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STARTING
OUT RIGHT …
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 in order to minimize odor and loose particles of cat litter in
the house. Often, the litter box ends up in a utility room, garage or
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.
Since she
is new to the household, she may not remember where the litter box is
if it's located in an area she seldom frequents. Your cat 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, in order to prevent her from being trapped
in or out. Depending on its location, 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 most cats prefer fine-grained litters, presumably
because they have a softer feel. The new scoopable 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 litters 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 frequently switching to a sale brand could result in your
cat not using the litter box.
Many cats
are put off by the odor of scented or deodorant litters. 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 be prevented from eliminating in the litter box
because it's already occupied. You might consider placing them in several
locations around the house so no one cat can "guard" the litter
box area and prevent the other cats from accessing it. It is also recommended
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 of 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 herself 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, scoopable
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 the more litter they put in the box, the less often
they will have to clean it. This is not true. Most cats won't use litter
more than about two inches deep. In fact, some long-haired cats actually
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 really 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 litterbox. 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 actually
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.
Reprinted
with permission from the Denver Dumb Friends League.
