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What
every cat owner should know about the cat litter box
The litter box problems are number
one reason for owners to give up their cats, because the cats
are usually fastidious in their toilet habits. It is essential
to take into consideration the cat's natural instincts when
providing a toileting area for kitty.
Cats tend to have surface and
location preferences for where, and on what, they like to eliminate.
Studies show that the vast majority of cats prefer the sand-like
texture of the clumping litters - but it is not recommended
for kittens under the age of 4 months.
Cats have a highly developed
sense of touch in the pads of their feet. They are quite sensitive
to the texture of cat litter. They also have an excellent sense
of smell, and therefore they may reject litter that is not
kept scrupulously clean or is perfumed.
What should you know
about the cat litter box
1.It’s common for cats
to begin eliminating outside of their litter box when they
have a medical problem. For example, a urinary tract infection
or crystals in the urine can make urination very painful. Cats
often associate this pain with the litter box and begin to
avoid it. If your cat has a house-soiling problem, check with
your veterinarian first to rule out any medical problems for
the behavior.
2.Cats prefer to urinate and
defecate in different areas. Consequently, you should have
one litter box per cat in the household, plus one. Others will
not use a box that has already, been used by another cat. Different
areas for the litter boxes can prevent location-avoidance problems.
3.Place litter boxes in quiet,
private places that are easily accessible to the cat and where
it will not be disturbed by children or ambushed by other pets.
Noisy areas near washing machines, furnaces, or under stairs,
may frighten the cat away from the box. A house with several
stories should have a litter box on each floor.
4.Once you have set up a litter
box that your cats are using, don't change anything: not the
litter, not the location, and not the box. Cats are creatures
of habit and dislike change.
5.The most common reason a cat
stop using its litter box is because the litter box is dirty
- from the cat's viewpoint, not yours. Keep the litter box
extremely clean. Scoop at least once a day and change the litter
completely every four to five days. If you use scoopable litter,
you may not need to change the litter as frequently. This will
vary according to how many cats are in the household, how many
litter boxes you have, and how large the cats are that are
using the box or boxes. A good guideline is that if you can
smell the box, then you can be sure it’s offensive to
your cat as well.
6.After washing your cat's litter
box, dry it in the sun if you can. The direct sunlight actually
kills many germs, and the fresh air gives the box a cleaner
scent without adding perfumes -- which most cats hate.
7.When introducing a new cat
into the home, confine the cat to one room with its litter
box, bed, food and water, until the cat has used the litter
box several times and shows an interest in exploring the rest
of the house. Once you have decided on the placement for the
litter boxes in your house -- Don't move them!
8.If you have just moved or added
new animals or humans to your household, your cat will experience
stress. He may start urinating or defecating outside the litter
box to mark his territory. One cat may guard the litter box.
9.If your cat is not satisfied
with its litter box, be careful or it may well choose another
location in your house more to its liking! Choose a litter
that appeals to the cat. Most cats prefer the texture of the
sand-like scooping litters. Be sure to select a brand that
clumps into a firm ball, making scooping easier and cleaner.
As a health precaution for kittens that might be prone to ingest
the litter, use a non-clumping litter until the kitten is four
months old.
10.Eliminate new or frightening
noise near litter box.
11.If you catch your cat in the
act of eliminating in the house, do something to interrupt
her like making a startling noise, but be careful not to scare
her. Immediately take her to where the litter box is located
and set her on the floor.
12.Never punish the cat for eliminating
outside of its litter box. House soiling occurs when the litter
box, its contents, or its location is offensive to the cat
or when the cat is stressed by the environment. Punishment
only increases the cat's stress. Cats don’t stop using
their litter boxes because they’re mad or upset and are
trying to get revenge for something that "offended" or "angered" them.
Animals don’t understand punishment after the fact, even
if it’s only seconds later. Punishment will do more harm
than good.
13.Illness, such as diarrhea
or urinary tract disease, can make cats go outside the box.
Both intestinal and urinary tract diseases can make cats feel
a frequent urgency to go. They may not be able to make it to
the litter box.
14.Cats often react to any type
of stress by suddenly urinating or defecating outside the litter
box. The stress may be caused by a new cat in the neighborhood;
children home on vacation; too many cats in the house; your
going away on vacation or a new piece of furniture. Urinary
tract problems also cause cats to urinate in places other than
the litter box. Any sudden change in elimination habits should
be discussed with your veterinarian.
15.Don't put the litter box near
food. Don't keep it so far away from the cat's favorite areas
that it will refuse to go to the box. Be sure the cat has her
own quiet area.
16.NEVER use scented litter.
Perfumed, chemical scents repel cats. When you wash the litter
box, use hot water and a mild dishwashing liquid. Do not use
harsh chemicals that will leave a lingering odor.
17.Do not use litter box liners--they
can be irritating to some cats. Also covered, or hooded litter
boxes can be offensive to cats as they do not satisfy the cat's
need for escape potential when eliminating. They also trap
the odor inside, creating an "outhouse effect". The
litter box should be uncovered and at least 22" x 16" for
an adult cat.
Help your cats feel comfortable
in their home territory. Play games with them, give them a
massage, talk to them frequently. Give them positive and affectionate
attention. A confident, secure, contented and relaxed cat does
not need to relieve anxiety and stress by such extreme measures
as urine or fecal marking.
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Advices toward people
with cats
Pregnant women and people with
a depressed immune system should not touch the cat litter box.
Other than that, there is no reason that these people have
to avoid cats.
People who are allergic to cats
are actually allergic to cat saliva or to cat dander. If the
resident cat is bathed regularly the allergic people tolerate
it better.
If you have a cat and want to
have another cat, it will be easiest to introduce a female
kitten. An elderly cat that is alone, however, should not be
bothered with another cat. Let it rest in peace. Bringing a
new cat into a household is always very stressful for all the
cats concerned.
If your cat is in the habit of
rolling over and exposing his stomach, you can be sure he feels
perfectly safe with you. It's also a way of demonstrating his
pleasure in your company.
Never pet a cat on her tummy
near the back legs. Cats have a kicking reflex that will cause
them to kick out and scratch you.
Place a sheet of aluminum foil
on the kitchen counter or any place you don't want your cat
to go. Cats hate walking on foil, and your cat will soon learn
what places are off limits.
If your cat likes to nibble your
houseplants, try growing a pot of kitty grass instead. Seed
mixtures just for cats are available at many pet supply stores.
Your cat might also appreciate a little snack of chopped lettuce.
A cat in a car needs to be in
a carrier. Letting your cat wander free in your car be dangerous
for her and for you.
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