Did you know that 35% of American households include kitties? One reason cats are so popular is the fact that they are naturally very clean. Fluffy will groom herself daily, and will use her own private powder room to relieve herself. However, setting up a litterbox properly requires a bit more than simply pouring litter into the box. In this article from Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair animal clinic, a vet offers discusses—you guessed it—litterboxes.

Products

Our feline buddies all have their own purrsonal preferences. Some kitties can be quite particular about their bathrooms! For instance, some cats don’t care for heavily scented litters, while others may not like enclosed litterboxes. Pay attention to your furball, and see if she seems to like or dislike certain brands or boxes. Also, make sure Fluffy’s litterbox is big enough for her. If you have a kitten, avoid clay or clumping litters for now. These are fine for adult cats, but aren’t safe for babies. Kittens can accidentally ingest the litter, which can be very dangerous.

Placement

Choosing the right spot is very important. The litterbox should be in a place that is quiet, easy for your cat to access, and neither too hot or too cold. Don’t put the box near Fluffy’s food. No one wants to eat in a bathroom! If you like, you can conceal the litterbox. An easy way to do this is to simply cut a ‘door’ in an enclosed end table, storage tote, trunk, or wicker chest. You can also put up a folding screen.

Multiple Cats

If you have more than one kitty, you’ll need multiple litterboxes. We generally recommend giving each furball their own box. Fluffy doesn’t really care for sharing bathrooms! You’ll also want to put out at least one extra.

Cleaning

Keep your pet’s litterbox clean. We recommend scooping daily, and changing the litter every week. If you like, you can try out products that make this a little easier, such as self-cleaning litterboxes or stackable ‘sifter’ ones.

Health

When cleaning Fluffy’s bathroom, watch for changes in the color, texture, amount, or smell of her waste. These can be indicative of some very serious health issues! Call your vet if you notice anything unusual. Please contact us here at Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair animal clinic, anytime. We’re dedicated to keeping cats purring!