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Why Cats Use Litter Boxes

Many of us tend to assume that cats use a litter box instinctively. Actually, their instinct is to eliminate in soft soil or sand. The box is a convenience for us humans, and it's really rather amazing that cats are so accommodating about it. Realizing this will be a great help to both you and your cat. Elimination is a basic necessity, but in catdom this function takes on additional meaning. Cats use elimination to establish their territories, and their urge to hide their excrement by covering it stems from a need to avoid predators and control parasites. Below is a quick summary of important things to know in order to help kitty adopt proper elimination habits.

Number of Boxes

The general rule of thumb for the number of litter boxes is one box per cat, plus an extra box. Translated, this means one cat should have two boxes, two cats should have three boxes, and so forth. If possible of course. But at absolute minimum, you should have at least two boxes.

Location of the Box

It is important to provide your cat with a place to eliminate in a location where she feels safe and comfortable. Choose a peaceful area where she won't be startled and that provides privacy. Ergo, the laundry room where the spin cycle or dryer buzzer can erupt and startle her out of her wits does not classify as safe. And if Kitty feels unsafe in the area you've provided, she will find somewhere more suitable-which might be in the back of your closet on some soft laundry. Her pleasant experience in your closet may prove far more agreeable than her "scary litter box" and she may make it a habit. She may also find that she likes the feel of laundry or carpet better than the litter and choose this material on a regular basis.

Size of the Box

Most cat boxes are too small. They are designed for the convenience of humans, not felines. The litter box should be at least 24 inches wide or long.

Here are several ways to make a great litter box. Those large under-bed storage boxes for sweaters and such make wonderful litter boxes. They're large enough for Kitty to have ample space and the sides are low enough for easy access. You can put the lids underneath them to help catch extra litter.

If you have a cat that tends to go over the side of the box, you can use the large plastic storage boxes and cut out an entryway. Some cats like the extra privacy provided by an opaque box that can't be seen through. Others prefer a clear box so they can view their environment while in the box. If unsure, try both. Your cat will show you if she has a preference.

Box Types

Covered Boxes: These, too, are designed for the convenience of humans, not cats. Though they do help keep odor from permeating a room, they concentrate odor in the box. Kitty's sense of smell is so much keener than yours that the intensified odors in her box may discourage her from using it.

Some cats do prefer covered boxes because of the privacy. If you use a covered box, you should scoop it out twice daily. You should also provide an open box in close proximity.

I have used covered boxes without the lids in areas where I could not fit a large sweater box. (You might want to cut an entryway in the front for easy access since the sides are so high.) It serves as an extra box in a different location. The high sides help keep litter from flying around when a cat gets enthusiastic about using the box.

Automatic Litter Boxes: Those self-cleaning boxes are a great invention for humans. For cats? Well, it depends. Some cats will appreciate how clean their box is kept, but others may be downright scared of this mysterious apparatus and not go anywhere near it.

Automatic boxes have a sensor that indicates when Kitty has left the box and enough time has elapsed for the cleaning to begin. But here is the problem: If Kitty is still in the room when the cleaning begins, the noise and commotion in the box may startle her into thinking, “Yikes! Lucky I wasn't still in there,” convincing her to never take that chance again. Conversely, some cats are fascinated by the automatic boxes and find them utterly entertaining to watch them do their work. So is an automatic box right for you? Well you will have to check with kitty to find out her preferences.

Litter Types

A number of different litters are available but most cats prefer the scoopable clumping litters. They are soft and sand-like and are considered a perfect elimination substrate for most cats. The litter should be about three to four inches deep.

The new crystal litters are another option. They absorb urine and its odor completely but still need to be scooped daily. Most cats will only urinate in them, so another box with a different type of litter should be provided for defecation.

Do not use scented litters or deodorizing products in the litter. They can irritate a cat's paws and the odor is generally offensive to cats, whose sense of smell is much keener than ours. Even baking soda can be objectionable to cats. Urine causes it to fizz.

Find a litter your cat likes and stick with it. If you have to change litters, fill the box with the new litter and sprinkle some of the old litter on top. It will get mixed in with the new litter and your cat will adjust to it better.

Litter Box Liners: Litter box liners sound like a great idea, but I find them a nuisance and don't recommend using them. They tend to pull away from the sides of the box, which renders them useless, and when the cat scratches, they get caught in the claws. Cats don't like them, and scratching also tears holes in the liner, allowing urine to seep through the holes and increase odor.

Cleanliness

Scoop the box twice a day. It takes only a few minutes and will keep you and your cat happy. It also allows you to monitor elimination, which helps monitor your cat's health. After scooping, apply a fresh layer of litter to the box.

If you are using clumping litter, scoop twice daily and wash the box every one to two weeks. Avoid harsh chemicals for cleaning. A mild unscented soap like Ivory works great. Never use citrus scented cleaning agents, ammonia, or pine cleaning agents. These odors are offensive to cats. Do not flush regular litter down the toilet. You will eventually require the services of a plumber if you do. There are some flushable litters and many people love the convenience they provide. Read the label carefully though to ensure they will work with your plumbing.

If you are using clay litter, apply a relatively shallow layer and dump it out completely each day. A less desirable option is to scoop twice daily. You can use a slotted scoop to remove feces and a designated un-slotted spoon to scoop out urine-saturated litter. Do not spread the wet litter around the box. This just spreads the smell and makes the box seem unclean to Kitty. Apply a small amount of litter after scooping. You may be able to manage for two to three days with this method, but if you notice any aversion whatsoever (urinating elsewhere, perching on the end of the box, running out of the box immediately after eliminating without covering), then resume with the daily dumping.

If using clay litter, the box needs to be completely cleaned weekly. This means dumping all litter, scrubbing the box with mild soap and water, and refilling with new clean litter. Some longhaired cats prefer clay litter because the fine sand grains of clumping litter sometimes adhere to their bloomers. Pregnant women should not clean the litter box due to the danger of Toxplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that cats can spread thorough egg spores in their feces. Toxplasma can cause birth defects in humans. Daily scooping and disposing of litter helps to decrease this risk since the spores require incubation for several days before they reach an infective state. If a pregnant woman must clean the litter box, it is imperative to wear disposable gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.

Litter Tracking: To help control litter tracking around the house you may want to place a mat at the exit of the box. A short-napped rug such as a doormat or sisal rug is useful for catching litter. Don't use a plush fabric such as a bathroom rug. Kitty may prefer this substrate and begin to use it instead. A favorite mat in our office is the Purr-Fect Paws litter mat. Made out of a soft, no-toxic, rubber-like material, it has hundreds of litter cavities that catch excess litter from Kitty's paws. And you can easily pick up the mat and dump the discarded litter back in the box.