Cats are born with an innate sense for cleanliness. They groom themselves, rarely get knots in their fur, and don't need to be potty trained. From a young age, domestic cats know to use a litter box - unlike puppies, which require weeks of house training before they learn to go outside. If you're tired of scooping out smelly cat poop, invest in a self-cleaning litter box.
Kitty Cats and Their Litter Boxes: Top Essential FAQs
1 - Do Cats Instinctively Know How to Use a Litter Box?
Cats are naturally clean and tend to avoid soiling their backs, heads, and stomachs, where their highly developed scent glands are located. They will often choose to defecate in the corner of the box so that they're facing away from their waste when they pass feces.
In general, cats are instinctively drawn to a litter box. If your kitten is not using a litter box, you may need to provide more than one box - or one that's easier to access. Remember, kittens do not have fully-developed motor skills and are likely to struggle when trying to jump into a tall litter box.
2 - What Are the Reasons Some Cats Don't Use Litter Boxes?
Litter-box aversion can have a number of causes, ranging from environmental factors to medical problems. For starters, the litter box itself may be too smelly, the litter may be the wrong type or the wrong size, or it may simply be in the wrong position.
If you've recently added a new cat to the household, your resident cat might react negatively by eliminating outside the box while waiting for the novelty to wear off. Another common reason for litter-box aversion is that the box is not dirty enough. Cats are very fastidious and will avoid using a litter box if the poop is not completely buried.
Be sure to scoop the poop out of the box at least once a day. If your cat is experiencing pain or discomfort or stops using the box, she may suffer from a urinary tract infection or a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It's important to seek veterinary attention if you think your cat may be experiencing pain.
3 - How Can You Choose Good Cat Litter?
In most cases, cats will use any type of litter, but there are a few things you should be aware of. If you're going to buy a traditional clay litter, look for one that is unscented, and look out for those with additives, such as baking soda, clumping agents, or perfumes.
These may be harmful to kittens and older cats. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, you may want to choose a non-clay, biodegradable litter, or even a litter made from recycled newspaper.
If your cat has a sensitive nose, she might not like scented litter - though not all scents bother a cat. If you do end up with a litter that makes your cat sneeze, try to find one that is unscented or covered with a lavender scent.
4 - What Are Some Other Options for Litter?
If your cat is fastidious and has a very sensitive nose, you might want to choose a biodegradable litter or one made from recycled paper. The latter is commonly marketed as "natural," although it contains chemicals that help with odor control. If you prefer a natural litter, you might consider one made from crushed walnut shells or other natural materials.
Conclusion
Kitty cats are easy pets to keep, and their litter boxes can be easily maintained. It's important to choose the right kind of litter box and the right kind of litter.
If you're looking for an affordable, high-quality litter box, look no further. Maggie's Pet Boutique offers a wide range of cat litter boxes and cat litter products at affordable prices.
