PREVENTING LITTER BOX PROBLEMS

Forwarded message from Fidyl <fidyl@yahoo.com>

[ Subject: Preventing Litter Box Problems
[ From: Fidyl <fidyl@yahoo.com>
[ Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005

Preventing Litter Box Problems
 
http://www.hsus.org/ace/14532

Most of us know cats are finicky eaters, but they can
also be pretty picky when it comes to the other end of
the digestive process -- making use of a litter box.
Fortunately, the following suggestions should keep your
cat from "thinking outside the box."

Location, Location, Location

Most people are inclined to place the litter box in an
out-of-the-way spot to minimize odor and prevent cat
litter from being tracked throughout the house. But if
the litter box ends up in the basement -- next to an
appliance or on a cold cement floor -- your cat may be less
than pleased, for a number of reasons.  

A kitten or an older cat may not be able to get down a
long flight of stairs in time to get to the litter box.
If the litter box is located in an area that she seldom
frequents, she may not even remember where it is,
especially during the first few weeks she's welcomed into
your home. If a furnace, washing machine, or dryer
suddenly comes on and startles your cat while she's using
the litter box, that may be the last time she risks such
a frightening experience. And if your cat likes to
scratch the surface surrounding her litter box (which
some cats do), she may find a cold cement floor
unappealing.

So you may have to compromise. The litter box should be
kept in a spot that affords your cat some privacy yet is
also conveniently located. If you place the litter box in
a closet or a bathroom, be sure the door is wedged open
from both sides to prevent her from being trapped inside
or locked out. Depending on the location, you might
consider cutting a hole in a closet door and adding a pet
door.

Pick of the Litter

Research has shown that most cats prefer fine-grained
litters, presumably because they have a softer feel. The
new scoopable (clumping) litters usually have finer
grains than the typical clay litter and are very popular.
But high-quality, dust-free, clay litters are relatively
small-grained and may be perfectly acceptable to your
cat.

If you suspect your cat has spent part of his life
outdoors and is likely to eliminate in your houseplants,
try mixing some potting soil with your regular litter;
pellet-type litters or those made from citrus peels are
not recommended. Once you find a litter your cat likes,
stick with it. Buying the least expensive litter or the
brand that's on sale any given week could result in your
cat not using the litter box.

Many cats are put off by the odor of scented or deodorant
litters. For the same reason, it's not a good idea to
place a room deodorizer or air freshener near the litter
box. A thin layer of baking soda placed on the bottom of
the box will help absorb odors without repelling your
cat, and odors shouldn't really be a problem if you keep
the litter box clean. If you find the litter box odor
offensive, your cat probably finds it even more offensive
and won't want to eliminate there.

What's the Magic Number?

You should have at least as many litter boxes as you have
cats. That way, none of them will ever be prevented from
eliminating in the litter box because it's already
occupied. You might also consider placing litter boxes in
several locations around the house, so that no one cat
can prevent the other cats from getting access. We also
recommend that you place at least one litter box on each
level of your house.

It's not possible to designate a personal litter box for
each cat in your household, as cats may use any litter
box that's available, and that means a cat may
occasionally refuse to use a litter box after another cat
has used it. In this case, all of the litter boxes will
need to be kept extremely clean and additional boxes may
be needed.

End of forwarded message from Fidyl <fidyl@yahoo.com>

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