At the Animal Clinic at Thorndale, we love seeing new kittens. These little guys love exploring their new worlds and will provide you with hours of entertainment for very little effort on your part. We recommend that you read our “kitten care basics” page to get your new family member off to a great start. One of the things you may need to work on is getting your kitten acquainted with the litter box. If you have recently moved, you may also need a little help getting an older cat reacquainted with the litter box as well. Read on to get everyone started on the right page.
How to Get Things Off On the Right Track
One of the big advantages of owning a cat is that almost all cats come litter box trained. By nature, they will urinate and defecate in a soft sandy soil-like substance if it is provided.
The Litter Box
The number one behavorial problem of cats is urinating out of the litter box (inappropriate urination). There are several things that cause this frustrating problem, but some of those are related to the litter box. If you are already having this problem, please go to our page on Litter Box Failure and House Soiling. The following comments are included to prevent problems later because cats are particular about their litter boxes, the litter, and the location.
Choose a litter box that is large enough for your cat to fit in comfortably. It needs to be able to turn around freely. An 18 X 14 inch box with 4 inch sides is appropriate for most adult cats. Kittens and arthritic cats may need a box with shorter sides so they can get in and out easily.
We do not recommend a box with a top (hood). Although hooded litter boxes are more private and contain the litter better, they also trap odors inside (think Porta Potty). Because cats are so fastidious, these odors often cause them to seek other places to urinate. Many cats exhibiting inappropriate urination will return to their litter boxes when the lid is removed.
Litter Box Location
The location of the litter box is important. It should be on an easily cleaned surface, as some cats don’t always aim well. Litter is also scratched out or tracked out of the litter box frequently. It is very important that the litter box be placed in a quite, non-threatening location. Cats need their privacy and will avoid a litter box that is in a high traffic or noisy area or a location accessible to dogs. Do not place the food and water bowls near the litter box. Again, cats are fastidious and prefer not the eat and eliminate in the same location.
Types of Kitty Litter
There are three basic types of litter: clay, clumpable, and organic.
- Clay litter absorbs 75-100% of its weight in moisture. This is good but not adequate to keep urine from being absorbed throughout a widespread area of litter. Solid matter and wet litter should be removed 1-2 times per day, but the entire litter box should be changed weekly. Clay litter is also quite dusty. Cats with allergies can have increased problems when breathing the litter dust.
- Clumping litter is also called scoopable litter. It absorbs urine and swells to about 15 times its original volume. Therefore, you need only to remove the litter clumps; you do not need to change the entire contents of the litter box. It tends to control urine and stool odors better than clay litter. Most cats will prefer unscented, sandy scoopable litters. The contents should be removed on a weekly basis and the box should be cleaned thoroughly.
- Organic litters are made of alfalfa, newspaper, peanut hulls, corn cobs, or recycled, biodegradable materials. They appeal to many cats, but they are also not received well by others. Some of these are hard pellets and uncomfortable to the cat’s feet.
Some litters contain scented or odor-controlling additives. Some cats tolerate them, but others find them objectionable. To minimize the chances of inappropriate urination, it is better to avoid scented litters.
Cleaning the Litter Box
Fecal matter and wet litter need to be removed at least once daily for each cat that uses the litter box. It is best to provide at least one more box than the number of cats you have. Even with clumping litter, a weekly scrubbing of the litter box removes odors that may collect in the box itself. Use warm, soapy water and avoid scented disinfectants.
Helping a New Kitten Learn the Ropes or an Older One Figure It Out if You Move
Remember to show your cat the box at appropriate times and make it a pleasant experience. Most cats need to use the box shortly after a meal, so that is an appropriate time to gently carry your kitten to the box. You can even move its paws in the litter in a digging manner to help it get the idea. It is best to keep kittens and newly relocated older cats confined to an area in relatively close proximity to the box so they know how to find it. Once they are consistent in using the box, you can expand their range.