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TYPE
OF LITTER BOX
There are numerous types of boxes, and what works for one
cat may not work for another. If you adopt kittens, you
need to make sure the sides of the box are low enough that
they can get in and out easily without getting stuck on
either side. For very young or small kittens, often a tin
pie plate or a grocery-store-bought baking pan is fine for
starting out. Healthy adult cats usually do very well with
deeper boxes with higher sides. Some longhair cats don't
like a deep box as their fur creates problems with the amount
of litter in the box, or they can get caught on the sides.
NUMBER
OF BOXES
For single cats, at least 1 box; for a larger apartment
or house, or if you have an older cat (10 years +) or kittens,
at least 2 are recommended by most veterinarians. If you
have an older cat who is less agile than she used to be,
or you bring a small kitten into your large home or apartment,
it may be a long haul from one end of the house to the litter
box on the other end; it's best to have more than one so
Kitty doesn't have to try to hold it when her body is saying
go now , especially if she is on your bed at the time. Don't
unintentionally encourage bad habits.
For
multiple cat households, the number of boxes depends on
the space you have available for boxes, the number of cats
you have, and the individual personalities of the cats themselves.
SIZE
OF BOX
Depends on the space you have and the size of your cat.
A bigger cat obviously will need a larger box, and even
some smaller cats like to have a lot of space to dig in.
COVERED
BOXES
Many cats don't seem to show a preference on this one. However,
if the cat is very large, a covered box may restrict his
movements and not allow him to change positions and scratch
in the box comfortably. Covered boxes also make it easier
for a cat to be "ambushed" while using it. However, it does
provide more privacy and may be preferred by shy, timid
cats. Covered boxes can be a blessing if you have a cat
who likes to dig (and in turn, fling the litter around).
On the other hand, some cats do not like to be enclosed
while they use the box. You may need to try both to see
which your cat prefers. With covered boxes, it is important
to clean them regularly.
LOCATION
OF BOX
Most cat owners want to place the litter box in an out-of-the
way place in order to minimize odor and loose particles
of cat litter spread around the house. Often, the preferred
location from the owner's point of view is the basement,
sometimes next to an appliance, on a cold cement floor.
This is NOT likely to be a preferred location from the cat's
point of view! Best place is where Kitty has some privacy
but can still see what's around. Remember, most cats, like
most people, do not like to have their litter box too close
to their meal location or play place. It usually doesn't
work to have the litter box next to the food bowls or by
their beds, etc.
For
multiple cat households, boxes should be carefully situated,
if possible, so kitty doesn't feel trapped when using the
box. Some cats like to pounce on a fellow cat that's using
the potty, and this can cause the pounced upon to find an
alternate bathroom . . . like your plants or under the bed.
Make sure there is an escape from each litter box. Keeping
the box next to an appliance is not a good idea, because
the cat may be frightened if the machine makes a loud starting
noise when the cat is using the box. This is a good way
for a litter box aversion to start. Many cats seem to like
scratching the area around the litter box after they have
eliminated, and a cold cement floor presents an unappealing
surface for this behavior. In order to prevent a litter
box problem from developing, you may need to choose a location
that is more to what your cat likes. Don't worry though,
if the box is kept clean, there should be little, if any
odor.
DEPTH
OF LITTER
It is NOT true that the more litter you put in the box,
the less often you will need to clean it! Litter that is
too deep, not to mention dirty, is likely to cause the cat
to avoid the box. Cats usually choose an area for elimination
that has a few loose particles of dirt or other material
where they can make a small scrape. They generally do not
like "sinking in" to several inches of dirt. Generally,
the litter should be no more than about 2 inches deep. Some
cats, often longhaired breeds, seem to prefer slick surfaces
such as the bottom of a litter box. For these cats, the
litter should be even shallower.
TYPE
OF LITTER
Some cats are very particular, only willing to use a heavier
clay litter or one more like sand, or (not too common) a
newspaper style litter. If you find that your otherwise
normal and healthy cat is avoiding the litter box and you
have considered it's location, style, size, etc., you might
try a different type of litter to see if you can find one
more to your cat's liking. Once you find a litter your cat
likes, stay with it! Don't buy whatever is on sale. It may
also be better to avoid scented litters, as many cats find
these repellent. For the same reason, don't put strong smelling
room deodorizers near the litter box. A thin layer of baking
soda in the box absorbs any lingering odor.
CLUMPING
LITTER A DEADLY CONVENIENCE
Clumping
litter is designed to form a hard, insoluble mass when it
gets wet. It also produces a fine dust when stirred (as
when a cat scratches around to bury a recent deposit). Clumping
litters absorb many times their weight in fluids.
When
cats or kittens use the litter box, they lick themselves
clean; anything their tongues encounter gets ingested. Kittens
especially tend to ingest a lot of litter when they are
first learning to use the box.
Once
the litter is inside a kitten or cat, it expands, forming
a mass and coating the interior, causing dehydration by
drawing fluids out of the cat or kitten, and compounding
the problem by preventing any absorption of nutrients or
fluids.
Sodium
bentonite is the active ingredient in most clumping litters.
Sodium bentonite is used in the manufacture of asphalt;
bricks; paper; ceramics; rubber; herbicides and pesticides;
polishes and cleaners; paint; adhesives; and graphite products.
Additionally, it is used to seal landfills and stock ponds.
There
has been an increase in diseases such as depressed immune
systems, irritable bowel syndrome, and vomiting (other than
hairballs) in the past two years. Many of these incidents
had one thing in common and that was the use of clumping
litter.
WHAT
LITTER TO USE
There
is some concern that clay litter which contains silica dust
can cause respiratory problems but there is no proof that
this is the case. An environmentally sound alternative is
plant based litters (wheat, corn etc.). Plant based litters
are bio-degradable, produce less dust, contain no chemicals,
additives or fragrances and are less likely to be harmful
if ingested by your pet.
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