Most cats have specific preferences about where they want to eliminate. By following the suggestions outlined in this handout, you’ll be able to start off on the right paw with your new cat.

Location, Location, Location!

Most people are inclined to place the litter box in an out-of-the-way spot in order to minimize odor and loose particles of cat litter in the house. Often, the litter box ends up in the basement, sometimes next to an appliance and/or on a cold cement floor. This type of location can be undesirable from your cat’s point of view for several reasons.

If you have a kitten or an older cat, she may not be able to get down a long flight of stairs in time to get to the litter box. If she is new to the household, she may not remember where the litter box is, especially if it’s located in an area she seldom frequents. Your cat may be startled while using the litter box if a furnace, washer or dryer suddenly comes on and that may be the last time she’ll risk such a frightening experience! If your cat likes to scratch the surface surrounding her litter box, she may find a cold cement floor unappealing.

Therefore, you may have to compromise. The litter box should be kept in a location that affords your cat some privacy but is also conveniently located. If you place the litter box in a closet or a bathroom, be sure the door is wedged open from both sides in order to prevent her from being trapped in or out. If the litter box sits on a smooth, slick or cold surface, put a small throw rug underneath the litter box.  A rug will also help trap loose bits of litter and keep them from being tracked elsewhere.

Type of Litter

Research has shown that most cats prefer fine-grained litters, most likely because it is close to what their desert ancestors used. The new clumping litters usually have finer grains than the typical clay litter. However, high quality, dust-free, clay litters are relatively small-grained and may be perfectly acceptable to your cat. If your cat prefers your house plants to the litter box, you might try mixing some potting soil in with the litter. Once you find a litter your cat likes, don’t change types or brands. Buying a different, less expensive litter or whatever brand happens to be on sale could result in your cat not using the litter box.

Many cats are put off by the odor of scented or deodorant litters. For the same reason, it’s not a good idea to place a room deodorizer or air freshener near the litter box. Odor shouldn’t be a problem if the litter box is kept clean. If you find the litter box odor offensive, your cat probably finds it even more offensive and won’t want to eliminate there.

Number Of Litter Boxes

Some experts say there should be at least as many litter boxes as there are cats. That way, nobody will ever be prevented from eliminating in the litter box because it’s already occupied. (This may be overkill for some multi-cat households.) You should also consider placing boxes in several locations around the house, so that no one cat can “guard” the litter box area and prevent the other cats from accessing it. We also recommend that you place at least one litter box on each level of your house. Occasionally, a cat may refuse to use the litter box after another cat has used it. In this case, all of the litter boxes will need to be kept extremely clean and additional boxes may be needed.

Covered Boxes

Some people prefer to provide a covered litter box. However, there are some potential problems with using this type of box and you may want to experiment by offering both types at first to discover what your cat prefers.

   Potential Problems:

• You may forget to clean the litter box as frequently as you should because the dirty litter is “out of sight, out of mind”.
• A covered litter box traps odors inside, so it will need to be cleaned more often than an open one.
• A covered litter box may not allow a large cat sufficient room to turn around, scratch, dig or position herself in the way she wants.
• A covered litter box may also make it easier for another cat to lay in wait and “ambush” the user as she exits the box. On the other hand, a covered litter box may feel more private and may be preferred by timid cats.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

To meet the needs of the most discriminating cat, feces should be scooped out of the litter box daily. How often you change and sanitize the entire litter box depends on the number of cats, the number of litter boxes, and the type of litter you use. Twice a week is a general guideline for non-clumping clay litter, but depending on the circumstances, you may need to change it every other day or once a week. If you scoop the litter daily, clumping litter can go two to three weeks before the litter needs to be changed. If you notice an odor or if much of the litter is wet or clumped, it’s time for a change. Don’t use strong smelling chemicals or cleaning products when washing the litter box, as it may cause your cat to avoid it. Washing with soap and water should be sufficient.

Liners

Some cats don’t mind litter box liners, although most cats don’t like them, so you may want to experiment to see if your cat is bothered by having a liner in the box. If you do use a liner, make sure it’s anchored in place, so it can’t easily catch your cat’s claws or be pulled out of place.  Your cat may also scratch holes in the liner while digging, which will cause the liner to leak when you remove it from the box.  Most people find boxes easier to manage without liners.

“Litter-Training” Cats

There’s really no such thing as “litter-training” a cat in the same way one would house-train a dog. A cat doesn’t need to be taught what to do with a litterbox. The only thing you need to do is provide an acceptable, accessible litter box, using the suggestions above. We do not recommend taking your cat to the litter box and moving her paws back and forth in the litter to “teach” her. This may actually be an unpleasant experience for your cat and could initiate a negative association with the litter box.

If Problems Develop….

If your cat begins to eliminate in areas other than the litterbox, your first call should always be to your veterinarian. Many medical conditions can cause a change in a cat’s litter box habits. If your veterinarian determines that your cat is healthy, the cause may be behavioral. Most litterbox behavior problems can be resolved by using behavior modification techniques. Punishment is not the answer. For long-standing or complex situations, contact an animal behavior specialist who has experience working with cats.