Is Your Cat Overdue for a Bathroom Renovation?
Have you ever been camping, at a concert, or other outdoor event, and chosen to pee in a bush to avoid using a stinky, stagnant outhouse? For many feline friends, their litter box resembles more of a “dirty porta-potty” than an “en suite”. If this sounds like your kitty’s situation, it’s time to plan a bathroom renovation!
Number of Boxes
Have at least as many litter boxes as you have cats, plus one. No one likes stepping in someone else’s fecal matter! Scooping litter boxes at least once daily helps with this as well.
Changed Frequently
You’d likely notice if your dog didn’t urinate for two days, but would you notice the same for your cat? When litter boxes are changed less frequently, it’s easy to miss critical health cues that signal that your furry family member is in trouble and needs your help.
Size and Shape of Litter Box
In general, cats prefer larger litter boxes. This is especially important if the litter box is covered. Keep in mind that most covered boxes are less likely to be scooped daily, so they may become hot, stagnant and smelly inside. They may also not be ideal for multi-cat households, as a cat can become cornered in a vulnerable moment.
Tip: Large, flat, open containers, such as under-the-bed storage boxes, make great cat litter boxes!
Location of the Box
The best place for a litter box is an easily accessible place, away from where they eat and drink. It is also critical that the location feels quiet and safe for the cat. For this reason, furnace rooms – while a popular choice – are not typically ideal locations. The noise from the furnace turning on can scare a kitty and discourage them from using their box.
Quality of the Litter
Generally, a clumping-style, low-dust, clay litter is a safe choice, as long as it is unscented. Special silica formulations also exist that change colour to alert you if abnormalities are detected in your cat’s urine!
Cats can be cautious of change, so ensure to offer them their old litter box until they’ve become familiar with the new set up. Then, post-transition, should your cat start urinating outside of their luxurious new “en suite”, you can be more confident in the cause being medical versus behavioural.
Not only is providing your cat with a clean and well-designed bathroom an important part of their welfare, it can save a life!
Dr. I. Wonder is here to answer your questions regarding your furry family members. If you have a question, email it to us at danielle@NeighbourhoodPetClinic.com. Our team at Neighbourhood Pet Clinic will tap into their collective experience to answer your various questions.
