Cat Litter Boxes
Being a cat owner (Ginger and China), it is only right that pet tech, pet toys, first post is on a topic that concerns every cat owner;- cat litter boxes.
How many Litter Boxes?
I had noticed recently that any time China would go to use the litter box, Ginger would pounce and attack her.
So how many litter boxes does a cat need?
Some cat owners use the formula, " X cats + 1 = minimum no. of litter boxes."
Cats are finicky creatures and some don't mind sharing as long as the litter box is kept clean. Some cats require one litter box for liquid waste and one for solid waste. What has worked for me is two separate litter boxes, one for each cat. In conclusion there is no hard and fast rule for the no. of boxes you should have as it will depend on your cats temperament. You might also want to bear in mind that senior cats have memory and mobility problems that will necessitate additional litter boxes. The size and structure of your home will also be a factor (multilevel, etc.)
Litter box positioning
Cats like a quiet, secluded protected area to use their litter box. Most of us place litter boxes in places that are convenient for us rather than for the cat. Do not place the litter box in the laundry room, as it is too noisy and hectic. Cats would prefer low traffic areas, like in the rear of a closet, in a bathroom (depending on # in the household # bathrooms etc), or in a guest room.
The litter box should not be near the cat food. (How would you like it?). Bear in mind the condition of the cat and house size, as mentioned under "How many litter boxes". Young , or "scaredy cats" will probably require the litter box to be in the same room they are kept in due to memory/learning curve, and timidity.
Types of litter boxes.
There are three types of litter boxes. The unhooded litter box, the hooded litter box, and the self cleaning litter box.
The unhooded box.
Plain open litter boxes are the most widespread. These originated as wooden sand boxes and have developed to the plastic tray-like boxes of today. Some cat owners use plastic storage containers for this purpose. The main points to remember is that they cannot be to large or too small for your cat(s). Age and size will be the main determining factor in how tall or deep you wish it too be , and of course for Garfield, how wide!
Pros. Cheap, versatile.
Cons. Odor, messy.
The hooded box.
Hooded cat litter boxes are essentially conventional boxes with a cover. Some will have apertures or doors for the cat to gain access to them.
Pros. Odor control (for humans). Limited Litter spills. Litter and waste out of view.
Cons. Space;- a)this can be a tactical trap if there is more than one cat; b)cats movement is restricted and often will end up stepping in own mess; c)takes up more volume than unhooded box. The next two, while being pros for us can be cons for the cat. Odor, and dust will be entrapped and may lead to an unhappy cat. As the litter and waste is out of view, there is a tendency for hooded litters to be cleaned less often.
Self - cleaning or automatic litter box.
Self cleaning litter boxes are litter boxes equiped with a self cleaning mechanism. This mechanism will vary from device. Generally, the litter box has sensors to detect when a cat has used the box. It will then either flush, comb out or sift the litter into disposable containers.
Pros. Similar to hooded box. Clean litter everytime for cat. Less labor intensive (some need cleaning once in two weeks).
Cons. Space. Initial cost expensive which can be prohibitive, if you have more than one cats. Recurring costs, whether special granules, disposable containers, filters etc. Adjustability to particular cat (mechanism noise). Initial setup can take upto an hour or more.
New technologies.
The alternative to cat litter boxes is the toilet trained cat. There are a couple of products available that do this. The bottom line is that after a period of time, your cat will be using the toilet. If you have several cats, this should be an interesting process to watch! Once done however, no more cleaning; no more odors; no more cat litter purchases; (disclaimer:-in a perfect world). This alternative holds particular interest for me as Ginger will only drink water out of one receptacle;- the toilet!!
Pet technologies and toys will be reviewing individual cat litter boxes and their alternatives
in the future.
Being a cat owner (Ginger and China), it is only right that pet tech, pet toys, first post is on a topic that concerns every cat owner;- cat litter boxes.
How many Litter Boxes?
I had noticed recently that any time China would go to use the litter box, Ginger would pounce and attack her.
So how many litter boxes does a cat need?
Some cat owners use the formula, " X cats + 1 = minimum no. of litter boxes."
Cats are finicky creatures and some don't mind sharing as long as the litter box is kept clean. Some cats require one litter box for liquid waste and one for solid waste. What has worked for me is two separate litter boxes, one for each cat. In conclusion there is no hard and fast rule for the no. of boxes you should have as it will depend on your cats temperament. You might also want to bear in mind that senior cats have memory and mobility problems that will necessitate additional litter boxes. The size and structure of your home will also be a factor (multilevel, etc.)
Litter box positioning
Cats like a quiet, secluded protected area to use their litter box. Most of us place litter boxes in places that are convenient for us rather than for the cat. Do not place the litter box in the laundry room, as it is too noisy and hectic. Cats would prefer low traffic areas, like in the rear of a closet, in a bathroom (depending on # in the household # bathrooms etc), or in a guest room.
The litter box should not be near the cat food. (How would you like it?). Bear in mind the condition of the cat and house size, as mentioned under "How many litter boxes". Young , or "scaredy cats" will probably require the litter box to be in the same room they are kept in due to memory/learning curve, and timidity.
Types of litter boxes.
There are three types of litter boxes. The unhooded litter box, the hooded litter box, and the self cleaning litter box.
The unhooded box.
Plain open litter boxes are the most widespread. These originated as wooden sand boxes and have developed to the plastic tray-like boxes of today. Some cat owners use plastic storage containers for this purpose. The main points to remember is that they cannot be to large or too small for your cat(s). Age and size will be the main determining factor in how tall or deep you wish it too be , and of course for Garfield, how wide!
Pros. Cheap, versatile.
Cons. Odor, messy.
The hooded box.
Hooded cat litter boxes are essentially conventional boxes with a cover. Some will have apertures or doors for the cat to gain access to them.
Pros. Odor control (for humans). Limited Litter spills. Litter and waste out of view.
Cons. Space;- a)this can be a tactical trap if there is more than one cat; b)cats movement is restricted and often will end up stepping in own mess; c)takes up more volume than unhooded box. The next two, while being pros for us can be cons for the cat. Odor, and dust will be entrapped and may lead to an unhappy cat. As the litter and waste is out of view, there is a tendency for hooded litters to be cleaned less often.
Self - cleaning or automatic litter box.
Self cleaning litter boxes are litter boxes equiped with a self cleaning mechanism. This mechanism will vary from device. Generally, the litter box has sensors to detect when a cat has used the box. It will then either flush, comb out or sift the litter into disposable containers.
Pros. Similar to hooded box. Clean litter everytime for cat. Less labor intensive (some need cleaning once in two weeks).
Cons. Space. Initial cost expensive which can be prohibitive, if you have more than one cats. Recurring costs, whether special granules, disposable containers, filters etc. Adjustability to particular cat (mechanism noise). Initial setup can take upto an hour or more.
New technologies.
The alternative to cat litter boxes is the toilet trained cat. There are a couple of products available that do this. The bottom line is that after a period of time, your cat will be using the toilet. If you have several cats, this should be an interesting process to watch! Once done however, no more cleaning; no more odors; no more cat litter purchases; (disclaimer:-in a perfect world). This alternative holds particular interest for me as Ginger will only drink water out of one receptacle;- the toilet!!
Pet technologies and toys will be reviewing individual cat litter boxes and their alternatives
in the future.
1 comment:
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