When it comes to setting up and maintaining your cat’s litter box, there are a few simple rules. Getting them right is the secret to successful toilet time for your cat.
DO: Keep things clean
Cats like things to be clean. Make sure you remove solid waste daily and change the rest of the litter and give your litter tray a thorough clean regularly.
DON’T: Keep changing things up
Do the research up front and you’re more likely to have success right from the start. Take your time to select the right litter for you and your cat and find the perfect litter tray. Once things are going well, stick with what is working and avoid changing things up as this can be unsettling for your cat.
DO: Find a perfect place for the litter tray
Cats like routine so selecting a perfect place for their litter tray and then keeping it there will make it easy for them to know where to go when they need to go. A quiet, dark place where they can have privacy, and a spot not close to their food source is ideal – somewhere like the laundry is a good choice.
DON’T: Ignore a problem
If your cat is having trouble using their litter tray or suddenly develops an aversion to it, the quicker you respond and work towards fixing it, the better the result will be. Take your cat to the vet to rule out any medical problems. Eliminate other common issues, like dirty litter or bad location. Don’t ignore the problem as the longer it exists, the more challenging it will be to rectify.
DO: Supply the right options
If you have more than one cat, you’ll need more than one litter tray. Make sure the trays are in different locations and that your cat (or cats) can easily find and access them.
Be careful in choosing the right size tray for your cat. Check they have enough room to move and scratch and that they can easily climb inside it, regardless of whether it has sides or a cover.
Also take the time to try different substrates to see which you and your cat prefer. There are lots of options, including sustainable substrates like recycled paper, tofu, pine, and more, that will feel different on your cat’s paws. Remember to take time to properly transition between litter types properly when trying the new types.
DON’T: Scold your cat
Your cat isn’t being spiteful if they have an accident or develop an aversion to using the tray and getting angry at them could potentially make them fearful of you. This is their way of telling you something is wrong, so take a step back and work out what the issue is.
DO: Find the perfect solution
With so many effective choices on offer toilet time should be as stress-free as possible for you and your pet, so if something isn’t working, keep focused on finding an option that fits you both.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask your friendly Petbarn team member for more information and advice on choosing the best litter for your cat.