Let’s Talk Litter!

There is A LOT to talk about when it comes to litter. How many boxes do I need? What type of litter is best for my kitty? Where should I put the litter box? What should I clean the box with? Don’t worry! I’m here to help!

Through many years of cat ownership and having countless discussions with my clients, I’ve learned that most kitties have the same basic needs when it comes to their litter box preferences. Although your kitty may prefer a different texture than mine, the tricks and tips I will share here are universal in the world of cats. So, let’s get to it!

First and foremost, your cat is basically a wild animal that you have asked to live in your house. Cats are much less domesticated than dogs, so you have to “think like a cat” when it comes to just about everything that they do! Cats are territorial in nature, they mark their territory with their urine, facial pheromones, and the scent glands in their paws. For this article, we will only discuss territorial marking with their urine and paws. A cat in the wild travels daily, making sure his scent is as fresh as possible where ever he goes. This need to have their scent in a wide area manifests itself in your house as multiple litter boxes. How many you ask? The Golden Rule for the number of litter boxes is ONE per cat, PLUS one. I know that may sound like a lot of litter boxes, however, this is the key in keeping your kitties happy.

The next thing to consider is location. Where you place the litter boxes is just as important as the number of boxes. One thing to consider is privacy. This may sound silly, however, your kitty is vulnerable while doing his business, so you want to be sure he feels safe. The boxes should be out of the way of busy foot traffic and other noisy pets. This doesn’t mean you should put the litter box in the basement. If your kitty likes the basement, that is perfectly fine. However, it shouldn’t be his only option. Also, keep in mind, his food and water should be in a separate location. I know I wouldn’t want to eat in the bathroom!

Lid or no lid? Again, let’s think like a cat here. Would you want a lid over your toilet? Probably not. Lids only serve to keep in odors and dust, which is for our benefit, not the kitties. Having a lid on your litter boxes, traps in dust, which your kitty in turn breathes in every time they go potty. So lets keep our litter boxes topless, shall we? Your cat will thank you!

The type of litter you use is just as important as the other factors. Absolutely NO CLAY litter please. Clay litter is the dustiest thing on the planet. Your kitty breathes in millions of tiny particles of clay that can lead to respiratory problems including sneezing, coughing, breathing problems, asthma, or bronchitis. Many clay litters also contain silica, a chemical compound that’s considered a carcinogen when inhaled. There are many safe options available such as pine, paper, wheat, coconut coir, and corn-based. My personal favorite, World’s Best Unscented Cat Litter. All of these options are eco-friendly, normally made from recycled products.

Speaking of unscented, let’s talk about scented litter. Again, scented litter was made for the benefit of humans, not your cat. Most scents are irritating to cat’s sensitive nasal passages, and may cause allergies or skin irritations. You want to be sure to use only unscented cat litter for your kitties.

Next, I’d like to talk about cleaning your litter box. Depending on the number of kitties you have, you should scoop your litter boxes one to two times per day. Once per month, dump the entire contents and refill with clean litter. Remember how I said cats mark with the scent glands in their paws? Every time they cover their urine or feces, their paws release chemicals in the litter box. They intentionally mark their litter box, and they prefer to keep it marked. If you clean the box with a strong chemical like bleach or vinegar, it will erase their scent and next time they go to that box, they won’t feel as secure. To keep kitty happy, only clean your litter box with hot soap and water, and rinse will.

The size of the litter box is also something you should consider. It should be large enough so that your kitty can easily turn around. Most of the litter boxes sold at pet stores are honestly pretty small. It may work for your kitten, but you will end up buying a larger one. My favorite trick is to use clear storage bins you can buy at Target or a similar store. You won’t need the lid! These work very well, especially for larger kitties.

If you have any questions regarding your kitty and litter, please feel free to reach out to me on Facebook, Instagram, or email!