Litter Box

Get the dirt on litter boxes

There are many styles of cat litter boxes, from the standard plastic tray to the automatic, self cleaning litter box. Cats are creatures of habit, and prefer their litter and box to remain unchanged. If the litter box is moved often, the cat will eventually stop using it, leaving a mess.

Types of Litter Boxes

Selecting the right litter box for a cat is important to ensure the cat’s continued use of it. The most common is the plastic pan style litter boxes. Plastic pans come in a myriad of sizes and colors. One issue with the pan style is that some absorb smell and waste, which means you’ll have to replace the entire pan or buy some throwaway liners for the box.

The second type is the self cleaning litter box. With these boxes, there is little work for the pet owner in regards to cleaning. Automatic litter boxes work in two ways: by either having an insert that is removed and thrown away or a rollover mechanism that scoops up the waste into a tray. These boxes are not always suited to kittens, however, because they may have trouble navigating the depth of the box. Entrance ramps are usually included with most boxes, which can help alleviate the problem.

Selecting the Right Box

When selecting a box, the cat’s personality and its living conditions often decide what is best. If a cat is skittish, a covered box may be necessary. Both plastic pans and automatic litter boxes are available with covers. Some cats prefer to be able to see what is going on around them at all times, so in this case an uncovered box is best.

Cats require clean fresh litter often. If the owner is unwilling or unable to clean the box frequently, a self cleaning litter box will ensure the cat is always using a clean box. If your space is limited, a plastic pan litter box may be the option that takes up the least amount of room. By choosing the right litter box, a cat will be able to foster good litter habits, resulting in a healthier and happier cat.