Cat Litter BoxCat Litter and a litter box are two of the primary needs to consider for your new kitty. Cats instinctively know what a litter box is for. When you bring your kitten home for the first time, one of the first things you should do is to show her where the litter box is located. This way you don't get any unexpected surprises because the kitty couldn't find the litter box. Gentlely place kitten's front paws into the tray and make a scratching motion with the paws. Ask the previous owner what cat litter she was using and try to use the same type, at least initially.Location of Litter BoxThe location of the litter box is also something to consider. The cat litter box should be away from high traffic areas. Do not put it in the same room as the cat's food and water or where kitty will be sleeping. Also make sure it’s in a room or area that kitty can get at. Try to pick a location that provides some privacy. At the same time pick a place that will allow you easy access to clean the box. If you have a larger house, you might consider a litter box on each floor or at opposite ends of the house (especially if you have an older cat). Types of Litter BoxesDepending on how many cats you have or plan to have will determine the number of the litter boxes. Each cat should have its own litter box. If you only have one litter box and two cats decide they need to use it, you can imagine what the results might be. It's just like two people needing to use the only bathroom in the house at the same time and expecting privacy while using it. The size of the cat litter box should be determined by the size the cat will be as an adult. Female kitties tend to be smaller so the smaller litter box should do. If your male cat will be 15 to 20 lbs as an adult, you should consider a larger litter box. If your cat is a kitten, try to make sure the sides of the litter box are low enough for the kitten to be able to get into it. The open box litter boxes make it easier for kitty to watch its surroundings while doing its business. These open boxes tend to have more litter clean up to do as litter escapes while kitty is covering its waste. Some cat litter boxes come with partial hoods while others are completely enclosed for your cat's privacy. These boxes tend to have less mess to clean up as the litter stays in the box. Some cats don't like this type of box as it can make them feel trapped if someone where to suddenly enter the room. Also these hooded boxes tend to trap more of the odor and that may also make it unappealing to your feline. Disposable litter boxes are something to consider if you are traveling with your kitty cat. It can also help your cat sitter in disposing the entire cat litter box at the end of the week and replacing it with a brand new one. This way the sitter doesn't have to deal with washing and cleaning kitty's box. Disposable litter boxes come complete with the litter. Cat litter box liners also make clean up easier. You simply lift the liner out of the box and discard the entire liner. The disadvantage to the liners is that kitty could end up tearing the liner while covering its waste. There are some cat litter boxes that practically clean themselves. Once the cat has used the litter box, a rake will move the waste into a sealable container. The self cleaning box also has a safety bar. If the bar senses that kitty has entered the litter box, it will stop raking. Once the waste container is full, simply remove the contents and put in a new liner. This system requires the least amount of litter. Although the self cleaning boxes seem very practical to use, some kitties may not think it is that appealing to use.
Outdoor cats will end up using your garden and flower beds as a giant litter box.
LitterTry to avoid cat litter that is dusty as your kitten may breathe in the dust when she is covering her waste. Also most cats don't like the deodorized and scented litters. The ASOCA actually recommends you use unscented, fine grained, clumping litter.
If you find the cat litter odor offensive, use baking soda rather than switching to scented litter. Where there are multiple cats in one house, you may want to consider the multi-cat cat litter, especially if your cats share a litter box. If you decide to use flushable litter, put the litter into a plastic bag and throw it out. Do not flush this litter as it can stick to the sides of your toilet or the pipes, causing you a large repair bill.
Cleaning the Litter BoxCats don't like to be dirty or have wet fur so having a clean litter box is very important. Soiled parts should be cleaned daily. Use a plastic or metal slotted scoop to remove the waste. Add litter if necessary to keep the depth to the 2 inch minimum. Another factor is how much cleaning you are prepared to do. Non clumping cat litter should be replaced weekly; clumping litter can be left longer before replacing. Use a paint scraper to remove deposits from the sides of the litter box. A broom is also handy for sweeping up the litter that land outside of the box.
When you have disposed of the litter, clean and disinfect the litter box. If possible use unscented soap and water. If you decide to use disinfectant make sure the disinfectant is kitty safe. If it doesn't say its kitten or cat safe, don't use it.
Special NotesCat feces sometimes carry eggs of parasites that can cause toxoplasmosis. This can be inhaled while cleaning the litter box. For this reason pregnant women should get someone else to look after the litter box cleaning. Coming in contact with toxoplasmosis could result in the baby developing blindness, liver infection and even becoming still born.
If your cat always uses the litter box and suddenly stops using it, and the litter is still fresh, call your veterinarian immediately.
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