Litter Box Maintenance

As cat owners, we need to make sure that the litter box meets our cat's demands and with some cats this is not an easy task. Cats can be very fussy about their litter box, and if anything fails to meet their standards, some cats may stop using their box. Sometimes, this can happen after years of using the same box and the reasons are not always clear to us.

If you bring home a cat for the first time, consider these guidelines when you set up the litter box. If you already have a cat that doesn't use the box regularly, the following points may help you find out what is wrong with the box and fix the situation.

Before we begin, please note that failure to properly use the litter box can have many causes. It could be, and often is, related to a medical problem, most commonly Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. So, if your cat stops using the litter box, your first step must be a visit to the vet.

Remember that your cat is never to blame for litter box problems. Never punish a cat for not using the box! Don't shout at the cat and definitely don't smack her or rub her nose in the mess! These steps will never solve the problem and if anything, they are likely to make things much worse!

If your cat only urinates outside the box and at specific locations, you should also read the article about spraying behavior. And now, let us discuss some of the features of the litter box.

Number of Boxes

The rule of thumb is one box per cat. So in a multi-cat household you will probably need several boxes. Some cats don't mind sharing a box, as long as it is cleaned often enough, but others may be more particular.

Type of Box

In the past the litter box used to be a simple plastic box with some variety of size and color. Today, litter boxes come in many shapes and sizes. Basically, there are three types of boxes available on the market:

• The classic uncovered box - Most cats will do just fine with this type of box, as long as it's large enough and clean. However, you need to keep the litter extra clean to avoid unwanted odors in your home.
• The Covered box - this box provides the cat with extra privacy (although some cats prefer to have an open view while being in the box). Many owners prefer this box because it keeps odors inside and can be more aesthetic. If you opt for a covered box, remember that what you can't smell outside the box, your cat has to endure when she walks in. So, don't forget to keep the covered box just as clean!
• Self-Cleaning Box - this kind of box seems to be a very good combination for both cat and owner. The cat benefits from a spotless box at all times and the owner enjoys an odorless litter box without having to do any manual scooping. These boxes are basically coverless, as they spread little or no odor at all, but hoods are available, if your cat prefers privacy. The main drawback is cost - these boxes are much more expensive than regular boxes.

The choice of box depends on the preferences of the cat and owner. It's important to note that while many owners prefer the covered boxes, some cats refuse to use them. If your cat does not use her covered box properly, it's a good idea to take the top off, at least for a while.