Litter Boxes – What You Should Know
What should you really know about litter boxes?
There are several things that determine how (and if) a cat uses the litter box.
We will discuss what you should know about litter boxes below.
- One of these things is size. Yes, size DOES matter. Cats want a box that is roomy enough to move around in. Some litter boxes are definitely too small, but it is nearly impossible to have one that is too big.
- The second important things about litter boxes is ….whether you have ENOUGH litter boxes in your home. Do you?
How many litter boxes do you need? There is a good rule of thumb that will tell you how many litter boxes you should really have in your home to help avoid inappropriate urination problems. You should have one litter box per cat, plus one. OR, you should have one litter box on every floor of your house, plus one. You should use whichever number is higher.
So, let’s see how these rules work. If you have three cats in a one-floor apartment, you should ideally have four litter boxes. I know that sounds like a lot but that is the correct recommendation. Providing ample little boxes will help to minimize the desire for your cats to urinate OUTSIDE of the litter box.
Likewise, if you have a two-story house with two cats, you should have three litter boxes.
- The litter box you choose is so important. I have looked high and low for the best commercial litter box, and the best box I have found is a clear plastic storage container. Get a box that is big. At least 25 inches long by 18 inches wide. Bigger is better. It is also transparent, which is really important. Cats need to feel safe while they are in the litter box. A transparent box lets cats see what is going on around them, so they can use the box without feeling vulnerable.
- Remember that it is important to place the litter box in the right location and to provide the right litter box care. Choose a low-traffic area that isn’t “scary” for your cat. The bathroom or a spare room is generally a good spot.
Some articles that can really help deal with cat urination problems include:
The Top 8 Reasons Why Your Kitty Won’t Use the Litter Box.
I used to think that a litter box was just a litter box, but that is NOT the case. I hope these tips give you some information about litter boxes and what you should know.