A litter box is an important element for any household with a cat. This animal is designed in such a way that digging and covering of waste is an innate behavior for them. Therefore, in order to preserve your household environment, it is necessary to teach your pet how to go to the toilet in the litter box. Follow our guide and your cat will master this skill very quickly.
Choosing the Right Litter Box
A litter box is the tool for collecting urine and feces of cats. It is necessary to choose such a litter box where your kitty would feel comfortable and use its advantages. Firstly, pay attention to the litter box’s smell. It should not be offensive. Low dust is another advantage to pay attention to. Some cats prefer big boxes, some of them – small. So, the size of the litter box should depend on the size of your pet. For example, it is better to choose such a litter box that was larger than your kitty at least 1.5 times in length. Thus, if you have a cat whose body length reaches 20 inches, a suitable litter box should be at least 30 inches in size.
The material that litter boxes are made of also depends on the preference of your pet. There are cats that prefer the soft non-slip surface in litter boxes. For instance, such litter boxes suit cats that suffer from arthritis well. Other cats need to dig and scratch litter boxes, thus it is necessary to purchase a litter box that has a harder surface.
Choosing the Right Litter Type
As we mentioned above, there are various types of litters that differ greatly one from each other. Clumping litters are widely used as they collect waste of cats. Such litters become hard balls during contact with urine, which facilitates the process of waste removal. Non-clumping litters are more convenient as you can simply throw it away if needed. The advantage of silica gel litters is that they are highly absorbent and have special odor control properties. However, there are cats that cannot get used to such a litter because of smell.
Choosing the Right Location for the Litter Box
It is vital to locate the litter box in such a place that would suit your cat best. The fact is that cats prefer to visit toilets in privacy. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid putting your pet’s toilet near food or water. Do not forget about the quiet location. Loud places and high traffic zones can distract a cat and prevent her from performing her duties there. The best litter box location would be quiet corner rooms.
How to Teach Cats to Use a Litter Box
The process of teaching requires patience and persistence. Firstly, make a schedule in accordance with which you can take your cat to a litter box. Try to go there with your pet after playing games or eating. Then give a reward to your kitty. If you notice some accidents and mistakes, do not punish the animal but only help her avoid it.
Common Litter Box Mistakes
There are many mistakes that owners of cats usually do, which prevent their pets from visiting toilets. The first mistake is the lack of litter box cleaning. It is vital to scoop the litter box after visits at least once a day and to replace all the litter once per week. Moreover, some litter boxes are too big or too small for the kitty. Thus, it is vital to select a proper size of litter box.
How to Deal with Litter Box Mistakes
Unfortunately, even when your kitty learns how to use a litter box, she can have accidents. The reason for such mistakes can be either illness or stress. Thus, in case of such problems, it is necessary to show your pet to a vet and find out what has caused these mistakes.
How to Create a Stress-Free Environment
In order to reduce stress, it is necessary to create additional conditions for your pet. Thus, it is useful to give additional toys and vertical objects to climb to. In case your cat suffers from separation anxiety, you should minimize changes in her environment.
Conclusion
The litter box is an essential tool for cats. In order to train them, it is necessary to choose an appropriate litter and litter box. Besides, you should pay attention to litter box cleaning and your pet’s behavior. Follow these recommendations and your kitty will learn everything.
