To Pee or Not to Pee: Your Cat and the Litter box

Litter training is one of those areas you much rather have go right the first time. Here's some tips to make the litter box work for you and your cat.

Pick the right litter box for your cat

Think about the size and habits of your cat. For instance, a kitten or older cat may do best when they have lower sides to climb over. Household with multiple animals or litter boxes in a trafficked area may find their cat prefers one that is hooded for privacy.

Pick the right spot for the litter box

Just like us, cats want a quiet, private place to use the restroom. Highly trafficked areas, areas with other animals or wide open spaces aren't usually the best choices. Find a place your cat will feel comfortable in and easily be able to reach. Kittens and older cats may need the litter box moved to avoid stairs or other obstacles.

Don't overfill the box

Two to three inches of litter should be more than enough for your cat to scratch in, but not so much that they're throwing litter out of the box. Again, get to know your cats habits; some may need more or less depending on their style.

Always have a clean litter box

Just like your mom obsessed over a clean bathroom, cats will quickly turn down a litter box that's not clean enough for their taste. What may smell clean to us might smell entirely different to a cat's sensitive nose. Optimally, litter boxes should be scooped daily and completed dumped on a regular basis.

Teach new cats the litter box location

New cats typically hide while adjusting to a new home. Make sure they are aware of the litter box, even if that means moving it to a place convenient to their chosen hiding spot. As they become more comfortable, you can gradually move the litter box. Kittens may need to be confined to one area as they learn to use the litter box properly.

Have enough litter boxes for everyone

If you have more than one cat, you'll need more than one litter box. Cats can be quite territorial and their bathroom habits are no different. Ideally you should have one litter box for each cat. You may need to experiment with placing of multiple litter boxes to make everyone comfortable.