Mary Allen
Cats are known for their cleanliness: Not least because of this, keeping velvet paws as roommates is popular. The animal learns to use its own toilet and attaches great importance to hygiene. If the cat becomes unclean, you as the owner can be sure that something is stressing the animal – physically or psychologically. However, the right framework must also be created in the household so that the cat can do its business in a species-appropriate way.
Why Does a Cat Need a Litter Box?
Many other animals don’t take much care of their legacy. Cats are completely different: The velvet paws look for places with soft ground outdoors where they can bury their droppings. They use this to mask odors and hide telltale signs from view. An indoor cat needs a substitute for this natural behavior: a place where it can relieve itself and bury its droppings. Indoor cats place high demands on their comfort. Many a house cat insists on a separate litter box for big and small businesses and on privacy. The rule of thumb: You should always provide one more litter box than there are cats in the household – so each animal has its own little place and there are no discrepancies if a toilet is “occupied”.
What Should the Litter Box Be Like?
There is a large selection of different litter boxes in the pet supply trade. The most obvious difference in the range is between models with and without a cover. The hooded toilets offer cats a retreat where they can relieve themselves in complete discretion. However, the odors from the litter box, both the feces and the cat litter, can collect under the hood and thus spoil the cat’s toilet. Most cats, therefore, prefer litter boxes without a hood: the air circulation is better here and the odor impact is less concentrated.
Test whether the cat prefers privacy or space. In any case, the litter box must be large enough for the cat to stretch and roll over in it. A large cat needs a lot more space than a kitten. Choose a model whose tray has a high rim that is easy for the cat to climb over; a slightly curved rim ensures that the cat does not take away too much litter when digging and getting out of the toilet. The litter itself must be several centimeters high so that it serves its purpose and the cat can discreetly bury its droppings in it.
By the way: Non-clumping litter is better than clumping litter for cats with long fur and kittens, as it does not harden in the stomach or get caught in the fur if accidentally swallowed. The cat is going on trips or appearing at an exhibition? There are also travel toilets or space-saving models for small rooms in specialist shops.
How Often Do I Need to Clean the Litter Box?
If the litter box stinks, that bothers the velvet paw even more than you: cats avoid dirty toilets just as you would. The cleanliness of the litter box is therefore as important as that of your own toilet.
High-quality cat litter is not only odor-binding but also largely dust-free. Nevertheless, it is practical if the hand brush and dustpan are within reach of the litter box. The spreading vane is also an indispensable accessory. Use this to remove droppings and clumped bedding for disposal on a daily basis. You supplement the filling level of the toilet with fresh litter. Once a week you should change all of the cat litter and take the opportunity to clean the plastic tub. Use hot water and, if necessary, a mild neutral cleaning agent – no harsh cleaning agents! Their smell clings to the tub and irritates the cat’s nose.
Even with careful cleaning, the urine scale will settle over time and the plastic tub will show signs of wear. A litter box is therefore a consumable accessory: you should treat your kitty to a new litter box about every six months.