One of the best things about owning a cat is knowing that when nature calls, your feline friend will take care of business without needing to be walked on a leash or let outdoors. One of the least appreciated aspects of cat ownership is the task and expense of cleaning out the litter box. Putting off the litter box cleaning duties can result in litter box problems.
Reasons and Solutions for Litter Box Aversion
There are a number of reasons why a cat may opt out of eliminating in a litter box, but one of the top reasons for litter box aversion kicks in when the litter box is not clean. Cats are clean animals, and they become repulsed by the box when their human servants have become lax in making their litter boxes pristine again. In a multiple cat household, the demand for a clean commode multiplies when each cat refuses to use the one box because another cat just put it to use. You should be providing one litter box per household cat. Consider these other suggestions to prevent or resolve litter box problems in your home:
- Locate the litter box in quiet area that is free from heavy foot traffic, loud boilers and noisy machines and appliances.
- Keep the litter box away from your cat’s food and water dishes.
- Place extra litter boxes for older cats, especially in a multiple story home.
- Determine the types of litter box and filler that your cat prefers and stick to those; consider natural cat litter.
- Fill the litter box to a depth of at least four inches so that the cat can dig and bury its waste.
- Consider using a litter additive that is designed to attract cats to the litter box.
- Be diligent about cleaning the litter box. This means scooping the waste from the box at least twice each day and completely emptying the box and scrubbing it on a weekly basis.
- Clean the box with soap and water, and avoid chemical cleaning products. Many cats are repelled by the chemical scents that remain in the box.
Litter Box Cleaning
Individuals in the home come up with any and every excuse to shirk litter box cleaning responsibilities as long as possible. It happens to be a breath-holding, nose-pinching, glove-donning dirty job. Scooping the waste needs to be done several times each day, especially in multiple cat households. Dumping the entire contents of the litter box is a costly waste of litter, a portion of which has not yet been soiled. Women who are pregnant should not participate in litter box cleaning duties. All of these excuses add up to a stinky box, an increased risk for human and feline health problems and litter box aversion. One way to put an end to procrastination, lingering odors and litter box problems is by investing in an automatic cat litter box.
The Space Age Cat Potty
At first glance, it may look like something that was returned from the International Space Station or like the prototype for one of the droids of the next “Star Wars” film. It is not, however, coming to the big screen at a theatre near you. It can instead come to your home to make you and your cats happier. The Litter-Robot Open Air is an automatic cat litter box that cleans itself each time your cat eliminates in it. This newest incarnation of the high tech, self-cleaning wonder features a larger entrance to accommodate cats of all sizes, including the full-figured felines. It also features automated nighttime illumination to help older cats find the box after dark. Crafted from durable plastics and industrial-grade components, the unit is recyclable. Best of all, the unit dependably and efficiently cleans the litter box so that you don’t have to. You will go through less litter and retire the dreaded litter scooper once and for all.
Ever since Christian Slater raved about the Litter-Robot on the “Ellen” show, all of the cats are talking about it. A cleaner litter box means a breath of fresh air and a sigh of relief for your family and a delight to your cat’s senses.
Did you know litter box training issues are not always behavioral but may have to do with medical problems as well?
