For a cat, there is only one thing more precious than delicious treats and warm blankets to relax on: a litter box that is always perfect!
Felines, even domestic ones, are able to perceive odors more intensely than humans and are, as we know, extremely clean animals by nature.
These characteristics make it essential to keep the cat litter box always tidy and as hygienic as possible.
A cat that doesn't like its litter box may decide not to use it at all .
In the long run, this could cause serious health problems for your cat… or lead your pet to choose your sofa over the litter box.
How to overcome such problems?
Read on to find out how to choose the cat litter box that best suits your needs and your furry friend's preferences, where to place it in your home, and how to keep it clean and smelling great : just the way your cat likes it!
- How to choose a cat litter box: the litter box
- Where to put the cat litter box?
- How to keep your cat's litter box clean
How to choose a cat litter box: the litter box
The first hurdle to overcome is choosing the right litter box model for your cat.
In general, prefer large litter boxes , which allow the animal to move freely inside the box.
This will make the cat feel like the owner of its territory, and will also ensure greater hygiene for a longer time.
Select a litter box with high edges to keep the environment where it will be placed clean: this precaution will limit the escape of sand and dirt.
If you have just got a kitten and you still don't know what his preferences are, the advice is to first buy an open litter box and see if the cat uses it willingly .
Even though closed litter boxes with a roof , door and perhaps an odour filter are very functional and hygienic, very small cats often don't find them comfortable and struggle to get used to using them .
Where to put the cat litter box?
The cat is not only very clean and attentive to hygiene, but also a pet that loves privacy and tranquility .
For his litter box you can therefore choose a quiet place both inside and outside the home.
Where to place the litter box in the apartment
At home, place the selected litter box in a secluded place , fairly quiet and not too busy with other inhabitants of the house (humans and any other animals) and guests.
Noises and distractions could in fact discourage the cat who would not feel at ease.
Not only that: generally, very busy environments also present obstacles to the passage of the cat, such as furniture, cables, wires and household appliances, which would make the space uncomfortable and hostile, certainly not relaxing and intimate.
Obviously the place you choose must be different from the one where you leave the cat's food and water . In fact, due to the strong sensitivity to odors, no cat would appreciate this combination.
Some owners choose to place the litter box in the bathroom , an area rarely visited by guests and invitees.
If this is your preference, you may want to choose a biodegradable litter box made of pure cellulose, which guarantees maximum odor control and can be conveniently disposed of in the toilet .
A note: wherever you choose to place the litter box, remember to always leave the room accessible .
How to get your cat used to the litter box outside
If you want to get your cat used to doing its business in the garden, on the terrace or on the balcony, it will be better to choose a closed litter box if there is no possibility of placing the box under a roof or in any case in a space protected from the elements.
In any case, it will be necessary first of all to check that there is the possibility of installing a cat flap , that is, a small door created in the door or French window that leads to the place where the litter box will be positioned.
Make sure the door material or glass can accommodate a cat flap, and choose one that is suitable in location and size for the cat (or cats) that will be using it.
The presence of this facility will allow the cat, a very autonomous animal, to go out when needed without having to call your attention every time, day and night.
An important tip: you won't smell the litter box in your home, but the cats that use it will! So don't forget to clean it as often as you would if it were in your home.
How many litter boxes do you need if you have more than one cat in your home?
If your feline family consists of more than one member, remember that cats are very territorial animals .
This means that each cat will mark its territory every time it uses the litter box, thus signaling to the other tenants that that particular space belongs to it.
The scent of each feline will drive others away, which is why it would be ideal to provide each cat with a dedicated litter box .
Not only that: it is also advisable to place each litter box in a different place within the home environment, so that the odors do not mix and that all the animals can enjoy a private and comfortable place.
Why is it better not to move the cat litter box?
Once you have chosen the perfect place to place the litter box, be careful to keep the spatial arrangement constant .
So avoid moving it, either to another room or within the same one.
Cats are creatures of habit and very attached to their routines, and may not willingly accept novelties in the organization of their habitat .
If they don't like the change, they might not want to use the litter box, thus resorting to the same solutions they would implement if the box wasn't clean enough.
How to keep your cat's litter box clean
We have seen the importance of keeping your cat's litter box always clean and smelling fresh.
But how do you make it hygienic for your pet and the other inhabitants of the house?
How to eliminate bad smells, especially if the litter box is in the house?
Natural clumping litters for easy and regular cleaning
The first good rule is undoubtedly to remember to eliminate the cat's needs, both solid and liquid, regularly every day .
General cleaning of the litter box, including disinfection, is recommended at least once a week.
To help you eliminate all of your kitty's waste, select a clumping cat litter , which will also allow you to immediately see the urine , which will form sand balls that can be collected and removed using any litter scoop .
Among the clumping litters you can choose a bowl with natural bentonite , characterized by excellent clumping power and a high absorbent and liquid and odor retention capacity.
Or opt for a bowl containing activated carbon for complete odor neutralization and a product that will not form or release annoying dust during and after use of the litter box.
Every time you remove urine or feces, remember to add a new clean bowl , so as to always maintain a sufficient level of product for the cat to adequately cover its needs.
How to Manage Your Cat's Litter Box: Deep Cleaning
We said that cleaning the litter box is very important and should be done frequently, but how do you do it?
Deep cleaning, which should be done at least once a week, is an operation that requires care and the right products.
If you want to use a ready-made detergent, choose a hypoallergenic one and, if possible, a neutral scent , so as not to disturb the cat's refined sense of smell.
For the same reason, the use of bleach is not recommended, as it has a very pungent smell.
Or, you can make a DIY cat litter box cleaning solution .
There are two very effective options :
- Thoroughly wash the bottom and sides of the litter box with warm water and natural dish soap , then wipe with hydrogen peroxide, which will disinfect the box and neutralize bad odors.
- Rub the box with white vinegar and leave it to act for 30 minutes , then remove with a sponge and hot water. In this case too, you can then wipe with a little hydrogen peroxide.
Only at this point can you put the clean bowl in (if you prefer, after covering the litter box with a special hygienic bag).
Pour the bowl to a depth of about 8 cm, so that the product can absorb well and to allow the cat to cover solid and liquid needs .
How to Get Rid of Cat Litter Odor: Scented Litter and Deodorizers
Is it advisable to use scented litter or specific deodorizers?
The topic is controversial and the subject of debate.
While it is true that both products are absolutely safe for the cat's health and are actually capable of reducing the presence of bad odors by replacing them with pleasant aromas, it is important to remember what has already been said: the cat's sense of smell is extremely developed!
This means that some cats may not appreciate stronger or milder synthetic scents , and may, again, choose not to use litter that does not have a completely neutral odor.
But it’s worth a try: choose high-quality, delicately scented bowls , or completely natural litter deodorizers to add to your favorite sand.
You will notice immediately if your cat appreciates the attention or not.
If he doesn't like it, choose any antibacterial litter with silica gel , classic, with bentonite, activated carbon or use the classic natural wood pellet: as long as it doesn't contain added synthetic fragrances .
Need help? Trust the experts
If you still have doubts or specific questions regarding the choice of the litter box and the litter box for your cat, or if you are looking for advice regarding the products to use for the management, cleaning and perfuming of the toilet of your four-legged friend, contact the Millstore experts .
Qualified and specialized staff will guide you to find the solution best suited to you, the well-being of your cat and the whole family!
