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By the end of this article, you should have gained enough new knowledge on this subject to feel like a pro. Household pet cats definitely need litter boxes in which they do their business. Just like people, these feline friends can get finicky over this matter, so it is very important that they make sure the litter box they have for their pet cat suits the cats preferences; after all, it is the cat that is going to use it. But the owner should also consider his own convenience regarding this matter; he should consider his budget for the cat box as well as the ease of cleaning it.

Choosing the perfect cat box can be beneficial to both your cats health as well as the owners. The important thing is that the cat box must be appealing to the cat and comfortable for use. Rest assured, the cat's satisfaction also guarantees success.

In finding the perfect cat box, here are some things that must be considered:

Size and Depth:

This maybe determined by the number of cats there are in the home. However, it is ideal if the number of cats in the home determines the number of cat boxes available rather than the size. For kittens, shallow cat boxes, no more than three inches deep are advisable. For adult cats on the other hand, those about six inches high are desirable. The prescribed area of the litter box is at least 24 inches in length or width.

Material of the Box:

Heavy and durable plastic is the most advisable material for a cat box and is also the most inexpensive variety in stores. Plus with their simplicity in style, cleaning can prove to be a breeze.

Ease of Cleaning:

Basic flat boxes are easy to clean because of their simple design. There is no need to remove any lids or covers to scoop or clean. However, some cats frequently kick litter out of the box so if you choose this option, you had better have a whisk broom and a dust pan always at hand.

Covered boxes usually minimize the trouble of having cat litter and waste scattered outside the box since they have hoods which keep all the litter inside. Covered boxes also tend to become stinky due to poor ventilation.

There are also those self-cleaning cat boxes available in the market. The self-cleaning feature of these boxes keep the cat box neat and tidy, but they also require some cleaning from the owner. Every few days the receptacle must be emptied of urine and faeces and sometimes the rake does not get every bit of cat waste so there may be an occasional need for scooping them out.

Style and Features:

There is a wide variety of designs, styles and features for cat litter boxes. The owner may have to choose which one will be most convenient for him and his cat.. Below are listed some basic designs for cat litter boxes:

Cost:

The basic flat box is the most affordable of all the designs mentioned. The self-cleaning box is obviously the most expensive and their guarantee commonly lasts for only one year. This can be a risk which the owner must consider before actually buying a unit.

Appealing to the Cat:

Cats generally do fine with the open box type. Covered boxes offer the "privacy" which some cats like but some cats feel trapped inside them. Owners of designer boxes may find it attractive to put them in places where they will be most appreciated. However, they must be sensitive to the fact that cats most often opt to do their business in a place which is quiet and safe. As for the automated self-cleaning cat litter boxes, some finicky cats may find them comfy since they are clean and spacious. However, they may get psyched out by the mechanical action if they chance to see it actually happen. They might be afraid of using the unit again.

Finding the perfect cat litter box may be a hard task and may require experimentation on the part of the owner. If the owner tries out a box which his pet really does not like, he should not insist on the cat using it. Though this experimentation may become tedious, it can be necessary to find the perfect box for your cat. Providing the cat its preferred litter box can bring good health and satisfaction to both owner and pet, and the carpet as well! We hope that you finished reading this article having learned at least a little bit of new information. If so, then we have done our job.

Related topics:

Common causes of litter tray refusal

By Nancy Wigal

There are several things you need to do to help the mama cat train her kitties to develop good cat litter box habits. While the kids may try to follow mom's example, here's how you can help cement that success.

First, since kittens are so physically small and they're still developing coordination and agility, it's critical that you, the human mom, make sure they can easily get in and out of any cat litter box. The easiest way to do this is buy disposable aluminium roaster pans from your grocery store. Kittens grow as fast as weeds in the summertime, so this is a temporary, but completely justifiable purchase.

If your regular litter boxes are too tall for the babies to climb in and out, they'll become discouraged and they'll select the easiest spot (for them, at least) to eliminate waste. Once they get this idea in their little heads, it could be hard to get out. So, don't give them the excuse!

The type of litter you use for kittens can be dangerous. Since kittens are so darn curious, they test everything with their mouths. If they eat clumping litter, this could kill them. Use a non-clumping litter for several weeks. It won't be any easier to watch them taste test the non-clumping litter, but neither will it be dangerous.

Depending upon the size of the litter, you'll need at least two, and possibly several roasting pans. Since the babies all pretty much eat at the same time, they'll feel the call of nature in a group as well. You can ensure successful cat litter box habits by making certain there are enough boxes to accommodate a group elimination activity.

Young kitties don't have great control of their bladder and bowel functions. Place all cat litter boxes in close proximity to their living quarters. Keep the pans away from their food and water, but don't place them out of the same room, if possible. The closer the pans are, the better the chances are the babies will make it to the box in time to let loose.

Also, make certain that mom is teaching the babies by the time they are five weeks old. If mom seems to be falling down on the job, you must step in during week five of their lives and start the training process. Shortly after the little ones have fed, take them to the litter pan, and place them in it. You may need to gently take a front paw, and scratch for them. Fortunately, almost all cats "get it" very quickly. Your coaching period should be relatively short.

By working with mama cat, the two of you make sure the babies develop good cat litter box habits for life.
          

 

 
 

 

About the Author: Nancy stopped the cat urine odour problem at her home, and kept the kitty that caused it. "18 Ways to Stop Cat Urine Odour Problems" saves you money, time and frustration by solving your cat urine odour problem - permanently. http://www.stopcaturineodor.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only.

Always seek immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or behavioral) in your pets.

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.

Overview:

By the time most kittens leave their mother & come to live with their new family they have already been toilet trained, making life easy for the new carer(s). This is because mother cats train their kittens proper toileting habits. However, sometimes it will be necessary to train your new kitten or cat how to use the litter tray. This may be the result of the kitten being orphaned or taken away from it's mother too early.

• What you will need:
• Litter tray
• Cat litter
• Litter scoop

Overview:

Cats are very clean animals by nature, so when your cat starts urinating outside the litter box, this is usually a sign that there is something wrong with either the cat or the litter box.

The first thing you should do is take your cat to the vet to rule out a physical problem such as Diabetes, FLUTD & old age. Once the physical is ruled out then it's time to look at what is causing your cat to urinate outside of the litter tray.

Is my cat spraying or urinating?

It's important to distinguish between inappropriate urinating & spraying.

When a cat urinates it squats down, when it sprays it generally stands upright & sprays against a vertical surface such as a wall or sofa.

Causes of inappropriate urination in cats:

Another thing to remember is that cats do not like to go to the toilet near where they eat. So make sure the litter box is placed far from your cat's food and water.

Stress:

Stress is another major cause of inappropriate urination in cats. Factors causing stress in cats can be moving house, the introduction of a new family member (pet or human), a neighbour's cat roaming your garden etc. Helping your cat overcome these stresses may well result in the inappropriate urination stopping, however this isn't always the case. Sometimes the behavior can become so ingrained in the cat that even once the stress has been removed, the behavior continues. If this is the case it is a good idea to seek advice from your veterinarian as to how to re-train your cat. Some cat owners have had great success using Rescue Remedy on their cats, although this isn't advisable until you have spoken to your vet.

Of course, there are other reasons that a cat may urinate in an improper place.  ''Spraying'' when a cat sprays urine on a vertical surface, is a way that cats communicate with other cats.  What they are essentially doing is marking their territory.  Therefore it is very important to clean these ''marked'' areas properly with an enzymatic cleaner that will remove every trace of urine scent (see our article on removing cat urine odours).  Cats will continue to spray over areas that have already been marked with urine.  This marking behavior is found most common in male cats, although female cats have been known to spray also. Neutering your cat should greatly reduce the spraying problem.  You may also want to use a spray-on cat repellent in the areas most frequently marked by your cat.

Declawing:

Declawing sometimes leads to refusal to use a litter box. Often the cat's paws are tender & scratching around in cat litter can lead to pain & discomfort. In this case it is advisable to find a softer litter which is less harsh on your cat's feet.

Medical problems:

There are several conditions that can lead to inappropriate urination in cats. These include;

• Bladder stones
• Bladder tumour
• Cystitis
  
• FLUTD
  

How to deal with a cat urinating inappropriately:

If you do catch your cat urinating in an inappropriate spot quickly move the cat & gently place him in the litter tray. Never use physical punishment on your cat, this will make your cat afraid of you and may well make the behavior worse as it will stress the cat further.

Confining your cat to a small room such as the laundry can often help matters. Once your cat is using the litter tray, gradually increase the area.

Make sure litter trays are cleaned regularly & there are enough trays for the number of cats. As a rule of thumb, you should have one tray per cat, plus one tray extra. So, if you have two cats, you should have three trays. Although understandably not every home can accommodate lots of trays. If you are limited in how many trays you can have, make sure you remove solids & urine several times a day, and fully empty/disinfect at least once a week.

Summary:

Please bear in mind that as the cat ages the frequency of inappropriate urination may increase. Conditions such as arthritis may make it painful to enter & exit the litter tray, especially if it has high sides. Poor eyesight, dementia & incontinence may also be contributing factors. Again, if it is always best to seek advice from your veterinarian on these matters as he/she will be able to best advise you on how to help your cat in old age.