How do I get my cat to use the litter box? 5 tips!

Litter trays come in many shapes and sizes. I could go on and on, big and small, with lid and without lid, round and square, corner model or standard model. I haven't even started on the type of litter yet. What is the best place for the litter box?It is important to think about this carefully. After all, the wrong choice could lead to your cat displaying untrained behaviour in the house. Obviously, we don't want that!In this blog, we explain everything you need to think about when it comes to the litter box.

Which litter box do you choose for your cat?

When it comes to the litter box, there are 5 considerations to make:

What size of litter box do you need?
What model of litter box do you need?
What grit do you choose for your litter box?
What is the right place for the litter box?
How many litter trays do you need?

Litter box aversion, i.e., aversion to the litter box and everything related to it, is a serious behavioural problem in cats. It often leads to untrained cat behaviour. Cats that don’t want to use the litter box often will defecate and/or urinate in the house.

The right litter box size

This rule always applies; the bigger, the better. A cat must have enough space to exhibit the natural behaviour of urinating and defecating. Cats want to dig; they often make a hole first, then crouch down to do their business, turn around and sniff extensively at the result. After that, they want to be able to bury it. So, your cat should be able to sort of walk around the litter box without going through the pee or poo. You can’t actually choose a litter box that is too big for your cat. Most litter boxes are too small. Not a problem for many cats, fortunately! But is your cat untrained inside your home? Then take a look at the size of your litter box first!

Litter box model

Isn’t the step-in too high for your kitten or old cat with joint problems? Do you choose with or without a cover? A cover is nice to keep odours out. Keep in mind that cats are very clean and don’t like the smell of poo, either. Covering your litter box is fine, but you must scoop out the poop and pee regularly. At least twice a day, preferably every time your cat has used the litter box. This may seem excessive, but do you have a cat that pees or poops in the house? Then check how dirty the tray is and how often you empty it. You don’t want to pee on a toilet that hasn’t been flushed, do you? The cover should also be high enough for your cat to crouch down properly. Especially for older cats who have back problems, taking the cover off the tray can sometimes help.

The right grit for the litter box

Are you getting a kitten? Then it is often wise to choose the same grit the breeder uses. This is familiar to the kitten. Your kitten will usually understand that this is the place to do their business. Ideally, the breeder should already introduce kittens to different types of litter, so kittens can choose for themselves what they like. Unfortunately, this does not usually happen. Your cat has to enjoy digging in the litter. If they don’t, you should choose a different litter. Do not use cat litter with a scent! This smell is for humans. Most cats don’t like it! Especially not with a dense litter box. Cats often like litter that forms clumps. These are also easier to scoop out than cat litter that falls apart. Don’t think about your wallet too much, either. Cats want to be able to dig and bury. This requires a good layer of litter!

The spot to place the litter box

The litter box should be in a quiet place. This means preferably not near a door. Especially an outside door is not advisable if other cats live nearby and come to “visit”. Next to the washing machine or dryer is also not the best place. If you run the machine once a week, it is usually fine. Does the washing machine run daily? Then this could be a reason for your cat not to use the bin. A cat should be able to do its business undisturbed without feeling the need to be on guard.

The bin shouldn’t be near food and water bowls, either. You don’t sit on the toilet with your plate on your lap, do you? Neither does a cat.

How many litter boxes do you need?

Within a household, the general rule is that you have as many litter boxes as the number of cats in the house +1. So not just 1 litter box for your two cats. Actually, not even just 1 litter tray for one cat. The litter boxes should not all be in a row. You should preferably spread the litter boxes over all floors of the house. So not all in the attic far away. The boxes must be easily accessible.

Suppose you consider the above points of interest when choosing a litter box. In this case, many urinary problems in cats are prevented.

Also, read our blog ‘Help! My cat pees in the house!‘, and ‘With this cat potty training, you can train your kitten within 4 weeks!’

Do you have any further questions on this topic? Please contact us via dierenarts@medpets.nl.

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