Your Cat and The Litter Box

Last updated 10 months ago

Cats can be demanding when it comes to their sanitation needs. Often, this conflicts with pet owners’ requirements that cats use indoor litter boxes. To express their discontent, veterinarians warn that felines will ignore the box and instead relieve themselves in other areas of the home. By adhering to the following guidelines, you can eliminate the stress and mess of unruly bathroom behavior:

Have at least one litter box for each feline in your home. Cats can revolt if forced to share a litter box. Instead, provide one box for each cat and take care to purchase an extra box, too. This creates a more conducive environment for your cat’s sanitation needs.

Keep the litter box in an open area. Animal hospitals caution that cats dislike covered litter boxes, as the enclosed space can produce fear and anxiety. Cats also tend to shy away from litter boxes that are confined to a remote area of the house, like a closet or basement.

Make your litter box management as simple as possible. Refrain from using plastic liners or scented litter. If controlling litter box odor is a concern, try using baking soda underneath the litter instead.

Remove the litter box from loud areas. Given the private nature of litter box activity, cats will react negatively to boxes that are placed in loud areas of the home, such as the laundry room or garage. Instead, veterinarians advise that you place your litter box in a quiet, traffic-free zone of the home to allow your cat the peace he or she requires when using the box.

Clean your litter box as often as possible. Cats are notoriously clean animals. If you do not remove litter box remains frequently, your cat will refuse to use it. Cleaning out litter boxes on a daily basis is ideal; if you cannot adhere to such a rigorous schedule, invest in clumping litter that you can clean quickly and efficiently.

Hudson Veterinary Hospital offers quality care to those living in or near Ossining, New York. To learn more about our veterinary options, including pet grooming and low-cost spaying and neutering, visit us online or call us today at (914) 502-2523.