Poor litter box maintenance is often to blame for a cat's mishaps. Cats hate dirty litter boxes and may be driven to search for substitutes, whether that's a corner of the carpet or a basket of clean laundry in the closet. Your cat's sense of smell is 14 times stronger than yours, so a litter box that smells reasonably clean to you may outright stink to your cat. Show
While automated litter boxes are gaining popularity, their prices are prohibitive to many cat owners, and many cats tend to prefer standard litter boxes. Preparing to Clean Your Litter BoxThe rule of thumb is that a household should provide one litter box for each cat resident plus one extra. Any variance should be on the plus side. For example, seven boxes for four cats. If you have more than three litter boxes, you'll probably find yourself running out of logical places for them. A "Litter Station" with two or three boxes side-by-side will accommodate more than one cat at a time (as long as the cats tolerate it), and will also make scooping and clean up a bit more convenient. Which litter box and cleaning products to use are very personal choices, and the "one size fits all" rule rarely applies. Most important is to let your cats be the guide. If they are not happy with your litter boxes and accessory products, they'll let you know. Materials
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Preventing Problems With Litter BoxesUsing clumping litter that you regularly scoop and replace will keep the litter box smelling fresh and clean for a while, but at some point, the box itself will need to be emptied and cleaned thoroughly. Depending on the type of litter you use, this may be as often as every week or as long as every four or five weeks. Non-clumping litter must be emptied and washed much more often, primarily because the urine collects at the bottom of the box, and the odor becomes very strong very quickly. Empty the used litter into a sturdy plastic bag and tie securely before discarding it in the trash. Note that although some natural litters are flushable, the entire contents of a litter box should never be dumped into the toilet. Next, wash the box thoroughly with unscented dish soap and hot water. Rinse completely, then dry with paper towels. Lree / Getty ImagesCan a litter box be too full?Having too much litter can cause your cat to dig around more than necessary, which can cause them to accidentally hide their poop. While the poop might be invisible to human eyes, it's noticeable to your cat. If you can't locate and remove it, this may cause your cat to stop using the box altogether.
What happens if you forget to clean litter box?Cats can develop painful kidney infections, bladder infections, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections if their litter boxes are not kept clean. The vets at Anasazi Animal Clinic recommend daily scooping and weekly litter changes to best protect your cat's health.
Do you empty the entire litter box?Empty the litter box entirely and wash it with soap and water. Don't clean it with chemicals such as ammonia or bleach. Cats are very sensitive to smells. A chemical odor may cause your pet to avoid the box.
How long can you go without scooping litter box?For the most part, all experts agree…the litter box should be scooped 1-2 times each day. “Litter boxes should be scooped at least once or twice a day, and it's even better if you can get to it as soon as your cat has finished his business,” said By Dr.
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