All Cat Litter Issues Addressed

Changing the cat’s litter is extremely important in order to avoid unforeseen problems. Because owing a little feline friend is a bit challenging due to litter cleaning & maintaining issues. A litter in a box is basically an absorbent material that is used for soaking up cat’s urine & hiding feces. And no doubt, one of the basic steps in cleaning the cat litter box is to replace it.

And in order to encourage litter box use, it is better to scoop the box once a day & replace the whole litter on a daily schedule. Resting upon the type of litter box you have i.e. non- clumping and clumping, it is advised to change it as often as twice weekly or even as infrequently as once after three weeks.

What is the Best Cat Litter?

So what actually makes a good and worth buying cat litter? While analyzing the different types of cat litters, it is important for cat lovers to consider the below standards, because the best cat litter is the one that offers:

Great absorbency
Good odor control
Different dust levels
Clumping ability
Tracking

The 6 best cat litters are discussed in this article, but the best one is: Dr. Elsey’s Premium

It is worth mentioning that little feline could be particular about the cat litter she prefers, whether that is wood, grass, paper, grain, silica gel, or clay.

Why is My Cat Pooping outside the Litter Box?

A wide range of circumstances can explain why the cat is pooping outside the litter box. At times, it might be due behavioral problems however, sometimes few underlying health issues are causing your feline to go outside the litter box.

I would like to mention that if your well-trained feline friend suddenly stops pooping inside the litter box, it is better to take her/him to the vet in order to diagnose the underlying health issues. Furthermore, if your cat is leaving smelly presents outside the litter box, then try considering the following possible reasons?

Small litter box
Litter box is quite dirty or stinky
Health issue
Not accessible
Cat does not like the litter box location
Anxiety or stress

We discussed more detailed about why is Cat Pooping outside the Litter Box?

Why is my Cat Suddenly Peeing outside the Litter Box?

Cats peeing outside of their litter boxes is surely considered as the most annoying problem. However, it is important to remember that if your feline has suddenly started peeing outside the litter box then, he/she might be trying to indicate or tell you something. While there are several behavioral reasons behind your cat not peeping inside the litter box, there are also some medical reasons such as:

cancer
loss of bladder control
UTI
Diabetes
kidney disease
Urinary obstruction
arthritis

Some behavioral and emotional reasons behind inappropriate urination are as follows:

Territorial disputes
Changes in the home
Stress

How to Train a Cat to Use a Litter Box?

Before training the cats to use a litter box, it is important that the litter box should be placed in a safe and quiet place where cats can get into the box easily. However, make sure that the cats know the exact location of a litter box in his/her immediate surroundings. Training to use a litter box is quite instinctive for felines.

Still, there are few useful tips that will surely be effective in making the whole process easy & smooth. Firstly, show your new feline friend the litter box once you bought her home. Secondly, try your best to keep the litter box neat and clean. And lastly, find a litter box your feline seems to like & stick with it.

A detailed article on How to Litter Train a Cat is here.

What is Cat Litter Made of?

While trying to select the most reliable litter box for your precious cat, people might find themselves wondering exactly what it is made of. Well, there are different kinds of cat litters currently available in the marketplace but three categories are highly commonly namely, biodegradable, silica-based, and clay-based. No doubt, the best cat litter box for the feline usually depends on the cat owner’s expectations.

Where to put a Litter Box in a Small Apartment?

It is a well-accepted reality that living in a really small apartment with felines can be a problem because controlling the odors of litter boxes is a matter of concern. But, it is highly achievable with the right discipline and technique. Here are a few recommendations where cat lovers can put the litter box while living in a small apartment.

It can be placed where feline has easy access such as hallway or balcony
The selected area should be quiet with less traffic
Try to select a well-ventilated area such as a place near a window
Place the litter box in a dry place

Ideal Places are as follows:

Linen closet
Spare room
Utility closet
Balcony
Bathroom cabinet or even under the sink

How to Dispose of Cat Litter?

The disposal of cat litter is surely the most unpleasant aspect of having a cat however, it is also important to dispose of cat litter. Moreover, it is necessary to dispose of cat litter very hygienically & in a quite eco-friendly way as well. The recommended ways of disposing the cat litter are as follows:

Scoop & bin
Compost cat litter safely

How Many Litter Boxes per Cat?

According to the Vets, 1 litter box per cat is enough. However, some also suggest keeping an extra litter box as well depending upon the cat’s behavior.

How Deep Should Cat Litter be?

The total depth of the cat litter box usually depends on the following factors:

The type of litter box
How often cat owners plan on washing or cleaning it
The total number of felines in the house

Generally speaking, a good cat litter box has to be around 2-3” deep. Some felines might benefit from a bit extra litter box especially if they are very deep scratches.

Why is My Cat Lying in the Litter Box?

Some cat owners might find it odd that their cats are lying in the litter box however, this is quite common behavior. This could be due to different medical conditions ranging from stress to severe anxiety. Apart from this, it is advised to consider the following factors as well:

Cat might have some urinary issues
Cat owners have bought a new litter box that is completely different from the previous one
It is quite common for felines to hide & sleep in the litter box after a sudden move to the new place or home
Few felines with the serious underlying medical issues will remain in the litter box

If your feline suddenly starts to sleep or lay in the litter box then, it is better to seek help from a skilled vet.

How to Neutralize Ammonia in Cat Litter?

Before moving ahead, I would like to mention that Ammonia is very volatile & can easily be sensed by humans at very low concentrations. There are different ways of neutralizing the odor of ammonia including the following:

Cleaning the cat litter box after every week
Cover the cat litter box with a hood. It is better to use a plastic cat litter box as it is durable, easy to clean and less expensive
Make use of urease blockers & antimicrobials
Try keeping the cat litter box in a well-ventilated place

How to Litter Train an Older Cat?

For both adult cats and kittens, litter training mainly consists of 3 major parts:

Buy an appropriate cat litter box
Secondly, train the cats to use their litter box
Lastly, make other removal spots unattractive

Felines are very intelligent animals. It simply means that even the very bad-tempered senior feline can easily be trained to defecate in the litter tray. Consider the following tips as well:

Never use a closed cat litter box
Never use a scented litter
Try having multiple cat litter trays
Make the litter trays identical in shape and size

How to Hide a Cat Litter Box?

Wherever cat owners put the litter box, it is important that the place should be comfortable & easily accessible for the cats. Try one of the following seamless ideas when it comes to hiding the litter box:

Insider or under pet furniture
Behind the door of laundry room
Under the stairs
In catio

Why is my Cat Eating Litter?

If cat owners have caught their little feline eating cat litter then, try to understand that he/she could be doing all this due to different reasons. Moreover, in few cases, it could be due to underlying health conditions or behavioral issues. The following are the highly common reasons behind the litter eating behavior in felines:

Anemia
Nutritional deficiencies
Kidney disease
Anxiety
Underfeeding
Pica

How to Stop a Dog from Eating Cat Poop from the Litter Box?

The majority of dogs have a habit of eating all types of poop. This behavior is completely natural as dogs are foragers by nature. This simply means, dogs eat all types of items such as rocks, carpet, garbage & more. Below are the five tips that could be helpful when it comes to stopping the dogs from eating cat poop.

Consult the vet
Plan the schedule
Cover the cat litter box
Train the dog
Restrict access to a cat litter box

How to Stop Cat from Eating Litter?

Well, getting your feline to stop eating her own litter can be a challenging task particularly, if the issue arises due to pica or other health condition that cannot be treated easily for instance, leukemia. It is advised to take the feline to the veterinarian first to get more reliable information. Depending upon the outcomes that the veterinarian gets from the feline, the best practice could be to switch to a vitamin and mineral rich diet as per vet’s recommendation.

How to Make a Cat Litter Box Out of a Rubbermaid Container?

Selecting the right litter box for cats is not easy. Cat owners can use the Rubbermaid container instead of getting a huge litter box. Apart from a well-known fact that litter boxes just go upto a specific size, there are several reasons behind reusing the storage containers such as:

The majority of cats have a habit of kicking litter out of their boxes whenever they cover the deposits. Moreover, when the litter box for cats is very low then, do prepare yourself for a lot of mess every time cats have to go.
Rubbermaid containers are quite tall. So, cat owners do not have to bend down to the floor for lifting it up.

Before making a cat litter box, always ensure that the Rubbermaid container is tall enough when it comes to accommodating the cats & the quantity of the litter required. Cat owners have to pour much litter in order to cover the container’s bottom to the depth of around 2-3”. Furthermore, if cat owners are not using the cover then, it is better to place a study box or step tool to help the cat jump in and out of the Rubbermaid container easily.

Why Can’t Pregnant Women Change Cat Litter?

Pregnant women change the cat litter box safely however, it is always better to have anybody else complete this task if possible because the major concern is Toxoplasmosis. It is a parasite infection that can easily be transmitted via cat poop.

Here I would like to mention that Toxoplasmosis is always a matter of concern for expecting ladies and if left untreated it can cause life-threatening health issues to unborn babies. So in short, handing the cat feces or changing the litter box should be avoided while being pregnant.

How to Stop Cat Litter Tracking?

Every cat lover surely wants to learn more & more about the different ways of stopping the cat litter tracking. The following five techniques will help cat owners to stop cat litter tracking:

Use a bulkier or heavier litter
Always trim all the hair between the cat’s toes
Use a cat litter box with an in-built trackpad
Try adding a mat outside the cat litter box
Keep a broom & even invest in a good quality handheld vacuum and keep it near the cat litter box to ensure easy and quick access.

What is the Best Clumping Cat Litter?

With responsible feline ownership always comes a great responsibility particularly when waste management is a major concern for many. No doubt, customary clay-based litter boxes do a good job of holding unpleasant odors however, the capability of absorbing the cat’s urine is not upto the mark. Therefore, the majority of cat lovers now prefer clumping cat litter in order to fulfil the feline’s biological needs.

It is vital to mention that a clumping cat litter box is basically a clay-based material that is good at odor trapping and absorbing urine. It can also absorb solid waste while odors are contained in the litter box. If cat lovers are looking for the best clumping litter box then, they should consider buying Dr. Elsey’s Premium Clumping Cat Litter.

What is the Best Cat Litter for Odor Control?

When it comes to selecting the best litter box, there is one important thing that virtually every cat lover can agree on i.e. it should be good at keeping the unpleasant odors away. Litter boxes play a vital role for cats but for owners, it is an important way of containing messes & odors from wafting in the house. It is recommended to purchase a product with Smart odor shield, activated charcoal & plant extracts for neutralizing odors.

What do you do if Your Cat Stops Using the Litter Box?

If your beloved feline has stopped using her litter box then, there can be multiple reasons behind this issue such as health problems, location of the litter box, overcrowding litter box. It is worth mentioning that if your vet has found out a medical problem then, I am sure that eliminating outside a litter box is due to a behavioral problem. The following tips will help cat owners to overcome this problem:

Firstly, visit an experienced vet to rule out the medical reason. After diagnosing the problem, sick to vet’s advice
Neutering or spaying can help control spraying while preventing cancers & unpleasant behaviors including aggression.
It is important to train cats well about how to use the litter box.
Try keeping the cat’s litter box neat and clean. In multiple feline households, litter boxes always fill up quickly. Therefore, keep a scoop and bucket near the litter box just to remind yourself that scooping two times a day is mandatory.
If your cat prefers a specific type of litter box then, it is better to stick with it
Finally, consider the feline’s size, her level of mobility, & location where you are planning to keep the litter box after selecting the one.

How to Litter Box Train a Stray Cat?

The best thing about cats is that they are extremely easy to train, irrespective of the fact that they are domesticated or feral. And this is 100% true with small cats that just have been weaned. Therefore, training a stray cat to use a litter box is all about using the right tools & little cat psychology. Below are the few tips:

Select the right litter box
Now put leaves and soil in the litter box
Let cat jump in & out of a litter box
Encourage cat to use the selected litter box
Provide a quiet and private place
Give more importance to positive reinforcement in the form of praise and treat

How Many Litter Boxes for 1 Cat?

Veterinarian’s usually recommend cat owners to use at least two litter boxes for one cat. Well, for additional felines, it is better to have 1.5 litter cat litter boxes for every one cat.

When Was Cat Litter Invented?

Cat owners must be familiar with the litter box however, have they ever stopped to think where the litter box comes from? Well, cat litter boxes are a comparatively brand new invention when it comes to the history of trained felines. Luckily, for feline owners everywhere, a person named Edward Lowe invented a litter box in Jan, 1947 after doing a lot of experiments with clay.

What to do with Used Cat Litter?

The best way of disposing of the litter usually depends on the litter type. Moreover, the best method of getting rid of different commercial litters is by simply securing the used cat litter directly in the trash bag. Some cat owners have found very creative ways of repurposing the used cat litter. However, it totally depends on the type of cat litter.

How to Dispose of Cat Litter without Plastic Bags?

There are different eco-friendly ways of disposing of cat litter & each method has its own pros and cons. It is important to remember that feline waste is completely different from canine waste. And if not disposed of properly, feline waste can cause harm to your environment and health. Below tips can be considered while disposing of the cat litter without plastic bags:

Use biodegradable litter & bags
Use natural ingredients such as pine and wood pellets

How often should you Replace Cat Litter?

Cat owners might wonder how many times they have to replace the cat litter. The following guideline will serve the best purpose in this regard:

Do this three times in a week
Few felines are not as choosy though & are happy with replacing the entire litter after seven days
Some felines are a little more conscious though & might want replacement every day
If cat owners clean the litter box on a daily basis, then they might only have to change or replace this after 2-3 weeks.

Well, it is advised to replace the litter box if you notice the following signs:

Visible scratches
Odors that are not removable
Clouded plastic

Why is my Cat Sleeping in the Litter Box?

It is extremely normal for few felines to sleep in their litter boxes especially when they are kittens however, one important thing about felines that every pet parent should know is that, if young felines tend to spend a lot of time in the litter boxes then, it is confirmed that there is some problem. Some common reasons behind cats sleeping in the litter boxes are as follows:

Newly adopted felines
Kidney disease
No. of felines in the home
Fear or stress

How to Clean Non-Clumping Cat Litter?

Non-clumping cat litters come under the category of the 1^st commercially available litters. And I must say that these cat litters are good at removing unpleasant odors that are associated with urine as they can absorb large amounts of urine easily. The whole process of cleaning the non-clumping cat litter is as follows:

Scoop the solid waste once or even twice a day
Periodically, cat owners have to change out the whole litter in a litter box
Put the litter in the trash bag while sealing the bag immediately
Wash the cat litter box properly by using warm water & dish soap
Rinse thoroughly by using clean water
Dry completely before replacing a litter

All cat litter Issues addressed

How often to change Cat Litter?