Cat Litter Box Cleaning - and Training

One of the biggest drawbacks of owning a cat is the dreaded litter box. Few people like to clean cat litter boxes. After all, they aren't just smelly.

Luckily, there are several new litter box designs that make the task of changing cat litter much easier. One popular design is the hooded litter box. These boxes provide privacy for more sensitive cats, but they also help keep down litter dust. The hooded box is ideal for a single cat, as long as the cat's owners can change the box frequently to keep it smelling clean and fresh. For people who don't want to handle the soiled litter, there are removable liners for these boxes. Simply lift out the whole liner filled with soiled litter and discard it. Lay down a new liner, add fresh cat litter, and replace the lid.

Another popular cat litter box design is the self cleaning litter box. This box is ideal for families with multiple cats, as cats do not like to use dirty litter boxes. The rake removes soiled litter into a removable receptacle and leaves the box fresh and clean. The cat owner can easily discard the dirty litter without having to do anything more than pulling out the receptacle containing the dirty litter and throwing it away.

The only brand of electric cat litter box I've tried is Littermaid.  I've found them to be the easiest and cleanest solution for a home with multiple cats.  As with any cat boxes, you must have a box for each 2-3 cats.  This can be an expensive proposition, but my experience has been that the electric boxes last a LONG time an are problem free.  I have three of these boxes myself.  With 10 minutes of attention once a week, theses boxes remain totally odor free and are clean and healthy for your cats to use.

It is fairly easy to teach your kitten to use a cat litter box. The most important things for you to do are to position the litter box in the right place and to keep it extremely clean. Litter boxes should never be placed next to your cat's sleeping or eating spots, as cats do their best to keep these areas clean.

Once you put the litter box in a convenient place, it is time to teach your cat what the box is for. Begin by placing your cat in the box and raking your fingers through the clean litter. Your cat may just decide to start using the box right away. If so, praise him lavishly. If he simply hops out, play with him a few minutes and then place him back in the box. Repeat this procedure several times, but do not overdo it. You don't want to frustrate your cat.

When your cat eats, wait approximately ten or fifteen minutes and then place him in the cat litter box. If he uses the box, praise him. Also, when your cat is napping, keep an eye on him so that you can take him to the litter box when he awakens.

If your cat does not use the litter box, do not scold him for his accidents. He will just become angry and frustrated. Instead, place the box in the spot where he most frequently has accidents and encourage him to use it.

Once your cat uses his cat litter box a few times, he should continue to use it. If he stops using the box, be sure it is clean. If the litter box is not dirty, he may have a health problem, so be sure to consult your veterinarian.

TIP: Occasionally a cat will totally refuse to use a litter box.  This happens occasionally with a pet you have adopted or who was not with his Mother long enough as a kitten to be taught "manners".  This, too, can be solved -- I've done it several times and, so far, it has always been successful.  Put the cat into a bathroom.  I say 'bathroom' because we want a room with hard surfaces.  Put a dish of food, some water and an open (no top on it) litter box with about 2" of litter in it.  Do NOT put anything soft in the room.  The cat must be kept in that room for 2-3 days.  Yes, it may cry....and you'll feel bad that your pet doesn't have a bed to lay on.  It is important, though, that your cat learn to use the cat litter box!  Otherwise, his time with you in your home could be limited.  Much better for your kitten to spend 2-3 uncomfortable days than to lose his lifetime home.