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Dealing with cleaning a litter box is just part of having a cat. If you don't deal with it on a regular basis, that box can turn into a stinking nightmare, and then your cat might even decide to go elsewhere. Then you have an unhappy cat, unhappy people, and everything just gets worse from there.
To keep this whole situation from happening, plan on cleaning the box on a regular basis. It's generally a good course of action to remove solid waste on a daily basis, and to clean the litter itself at least 2-4 times per month, if not more once per week. You can do this by hand, or buy automatic, self-cleaning ones like the ScoopFree Litter Tray and Box, which rakes up solid waste and clumped urine on its own.
However, today's vast array of different types of boxes and litter itself can be almost overwhelming. So which is the right one for you and your cat?
Choose a box with high sides. Your cat should be able to walk in and out of the box easily. If you find that your cat has a tendency to dig around in his litter, it's best to use a deeper box and pour at least 3" of litter into it each time you change the litter. Ideally, your cat should be able to turn all the way around without a problem.
Choosing a type and brand of litter can be a challenge on its own. Your best bet is to try different kinds, but keep in mind that you avoid mixing different types or brands. You'll be mixing different chemicals that the litter is treated with and that will cause adverse and potentially harmful reactions for your cat.
As far as general care, here are some good tips:
- Be sure to keep the box and the surrounding area clean and tidy; cats tend to avoid boxes that have too much waste piled up. Plus, the ammonia will build on itself and get stronger, which isn't good for anyone.
- If you use a clumping litter, it helps for urine control. Make sure you get rid of those clumps every day when you're removing the other solid waste.
- The best way to do this, if you're doing so by hand, is to use a metal or plastic scoop. They work well, but they (especially the plastic ones) only last 6-12 months. Plan to replace it on a regular basis as it starts to deteriorate.
- When you're cleaning the litter box, throw all the litter into a plastic trash bag that has handles on it. That way, you can tie it off and not have to worry about odors coming from the bag.
- To wash the box, you can use warm water and a mild soap. Wash every surface of the box, both inside and out. If any waste or litter remain stuck to the box, scrub it using a scratchless sponge. Be sure to throw out that sponge at least every month and use a fresh one. The reason you don't want to scratch the plastic is this can create an environment conducive to bacteria buildup. If you notice that an odor remains even after you wash the box, bacteria has likely started building up, and you should replace the box
- Dry the box thoroughly before placing litter in it.
- You can buy chemical products at pet stores to sanitize even further and protect against odors if you wish to do so.
- If you have more than one male cat in your house, each one might need his own litter box. Cats are often territorial and you might have an issue if more than one shares a box. However, this isn't always the case, and you can try letting them share the box before buying two.
Caring for your cat's litter box is a fairly simple process as long as you dedicate some time to it on a regular basis. Set aside five minutes a day to scoop, and then clean the box as you see fit to keep your cat happy and healthy.
Michael Eberle is an nationally-renowned author and cat enthusiast. His latest product review site, ScoopFree Litter Tray, is an in-depth look at the ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box. It's a non-biased, honest look at the product to help consumers whether this is the right box for them.
You can learn more about the box and the corresponding disposable ScoopFree Litter Tray at www.ScoopFreeLitterTray.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Eberle
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