Starting
Out Right with Your New Cat and the Litter Box
Most
cats have a specific preference about where they want to eliminate. By
following the suggestions outlined in this handout, you'll be able to start off
on the right foot with your new cat.
Location
Most
people are inclined to place the litter box in an out-of-the-way spot to minimize
odor and loose particles of cat litter in the house. Often, the litter box ends
up in the basement, sometimes next to an appliance and/or on a cold cement
floor. This type of location can be undesirable from your cat's point of view
for several reasons.
If
you have a kitten or an older cat, she may be startled while using the litter
box if a furnace, washer or dryer suddenly comes on and that may be the last
time she'll risk such a frightening experience! If your cat likes to scratch
the surface surrounding her litter box, she may find a cold cement floor
unappealing.
Therefore,
you may have to compromise. The litter box should be kept in a location that
affords your cat some privacy, but is also conveniently located. If you place
the litter box in a closet or a bathroom, be sure the door is wedged open from
both sides, to prevent her from being trapped in or out. Depending on where
it's located, you might consider cutting a hole in a closet door and adding a
swinging door. If the litter box sits on a smooth, slick or cold surface, put a
small throw rug underneath the litter box.
Type of Litter
Research
has shown that most cats prefer fine-grained litters, presumably because they
have a softer feel. The new scoop able litters usually have finer grains than
the typical clay litter. However, high-quality, dust-free, clay litters are relatively
small-grained and may be perfectly acceptable to your cat. Potting soil also has
a very soft texture, but is not very absorbent. If you suspect your cat has a
history of spending time outdoors and is likely to eliminate in your houseplants,
you can try mixing some potting soil with your regular litter. Pellet-type litter
or those made from citrus peels are not recommended. Once you find a litter
your cat likes, don't change types or brands. Buying the least expensive litter
or whatever brand happens to be on sale, could result in your cat not using the
litter box.
Many
cats are put off by the odor of scented or deodorant liters. For the same
reason, it's not a good idea to place a room deodorizer or air freshener near
the litter box. A thin layer of baking soda placed on the bottom of the box
will help absorb odors without repelling your cat. Odor shouldn't be a problem
if the litter box is kept clean. If you find the litter box odor offensive,
your cat probably finds it even more offensive and won't want to eliminate
there.
Number of Litter
boxes
You
should have at least as many litter boxes as you have cats. That way, none of
them will ever be prevented from eliminating
in the litter because it's already occupied. You might also consider placing
them in several locations around the
house, so that no one cat can "guard" the litter box area and prevent
the other cats from accessing it. We also recommend that you place at least one
litter box on each level of your house. It's not possible to designate a
personal litter box for each cat in your household, as cats will use any litter
box that's available. Occasionally, a cat may refuse to use the litter box
after another cat has used it. In this case, all the litter boxes will need to
be kept extremely clean and additional boxes may be needed.
To Cover or Not
to Cover
Some
people prefer to use a covered litter box; however, there are some potential
problems with using this type of box. You may want to experiment by offering
both types at first, to discover what your cat prefers.
Potential
Problems
─
You
may forget to clean the litter box as frequently as you should because the dirty
litter is "out of sight-out of mind."
─
A
covered litter box traps odors inside, so it will need to be cleaned more often
than an open one.
─
A
covered litter box may not allow a large cat sufficient room to turn around,
scratch, dig or position her in the way she wants.
─
A
covered litter box may also make it easier for another cat to lay in wait and
"ambush" the user as she exits the box. On the other hand, a covered
litter box may feel more private and may be preferred by timid cats.
Cleaning the Box
To
meet the needs of the most discriminating cat, feces should be scooped out of
the litter box daily. How often you change the litter depends on the number of
cats you have, the number of litter boxes, and the type of litter you use. Twice
a week is a general guideline for clay litter, but depending on the circumstances,
you may need to change it every other day or once a week. If you scoop the
litter daily, scoop able litter can go two to three weeks before the litter
needs to be changed. If you notice an odor or if much of the litter is wet or
clumped, it's time for a change. Don't use strong smelling chemicals or
cleaning products when washing the litter box, as it may cause your cat to
avoid it. Washing with soap and water should be sufficient.
Liners
Some
cats don't mind having a liner in the litter box, while others do. Again, you
may want to experiment to see if your cat is bothered by a liner in the box. If
you do use a liner, make sure it's anchored in place, so it can't easily catch
your cat's claws or be pulled out of place.
Depth of litter
Some
people think that the more litter they put in the box, the less often they must
clean it. This is not true. Most cats won't use litter that's more than about
two inches deep. In fact, some long-haired cats prefer less litter and a
smooth, slick surface, such as the bottom of the litter box. The litter box
needs to be cleaned on a regular basis and adding extra litter is not a way
around that chore.
"Litter-Training"
Cats
There's
no such thing as "litter-training" a cat in the same way one would
house-train a dog. A cat doesn't need to be taught what to do with a litter
box. The only thing you need to do is provide an acceptable, accessible litter
box, using the suggestions above. It's not necessary to take your cat to the
litter box and move her paws back and forth in the litter, in fact, we don't
recommend it. This may be an unpleasant experience for your cat and is likely to
initiate a negative association with the litter box.
If Problems Develop
If
your cat begins to eliminate in areas other than the litter box, your first
call should always be to your veterinarian. Many medical conditions can cause a
change in a cat's litter box habits. If your veterinarian determines that your
cat is healthy, the cause may be behavioral. Most litter box behavior problems
can be resolved by using behavior modification techniques. Punishment is not
the answer. For long-standing or complex situations, contact an animal behavior
specialist who has experience working with cats.
