Litter Box

Litter boxes are something that every cat owner must deal with.  They are an unpleasant but necessary aspect of having a cat.  Luckily, manufacturers have come up with many innovative solutions to the problems of cat boxes.  If you don’t like seeing or smelling litter boxes (and who does) an enclosed box may be a good option for you.  Enclosed litter boxes range from very simple designs to elaborate ones.  The simplest are only different from a regular litter box in that they have a large cover with a small opening on one side that fits over the litter pan.  These are relatively easy to clean and somewhat reduce the amount of order coming from the litter box.  The next step up are cat boxes that have a small grate at the entrance where litter stuck to cats’ feet falls off before they leave the box.  This reduces mess around the litter box and keeps kitty from tracking litter to other parts of you house.  A few more levels up are litter boxes that are hidden in cabinets.  The cabinet has a small opening on the side where your cat can enter to use the enclosed litter pan.  The doors open for easy cleaning.  At the top of the cat litter box hierarchy is the self-cleaning litter box.  These boxes are made for super-easy maintenance and are priced accordingly.  These litter boxes have automatic scoopers that clean up cat waste.  Very advanced models even flush away waste.  Depending on your budget, it may be worthwhile to invest in a great litter box to reduce the amount of smell and mess created by your cat.

There are 3 things you need to keep in mind while choosing a litter box for your cat. Firstly cats are sensitive to size so it may not use a litter box that is too large or too small. Also, kittens and old cats may have problems getting into a box with high sides. Secondly, some cats prefer the privacy of a covered litter box while others may feel trapped in one. Knowing which one your cat will prefer is a matter of trial and error. Finally, if your cat is a “high sprayer”, go in for a covered box to keep the surrounding area clean.

As a cat owner you know that cleaning the cat litter box is of paramount importance. Dirty litter boxes are one of the primary reasons why pets fall ill. Ideally, you would need one litter box per cat. A few more in the house wouldn’t hurt. Cover the box with sufficient litter thus giving the feline enough to scratch into. Get a scoop that is big enough to get the cat’s crap out of the litter. Every now and then clean the box with detergent and spray a nice smelling disinfectant. With periodic scooping and replacement of the litter, both you and the feline would be happy.