Are you thinking of adopting a cat? If so, you should know that cat litter boxes are necessary for indoor cats. Why? It’s because having a contained and predetermined location where cats can urinate and defecate ensures they won’t do it elsewhere, like your carpet or bed. A litter box can also ensure you can easily clean up after your cat.
Furthermore, keeping a litter box well-kept, clean, and in perfect condition enables your cat to stay mentally and physically healthy. What cat owner doesn’t want that? So, to help you take care of your cat’s toilet habits, here are the do’s and don’ts to remember when using cat litter.
What You Should Do
Cats don’t only need love but also require a safe and clean environment, including their toilet or litter box. The following are some valuable tips to remember when using cat litter.
Keep It Clean
If you own a cat, or you’ve seen clips of them online, you know how frequently they tend to groom themselves; they like to remain clean! Their sense of cleanliness extends to how they dispose of their waste.
So, be sure to remove their solid waste 1-2 times daily and change the litter box regularly. And don’t forget to thoroughly clean that litter tray. Other than that, schedule enough time to clean out the entire box. You can soak it in hot water for a few minutes.
As you know, clumping cat litter can absorb the cat’s urine and other soiled particles and immediately form hard lumps, making it easy to scoop. It’s great since you won’t have to leave any soiled litter behind, as it will be separated from the clean particles. It’s easier to clean up after!
However, using non-clumping litter would mean it’ll be much harder to clean and scoop the soiled litter. Just as the name suggests, the soiled particles won’t clump. As a result, the urine may fall under the litter and cause you to change the entire litter box.
You can also use baking soda to keep your cat’s litter box clean and to reduce the smell. Baking soda is an excellent all-natural deodorizer and is safe for your cats. Add the baking soda at the bottom of the box to absorb the urine odors without making your cat uncomfortable. However, consult your veterinarian first before changing the ingredients in your pet’s litter box.
Use Multiple Litter Boxes
Do you have more than one cat? If so, you should have at least one litter box per cat. It’s imperative if you have very territorial cats in the house. More than this, it can also prevent overcrowding in one box.
When overcrowding happens, your pet can step on other cats’ waste and feel there isn’t any clean spot left to dispose of their waste. As a result, the cat may choose another spot to “go” where it won’t have to step on another cat’s waste. Sadly, this could be your carpet, on the floor, or in your backyard. Cats are also susceptible to smell, so they may feel uncomfortable when they can’t smell their odor in the litter box.
Don’t let your pets experience this. Instead, if you have five cats in your home, it’s suggested that you purchase one box per cat and one extra. It ensures that every cat in your home has personal space and can quickly dispose of their waste.
Additionally, when placing the litter boxes, you should spread them out correctly. Don’t overcrowd the litter into one area. Instead, place it in their own private but socially important locations that are easily accessible to them at all times. It should be ideal for your cats.
What You Shouldn’t Do
The following are some of the things you should avoid doing. Remember that your pets rely on you for their well-being, so you must take it upon yourself to ensure that you don’t do the following when caring for your cat’s litter box.
Keep Changing Things
You should do your research first before adopting a cat. Once you’ve gathered enough knowledge, you will most likely be successful. Don’t worry if you don’t get it right from the start; take enough time to select the right and safe cat litter for your pet. Cats are unpredictable, so you must observe them first to see if they’re comfortable with the litter you’ve set up.
However, when they’re finally comfortable with what you’ve laid down for them, don’t keep changing things and stick to what’s working for your cat(s). It can be highly unsettling to them if you keep changing their environment.
Skimp on the Litter Box’s Size
A litter box’s size is essential for your pet’s well-being and health. Essentially, that litter box is your cat’s toilet. So, you have to ensure that it’s the perfect environment where your pet can dispose of their waste, just like how you have a comfortable room with enough space to do your business.
Consider your pet’s size and comfort when searching for a litter box. Don’t try to skimp on its size to save money and space. Remember that cats can choose not to use the litter box, so be sure to purchase the perfect size and type right from the start so you won’t have any unnecessary expenses.
When you’re on the market for a litter box, be sure to remember the golden rule: the bigger, the better. It should be 1 1/2 times bigger than the length of your pet from the nose to the base of its tail. Moreover, it must be big enough so that they can roll around, turn, scratch, enter, and relieve themselves in it.
Final Thoughts
When taking care of your cat’s litter box, the main thing you should remember is that cats are extremely sensitive to their environment. Any sudden changes you make can make them uncomfortable. So be sure to keep the things mentioned above in mind!
Rest assured that you’re already doing your best to care for your pet by reading and following the things mentioned above. Most first-time pet owners worry if they’re doing the right thing, but articles like this one are here to help you!