somewhere away from their water and food, but make sure you provide them with adequate privacy.
The Choice of Litter
There are so many litter options available in today’s market. For example, plant-derived or biodegradable litter, traditional clay litter, crystal-based or silica gel litter, and clumping or scooping litter. Cats usually love fine-grained litter, so opt for scoopable litter that comes with finer grains and keeps down the box’s odor. You can also go for smart or intelligent litter, Pretty Litter is “intelligent” as it switches color depending on the pH levels in your cat’s urine, which gives you a heads-up whenever something is wrong with your cat’s diet or health. However, watch out as constantly switching litter can lead your cat to avoid using the litter box altogether.
Cleaning the Box
It’s ideal to scoop your cat’s feces every day out of their litter box. Changing the litter inside the box should depend on how many cats you have at home. Clay litter, for example, needs to be replaced at least twice a week. However, it depends on your needs, some people tend to change it every day if necessary. While you only need to remove clumped litter most of the time, if there’s wet litter or if the litter is too clumped and has an odor, it’s your sign to change it.
Litter Box Training
Litter box training is not really a thing if you have a cat. Cats are usually dependent on their instincts, which take them to the litter box whenever they need to use it. The only thing you need to do is make their litter box accessible, which will help them use it without hassle. When moving the box to a different place, you don’t need to move the cat’s paws back and forth in the litter. You just need to show your cat the new location of their bathroom or litter box. Remember that punishment is not the right way to deal with this process and that you shouldn’t teach your cat to use the litter box, as cats usually find their way to their bathroom on their own by instinct.
Cats are a bit finicky when it comes to their litter boxes, that’s why you need to meet their bathroom needs, or else they can be messy. To keep your cat happy, opt for fine-grained litter that keeps odors down and lets you know whenever something is wrong with your cat.
