Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
A good general rule is to have at least the same number of litter
boxes as you do cats in a household. This can pose problems in large,
multicat homes. One reason for multiple boxes is to spread out smell
and wastes so that they do not become too concentrated too quickly
and deter a cat from using the box. Even if you have many boxes, not
all cats will use all boxes. But it's still important to have them, because
some cats simply will not go where other cats have gone.
Today kitty litter is available in numerous varieties. Some are envi-
ronmentally friendly and some are easier to clean up. Litters are made
from a number of different materials, including clay, pine shavings and
pelleted newspaper.You need to determine which factors are important
to you when choosing litter and then hope your cat feels the same way.
Factors for you to consider are cost, presence of deodorizers, size of
packaging, ease of scooping, ease of disposal, biodegradability and litter
tracking outside of the box. The factors your cat will consider are size
and softness of granules, scent (cats prefer no scent) and cleanliness.
When given a choice, most cats prefer clumping litter. The benefits of
clumping litter are that urine and feces can be easily removed from the
box every day. The texture is similar to outdoor sand or dirt, which is
what cats are naturally attracted to. If your cat has a urinary tract prob-
lem and you are trying to monitor the amount and the frequency of
urination, clumps are easy to evaluate.There is no scientific evidence to
prove that clumping litters specifically create any health problems in
cats. However, clay, clumping and other litters that produce dust have
been shown to increase irritation in the airways of cats affected by res-
piratory diseases.
Cats like to have a minimum of one inch of litter in their boxes, and
most like even more. If the litter level drops and you are not ready to
empty the box (for example, if you use clumping litter), simply add
more litter.
Litter boxes should be scooped at least once a day. More often is
even better. Depending on the type of litter used, the box should be
completely emptied, cleaned and refilled every one to two weeks.
We like using clean bathrooms, and so do our cats. Plastic liners are
frequently used to help make box emptying and cleaning easier, but
some cats do not like liners. Again, you'll have to follow your cat's
preferences.
Empty boxes should be washed with soap and water or white vine-
gar and water. Products containing ammonia should not be used to
