Mary Allen
Cats are very neat animals who take great care to do their business in a clean and discreet place. But what does it really depend on, with the litter box? We have summarized the 10 most important facts about the litter box for you.
The Perfect Size of the Litter Box
Probably the most important factor when choosing a litter box is size. Also, if you’d rather pick a small litter box to save space, you’d better give your velvet paw enough space for their business. She has to be able to turn and stretch easily and needs enough space to scratch. If you choose a toilet that is too small, your cat may accidentally relieve itself over the edge of the toilet.
Does it Depend on the Cat: Bowl or Hooded Toilet?
Closed litter boxes with hoods are certainly the more pleasant option for cat owners. There won’t be as much litter if the cat scratches and the smell won’t spread around the home as easily. Some cats prefer hooded toilets because they feel protected here. Other cats, on the other hand, feel cramped in lidded litter boxes. Also, keep in mind that your fur-noses are much more sensitive to smells than you are. The smells collect under the lid, which can mean that your cat no longer wants to use the toilet. With such a litter box, you should at least avoid the door so that there is some air circulation.
For the Right Start
The higher the edge of the litter box, the less the risk that your kitty will spread the litter all over the apartment while scratching. However, not all cats can cope with a high entry point. If you have a small kitten, an older cat, or a sick animal, you should choose a litter box with a low and easy entry. So-called top-entry litter boxes are large boxes that can be entered from above. This has the advantage that almost no cat litter gets into the apartment. But make sure that the entry hole is big enough. Since the litter box is almost completely closed, it must also be larger than conventional litter boxes.
The Location: a Quiet Place
The correct location of the litter box is at least as important as the right model. Choose a location for the litter box that is easily accessible and where your cat can be undisturbed. Cats need rest to go about their business. Noise or the feeling of being watched is very uncomfortable for our velvet paws when using the litter box. In addition, the litter box must not be too close to the feeding place and the sleeping places of your kitty – because who wants to eat next to the toilet. We also recommend that you do not put the litter box in your bedroom, as the unpleasant smells and the sometimes loud pawing could bother you.
Not all Cat Litter is Created Equal
There are many options when it comes to the choice of cat litter – from clumping litter to hygienic litter to eco-friendly litter made from pellets. You can make the decision on a type of bedding dependent on your preferences, but above all on the preferences of your cat. Clumping litter is the classic among the types of litter. The soiled parts can easily be removed with a shovel. However, clumping litter is often very dusty. In this regard, hygiene loyalty is better. It is very absorbent and odor-absorbing. However, even if the litter still seems fresh to you, your sensitive fur nose no longer wants to use the toilet. You, therefore, tend to have to completely replace the hygiene registers more often.
Always Stay Clean
Cats are very clean animals and are sensitive to odors. Therefore, you should pay close attention to the hygiene of the toilet. Remove the clumped litter from the litter box several times a day. If you are not using clumping litter, it is best to replace the litter every day. You need to clean the entire litter box regularly. To do this, wash the bowl and the hoods thoroughly with hot water and a scouring pad. You can also use gentle detergents such as dish soap. After a few years, you should completely replace the litter box, as urine stone can settle out, which over time does not come off when you clean it.
More Cats, More Toilets
Even if your velvet paws mostly use the same toilet in a multi-cat household, you should always provide one litter box per cat and an extra toilet. This way, your kitties can’t bother each other when going to the toilet, should there ever be an argument. Also, some cats do not go to the loos used by other cats. If you have an apartment over several floors, it is advisable to set up at least one toilet on each floor, even if you have a single cat, so that no mishap happens when you walk a long way.
Useful Accessories
There are many practical accessories for litter boxes that make your life as a cat owner easier. Rectangular mats collect the litter before your cat hauls it around the apartment. Deodorant and odor binders prevent unpleasant odors. But here you first have to test whether your cats also like the scent. You can simply put hygiene bags or foils in the toilet bowl and then fill in the cat litter. This makes it easier to replace the litter and you don’t have to clean the bowl as often.
The Invisible Litter Box
The sight of a litter box is sometimes annoying, especially for cat lovers who value a stylish interior. That’s why there are now beautiful cat cupboards in stores in which you can hide the toilet. Alternatively, you can simply see an entry hole in a bathroom cabinet or in the dresser in the hallway and then hide the litter box in the cabinet.
Litter Boxes for Individualists
In addition to the classic bowl toilet and hood toilet, there are other models of litter boxes. A corner cat toilet is a space-saving option if you want to put the litter box in the corner of a room. The top-entry toilet has the advantage that litter is not spread around the apartment so quickly. There are also self-cleaning litter boxes and luxurious designer litter boxes.