Cat Litter and Litter Box TrainingAs many cat owners know, cat litter training happens automatically under the right conditions. In fact, one of the greatest things about living with a cat is that they are so clean. In the wild, cats naturally cover their feces, so they are already born with the instinct needed to use a litter box. By the time most cats are weaned, their moms have already taught them to use a litter box. This is one reason why you should wait until a kitten is weaned before adopting her or taking her away from her mother. Kittens need these first few months to learn life skills from their mothers and siblings. If you have rescued an orphaned kitten, you will need to train her to use a litter box yourself. After a mother cat feeds her kittens, she encourages the kitten to urinate by licking its genital area. You can simulate this action by wetting a wash cloth with warm water and using it to stimulate the kitten until she does her business. Do this while the kitten is in her litter box. Once she can walk, show the kitten where the litter box is so she can go there herself. If you put her inside the litter box and scratch the litter with your finger, she will get the idea very quickly that this is her toilet. Sometimes it works best to keep a very young kitten in a relatively confined area that is not too far from the litter box until she becomes accustomed to using it.
If your cat is relatively neat, you can use a simple tray litter box. Tray litter boxes are the easiest to use and least expensive, but you may find that you need to sweep up litter around the box after your cat uses it. If this is a problem, you can get a box with a hood. Your cat will need to climb inside this kind of litter box to eliminate. While the litter and odor stays inside a hooded litter box, this type of litter box needs to be cleaned more often. A hooded litter box also tends to take up more room, and it may be more difficult for some cats to use comfortably because they need to squat underneath the hood. A third option that is becoming more and more popular is a self-cleaning litter box or automatic litter box. This type of litter box automatically sifts solid material out and stores it in a plastic bag that can easily be removed and discarded. Many people find the convenience of this type of litter box worth the extra price. Though it may take some time for your cat to become used to a litter box that moves, most cats can make the adjustment. Types of Cat Litter There are many different types of cat litter, and the one you choose depends on a number of factors. Clumping cat litter is clay-based and is the simplest to clean since liquid waste forms a solid clump that can easily be scooped out of the litter box. There are also non-clumping clay-based litters that absorb liquid waste but do not form clumps. Crystal or silica litters are very absorbent, capturing up to forty times their weight in liquid waste, so they are less bulky to buy and easier to carry home. Many people prefer natural or biodegradable litter, such as pine cat litter and litters made from paper, wheat and corn. Natural litters are best for cats (and people) who are sensitive to clay-based litters and for those who have allergies to dust. There are also litters that are considered “no-track” or “low track,” meaning they are made of fine grains so that your cat is less likely to track them throughout the house. Cat litter may also be scented to mask odor. Antibacterial or antimicrobial litters prevent germs from feces and urine from spreading. Keeping the Litter Box Clean
The vast majority of cats will use a litter box regularly if conditions are appropriate. If yours does not, find out why so you can fix the problem. One reason that a cat will not use a litter box is simply that it is not clean. What is clean is determined by the cat, not you. Also, if your cat is under stress for some reason, he may signal that by doing his business outside the litter box. Further, if your cat has a urinary tract infection or other problem, he may not be able to make it to the litter box. BACK to Cat Behavior
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It is best to check your cat’s litter box every day to be sure it is clean and contains about an inch and a half of fresh litter. Cat litter should never smells of feces or urine as this will deter your cat from using it. You can deodorize the litter box by rinsing it with water to which you have added lemon juice or vinegar. Also, be sure that the litter box is away from areas where your cat eats or sleeps. Cats do not like to soil areas close to where they spend the rest of their time.
