Thinking Outside the (Litter) Box

KITTY LITTER. How can these two itty bitty words be such a giant pain in the posterior for some cats and the people who love them? If your finicky feline turns up her nose at her bathroom accommodations, is piddling over the side of the box, or avoiding it altogether, you’re not alone. Cats and their litter box habits have left many of us befuddled, but instead of just burying our heads in the proverbial sand and ignoring the situation, or worse, getting rid of our cats, let’s see if we can, um, eliminate the problem.

Two of the most important issues for cats are the type of litter being provided and the placement and number of litter boxes in the house. Let’s take a look at litter first. There are two main types: clumping and non-clumping. Clumping litter is sandy clay with small granules that forms a ball around the urine for easy scooping (making for a cleaner box, which cats appreciate). Clumping litter controls odors better than the non-clumping variety, but it can be dustier, which can cause respiratory problems in both people and pets. Non-clumping litter is coarse clay with large granules so it produces less dust and tracking. The downside is that it must be dumped completely and replaced on a regular basis (not fun for those of us with bad backs!). Studies show that 9 out of 10 cats prefer clumping (sandy) litter, in part because the litter box smells better and the smaller granules are gentler on tender toes. This is especially important if a cat has been declawed (which I don’t recommend, but that’s another topic for another column….).

Now that we’ve talked about different types of litter, let’s address the scent issue.  Scented litter is great for the person and not so great for the cat. A certain area of the feline brain—called the Rhinencephalon or “nose brain”—makes the cat extremely sensitive to various odors and it is this acute sense of smell that can cause a cat to avoid a box with scented litter. (Imagine yourself trapped in an elevator with someone wearing a sickeningly sweet perfume or overpowering cologne and you get the idea.) Switching to an unscented brand of litter will usually solve any litter box avoidance problems.

Aside from scented litter, if your normally fastidious feline suddenly takes a detour around the litter box, chances are: 1) the box is not clean enough (scoop out waste every day if you’re using clumping litter and completely change the litter every week), 2) the box is not positioned in a favorable location (put it in a low-traffic, yet easily accessible area of your home), 3) the box has a hood (most cats don’t like a covered box), or 4) your cat is ill. A cat with a urinary tract infection or diabetes may not be able to hold their urine long enough to get to the box or they may associate the box with their painful urination. A cat with arthritis may find it difficult to climb into the box and squat (one with lower edges can help). If your cat suddenly becomes picky about her potty, it’s time for a trip to the veterinarian for a check-up.

There’s a nifty new product on the market that can help you determine if your cat is sick. “Perfect Litter Alert” is a cat litter that turns pink if a cat has Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). More cats visit the vet each year because of FLUTD than almost any other problem. The new litter, made by Pet Ecology, is biodegradable and flushable, although there is an alert on the company’s Web site warning Californians that it is illegal to flush cat feces and litter down the toilet in the Golde n State. Who knew?! Instead of indiscriminate flushing, the company suggests disposing of the used litter in the trash, which will benefit overall water quality.

Perhaps the best part of Perfect Litter Alert—besides the fact that it will signal potential health problems—is that it contains no sodium bentonite, which can cause your cat to become sick if she licks her paws after using the litterbox. Perfect Litter Alert is not available in stores, but you can order the product directly from the manufacturer by going online to www.perfectlitter.com or by calling (888) 805-0588.

Here’s a tip: if you’re thinking of switching to a new type of cat litter, whether it is Perfect Litter Alert or another brand, it’s important to slowly make the transition by putting an inch or so of the new product at the bottom of the cat box and then pouring the old brand on top. Don’t mix it together; let your cat do the mixing (digging) herself. Gradually, over a 2-3 week period, keep adding more of the new litter and less of the old until the box is completely filled with the new litter.

Another helpful hint: be sure you have enough litter boxes in your house—the general rule is to have one box per cat plus one. In other words, if you have two cats, you should have three litter boxes; if you have three cats, four litter boxes, etc.

By following these simple suggestions, your cat will hopefully start peeing and pooping in the proper place in no time. Can you dig it?

 

 

Have you dug up some ways to encourage your cat to use the litter box? E-mail your tips to Karen at karenleestevens@cox.net.

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By Karen Lee Stevens,
Founder & President, ALL FOR ANIMALS, Inc.
Copyright © 2008. All Rights Reserved.

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