Who's to Blame When Your Cat Pees Outside the Litter Box?

"Who's to blame?" You may be thinking, "Well, my cat, of course. It's not my fault my crazy cat pees outside the litter box! I'm not the one who is urinating in the entry. I'm not the one peeing in the corner of my home office. It's the cat! Who else could be to blame?

Well, I guess I'm the one who must break the news to you about this situation. You may very well be the one who is facilitating your cat's unacceptable behavior. And let me tell you why.

Cats, who are extremely clean animals, view their litter boxes much like we do our toilets--places to deposit waste. The difference between your cat's litter box and your toilet, however, is that we get to flush our toilets after every deposit. Cats don't.

Now imagine that your toilet s plugged up. You and those in your household keep using the toilet again and again, and the waste and smell accumulate. Yuck! Pretty soon, you're looking for somewhere else to do your business because the growing mound of urine-soaked fecal matter pouring over the sides of your toilet and onto the floor. You're disgusted by the sight! You're repulsed by the smell! Someone clean up this mess!

That someone is...you.

Now, think of what you ask your cat to do. Your cat dutifully deposit waste in the litter box, scratches up some sand to help cut down on the smell and goes on his or her way. When your cat returns, the last pile is still there. Yet, your cat follows the rules and uses the box again.

Now, let's say more than one cat lives in the house. Not only are your cats asked to use a box that has its own feces and urine, they are expected to step over piles left by other cats as well. Your cat is disgusted by the sight! Your cat is repulsed by the smell! Someone clean up this mess! Who?

Once again, that someone is...you.

Your cat doesn't want to use a filthy litter box anymore than you want to use a bathroom with a plugged up toilet. In fact, it may be even more repugnant to our cats because of their heightened ability to smell odors you and I don't notice.

So, don't blame your cat if he or she chooses to go someplace other than the litter box. Stick your head inside the box and take a deep whiff. If it's not a delightful aroma, it's time for you to scoop and refill the box with fresh, dry litter.

Carmen is an avid cat lover and expert on cats...especially the naughty ones which is why she started Bad Kitty Solutions. To get download a copy of her fun and free article called A Tale of a Tail: Is Your Cat's Tail Trying to Tell You Something, go to http://www.carmenreneeberry.com/BK-Sign-Up.html

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Cat Urinating Everywhere - Making Your Pets Litter Box More Inviting

If you find your cat urinating everywhere but in their litter box then this may be a message from your cat to you that they actually don't like the conditions of their box.

Cats are very fussy animals and everything for them has to be at a high standard or they'll throw tantrums/start acting up which in this case would be to go about and pee on surfaces in your house because they don't like the conditions of their box.

Thankfully you can easily play around with different things to make the box more inviting to your cat to have them stop urinating all over the house and start using their boxes more often.

The litter inside the box itself is very important to your cat. If you have a new cat then the new litter may take some time getting used to but they may just despise the litter inside the box. If you have an old cat then a change you've done with the litter can cause them to avoid using the litter box and to start seeking out different material somewhere else in your house.

The litter that you put in the box can sometimes be:

Too muchToo littleToo roughToo softSmells off putting

Where you place the box can be a major factor in litter box aversion. For example cats don't have the luxury of using doors when they go to the toilet so if you put a litter box which exposes your pet and makes them feel uncomfortable (such as in the TV room where everyone sits) then they will avoid using this area. Other conditions can pitch in such as the temperature, the lighting, the sound levels etc. The wrong ones will have your cat urinating everywhere.

The cleaning material of the box

If you clean out the litter box with chemicals that you buy from the supermarket instead of those from pet stores for actual cleaning of the boxes then you may be using a chemical that your cat doesn't like. Every time you clean the box with these chemicals a slight chemical residue will be left over which can put your cat off using the litter box.

If you have multiple cats then your cat will have the problem of having to share boxes with other cats. This will give your pets the feeling of being overcrowded and chances are that at least one of them will be urinating everywhere because if there is not enough litter boxes then you may find that cats will mark their territory on one litter box leaving the others to go somewhere else. An idea is to always have one more litter box than you have cats that way they have options and everyone is happy.

I can't tell you the exact reason why you may find your cat urinating everywhere but it is up to you to mix and match these options until you get suitable conditions for your cat. There are more things to take into account though such as stress and medical problems etc. These are all other reasons to explain your cat urinating everywhere.

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Litter Training a Kitten

One of the first things you need to do when you get a kitten is to litter train him. Litter training a kitten is a whole lot easier than litter training a cat as it hasn't had the chance to get into bad habits.

When a kitten is tiny, it's handy to have a crate or cage where you can shut him up safely at night and when you're out of the house. Make sure that he has something soft to sleep on like an old towel or blanket as well as food, water and the all important litter tray. The cage is now his own little territory where he will feel safe and secure.

When I've raised tiny kittens, I've found that a seed tray is big enough initially to use as a litter tray and a seed tray doesn't take up too much space in the cage. You'll easily be able to tell when the kitten is growing out of it and needs a full sized litter tray.

Litter training a kitten is usually quite easy as cats are very clean creatures. When your kitten comes to stay, gently put him in the litter box straight away. He may not need to use it but it's amazing how he will immediately seem to know what it's for.

Continue to pop the kitten into the litter box at intervals throughout the day if he doesn't go to it of his own accord. If he does have a little accident in the wrong place, just pick him up and put him in the litter tray anyway, even if it's too late.

Feed your kitten regularly and after meals take him to the litter tray; he'll soon learn to do his business there.

In the last couple of years I've raised two kittens. The first one was only three weeks old and in her first few days with us, she did have a little wee in the wrong place a couple of times but the second one, who was five weeks old when we got him never had an accident at all and immediately took to his litter tray.

If you're raising a very tiny kitten which is still being bottle fed, you may need to encourage his first toilet. Take a piece of damp cloth or kitchen paper and gently massage his little bottom. He may just wee a small amount at first and his excrement will be a bit like the consistency of toothpaste. After the first occasion, he won't need any further encouragement.

Do make sure that the litter box is cleaned at least daily as a fastidious kitten won't use a dirty tray and will do his toilet elsewhere.

Litter training a kitten isn't hard but you need to be vigilant while he's tiny and confine him to a small space when you're out or at night so that he isn't tempted to ignore the litter tray.

Liz Canham has four cats, all of which she has raised from kittens. Liz's website, The Cat Lover, has more information on litter training a kitten and other aspects of cat care.

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Why a Cat Won't Use The Cat Litter Box

Some people have mentioned that their kitty is urinating outside of the cat litter box, although he generally used cat litter boxes formerly. How come the cat do that? There are certain reasons; and once you have had your vet rule out any kind of physical issues (kidneys, bladder, digestive problems, and so on.) you can examine your cat habits to find the answer to the problem. This can be accomplished by using the following as a guide while you watch your cat behavior.

Cats and kittens don't especially like just about any modification. In case you have had an addition to the home such as another feline or any other pet, your cat may well not be ok with this and commence to alter his habits for example urinating outside of the litter container. Especially when that new addition is yet another cat which is sharing that litter box which is not a cat's favorite thing to do. Much like they don't prefer to share food dinners or toys with an all new cat. You have to boost your cat to share by being delicate spoken and say to him what a good kitty he is for sharing.

A new child in the house is often the most unwelcome change to a cat. Kitty was once the center of interest and now he's being shooed away any time the humans are together with the baby. If this is occurring at your residence, don't chase the kitty away, permit him to discover the baby and get to know him. Cats are interested and he may wish to be close to the baby. Contrary to all myths, kitty will never cause harm to the baby unless he sees him as an enemy. A little baby will never strike out at the cat either. The little one and the cat could quickly learn how to be close friends with your help.

Have you modified the cat litter box or the litter? Pet cats do not like change of any sort. Once you change their particular litter then, ensure you do it progressively. The previous litter has to be the bottom level layer and the brand-new litter at the top. The kitty will scent the earlier litter and take the new cat litter bin. In case you have changed the litter hider it won't make an excessive amount of difference should the boxes are very much the same but, in case you have modified to a bigger or automatic cleansing litter box, the usage of that new litter box will take longer. Cat could be more likely to use brand new cat litter boxes if the litter stays identical. For that reason, don't change the litter up until the cat happens to be accustomed to the new box. Maintain the old litter container nearby to give kitty some self confidence.

Look at you cat very carefully and find out how he communicates with you making use of his voice, facial movement, body gestures, and even more. Once you learn to talk with your cat you'll find it is not necessarily much different then communicating with another human. Take into account that an adult cat can learn how to understand you if you speak to him as if it was a two yr old human baby.

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How to Get Rid of Cat Litter

If you have considered bringing a cat into the family, you hopefully have read up on the proper methods of cat care. Whether you live in a house or apartment, you likely will keep your cat indoors - yet, however you decide to care for your new feline friend, you'll know you need to get a litter box and stock up on plenty of litter for use. This means cleaning the box on a regular basis, or else foul odors could permeate your home and make things unpleasant.

Of course, removing the used litter from its box and replacing it with a fresh batch is simple enough, but what do you do with the mess once you are finished? Let's first take a look at the steps involved in replacing the cat litter, which you pet may use several times in the course of a day.

Pet owners may offer different opinions on how often one should scoop the mess from a litter box before replacing the contents entirely. This will depend on the number of cats you have, but for the sake of argument let's say you have one cat and one box. A good suggestion - if you want to keep the environment as fresh and clean as possible - would be to scoop waste once daily and change out the litter once a week. With more cats, of course, you will want to pay more attention, but your nose is likely to tell you when it's time to clean!

In looking for a good brand of litter, you may wish to consider an extra strength brand design to accommodate multi-cat households. You may find waste clumps more easily, allowing you to scoop without problems. Always use gloves when handling litter and waste because you will be dealing with urine and feces. Remove soiled litter to a trash bag, seal the bag, and dispose of in an outside can.

When it is time to replace the litter completely, make sure every last bit is removed from the box into a heavy duty trash bag, and wash the box with detergent and hot water. Do not add more litter until the box has completely dried.

Caring for a new cat requires a great sense of responsibility. You will be charged with making sure the litter box is fresh and changed regularly. Be mindful of when your cat uses it, and you will know when to change it.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on pet supplies and cat supplies.

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Cat Training - Can It Cure Litter Box Problems?

Cat training-can it cure litter box problems? Most cat lovers will tell you that a cat not using its litter tray is probably the biggest problem it can give its owner.

This ranks way ahead of scratching, biting and the many other aspects of cat misbehaviour. If a cat stops using its litter tray and the problem goes unnoticed or ignored for just a short while, it soon manifests itself in the most pungent and unpleasant way.

Nobody wants their home smell of a large cat litter tray.

So what is the best way to approach this highly odorous problem?

Cat training.

Health

The first and most important thing you must do is to make sure your cat is not suffering from a health problem. There are several medical conditions that can cause cats to stop using their litter tray.

They include bladder irritation or infection, diarrhea or diabetes among others, so it is vital that you seek a vet's opinion as soon as possible.

The sooner you find the causes for your cat's behaviour, the easier it will be for you to train it to use its litter tray correctly.

Once this has been done and a health problem has been ruled out, the next thing is to find out what is reason causing your pet to stop using its litter tray. This is where the detective work comes in.

A common cause of litter tray avoidance is stress.

The causes of stress come in many forms.

The most common cause of stress is moving house.

A recent article in a national newspaper reported that the stress of moving house can produce the feeling of aging between two and four years to a human. It ranks as one of the most stressful things we do in our lives. And the same applies to cats.

They are suddenly taken from their comfortable and safe home to a totally strange environment where all their familiar landmarks have disappeared.

Some cats will be so stressed with the move they may hide away in some dark place where they feel safe, or worse, try to escape and return to their old home

. Nobody can consider staying in the same house just to satisfy their pet cat, But careful considerate steps can be taken to ease the cats stress when a move is undertaken.

Moving and rearranging your furniture can bring the same disorientation. Cats will mark their territory with pheromones that are undetectable to humans

. Once theses have been removed, their comfort zone has disappeared.

Careful cat training can ease your pet's distress and get it back in the habit of using its litter tray

. Another cause for your cats stress could be a bereavement.

The debate as to whether cats, or any animals, can grieve is still on going.

But the sudden absence of a much loved and familiar face will confuse your cat. As the rest of the family grieve the cat will pick up on the change of people's behaviour, and may feel confused. This again is stressful to your cat and may affect its litter behaviour.

The death of a companion pet could also affect your cat and cause stress Are you using the right cat litter for your pet?

Another reason your pet cat has stopped using its litter tray, could be the litter its self.

You will be aware that there are many types of cat litter on the market.

Sand type, wood chip, clay type and more. As a rule it is best to avoid scented litter. Most cats do not seem to like it, but there are always exceptions to the rule.

The main thing is, once you have found the type of litter your cat likes, stick with it. Cats are very picky when it comes to their toilet. A sudden change of litter could mean some unpleasant mess and odours for you to deal with.

There are many more reasons why a cat would stop using its litter tray. But with careful cat training, these and the many other problems your cat may be suffering from can be over come.

It is not possible to shield your cat from every stress inducing situations, but cat training will help it cope with day to day problems

Barry Robinson is a life long cat lover and internet reviewer.
To learn more click on http://www.cattrainingsecrets.weebly.com/

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Cat litter box furniture - hide the litter box with beautiful litter box cabinets

Cats are the most popular pets in the United States. Therefore, there are cats in many households.

In other words, there is litter boxes in many households, and this can be a problem.

I remember my cat when I for the first time. I lived in a small apartment, and the places to put the cat-box were very limited. I wanted it in the living room and dining room. If I it in the kitchen (yuck!), I would have to skip, it was a small galley kitchen.

I ended up put it in the bathroom, of course, but that meant that I step on it every time I stepped meant into or out of the shower, and that that every time I took a shower once I joined I cat litter on your feet clean had. Oh, well. I loved my cat and I did the best, what, I could.

I have found that other people to have this problem. In contrast to me, they came with better solutions than if you wash the feet of me twice. They built a litter to hide box furniture field cat in the normal sight. You can use a litter tray Cabinet the cat box in the living room, bedroom, or anywhere you want a beautiful piece of furniture. No one will know that it a litter tray Cabinet, when they see the cat, the a - and jump.

The designs can go to hide cupboards exceptionally large pieces of furniture with sections of the cat litter from simple wood and hide other areas toys etc the litter, Kitty. Some are even with glass Windows, so that you would put it, because it looks so good in the living room or your bedroom.

If you like me, you with where to fight field cat, but your cat is loved and were ready to put up with almost everything for your four-legged friend, a litter box may be the answer to find Cabinet. Ranging laminate from the pasture to fine wooden cabinets, but the most important is that they keep your floor (and your feet) the litter and prevent that the "cat in the field of smell" smell your home.

If you want to have nice furniture in your home, why not a nice piece of furniture to get the the litter box, and then can hide place whatever you want on Barack-images, statues, what you would normally with supplement. In this way, you and your cat will live happily together.

Dawn Scott loves her cat and not how increasingly in cat litter. As you can find cats everywhere cat litter box furniture in cats.

Improve your life with litter box cabinets.

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Reasons why an old cat outside the litter box is pissing

Are there some things, that more than frustrating, if a cat that previously was the litter box is suddenly very happy with shared and urinating around the House. Sometimes older cats can stop to use that after a lifetime of House is trained. However in General is there a good reason, and generally the problem can be solved with a little patience and understanding.

One of the most common reasons for an older cat, who refused to use the litter box is urinary tract infection (UTI). This makes it difficult for your cat to urinate and causes him pain and discomfort. Often, the cat will associate the pain the litter box and will try to go to find in the hope that it will not harm somewhere else. A cat with a UTI must urinate much more urgent, so may not always within reach of the field.

Signs of a UTI are obvious pain and discomfort on urination, try to frequently urinate, circles and scrape for a long time before actually squat and only a small amount of urine produced, at a time. Course of infection urine can a pink tinge, or be very concentrated. If you suspect that your cat can have a UTI, take him to the vet as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics, the infection should disable, and your cat then completely House once more trained.

An older cat may also refuse to use the litter box when he developed arthritis. If his limbs is impaired, may it difficult or painful to jump and from the litter box and how to find somewhere more accessible instead. Signs that your cat has arthritis include stiffness and signs of pain in the go to jump on higher land reserve and restraint to be taken. Your veterinarian will be medication to relieve the symptoms of arthritis and control the complaints to prescribe. You could give one side also your cat with a lower more easily for him, is in and out is.

A change in your cat routine might also be the cause. This is an important change, such as a House move or a new baby or a much smaller change such as a reorganization of the furniture. Cats are very much creatures of habit and changes to his routine one can very much stress him. You need to give him much to reassure and help him to create a new routine. Make sure that he knows where the litter box, and praise him when he comes to use it. If you also have a new to the budget, such as a new cat or dog, make sure is your older cat litter box somewhere privately placed. Cats need each, preferably in their own private room usually a field.

Older cats can suffer from dementia, it is possible that he may simply forget where is its litter box or how to use it. Signs of feline dementia include excessive meowing for no reason, especially during the night, and a lack of awareness, from where he is. He can also display as walking around in a circle or a restraint, leave alone. Sadly, there is no cure for feline dementia, although there are drugs that can slow down the process. You will simply have to learn to live. Try to place the litter box in the spots tend to urinate your cat. There may be additional one or two to do this, useful.

Hopefully this article will help you piss the problem of your older cat around the House and rebuild your relationship with him.

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The litter boxes per cat

When it comes to own your cat, it is important to ensure that your cat is happy with the environment in which they live. One of the most important aspects that must be considered whether cat has you is enough litter boxes, to satisfied too. If they are not happy, this can cause complications to cat box and proceed with your cat, your House as their bathroom to instead use the. Here are some things that you should be aware, if you select as many boxes, you should have.

Many cats may not urinate and defecate in the same place. For this reason it is important, a litter box per cat and then an extra to do it yourself to a different location, their business to go. Also, this may help in the event that your cat has not one of the places like where it is and allows your cat to the bathroom in a different location. If your cat seems not like the places that you currently have, try, and put it in an area that is has quiet, and the little traffic.

Depending on where you live, you need one or two stories, or maybe more. It is important that you keep at least one cat box on each floor. This cat gives an outlet, if they are quite far from their normal litter tray and prevent that with your carpet instead.

In addition to the number of cats you have per litter box, are to recall some important things, not the litter or the location of which changes a field after you have it. Cats may not change, and if they not like the change that is made, will they stop, the litter box and go to the bathroom in other places. The choice of the correct cat litter is also very important, because cats have very sensitive paws, grained also, she usually like cat litter is in order.

These are some of the most important things that should be considered when the decide you should how many litter fields but if you find that this so long use their litter box not for you, like your cat, that is all that matters. But in the end, that these tips will not help, see your cat, use the litter box, it could be a good idea to talk to your veterinarian or an other professional.

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The scoop on cat litter

There are so many types of litter may be available in pet stores today, completely overwhelming it, trying to choose between them! You are confused about which you should use, cat litter? Continue reading...

Cat litter is a variety of features, and here is a list of the most important aspects of shopping the litter: broken down and criticized for your convenience!

Compared to non-clumping clumping:

Grouping cat waste

Clumping form is best for most owners lifestyles because for daily removal of urine from the litter box allows it. Clumping types can you monitor, volume and frequency of your cat urinates, and as a cat owner is this important to note because urine certain habits can be indicative of health issues. Roll media non-clumping makes it much more difficult problems to watch as they arise.

Non-clumping cat litter

Non-clumping cat litter means that either excessive waste is emptied every day the whole content or, Alternatively, this means that the smell of ammonia and feces strengthens all week in the litter box until it is emptied on the weekend.

The only non-clumping type that prevents the smell, is silica Crystal litter more on, that one further down!

Scented with unscented:

Scented litter

Scented litter means generally more chemicals, and while it can mean a more pleasant smell as the owner for you, it is unpleasant almost certainly for your cat be and in addition the chemicals will be taken of them, while self grooming (lick and swallow litter dust agreed on their coat, while using the litter box).

The exception to the rule of the scented cat litter are contaminated, that usual natural fragrances - include such as pine throws and litters, the Cedar flakes this cat.

Unscented litter

Eliminate chemically scented litters of types, those that you are under selection, and this further narrows the selection. If litter boxes are properly managed, there is no need for scented litter.

Dust-free cat litter

Dust-free cat litter is important for cats and owners - especially for those who suffer from allergies, or other respiratory problems or asthma... Unfortunately, it seems not to such a company as one are 100% dust free cat litter to a throw at this point in time – especially when searching all other desirable qualities as well. That said, two types of waste, which deserve praise for be (relatively) free of dust and not tracking: pine litters (several brands available) and of the Purina, what uses paper recycling of yesterday news. The catch is that this cat litters are non-clumping. Cat attract cat litter of precious cat litters, is one of the most dust-free clumping litters, personally I could find in my own quest.

Clay litter substrate when compared to alternative:

Clay litter

Cat litter - granulated, absorbent clay - was invented in the 1940s by a man named Ed Lowe, and then it was not until the 1980s that clumping clay cat, the litters have been developed. Grouping cat litters contain bentonite clay (or silica), which are called inert substances, the cats not damage; often There is some controversy about whether this is entirely true. Clay clumping litters are relatively well have odor control in the rule and are easy to draw. They are not Flushable, but most "natural", depending on which elements they contained.

Alternative substrate litters

Today there are with a variety of cat litters, that alternative substrates such as paper, pine, wheat, maize, silica and so on. Corn litters are natural, Flushable and biodegradable. They have slightly less effective odor control in comparison with clay litters, but they make decent urine clumps. Pine litters are non clumping, have good odor control, not easily monitor and natural, Flushable and biodegradable. Wheat throws are also natural and Flushable biodegradable. Depending on the brand wheat can throws relative to the most sound clumping litters easily mushier' urine clumps form.

Rudeness of cat litter when compared to tracking qualities:

Most cats prefer grain cat litter much more rough makes of cat litter and with good reason... Coarse cat litter is uncomfortable on with bare feet to increase, if it is embedded in a carpet, let alone because walking on a total surface of it, has much less give! Most cats prefer fine grain sound roll of coarse clay litter, paper pellets, pine pellets and silica. Silica cat litter crystals are particularly large, rough and angle, which is to use a very unpleasant substrate, particularly those with arthritis, obesity, poorly done declaws for cats, declaw Neurinoma and Pododermitis problems.

Unfortunately, correlated particle size of the litter, more than often not with how easy the litter around the House is tracked! The key here is, opt for the fine litter, but make sure that you are well prepared to prevent that excessive roll tracking with the litter mats, that more than other preventive measures will help in this Department, can take you!

Ultimately your Kitty is the one who should choose their litter substrate, because it is advisable to avoid problems of urine and/or bowel movements before they have even a chance to occur.

Information provided in this article is purely an educational documentary value. It is not a substitute for the advice and support by your veterinarian, nor be medical diagnosis or treatment. Any questions concerning your cat health should be discussed with your veterinarian.

More Dr. ko's article to read, please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com/

Dr. Ko is a passionate believer in the importance of preventive medicine and teach cat owners about its benefits for their cats. It was this ideal, which was the motivation for the creation of the website of Dr. Ko.

catdoctorko.com is dedicated to a brand new website, the cat owners with information, so that they can provide effective and preventive health care for your cats. Within the site, Dr. Ko, a licensed veterinarian, Know-How-videos, cat health articles, questions has Ko Dr. tips (in which she answered your cat health questions), information on toxic substances created recalls, dangerous household items and much more! In addition houses the website a store filled with products, specially selected for their benefits to optimize your cat quality of life!

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Maintenance of do's and Don'ts of the litter box

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Q: What kind of litter should I use?

A: There are so many types of litter available in pet stores today that it can be overwhelming when trying to decide what to pick off of the shelf!

Clumping litter is almost always the best choice (save for certain medical situations such as a paw laceration) because it allows for daily removal of urine from the box. Non-clumping litter means that either there is excessive waste of litter when the entire contents are emptied every day, or alternatively, it means that the smell of ammonia and urine strengthens throughout the week until it is finally emptied. The only non-clumping litter that prevents ammonia odor buildup is silica crystal litter, but silica litter is not recommended since the the crystals are hard and sharp, creating an unpleasant surface for to walk on.

Clumping litter also allows you to monitor the volume and frequency of your cat's urination, and as a cat owner this very important to note since particular urine habit changes can be indicative of serious health issues. Non-clumping litter disguises cats' urine habits and makes it far more difficult to notice problems when they arise.

Two types of non-clumping litter that do deserve kudos for being (relatively) dust-free and non-tracking are pine litter (multiple brands available) and Yesterday's News made by Purina, made with recycled newspapers. These non-clumping litters play an important role for kitties that have healing wounds on their extremities since they are generally too large for pieces of litter to get stuck in and contaminate open wounds.

Eliminate scented litters from the types you are choosing amongst, and this further narrows your selection. Scented litter means more chemicals, and while it might mean a more pleasant odor for us as owners, it is almost sure to be unpleasant to our cats, and they end up ingesting the chemicals when grooming themselves later, licking the litter dust particles that settled onto their coats while in the litter box. Additionally, scented litters are not necessary; when litter boxes are properly maintained, there should not be any significant odors present that require masking.

Q: How often do I need to empty the litter box?

A: Clumping litter is the most hygienic and practical litter type that exists. Maintenance is minimal if you are diligent about daily scooping. The litter substrate remains nice and fresh, and the litter can simply be topped up once weekly to maintain an appropriate volume inside the box. Litter should be kept at least several inches deep to allow cats a satisfactory substrate in which they can dig and bury their movements. Maintaining a good depth in the box at all times also means that the bottom and sides of the container will remain relatively clean since they will have little to no contact with urine and feces. Once per month the entire litter box can be emptied and cleaned with an unscented, gentle soap and warm water. Once the box is completely dry it can be refilled with fresh litter.

Boxes filled with non-clumping litter need to be emptied daily in order to avoid the unpleasant buildup of ammonia odor and feces.

Q: How many litter boxes do I need?

A: The "Golden Rule" is that the number of litter boxes needed is 'n + 1.' The 'n' stands for the number of cats who live in the home, so the number of litter boxes needed is the number of cats you have plus one extra.

Cats are not always willing to share their amenities, even if they have lived in the same home with multiple kitties their entire lives! Just because two cats use the same litter box does not necessarily mean that they are 'comfortable' doing so; it is simply the best option that they have available to them and so they make do with what they have.

Additionally, some cats who are forced to share their bathrooms experience real distress, not just mild discomfort from the suboptimal situation. It's not uncommon for dominant cats within multi-cat households to guard litter boxes and ambush kitties who are lower in the social hierarchy as they exit their litter boxes. Cats who experience frightening, stressful, or painful situations correlated with litter box use are prone to start eliminating outside of their litter boxes as they attempt to avoid the same adverse situations from reoccurring. Having an extra box present means that there will always be at least one bathroom freely available that will not be guarded.

It's also important to remember that by requiring our cats to repeatedly use the same space for elimination (let alone requiring them to share that space with other cats!), we are already requesting a significant sacrifice from our felines. They would not naturally eliminate in the same place so repeatedly if they were outdoor or feral cats.

Along similar lines, the reason for having more than one litter box for single cats allows them to enjoy having their options; many cats prefer to have one box for urinating, and another one entirely for passing bowel movements. They don't want to use the same space for both which is why 'n + 1' holds true even for single cat households.

Q: What kind of litter box should I get? Covered? Uncovered? Deep sided? Small, large, extra-large?

A: The best litter box is the roomiest one that you can find and fit within your household!

Most commercial options that are available, even the extra-large sized models, are still too small! The average litter box allows one cat to fit inside it and turn around within its confines, similar to human porta potties. And if you stop to think about it, comparing litter boxes to porta potties is a rather accurate analogy, and should provide the right kind of motivation needed to improve on our cats' "elimination situations!"

Imagine being a cat who has to run into the same washroom where another cat just went -- there are old urine clumps and bowel movements present that create an odiferous environment and our noses are nowhere near as sensitive as our cats' noses are! It's no wonder that (non-medical) inappropriate elimination is such a common problem - how many people prefer to find their own clean location in the woods somewhere rather than using porta potties? Sometimes cats end up resorting to the same behavior when they use laundry piles as surrogate litter boxes!

Litter boxes should allow your cat to be comfortable while they are doing their cat business: generous in size, shallow side-wall depth, and easy to enter and exit.

While covered boxes do prevent some scatter, most cats prefer non-covered versions because they instinctively wish to be able to look around and ensure their safety before adapting a vulnerable position as they must in order to complete their task(s) at hand. Covered litter boxes are more cramped and obstruct cats' views: cats in covered boxes are unable to see their surroundings and check for people or other pets walking by, and they also impair their ability to hear others coming as well. Covered litter boxes are particularly uncomfortable for older, arthritic cats, overweight cats, and large cats. They tend to have very deep sides, so the entrance is more difficult to step in and out of. Some covered litter boxes also come with door flaps, and these should absolutely not be used. Cats should not have to work in order to access their bathrooms, and they definitely don't like being smacked by the door flap in the rump as they push their way through the entryway. Door flaps can cause cats to quickly develop aversions to using the corresponding litter boxes.

Rimmed litter boxes are uncovered litter boxes that have separate plastic rims which snap onto their tops, securing pet litter liners in place, and helping to minimize litter scatter. Rimmed litter boxes are far from ideal because while they may help prevent a small percentage of litter scatter, they also decrease the amount of room available to cats in which they can maneuver, and they also detract from litter box accessibility since cats must step over much wider rims when entering the boxes compared with regular models.

The less comfortable a cat is with their litter box situation, and the more difficulty they encounter when using their bathroom, the more time they actually spend inside of them. Cats with cramped litter boxes spend extra time digging to make satisfactory holes for their elimination and, similarly, they try just as hard to find ways to cover their movements properly. So, ironically, many litter box systems developed to try and decrease litter scatter actually increase the overall amounts of scatter created! Comfortable litter boxes result in much less litter box activity altogether... which translates into less scatter!

The product that I have found that works best and keeps both cats and owners happiest is actually the 'under-the-bed-storage-bin' which can function as an extra-long, shallow, regular width (relative to commercial options), roomy "litter box." Under the bed storage bins are made by Sterilite and Rubbermaid and can be found at most Walmarts, Zellers, Canadian Tires, and many other stores, for approximately the same prices as regular litter boxes.

Q: Where should my litter box(es) be placed?

A: Below is a list of criteria detailing where you should avoid placing litter boxes. Do NOT locate litter boxes by:

Noisy machines like laundry washers, dryers, garborators and dish-washers

Food and water bowls (cats do not want to eat and drink where they urinate and defecate, just like humans!)

High-traffic areas like doorways and landings (cats prefer a bit of peace and quiet when using the loo, and if they are ever scared or startled by passers-by, they can develop aversions to the litter box and its location)

Cramped corners (although we may want to hide the unsightly litter box, cats prefer to have good visibility when doing their business)

Children's play areas (keeping kitty waste and children's toys away from each other keeps everyone happy!)

The kitchen area (even the best litter box set up will have some slight smells in the immediate post-use phase, and you don't want to be wondering why your cuisine always tastes better than it smells)

If you have multiple levels in your home, do not isolate the litter box(es) to the basement - there should be an easily accessible box on each level of the home, especially if there is a geriatric cat, or if there are more than one cat in the household (if litter boxes are located together, then one cat can guard access to them, or ambush another cat using them)

When the unsightliness of litter is an issue that is preventing one from being located on a particular level, although covered options are not considered ideal, there are litter box-containing constructs that still allow for large, shallow litter boxes to be placed inside and also function as esthetically pleasing furniture pieces.

Q: How do I prevent litter from tracking everywhere?

A: There is no magical method here unfortunately, but the following are some very useful tips:

PetMate The Litter Catcher Mat (46"x32") - this mat covers a large surface area, is extremely efficient at trapping litter, is soft and flexible on cats' paws and is easily shaken out for cleaning - avoid hard plastic, ridged litter mats that are unpleasant on cats' paws to walk over.

Keep a hand broom and dust pan or a small handheld vacuum nearby for escapee particles!

Keep the litter level a couple inches below edge of the litter box

Purchase low-tracking litter substrate

Q: What about litter liners?

A: Cats do not like litter liners, so it is best not to use them. Simply keep the depth of litter adequate and scoop frequently enough that the bottom and sides of the litter box stay clean.

Q: My litter is advertised as 'biodegradable' - can I compost the cat litter?

A: Yes, you can compost your cat litter. However, it's not recommended that you use the compost of carnivores to fertilize vegetable gardens, because of the variety of pathogenic microbes that their excrement can contain. Cat litter should be composted separately from your kitchen compost. PC Green cat litter is a popular eco-friendly, clumping, absorbent product that works well for composting owners.

Q: My cat litter is advertised as 'flushable' - should I flush it?

A: It's best if your litter can be composted rather than using 6 to 18 litres of water to send the litter somewhere else for composting. However, if you cannot compost the litter, then simply throwing it away is the next best option, since it will biodegrade in landfills as well.

Q: I've heard that cats can be toilet trained, and that using a litter box isn't even necessary. Is toilet training my cat a good idea?

A: While it sounds like a very appealing idea to not have to take care of the litter box, toilet training cats is not a good idea. Healthy, happy cats are those that are permitted expression of as many of their natural behaviors on a daily basis as possible. Eliminating a cat's ability to dig comfortably in a substrate in which they can urinate or defecate would substantially reduce their quality of life. Requiring a cat to balance on a slippery toilet rim multiple times per day would be a significant stressor to them, and this task would become more and more difficult and uncomfortable with age and the onset of arthritis and muscle wasting.

While training cats to do other tricks is a good idea and can enhance their quality of life by providing mental stimulation, when it comes to kitties' bathroom habits, it's best to provide them with a great litter box setup, and reserve the toilet for human use only!

To read more of Dr. Ko's articles, please visit www.catdoctorko.com

The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat's health should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Dr. Ko is a passionate believer in the importance of preventative medicine and educating cat owners about its benefits for their cats. It was this ideal which was the motivation for the creation of the Dr. Ko website.

catdoctorko.com is a brand new site dedicated to providing cat owners with information to help them provide effective and preventative health care for their cats. Within the site, Dr. Ko, a licensed veterinarian, has created Know-How Videos, Cat Health Articles, Ask Dr. Ko tips (in which she answers your cat health questions), information on toxic substances, product recalls, dangerous household items and much more! In addition, the website houses a store filled with products specifically selected for their benefits to optimizing your cat's quality of life!

All of the topics that Dr. Ko writes about are provided by members of her website. To suggest an article topic for Dr. Ko, please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com/ and set up a membership - it's fast and free!

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Improve how green tea cat litter

Immerse yourself in the many green tea used, it was a real surprise to find cat litter on the list. How in the world, this can be useful and it can actually offers an improvement? What can cause the bacteria that creates odor problem and bacteria, the to health problems? These are the serious help require.

Fortunately, there is a solution to these problems. With a natural wood based litter with green tea, the answer is leaves. The combination of wood and green tea quells the growth of bacteria. Not only is this act as a highly effective deodorant in the cat, it creates a healthier environment for your pet. Know anyone who can appreciate the importance of heavy odor control a cat. There is nothing more uncomfortable than a disgusting smell. The majority of the clay-based litter is no good work in this area.

Most of the available roll is the clumping clay-based variety. Unfortunately, most contain these products, materials and chemicals that are unhealthy for cats and their human friends. Although scoopable litter can be comfortable, it is actually the material that enables the lump which can be a real health hazard. Numerous articles have written about the potential dangers in your cat; Changing the roll offers a simple solution for the possibility of the devastating health issues.

This type of litter clumping is also unfriendly to toilets; Constipation is a common problem with this litter is cleared. Most of these litters are non-biodegradable and create a huge problem for landfill sites. Because green tea cat litter is biodegradable, it completely eliminates composting of litter at home.

For pets urinary tract infection problems vulnerable this litter green tea is. We know that cats licking their paws after using the cat box. With this natural litter, the bacteria on their paws has been significantly reduced; other litter can seriously exacerbate urinary problems. Dust particles are another issue with the most litter. If the dust particles enter the lungs major health problems. This is definitely a problem for cats with asthma.

Pet owners are delighted also to learn that this natural litter is small lumps that can be flushed without damage to the bathroom. For some consumers, this is a great convenience.

The antioxidants in green tea are the reason why, is to do so effective it major improvements. Reduction of odour, bacteria and dust provides a healthier environment for cats and people. It is very absorbent, so that it will take approximately twice as long as the sound-based litter. When you consider the odor control and the health issues that fixed are suppressed by bacteria, green tea cat litter is an excellent choice and is truly one of the best cat litter products available.

Learn more about these amazing cat litter and other cat products

Mel Otero, management in the mortgage was banking and title insurance industry for over 25 years. She started websites and articles provide information, resources and inspiration during this difficult economy written. She loves to write it, learn and exchange experiences and information. Constantly exploring and searching for useful tools, the ultimate goal makes a positive difference in life. Learn, how you enjoy some simple things in life - like a good cup of tea - simplifies printing during stressful times. Always seeking new tea recipes and facts, tea, this information may be released then.

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Automatic litter box reviews - benefits and challenges of automatic litter box for cats

What are the benefits have an automatic litter box for cats? Many cat owners owning one of this pet companion tools are familiar not really with the concept, and they are often left in the dark of what is good by have a litter box car for you and use your cat can be had.

Yes, it's true, you can quite a good set of use if you have one of those things, but of course these are balanced with some challenges or disadvantages. But for the most part the top win the battles, as it is a known fact, that the cat can maintenance be pretty difficult. An automatic litter box gives you exactly what you need make your life easier and more fulfilling and rewarding to care for your cat.

Benefits and challenges of automatic litter box for cats

The main advantage of owning car litter box, is the fact that it will do all the work for you, of course. So many people complaining how difficult it is, take care of a cat, because they then clean it after would, but with a cat box like this, this particular problem can be eliminated. You go from your House and go put on your tasks without a care, whether the area is clean or is full of cat litter.

But not fool you as there are also a challenged have an automatic box for cats involved. Because they are run by different mechanisms that make possible the self-cleaning function, can jam and an even greater measuring mechanical problems with the parts can lead. An unexpected problem with the mechanisms may be the cat field to an even greater problem than simply having to clean after your cat to create.

As all this, will receive even a much-needed automatic cat box for all cat owners, but still highly recommended since it them better care of their cats helps without elaborate so much time and effort. At the end of the day the car litter box is to the every cat owner erleichtern-and with great service and high-quality health care, the cat-box should life able, correctly and consistently, without you lose more sleep over cat-litter maintenance and bad odor of stinky paddle of cat urine.

Cat owners must simply ensure that you choose the best litter box you can set for your cats. This means to find their own research and views of various types and versions, which is ideal for your cats. Find by knowing what to look for and what styles to prioritize, this is much easier and simpler best and the most practical automatic litter box.

Is by far the best automatic litter box for cats? Learn more in our last comparison and analysis on car check small box. It's all here: automatic cat litter box reviews

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