How do you keep your cat on the litter box?

Cats are very clean animals. It is therefore important that the litter box meets your pet's standards to avoid using the carpet instead of its litter box. The following are some helpful tips from the Humane Society to help your cat choose his litter box over other potential toilets.

 Location 

Most people put the litter box somewhere afterward to minimize the odor and prevent the litter from spreading all over the house. But if the litter box ends up next to a device in the basement or on a cold concrete floor, your cat may be less satisfied.

So you may have to compromise.

• Place the litter box in a place that gives your cat some privacy and is also conveniently located. If the box is too difficult to reach, especially for a kitten or an older cat, he may just not use it.
• Avoid placing litter boxes next to noisy or heat-producing appliances, such as the oven or washing machine. The noise can make a cat nervous, while the heat from a dryer or oven can exacerbate the litter box odor, keeping the cat away.
• Place the container far from its food and water bowls. Cats do not like the smell of the box near their food and can therefore ignore the box.
• Place at least one litter box on each floor of your home. That way, your cat has multiple options if access to his primary bin is blocked (the basement door is closed or the cat is entrenched in the bedroom because of your visit.) If you have more than one cat, offer litter boxes at different so that one cat cannot hinder another cat from using the litter box.
• If you put the litter box in a closet or bathroom, make sure that the door is open and cannot fall shut. This will prevent your cat from being trapped inside or locked out. Depending on the location, you might consider making a cat flap in your (closet) door.

Picky about stuffing

Research has shown that most cats prefer fine-grained grit, presumably because it feels softer. The new clumping grit usually has finer grains than the typical clay fill, and is very popular because it dampens unpleasant odors. But high-quality dust-free clay filling also has fairly small granules and can be completely acceptable for your cat. There are different types of cat litter on the market. The most popular are: traditional clay filling; clumping grit; grit based on crystal, and vegetable / biodegradable filling.

If your cat has previously been an outdoor cat and prefers soil, you can keep it out of the planters by placing medium sized stones on top of the potting soil and / or by mixing some potting soil with your regular cat litter. A cat that rejects all types of commercial fill can be very happy with sand. Once you find a filling that your cat loves, stick with it. Constantly changing the filling can cause your cat to stop using the litter box.

Prefer odorless

Many people use perfumed litter to mask unpleasant odors, but many cats hate perfumed stuffing. For the same reason, it is not a good idea to place fragrance sticks, room spray, or air freshener near the litter box. A thin layer of baking soda (soda) on the bottom of the bowl helps absorb nasty odors without shedding your cat. And if you keep the bin clean, you shouldn't be able to smell it. If you find the litter box odor too strong, your cat, with its keen sense of smell, will likely find the litter box smells even more than you do and will not go there.

How much?

The general rule is one litter box for each cat, plus one more. In any case, your cat will never be prevented from going to the box because it is already occupied. It is not possible to designate a personal litter box for every cat in your household, as cats usually use every available litter box. That means that a cat can sometimes refuse to use a litter box after another cat has been on it. In this case, you should keep all litter boxes very clean, and you may even need to add additional litter boxes. However, it is best not to put your litter boxes all in one location because your cats will see them as one big litter box and it is still possible to obstruct another cat on its way to the box.

Take cover

Some people prefer to provide their cat with an indoor litter box, but this can pose a number of potential problems. To find out which type your cat prefers, it is best to experiment by offering both types in the beginning. Some cats, especially those who are timid or want privacy, prefer an indoor litter box. Others do not, especially if the bin is not clean. A covered box can reduce the amount of grit that flies out of the box when your cat buries his need. Advantages and disadvantages of an indoor litter box:

• You can forget to clean the litter box regularly, because the dirty grit is not immediately visible to you.
• A covered litter box keeps odors inside, so you should scoop it more often than an open one. A dirty, covered litter box is the same for your cat as a dirty toilet for you!
• In a closed box, a large cat may not have enough room to turn, scratch, dig or position the way it wants.
• With a covered litter box, another cat can lurk more easily and attack the user when leaving the litter box.

Other types of litter boxes

There is a wide variety of litter boxes on the market today. Keep in mind that some wonderful litter box innovations are for the convenience of the owner, not the cat. In fact, some of these features can actually turn your cat away from the box. It's really best to keep it simple: a simple bin, litter, and a shovel.

Keep it clean

To meet the needs of the most demanding cat, scoop feces out of the litter box daily. How often you change the box completely depends on the number of cats you have, the number of litter boxes, and the type of grit you use.

Twice a week is a general guideline for clay filler replacement, but depending on the circumstances, you may need to replace it every other day or just once a week.

If you clean the litter box daily, your clumping grit only needs to be replaced every two to three weeks. If you notice an odor or if a large part of the grit is wet or clumped, it's time for a change.

Scrub the bin every time you replace the filling. Use mild detergent to clean it, cleaning products containing ammonia or citrus oils scare your cat, and some cleaning products are toxic to cats.

Litter box bags

Cat litter bags are just a convenience for the owner. You can easily remove the filling from the bin and tie the bag like a garbage bag. The truth is, most cats tear it to pieces, scratching and digging in the box. Still, it can work if your cat isn't working too hard to bury his needs.

Depth of the litter

Some people think that the more filling they sprinkle in the box, the less often they have to clean, but that's a mistake. Most cats will not use litter deeper than two inches. In fact, some long-haired cats prefer less litter and a smooth surface, such as the bottom of the litter box. Adding extra bedding is no substitute for scooping and scrubbing.

Potty training cats

There is really no such thing as toilet training for a cat, as is the case with dogs. You don't actually need to teach your cat what to do with a litter box, instinct will generally take over. You must offer an acceptable, accessible litter box, taking into account the suggestions above.

No need to put your cat on the litter box and move her paws back and forth in the filling. We even advise against it, because it can be such an unpleasant experience that you scare the cat for the litter box and for you.

If you move, you should show your cat where the box is, although his sensitive nose has probably already found its way to the box.

Resolving problems

If your cat starts to do its needs outside of the litter box, always go to your vet first. Many medical conditions can cause a change in a cat's litter box habits. If your vet has examined your cat and declared it healthy, your cat may have a behavioral problem that needs to be resolved.

Punishment is never the answer, nor is it banning your cat outward. For long or complex situations, you can contact a cat behavior specialist who has experience working with cats.