6 Litter Box Secrets You Need to Know
One of the best things about cats is their predictably unpredictable behavior. Once you decide to share your life and home with one or more of them, it doesn’t take long to realize that each has her own unique personality, complete with plenty of quirks. For the most part, these quirks lead to lots of laughs and only make us love them more.
However, there’s one area where no cat parent wants to experience unpredictability: the litter box. Having a kitty who refuses to use one, or who uses it inconsistently, is one of the most frustrating issues to deal with. It can be stinky, messy, and altogether unpleasant.
But here’s the good news: many litter box issues have simple solutions. For an episode of the YouTube series, Dear Tabby, I had the chance to chat with Dr. Liz Bales (AKA the Catvocate) to uncover the secrets to litter box success. Check out the episode and read below as I break down her 6 secrets, guiding you along the path of what to purchase, how to maintain your cat’s litter box, and how to set your kitty up for lasting success!
If you’re having trouble getting your kitty to use the litter box consistently, or if she was using it but then stopped for some reason, you’ll want to talk to your vet to rule out health concerns as the cause of kitty’s accidents. In cases where health isn’t an issue, one or more of the following tips may be your answer.
6 Litter Box Secrets Your Cat Wants You to Know
1. It’s not about what you want. Consider your kitty!
When you set up your cat’s litter box, it’s easy to think about what’s most convenient for you in terms of where it should go, what size it should be, and more. But all that convenience goes right out the window if the litter box doesn’t meet with your cat’s approval. If your kitty doesn’t like using the box you provide, you’ll have to spend all kinds of time cleaning up “accidents.”
A much better approach is to think about the litter box from your cat’s perspective. What size does she need? Where would she prefer it be placed in your home? Is it clean and comfortable? Keep reading for tips on how to meet your kitty’s unique needs and standards.
2. Don’t cramp her style.
Most litter boxes are on the small side as far as cats are concerned. Sure, they fit inconspicuously into almost any corner, but cats (understandably) don’t like to be cramped or squished when they do their business. They need space.
But how do you know what’s the right fit? The ideal size of your next litter box can be measured from the length from your cat’s nose to the tip of her tail, plus another fifty percent.
Placement within the home is also an essential thing to consider. In a helpful post from PetMD, you can read the dos and don’ts of where to place your cat’s litter box. As a rule of thumb, the best places are usually “quiet, easy-to-reach corners that offer privacy,” they write.
3. Don’t cover it.
You’re not the only one concerned about smells coming from the litter box. Cats have very sensitive noses, and a covered litter box traps unpleasant odors. Can you blame cats for not wanting to spend time in a dark, smelly enclosure? When you keep it uncovered, you provide a more welcoming space, and your cat will be more inclined to return time and time again.
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4. Add the right amount of kitty litter.
How deep does kitty litter need to be? This can be a tricky balance to strike. You want enough litter so it feels soft on your kitty’s paws, but not so much that they sink right into it.
So how deep does kitty litter need to be? Ideally, between 1.5 to 2 inches. Put in too much or too little and your cat may just decide to “go” elsewhere. It can be useful to get precise about this, even using a ruler to measure the depth until you’re sure you get it just right and to your kitty’s liking.
And another thing to get just right? Determining what cat litter is best. Choosing the right kind can make a huge difference in your cat’s life.
I never use anything but World’s Best Cat Litter. It’s a premium, natural litter made from corn, and it comes in several formulas to fit any cat family’s needs. I love that it’s 99% dust free and flushable, so clean up is a breeze. It’s also quick clumping and has outstanding odor control, which makes both cats and their humans happy.
5. Keep it clean.
Every cat wants a pristine litter box – and who could blame her? Keep your kitty’s litter box clean and fresh by scooping it out twice a day and giving it a thorough cleaning (and new litter) at least once a month. Animal Planet provides a useful guide on how to safely clean your cat’s litter box and get started on creating a fresh, rejuvenating environment for your kitty today!
Speaking of keeping things clean, I recommend having a good enzymatic pet odor and stain remover on hand at all times for when accidents do occur. My personal need for an all natural, safe cleaner that didn’t have harsh odors or chemicals led me to develop my own enzyme cleaner, Kinderbean No Stress Mess Eraser.
It keeps my home clean and smelling fresh while naturally discouraging my cat from revisiting the scene of the accident. I also use it to clean Olivia’s litter box after emptying it. Since it’s bio-enzymatic, it actually destroys the bacteria that causes the unwanted odor.
6. Do cats share litter boxes? Hint: one litter box isn’t enough.
Do cats share litter boxes? Does your cat need more than one litter box?
Like many things related to cats, there’s no one definitive answer. Much depends on your cat’s unique personality. However, it seems clear enough that most cats prefer a multi-box household.
When planning and buying, a good guiding principle is to have one box per cat in your family, plus one. For example, if you live in a two-cat house, you need to make room for three litter boxes. This allows each cat to make a litter box their own, have plenty of space, and the privacy they often hold dear.
These 6 secrets offer a win-win scenario for everyone involved. Your cat is sure to feel calmer, more comfortable, and more at home – and you’ll rest easier knowing you’ve created a healthy and constructive environment for your kitty. Plus, there will undoubtedly be fewer accidents around the house!
Want more tips and tricks for keeping your cat healthy today, tomorrow, and always? Download my free monthly cat health checklist.
Chew on this: I may receive a small commission for affiliate links, but all products I “dig up” are ones I paw-thentically love!
I’ll have to remove the lid from our box now thanks for the info !
Leslye,
Glad this could help! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Kristen
These are good tips for our 3 kitties =^..^=
This is great to know thanks
I will definitely be trying some of these tips with my cat … suddenly he just started acting funny when he pees in litter box once not covering it then thinking that if he pees once and it’s not scooped immediately ..that it’s a one time use little box ..he seems to now think my other halfs folding chair is his second litter box .. lol smh.
Hi Dawn,
Oh no! It is best to have one extra litter box per cat (so, if you are a single cat household, it’s best to have two litter boxes). This may help him when one box is too dirty, he can use the other one! I hope this helps. If you notice this behavior continue, you should check with your vet! They may have a solution that could help.
Keep me posted!
Kristen
Great suggestions. We have used every one and must say, they all are important for a happy cat – in our case five of them ranging in age from two to 19. One point I do want to stress is cleanliness. I clean those boxes often and believe not only does it make for a better potty experience for the cat, but keeps the rooms/house from smelling like a funky bathroom. I also have the little mats outside of each box which helps clean the kitties paws when they exit the box.
Jeannie,
Wow 5 kitties! Yes, keeping the boxes clean is very important to keep our kitties happy 🙂
Thanks for sharing and taking such good care of your cats!
Kristen
I have found that if you have multiple cats, they like to have their own litter box. I had one cat who liked two litter boxes. One, he’d urinate in and the other he’d defecate in.
Pam,
Yes it is a good rule to have one extra litter box per cat. So, if you have two cats it is best to have three boxes. Some cats are more picky than others, that is for sure!
Kristen
yes my cats hate hooded litter boxes and I have one that will not take his daily poop until you have scooped it clean.. cats are finicky creatures.
Gina,
They sure are! LOL thanks for reading 🙂
Kristen
I have 3 indoor cats and hey are picky about their litter boxes but we have 3 and 2 are covered they seem to like the privacy
Karen,
That is interesting! Typically cat’s don’t like covered boxes as they feel too enclosed. But, every cat is different!
Thanks for reading 🙂
Kristen
When my little Moko started peeing on her cat tree or going on the couches in the living room (she spent the vast majority of her time on the tree – eating on the top section and sleeping in the little house on it), I secured a small litter box on one level of the tree and she never peed anywhere else again. Moko had medical issues (hyperthyroid, some early kidney issues, allergies) so much of it wasn’t her fault. She also peed a LOT. That little litter box was just what she wanted – and needed. I had to clean it constantly since it was right where everyone could smell it, but Moko was so much happier with her special box. We do what we have to when it comes to keeping our furbabies happy and healthy.
Hi Linda,
Wow! So glad that you found the right solution for your Moko. Yes, we will do whatever we can to keep them happy and healthy!
Kristen
I actually knew a lot of these but the covered litter boxes I didn’t until recently. My cats never seemed bothered by one until my youngest outgrew it and he would go right outside the box. Now I have very large and uncovered boxes with no issues.
Kayla,
Glad you found this helpful!!
Kristen