Showing posts with label Litter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Litter. Show all posts

The Pros And Cons Of Flushable Cat Litter

If you have cats, no doubt you know that keeping the litter box clean is one of the biggest chores you face. And the odor can be a constant problem no matter what you do. To this end, marketers have tried to come up with ways that will make this chore easier. One of these ways is using flushable cat litter.

Flushable litter can be convenient for owners because instead of having to dispose of clumping or other types of litter in waste receptacles, you can simply flush it down the toilet and get rid of smell and mess in one instant. And indeed, this can be a great convenience for many cat owners.

These litters are often also lighter in texture. Typically, the cost is roughly the same as other types of litters in cost per use. They may appear more expensive because of their lighter weight (for example, if regular clumping clay costs 20 cents a pound and the flushing type costs three times that, this looks more expensive, but you should remember that it will weigh less per use and thus can go farther). They can be hard to find as well, but availability of Internet shopping makes this a relatively minor problem, since owners can have it shipped to them if it is not available in their area.

However, you should know that this has its drawbacks as well. One of these is that you exchange contributing to landfill waste with used litter, for water waste and extra sewage. Therefore, it may not be any more environmentally sound than simply disposing of used litter in the trash. Its advantage is that because the soiled mess is flushed instantly, there is usually much less lingering box odor. In addition, some types of litter can be composted once dried stools are removed. This may be the way to have the least environmental impact from your cat's box.

One other consideration with using flushing versus conventional litter is your cat's "opinion" of the litter itself. Many cats are so used to the regular texture and feel of clay that they will not use the flushing type. In this case, of course, the most important consideration is whether or not your cat will use the box at all. You should keep careful watch to see if you cat does or does not like the flushable litter.

You may be able to get him or her to use it if you began by mixing a small amount of the flushing litter in with your cat's regular litter (without flushing this at first, of course, but disposing in the trash as usual) and gradually increasing the amount of flushable litter and decreasing the amount of the clay until you're using 100% flushable. Even with this type of "break-in" period, some cats never get used to the flushing type and will only stay with tried-and-true clumping variety. However, if your cat does like it, it may be a viable alternative for you.

In short, if you have a cat, your litter box use is going to have at least some environmental impact that will be detrimental. However, flushable cat litter can give you a much "cleaner" way to manage waste than other traditional types. Because they can be flushed and do not have to be thrown away in the trash, it generally makes for much less smell and mess than traditional clays do. The choice is yours, and as always, you should make the best one possible for your lifestyle and preferences. Just remember your cat will likely have the final say.

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My Cat Has Stopped Pooping in the Litter Box

If you are asking yourself why has my cat stopped pooping in the litter box then I think I can help you. Cats often display strange behaviours for a lot of weird reasons. My cat stopped going in the right place and apart from being smelly I knew something was wrong and started to research. Here are some of my top tips on people who ask themselves why my cat has stopped pooping in the litter box.

Stress - Cats get stressed out easily, a lot more easily that dogs who are joyous and full of fun at all times. You have to find out what exactly it is that is stressing out your cat and return it to the normal state. It is often a change in the environment of where the cat stays for most of the day. If you have its basket in one place and moved it or if you have rearranged the furniture or there is a new cat in the neighbourhood this could be causing the lack of pooping in the litter box. Try to return everything to normal and see if a week make a difference.

Is it clean? - Your cat may have gone in the litter box when you were not there and then thought about going again and saw how unclean it was. They are clean animals. They prefer the carpet to a dirty litter tray. What you can do though is make sure that it is cleaned thoroughly each and every day for a week to see if it makes a difference.

Treats - It is worth learning to train your cat with treats because this will save you hours in the long run and smelly carpets too. Seriously, the amount of time spend training your cat is nothing in the short term and when you do it you can relax because you never have to train a cat twice.

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Using the Litter Box - The First Steps in Kitten Training

Kitten training is very simple when it comes to the use of the litter box. Even newborn kittens are instinctually driven to bury their feces, so very little effort will be necessary on your part. If the mother cat is available, you will need to do even less, because she will show them where the litter box is and what to do there. If they need a little encouragement or there is no mother cat, there are some things you can do to help them and get your kitten training off to a good start.

Step 1
Ensure that the litter box is low enough that the kittens are able to climb into it without a great deal of effort. Most litter boxes for adult cats have outer walls that are too high for a kitten to crawl over, and a kitten who can't get into the litter box on its own is a kitten that will not be using it at all.

Step 2
Use a plain, simple, non clumping kitty litter. Kittens are prone to eat a bit of the litter when they are learning, and the clumping varieties are very dangerous if eaten. It binds up in their intestines and can cause serious medical problems.

Step 3
Just like when potty training a child, privacy and safety are important if the kitten is going to be able to "perform" and learn what to do. Place the box in a quiet, out of the way place that is also a good distance from their food and water bowls. Just like you wouldn't want to eat in your bathroom, neither would they.

Step 4
Place the kitten in the litter box periodically throughout the day when they would normally need to relieve themselves. Mornings, after waking up, and after eating are a few of the most common times, and good times to start. After placing the kitten in the box, gently take their front paws and scratch at the litter. It may take a number of tries before they get the idea, but they will.

Step 5
If your kitten relieves him or herself outside of the litter box, punishment will most likely be ineffective at best. Kitten training involves a surprisingly little amount of punishment when compared to other pets, such as dogs. Their minds simply work differently. Just pick them up and put them in the box when you see them starting to go. They will learn before long.

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What's The Best Cat Litter For Your Cat - Part 2

In Part 1 we covered the history of cat litter and some general points to consider when choosing a litter type. In Part 2 we will begin our coverage of litter types starting with clay cat litter.

Clay Cat Litter

Clay cat litter comes in both clumping and non-clumping varieties. Clumping litter is a relatively new litter type having been invented in the mid 80s. It is made from a specific type of clay and has a fine texture which forms little clumps or balls when it gets wet.

This clumping action makes it very easy to remove cat urine along with any solid waste with a slotted scoop. Since only part of the litter is removed you just need to add a little more after each scooping session to keep the box "topped off".

A big advantage with clumping litter is you don't have to clean the litter box as often as you do with the non-clumping type. Figure on a thorough cleaning about once a month if you use clumping litter and only have one cat.

Non-clumping litter has a more sandy or granular texture and does not produce clumps that can be scooped when the litter gets wet. You can still scoop out solid waste but any cat urine is absorbed by the litter.

This can cause an odor build-up after a few days and because of this you need to clean the box and replace it with fresh litter at least once a week to keep urine odors in check. You can buy non-clumping either scented or unscented but most experts recommend not buying scented as some scents can irritate a cat's nose.

Supposedly there has been a lot of research done on finding an odor control that a cat does not find offensive but the bottom line is either your cat will like the litter scented or they will not. You just have to experiment with different brands to see what works best for your cat.

Dust is the main problem with clay cat litters and despite manufacturer's claims that their products are dust-free all clay contains silicon particles that have been shown to cause respiratory problems in both cats and humans. This dust gets tracked through your house as it clings to your cat's paws and fur and can end up everywhere.

A disadvantage with clumping cat litter is that not all brands can be flushed down the toilet as the litter can swell and clog your pipes. This means it has to go into the trash which could cause an odor problem for you. Note: Always read the label on a clumping litter to see if it is flushable before trying to flush it down the toilet.

When deciding which type of litter is more economical remember that non-clumping litter must be replaced at least once a week while the clumping variety only needs to be completely replaced once a month.

As you can see there are many factors to consider when choosing a clay based litter. You have to weigh things like convenience with costs and possibly health concerns. I myself would put the health of my cat and family before convenience but that's just me.

In part 3 we will take a look at other types of cat litter currently on the market.

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Why Doesn't My Cat Use The Litter Box?

You've always heard that cats are clean animals, and your cat has always used the litter box. Then, to your horror, you discover a mess on your carpet, and worse, it keeps happening. What happened?

Your cat may have a disease such as feline lower urinary tract disease or other medical conditions. Take your cat to the vet as soon as you start having issues with the cat not using the litter box so that you can begin treatment immediately if there is a medical cause. If you notice your cat having difficulty urinating, get the cat to the vet right away as this can lead to death.

Another cause of the cat not using the litter box can be the location of the litter box. Cats prefer privacy, so a location in a noisy area such as a family room or a laundry room can cause the cat to seek another place for toileting. Make sure to have a litter box on each floor of your home, and if a litter box is in a room with a door that could accidentally be closed, have at least one litter box in another place in case the door gets shut.

Changing litter box products can also lead to cats not using the litter box. Your cat may not approve of the new brand of litter that you tried. Or, your cat may prefer to use a litter box without a liner or one with a liner if you haven't been using one.

The litter box can be an issue. Is your cat easily able to get into and out of the litter box? Many cats like the large, open litter boxes even though owners find the covered versions more attractive. A large male cat in a covered box may not leave him enough room to maneveur. Automatic litter boxes can scare cats when they switch on to sift the litter, causing the cat to avoid the litter box in the future.

Are you scooping daily? Some cats will protest an unclean litter box by refusing to use it. And, you need to completely change out the litter approximately every two weeks even if you use scooping litter as there will be an odor after weeks of use.

How many litter boxes do you have? You need to have at least one for each cat and one extra. Locate them in different places so your cat has more likelihood of having a box nearby when the urge strikes. Also, more boxes can help you out if you occasionally miss that daily scooping.

Stress and anxiety can also be a cause of cats not using the litter box. Bringing a new cat home or a new family member can be stressful for your cat. Your cat being locked inside the house while another is outside looking in the window can cause your cat to start spraying to mark his or her territory. Anti-anxiety drugs can sometimes be successful in alleviating the cat's stress and changing the cat's litter box behavior. Or, neutering male cats is highly successful in getting spraying behavior stopped.

There are many reasons for cats not using the litter box. With a little detective work, you should be able to find the cause and help your cat to use the litter box once again.

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Rules Of Chihuahua Litter Box Training

A Chihuahua is a proud little dog that takes itself very seriously even when those around it do not take it seriously. It can also be a stubborn little dog and these reasons combine to make housebreaking a Chihuahua very difficult. Chihuahuas are also not very fond of the outside when it is windy, raining, or cold so they will refuse to do anything outside if the weather is ugly. This can make a Chihuahua owner's life a problem and that is why many Chihuahua owners turn to Chihuahua litter box training.

Not all housebreaking problems are behavioral, some are physical and before you get your Chihuahua started on a behavior that you might regret later you may want to check and see if there is a physical reason why they are relieving themselves in the house. Sometimes a physical condition can make holding it impossible and they just relieve wherever they stand. Make sure you rule out any physical problems with a vet visit first.

A Chihuahua can be a very stubborn and frustrating animal and before you go to Chihuahua litter box training you may want to make sure you have tried all the proper housebreaking techniques first. Take your dog outside after every feeding and after every time you notice it drinks water. Never feed your dog or allow it to have water before you crate it for the night, as it won't be able to hold everything in until morning. If your dog does its thing outside in the appropriate area then reward it and praise it profusely.

If you are convinced you have tried everything and it is time to use the litter box then place a litter box in the area the dog soils the most. Make sure it is nowhere near their food and water as a Chihuahua will not soil near its food and water. Take it to the litter box frequently during the day and praise it when it uses the litter box for what it was intended.

Be warned that once a Chihuahua realizes it can go to the bathroom in the litter box in the house you are probably stuck with a dog that will be doing its business inside and Chihuahua litter box training would then replace housebreaking. The Chihuahua will always take the easy way out and if it can relieve itself in the warmth and comfort of the home without getting in trouble then that is what it will do.

Avoid using litter for the litter box and instead fill it with shredded newspapers or other organic filler like that. Chihuahuas will sometimes eat litter if it is in a litter box and kitty litter will burn through their stomach and kill them. So use paper and be prepared to clean it several times a week. That is the joy of Chihuahua litter box training. You now have a completely indoor dog that may make you think you should have just gotten a cat in the first place.

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Cat Urinating Everywhere - How Stress Could Cause Urine Outside The Litter Box

If you're trying to stop your cat urinating everywhere in the house but the litter box then this article is definitely something you need to read as it will help you understand how stress can be a major factor that is causing your pet to use your house as an alternate litter box; the sofas, the bed, the carpet etc. These are all spots (plus more) where you may find cat urine and as mentioned stress could be a reason for all this.

Cats hate stress and they can't communicate to us to tell us this. Babies will cry when they want something and cats will meow but when that is not enough you may find that the next step taken by your pet is to urinate all over the house.

If you find this happening you must make sure that you don't shout or hit your pet for this as this can upset your cat and cause even more problems for them. The first thing that you want to do is take them to the vet. The reason being cats can get an infection such as urinary tract infection which hinders the bladder of your cat. They can also get something like urethra blocking which makes it harder for them to urinate. These problems are actually things that need to be treated ASAP by your vet but they are easily treatable and could be a good underlying reason for all the urination.

When you are sure that your cat doesn't have an infection the next thing to look at is stress. Cats can get stressed for many different reasons.

If you have multiple cats and don't have many litter boxes then you will find that at least one cat will be stressed due to the fact that they will have a feeling of being overcrowded. One of your cats will be the most dominant and they will mark their territory for the litter box leaving the others to go somewhere else.

Another reason could be the location of the litter box. Our pets don't have the luxury of having doors in their litter boxes which means that if you place the litter box somewhere where a lot of people walk past then they may get uncomfortable and move to a different location such as a bed in one of your rooms.

One more reason you may find your cat urinating everywhere is because of new smells. Cats will spread their own scent through the house by rubbing themselves against furniture, beds and even on you. This creates a comfort barrier for them and when this is disturbed by new scents such as a new carpet, bedding, guests or even pets then you will find urine around more often.

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Cat Litter Training - Teaching Your Kitten To Use His Box

If you have just gotten a new kitten, chances are it's already litter box trained. This is because cats who have been raised by mothers who use litter boxes themselves have already been taught to use a box by their mothers. If the mother is trained, then the kitty, too, is going to be trained to use a box. If not, though, the kitten will need to be taught cat litter training.

If your kitten was raised by a mother in the wild or is an orphan, chances are you're going to get a kitten that is not trained. Not to worry, however. By nature, cats are very clean creatures, and would prefer to have one special place to go to the bathroom. Therefore, even though your little guy (or girl) may "do his business" in indiscriminate locations throughout your house when you first get him, it's very easy to train a kitten how to use a box if he does not know how to do so already.

Remember that if the kitten is very tiny (less than six weeks old) and/or has been orphaned, then it may not have had a mother to show it how to use litter properly. It's very easy to show him how, though. First, get a box or container with low enough sides that even a very tiny kitten can climb in. One of the best containers to use is an old dishpan with one side cut out so that it's only a couple of inches high. This is low enough that even the tiniest of kittens can climb in easily. The box must be easy to get into for your kitten to be able to use it. Immediately after you've set up the pan, put just a small amount of litter (no more than half an inch or so) on the bottom and put your cat in. Instinctively, even tiny kittens will usually like to scratch around even if they don't exactly know what it's used for.

Now, the next time you feed your kitten, immediately after he eats, turn on him over on his back (often, you can even do this in the palm of your hand with a very tiny kitten). Cover your index finger with a warm wet rag or washcloth and massage his lower belly very gently with it using downward stroking motions, going toward his tail. What you're doing is stimulating him to eliminate as his mother would by licking him.

Immediately after you do this once or twice, turn him over on his feet and set him down in the box. He should feel the need to go to the bathroom almost immediately. He'll eliminate and once he does this, take his front paw and very gently scoop litter over his waste. Very soon, he'll get the idea and want to do this himself. As we said, cats are very clean creatures and instinctively bury their waste anyway, so he'll get the idea very quickly. You may need to help the little fellow clean himself off at first until he understands how to do that himself, too, and this, again, is done with a warm wet rag or washcloth.

For the next few days up to two weeks, every time you feed your kitten, take him to the litter box immediately and set him down in it. After the first two or three times, you should not need to stimulate him by stroking his belly. If he does not cover his own waste, remember to use his own paw to cover it up for him until he gets the idea. Training should be very easy as long as you're consistent.

Remember that your box always needs to be kept in the same location so that your kitten can always find it. Cats are very smart and remember things like that very easily, so if you keep it in the same location, he'll know to go to the box as soon as he knows he has to go to the bathroom. Very soon, you'll have a trained kitten with very little effort.

One final thing to remember is that because cats are so clean, their boxes must also be kept very clean. If your kitten has been trained and all of a sudden begins eliminating in various places in the house, it's likely that it's either a health problem or dirty litter box that's making him do so. If the box is dirty, make sure you clean it and keep it that way. If the accidents throughout the house continue, take your cat to the vet immediately, as this could signify some serious problems such as a urinary tract infection or constipation.

With a little effort from you, cat litter training should be very easy for your new kitten.

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Reasons Why an Old Cat Is Peeing Outside the Litter Box

There are few things more frustrating than when a cat that was previously using the litter box quite happily suddenly stops using it and urinates around the house instead. Sometimes older cats can stop using the box after a lifetime of being house trained. However, there is generally a good reason, and with a little patience and understanding the problem can usually be resolved.

One of the most common reasons for an older cat refusing to use the litter box is a Urinary Tract infection (UTI). This makes it difficult for your cat to urinate and causes him pain and discomfort. Often the cat will associate the pain with the litter box and will try to find somewhere else to go, in the hope that it won't hurt. A cat with a UTI will also need to urinate much more frequently as a matter of urgency, so may not always be within easy reach of the box.

Signs of a UTI are obvious pain and discomfort on urinating, trying to urinate frequently, circling and scratching for a long time before actually squatting and only producing a small amount of urine at a time. As the infection progresses, the urine may have a pink tinge or be very concentrated. If you suspect that your cat may have a UTI, take him to the vet as soon as possible. Your vet will prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection, and your cat should then be fully house trained once more.

An older cat may also become reluctant to use the litter box if he develops arthritis. If his limbs are affected, he may find it difficult or painful to jump in and out of the litter box and so will find somewhere more accessible instead. Signs that your cat has arthritis include stiffness and signs of pain when walking, reluctance to jump onto higher surfaces and reluctance to be picked up. Your vet will be able to prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and control the discomfort. You could also provide your cat with a lower sided box which is easier for him to get in and out of.

A change in your cat's routine may also be the cause. This can be a major change such as a house move or a new baby or a much smaller change such as a rearrangement of furniture. Cats are very much creatures of habit and any changes to his routine can cause him a great deal of stress. You will need to give him plenty of reassurance and help him to establish a new routine. Make sure he knows where the litter box is and praise him when he goes to use it. If you have a new addition to the household such as a new cat or dog, make sure your older cat's litter box is sited somewhere private. Cats will generally require a box each, preferably in their own private space.

Older cats can suffer from dementia, so it is possible that he may simply forget where his litter box is or how to use it. Signs of feline dementia include excessive meowing for no reason, especially during the night, and a lack of awareness of where he is. He may also display behaviors such as walking round in a circle or a reluctance to be left alone. Sadly there is no cure for feline dementia, although there is medication that can slow the process. You may simply have to learn to live with it. Try placing the litter box in the spots where your cat tends to urinate; it may be useful to purchase an extra box or two for this purpose.

Hopefully this article will help you to solve the problem of your older cat peeing around the house and rebuild your relationship with him.

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Solving Litter Box Problems - Harmful Mistakes Cat Owners Make

It can be extremely frustrating when your cat stops using her litter box. Suddenly everything in your home can become a potential target of urine. Litter box aversion is the most common problem clients call me about and in many cases those clients are at the end of their ropes. Nothing sends a cat to the shelter faster than a litter box issue. Sadly, many of the cats relinquished to shelters, abandoned, or euthanized due to litter box problems could've been helped. Litter box problems cause owners to react emotionally and sometimes irrationally. The sight or smell of cat pee on a cherished sofa or an expensive carpet can easily short-circuit a person's patience.

Harmful Mistakes Owners Make

Waiting too long to do something about it. I can't tell you how many times owners call me and request an immediate consultation because they're planning on taking the cat to the shelter within days. The problem has usually been going on for weeks, months, and maybe even years and then the owner reaches the breaking point. The longer a problem goes on, the harder it is to correct. Don't wait.

Assuming the problem is behavioral. Many behavior problems have underlying medical causes. Many cats suffer in pain because an owner assumes the cause of the litter box aversion is due to a behavior problem when in fact, it might be due to lower urinary tract disease, renal failure, diabetes, or any number of medical issues. Whenever a cat displays a change in behavior you should have her checked out by the veterinarian.

Punishment. This is so counter-productive it's heartbreaking. Rubbing your cat's nose in her mess, spanking, yelling, time-out, or any other form of punishment does nothing to help retrain her, and in fact, can make the situation worse. If your cat is peeing outside of the litter box she is doing it because she feels she has no other option. If you punish her for it you add to her stress, potentially creating an added fear of you in the process, and she may start retaining her urine (which is medically harmful) for as long as she can out of fear of being punished. Hitting a cat is also inhumane and harmful to the behavior modification process. Your hands should never be used as weapons. How can you ever expect your cat to trust you if she doesn't know whether the hand coming near her is going to pet her or hit her? Fear, intimidation, and pain are not appropriate behavior modification tools. Don't let your frustration over a behavior problem get the best of you because your relationship with your cat will suffer.

Not finding the true cause. Animals don't repeat behaviors unless they serve a function. If kitty is eliminating outside of the litter box there's a valid reason for it. The reason is certainly not an acceptable one from the owner's point of view but the cat is trying to solve a problem in the best way she knows how. Let's look at a couple of examples: Perhaps she's eliminating outside of the box because it's too dirty. While you may think that scooping the box once every day or so is adequate, your cat may not feel it's clean enough. She may eliminate in other areas of the house because they're cleaner. Maybe she's peeing in the dining room because every time she tries to go into the litter box she gets ambushed by a companion cat. Perhaps the dining room offers her more escape potential because she can see her opponent approaching from a distance and has more places to run. You may have set up a litter box that's very private but in the cat's mind the privacy limits her ability to feel safe. Another example may be that the box is located in an unappealing location. Perhaps it's in a basement where she has to go up and down the stairs. There are numerous other reasons your cat may feel it's necessary to choose an alternate location to the litter box. If you just set up deterrents without getting to the source of the problem she'll just keep looking for other locations.

Being inconsistent. Cats are creatures of habit and they take comfort in knowing that things in their environment aren't going to be changing on a daily basis. Whether it's your desire to switch to a different brand of litter, the fact that you love rearranging the furniture, or the irresistible urge to buy the cat food that's on sale this week, sudden change is upsetting to cats. I had a client once who couldn't decide where he wanted the litter box located in his house so he moved it every day as an experiment. The experiment ended in disaster because his cat couldn't possibly keep up with the daily disappearing act. Introduce changes in your cat's life in a gradual way. If you want to switch litter brands do it slowly by adding a little of the new litter into the current brand and then increasing the amount over the course of a few days. When introducing a second cat into the household do it gradually so both cats get a chance to adjust. Cats don't want to be taken by surprise.

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Cat Litter Box Furniture - What Is It And Where To Find It

What do you think that Cat Litter Boxes furniture is? I had a hard time to picture me something after reading this phrase. But after seeing a picture, and reading a description I know what it is. It is the answer to a problem that cat owners have had for a long time. You know what the problems are with a normal box.

Ugly
Litter all over the floor
In the way
Don't know where to put it.

What have we always done to take care of these problems? We have tried to hide the ugly thing. We tried to keep it out of sight for our self and our guests. We did this by hiding it in:

Laundry rooms
Bath rooms
Corner of the room
Spare bed rooms

But what ever we did and where ever we tried to hide it, it still was an ugly piece of furniture. There is a perfect solution to this problem, that has been going on for years and years.
The solution is called Cat Litter Box Furniture.
What is a better solution then to hide it right under our eyes, but then in a way that we do not have to look at that ugly box There is a normal looking piece of furniture and we can also use it like that, but inside this nice looking table is the normal box.

Out of our sight
We do not have to hide it anymore
It is nice to look at
We can use it.

This all sounds like a win win situation to me, and the cat might even like it better, because he or she has more privacy. There is one more big advantage of using these boxes hidden in a piece of nice looking furniture.

The litter stays in the box and not all over the floor.
This makes it so much easier to clean, and we do not have to keep sweeping or vacuuming after every visit of our cat. I have been reading some reviews and each and every person that started using these things was very pleased with it.

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How to Litter Train a Cat

For most cat owners, training their cat to use the litter is a relatively painless process. It is among a cat's natural instincts to eliminate in an area that they can cover their feces in. This behavior may be a way of your cat accepting what they perceive to be as the natural order of dominance. In the wild feral cats will bury their feces if they are not at the top of their social hierarchy, if a feral cat does not bury his or her feces it is likely that the cat exhibiting that behavior is the dominant feline. So when your housecat buries his or her waste he or she may be recognizing your role as the dominant animal in their social community. It is also possible, however, that your cat may be displaying his or her inherited instinct to bury his or her feces in order to hide their trail from would be predators.

Generally kittens will learn the behavior of burying their feces and using the litter
through their mother once they are weaned assuming the mother is litter trained.
So if you bring home a young kitten of about 12 weeks, you may only need to
place kitty in the litter box and gently scratch the clean litter with your fingers
shortly after she eats to indicate to her what she is to do.

KITTY DIDN'T TAKE TO THE LITTER RIGHT AWAY

If your new cat doesn't take to litter training after your first few attempts you may
want to consider teaching her using another common method. Confine your new
addition to a small but comfortable room, preferably one with a hard floor if you
have one. Place both the litter box and the food dish in the room but don't place
them close to one another. Your cat will naturally not want to defecate near its food
source so she will look for another area. Eliminate any pillows, blankets,
newspapers, towels or other soft items where your cat may decide to eliminate from
the room before you close her in. If you have confined your cat to a room with hard
floors she is likely to avoid eliminating on the floor since urinating is likely to splash
back and get on her fur. The only remaining choice to the cat at this point is
(hopefully) the litter box.

MY CAT STOPPED USING THE LITTER

If your cat was housebroken and all the sudden she seems to have
forgotten that instinct there are a few possibilities you might want to consider
before giving up.

1. Does Kitty Have A Dirty Litter Box? The most common cause of a
housetrained cat to stop using the litter is your cat
disagreeing with the level of cleanliness regarding her litter box. Your cat is more
likely to
stop using the litter if she feels that it is too dirty. It is best to clean your cat's litter
every day or at the very least every second or third day. The dirtier a litter box gets
the less likely it is that your cat is going to continue to use it. Your cat wants to
eliminate in a clean environment and if she notices that every time she eliminates on
the carpet you immediately run and clean it up she perceives that as a more
desirable place to eliminate because it is so quickly cleaned. Keeping your cat's
litter as clean as possible is the best way to avoid this problem, and remember, what
you consider clean, your cat may not.

In addition to emptying the litter, you obviously need to change it from time to time
as well in order to ensure good cat health and cleanliness. Weekly changing is best,
this ensures that odors and wetness won't have too much time to build up to
unacceptable levels and it also reduces the likelihood of sickness due to high levels
of bacteria.

2. Stress. A cat eliminating outside of the litter box may also be a sign for
stress.
The introduction of a new person or animal into the household may be putting a lot
of stress on your cat. Cats generally like to feel like they know what is going on and
what they can expect. If you upset that balance by introducing a new creature (even
a two legged one) into the household they may get stressed which can cause them
to eliminate outside the box.

If you leave your cat alone for long periods of time (for example while you take
vacations or go on business trips) and you come back you may
notice that your cat will sometimes seem aloof and standoffish. This is another
instance in which your cat may react with eliminating outside the litter box as a sort
of protest to what she perceives as being abandoned.

A new piece of furniture, or conversely, a newly missing piece of furniture may also
put stress on your cat. Order and comfort are important if you are a cat. If you
decide to get rid of that old fabric sofa because of it's ugly pea green color and
because it's falling apart at the seams and then you replace it with a brand new,
slick, top of the line, leather sofa with a refrigerator built into the side, and a
massage and heating function, your cat is unlikely to see this as a stylish upgrade
the way you would. What your cat will probably see is that one of her favorite nap
spots has disappeared only to be replaced by something she is unfamiliar with and
intimidated by.

3. Changing Litter Brands. Cats are creatures of habit and can also be
quite finicky (remember Morris, the 9 Lives cat?). If you've recently switched the
brand of litter you usually buy this may be cause for your cat to find another place
to go. Some litters are perfumed (for humans rather than cats) and your cat may
not react well to these smells, or perhaps your cat was used to a less dusty type
of litter, a particular litter's texture, or who knows what. Changing brands or types
of litter may upset what your cat is comfortable with and the result may be a messy
carpet. If you suspect this to be the cause, you can either switch back, or
gradually introduce the new litter. Try mixing in a little bit of the new litter with the
older brand at first and gradually step up the percentage of the new litter each time
you change the box, eventually you will be able to replace the older brand
altogether. This will help your cat ease into the new litter brand rather than upset
her sense of the order of things.

4. Multiple Cats. As mentioned above a second animal may cause a cat to
begin to
eliminate outside of the litter box, but this may not necessarily be the result of
stress. A second cat in your household should probably have his own litter box
unless your cats have proven they don't mind sharing. Again, remember cats are
clean creatures and they can be territorial as well. Some cats may not mind using
the same box, but others may refuse, which means again, the carpet becomes litter
box number two.

5. Litter Box Size Or Placement. If the litter box does not provide enough
room for
your cat she may not use it at all. Your cat will likely want to scratch around and be
able to feel comfortable in the litter box. Make sure it is roomy enough, easy
for your cat to get in and out of (the sides of the box should be lower for kittens
than for adult cats), and not in a high traffic area as cats seem to like some
degree of privacy when eliminating. Lastly, make sure your cat has access to the
litter at all times. Putting your litter box in a room that is closed on occasion is a
recipe for disaster. If your cat has to go and she can't get to the room that you've
put the litter in then she really will have no other alternative than to find another
suitable area to eliminate.

6. Medical Issues. Your cat may be experiencing kitty incontinence. Like
humans,
incontinence can strike animals and this may be an indication of other medical
issues with your cat. As a cat ages, she becomes more likely to lose control of her
bodily functions just like a human does. If you suspect age or medical reasons may
be the cause for your kitty's litter box problems then you should take her to the vet
for an examination, advice and possible treatment to resolve the problem.

WHEN YOUR CAT MAKES A MESS

If your cat does make a mess outside of the litter box it is generally not good
practice to scold her or punish her. Putting her nose in the mess and then tossing
her in the litter is not going to solve your problem. Being upset with your cat is
natural after such an incident, but to display this behavior and then to put her in the
litter box is only making your cat associate the litter box with a bad experience.
Your cat may also begin to learn to be afraid of you, which is obviously not what you
want. Your best solution is to clean up the mess quickly. Put your cat in the litter
box and be friendly and speak in a calming voice with the cat. Scrape the clean
litter with your fingers and make sure your cat sees this behavior, hopefully it will
sink in. To avoid having your cat defecate in the same place outside the litter box a
second (or third) time, cover the area with a plastic sheet or something hard that
will result in your cat splashing herself with her own urine if she should chose that
place to defecate again. Clean the smell as best you can (white vinegar may help,
but make sure your furniture or carpet can handle it). You can also move her food
dish on top of or near the area that she used to defecate, a cat will not want to
defecate near her food source. If your cat uses the litter again, even just once,
reward her, play with her, pet her, give her a treat, make her associate the litter box
with a good experience rather than a bad one.

A cat that eliminates outside of the box is not a lost cat. Don't give up on her until
you've explored the possible reasons for the problem. Once you find it, you can
most likely correct it and kitty and human can live a happy co-existence once again.

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What to Do When Your Cat Won't Use the Litter Tray

There is nothing more frustrating than when your cat decides he no longer wants to use his cat litter box and prefers to soil the carpet instead. Read on for explanations as to why this may be the case and how you can help to resolve the problem. Please bear in mind that the sudden change in behavior may be health related so you should consider taking your cat to the vet for a health check.

The first question you must ask yourself is, are you maintaining the cat litter box regularly enough. Cats are extremely clean animals and will not use a dirty litter box, fact. So if it is a case that the box is not being maintained often enough your kitty will just go and find somewhere else to do the business. Waste should be removed frequently, and if you use clumping cat litter, the clumps should be removed also. If you are out of the house for long periods of time, at work, for example, then consider providing more than one litter box for your cat. The general rule is that you should provide one tray per cat in the household plus a spare one.

You should also ask yourself when the last time you actually cleaned the litter tray was. Whilst this does not need to be a daily occurrence, you should aim to wash the cat litter trays at least once a week. Don't use strong smelling detergents. Whilst this may be pleasing to your nose, it won't be to your cat and may be a reason for him refusing to use it. Bear in mind a cats sense of smell is much stronger than a humans and strong smelling detergents may put him off. Hot soapy water is really all that is required when washing out the litter trays.

Have you changed the type of cat litter that you are using? Many cats will have a preference to types of cat litter, usually the one he has been most used to. So your cat deciding to do the business elsewhere may simply be because you have changed the type of cat litter. As mentioned earlier you should bear in mind that such changes in cat behavior may be a result of underlying health problems, so if you have any concerns you should take your cat to a veterinary surgeon for a health check, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

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How Often Should You Clean Your Cat's Litter Box?

How fun is it to clean the litter box? Unfortunately, if you own an indoor cat, it's a necessity to keep up with this chore otherwise, it will become an uncomfortable reminder that you do indeed own a cat and anyone that comes into your home will know it to. Cats make wonderful pets but you don't necessarily want the strong ammonia smell that stagnant urine brings to be clouding the air you breathe. Not only is it unpleasant but it can actually make you sick not to mention all the little rock formations that crowd your kitties sand box and leaves no room for more deposits. Some cats simply decide it's too dirty and go somewhere you don't want them to go.

Cat's are extremely clean and intelligent animals and somehow instinctively know what a litter box is and how to use it. When we first got our kitty, she was about 6 weeks old and the tiniest little thing. We went out and got her a small disposable box and larger hard plastic litter box. One to use while she was small and one to transition to as she grew. When we got home, we filled the disposable one with litter and decided to go ahead and put the rest of the litter in the big box and save it until later. Our little 6 week old kitty too a huge leap inside the big box, did her thing, covered it up, and jumped right out as if she's been doing it for years. We were all amazed just how intuitive she was.

So, how often should you "scoop" the litter box? Once a day, once a week, once a month? And, how often should you change the litter completely? I guess that all depends on how strong a smell you're willing to live with. Here's another consideration; when you don't clean the litter box on a regular basis, your cat is spreading feces and urine via his paws all over your house. Everything he touches with his feet; your bed, your couch, your chairs, everything is being contaminated by his paws. So, here's my advice, scoop your cats litter box daily, and change the litter completely weekly. This should ensure that the box and your kitties feet stay nice and clean.

There is one alternative that you could do if you really hate cleaning the litter box. Somebody invented a self-cleaning litter box that does the work for you so you don't have to. It's actually very ingenious and works with a sensor to detect when your cat has used his litter box. When the cat exists the litter box, the automatic self-cleaning mechanism kicks in and sweeps a rake-like device under and over the entire length of the box. When it gets to the end, it lifts up out of the litter and scoops the little rocks of urine and feces into a receptacle that you just pick up and dispose when it becomes full. Your cats box always stays clean and fresh instantly after using it.

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10 Reasons Why Your Cat Isn't Using Their Litter Box And What You Can Do About It

Sadly, one of the main reasons that cats are given away or abused is because they stop using their litter box. What's even sadder is that almost 100% of the time there is some underlying problem that is easily fixed if the owner would just take some time to understand why they are doing this.

Other than a physical problem which requires immediate attention from your Vet your cat is usually trying to send a message to you. Cats are smart animals and even though they can't talk they often use other means to communicate with you and not using the litter box is one such method.

10 reasons why your cat may not be using their litter box:

1) Your cat is ill and needs to see the Vet - There can be many medical reasons kitty isn't using the litter box and only a Vet can make the correct diagnosis and treat your cat appropriately. If your cat is sick it is critical to get them medical help immediately.

2) They have to share it with other cats - Experts agree that there should be one litter box per cat and some even recommend one extra box per household.

3) Lack of privacy - Cats need privacy just like humans when going to the bathroom. Maybe a litter box with a hood can solve the problem.

4) Using a different brand of cat litter - Your cat might need some adjustment time or simply does not like the new litter. An unscented clumping litter is usually the best type to use.

5) The litter box is hard to get into or out of - You cat might be getting older and having some trouble entering and exiting or the box could be too small for your cat.

6) The box has been moved recently - Once again your cat might need some time to adjust to the new location.

7) Litter box needs cleaning - This is very subjective as each cat has their own idea as to what constitutes a clean litter box. Some will want their box cleaned daily while other cats prefer every couple of days. A self cleaning litter box might be a good option if you can afford it.

8) Litter depth - Cat's get used to a certain depth of litter in their box with some liking a shallow layer of litter while others may prefer a deeper layer.

9) Food and water positioned near the box - Cats do not like their food and water next to their toilet.

10) Your cat is mad at you - If your cat is upset with you for some reason they will go to the bathroom in a place where you are guaranteed not to miss it. I have seen cats leave little presents in bathtubs and right inside the front door of an apartment.

Your cat not using their litter box is not the end of the world and with a little work you will have them back in the box in no time. Just remember, do not punish the cat as this will not do any good. Instead, show a little TLC towards your feline friend and they will love you for it.

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Cats - How to Easily Retrain Your Cat to Use the Litter Box Again

Contrary to what you might think, cats can be trained. Well...let me qualify that - only as much they're willing!

Cats want to use the litter box. But as you know, a whole lot of conditions have to be just right for your cat. It's easy to retrain kitty back to good cat litter box habits.

First off, give him or her a chance. If he or she was suffering from a Feline UTI, once the pain is gone, they'll forget they ever felt it. Once the pain medication has taken hold, and you've made positive diet changes, chances are good your cat will go back to using the box again on their own. Goodbye cat urine odor, cat litter box training is done!

If kitty had a urinary tract infection (UTI), he or she associates the pain of the infection with using his or her box.

But suppose your cat doesn't? You've run through the medication cycle, but they don't seem to "get it," and there's still a problem?

So, what do you do about cat litter box training? Well, kitty stays in one location to learn how to use the box again. Don't worry, it's not for long!

Pick a room that houses one of his or her boxes. Confine him or her to that room with food, water, the box, and some toys.

Keep your cat confined for a few days, and monitor their litter box use. They might "get it" quickly, and your problems will be over.

If your car uses their box while under monitoring and supervision, chances are good they're back in the groove. You'll need to continue confinement as long as your cat is confused about the litter box.

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Easily Disposable Cat Litter

For those of us who are both cat lovers and Mother Earth lovers, the idea of easily disposable cat litter is very appealing; as long as easily disposable means that it won't end up in a landfill! Luckily, there are some excellent kitty litters out there that can be flushed or even composted because they are completely biodegradable - talk about easily disposable cat litter!

It's estimated that over 2 million tons of non-biodegradable clay litter ends up in landfills every year! Biodegradable litter is great in many ways - it's made without chemicals and is fragrance free, so it is not harmful to your cat(s) and because it's made from a renewable resource, it's great for the environment. Clay litter is not made from renewable resource, but comes from mined clay.

Many cat owners like the biodegradable litters because once the cat poop has been scooped out and flushed the litter itself can be composted (not for your vegetable garden, though). Many of these litters are clumping for scooping ease and some can be flushed. If you won't be flushing them, or composting them, because they are biodegradable, you can still dispose of them in the back forty and they will simply become part of the soil.

Cat lovers seem to like the following brands of easily disposal cat litter:
Swheat Scoop - A scoopable litter made from naturally processed wheat. It can be licked or digested without serious problems, and it's easy on paws. It is safe for septic systems, so it can be flushed. It is compostable.
Feline Pine - All natural, made from (you guessed it) pine shavings that have been compressed into little pellets. It is clumping for easy scooping, compostable and flushable.
CareFresh - this isn't really cat litter, it's animal bedding (small pets), but it's made from reclaimed wood pulp waste and contains no chemicals, etc. Very soft and good for when kitty has delicate toes after declawing. It's also good for pets with allergies.

All of the above are easily disposal cat litters that are healthy for your kitty and good for the environment as well. If you want to make sure that your cat is getting the healthiest litter for her and that you are getting easily disposable cat litter for your own convenience, you may want to give some of these a try.

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Silica Cat Litter - A Wise Or Unhealthy Choice?

Silica cat litter is one of the newest types of cat litter on the market. What makes it different is that it can absorb and "dry" many times its weight in liquid, and thus greatly reduce and even eliminate cat box odor. You simply put litter in the cat box to the depth of about one inch. As the cat uses the box, the liquid waste is absorbed and then "dried" so that no smell remains and the letter itself remains dry. Solid waste is basically "petrified" and is removed regularly by scooping it out and flushing or disposing of it.

The biggest advantage is that a single inch worth of litter can last up to two weeks or even a month for a single cat. As a result, many owners swear by this type of litter since it makes litter box maintenance so much easier. However, there are drawbacks and concerns, especially in regard to the health of your cat.

First of all, silica litter can be sharp and rough on your cat's feet when he or she uses the litter box. Although manufacturers have tried to address this concern by purportedly giving subsequent litters a "softer feel," the concern still remains. In addition, some fear that cats may ingest small particles of this silica (which is much like glass in terms of how it functions internally) when they clean themselves, and ingestion of silica can be very unhealthy.

Finally, a third concern is that it's not healthy for litter to remain unchanged for up to a month's time. Unlike clumping litter where all waste is removed in solid form, with silica, solid "petrified" waste is removed, but liquid waste including urine and the liquid from feces remains in the litter itself and is merely "dried.". This means that there may be bacterial or other health concerns present when your cat continues using litter that has been unchanged for so long.

An advantage to using silica litter is that it is, indeed, cost-effective for owners, since one roughly $10 box of litter can last up to two weeks to a month's time per cat. It's also generally less trouble to take care of, since solid waste can be removed only daily. Finally, the litter box itself only needs to be changed one to two times a month per cat.

However, despite this, it's no less expensive to use than a good clumping litter for the same time period per cat. In addition, with clumping litter, you can usually scoop just once or twice per day. Although you will not be able to flush solid waste with clumping litter as you do with silica litter, you can remove all waste (including liquid) from the box every day with clumping litter, where you cannot with silica litter.

Finally, the sharpness of litter on cats' feet is a concern for many owners. This is one reason many choose to avoid it. You can buy scooping letters mixed with silica to help with odor control, so that you can have the advantages of silica without all of the disadvantages. This type of litter is also much more comfortable for your pet.

Therefore, although it's up to you to decide whether you want to try it, silica cat litter is probably not a good option for many cats. The health concerns inherent in leaving litter unchanged for up to a month's time are great, as is the effect on cats' feet. It may be best to use a combination litter that uses a small amount of silica along with a good clumping litter to get the same odor-controlling results, but with much less potential risk to your cat's health.

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Radioactive Cat Litter

Cat box fillers made from absorbent clay account for approximately 95% of all cat litter. Although inexpensive, clay litter can be dusty and may encourage digging in the litter box releasing even more dust. What is so interesting or scary about these cat litter facts?

Read on for a surprising eye opening. Sodium bentonite expands when wet - it can absorb several times its dry weight in water. It is mostly used in drilling mud in the oil and gas well drilling industries. But bentonite, clay that's usually yellow or greenish-gray, is not just used by the energy industry. Traditional clay-based cat litter contains sodium bentonite as the clumping agent. Since clay typically contains elevated levels of naturally occurring radionuclides, large amounts of cat litter can be measurably radioactive. Most cat litters contain clay or sodium bentonite, as it is highly absorbent. The clay in cat litter gives off enough gamma rays (gamma -rays) to trigger a detector. Yes, the clay in cat litter does give off radiation in very small quantities.

That's not all to keep you up late at night worrying. Bentonite toxicosis can occur in cats from the ingestion of clay cat litter. "Suspected Bentonite Toxicosis in a Cat from Ingestion of Clay Cat Litter" was originally published in the Journal of Veterinary and Human Toxicology Vol. 38, No. 6, October 1996 (Fred Oehme, DVM, editor). Products traditionally thought to be nontoxic can produce toxicosis. Bentonite toxicosis causes hypokalemia and macrocytic hypochromic anemia consistent with iron-deficiency anemia. The cat in this study became ill from the chronic ingestion of a bentonite-containing cat litter. The signs of that cat were remarkably similar to those reported in humans from the chronic ingestion of bentonite clays. If you scoop out your cat litter box at least once a day, breathing in the dust produced over several years, is that enough to cause bentonite toxicosis in you?

We should think twice about bringing any clay cat litter into our homes and exposing our cats and families to these health hazards. Natural cat litter is sanitized litter box filler which controls odor naturally. No clay, no radioactive materials or health hazards used in these litters. There are many natural cat litters on the market today made from a variety of materials such as pine, corn, newspaper and wheat. There is no need to worry or potentially suffer devastating health problems from clay cat litter. Switch to natural cat litter and protect the lives of all your family members, not just your cats.

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Cat Not Using Litter Box - Does Your Cat Not Using Litter Box?

A cat not using litter box is probably the main reason why cat owners give up. It's frustrating and annoying find your cat pee all around home. Fortunately many people have been in your shoes before, so there are lots of answers for this problem.

These are the four main reasons for a cat not using his box.

- Urinary Tract Infection.

Do you noticed any change in your cat behavior? If so, you may handle with an urinary tract infection and this is the reason why your cat not using litter box.

Immediately take your cat to the vet and make sure that's not a healthy issue. Vet are trained to treat urinary tract infection.

- The box is in a loud or high traffic area.

Is your cat toilet in a loud and high traffic area? If your answer is yes, this is the reason why your cat not using litter box. Moving the box form the loud and traffic room to a more quiet and silent room, you can easily solve the problem. Cats need privacy to do their business.

It can happen that your cat was scared by a loud washing-machine and she may associate the fear with the litterbox itself (and not with the room) and start avoiding it. Since cats leave a fear scent when they get scared, this scent can be the reason why your cat not using the litter box.

To solve this problem, thoroughly clean the bathroom box with mild soap and water. You can also use some ammonia type cleaners (you should have it in your home), so your cat will be more attract to use it. This way, you also avoid your cat not using the litter box.

- The box cause pain.

This can happen very often when your cat needs to recover from a surgery. Your cat may associate the pain with the litter box - and avoid it in order to prevent further pain. This happens most often with cats that have been recently declawed because the recovery is so long and painful. Rarely, it may happen with a cat that has been spayed - but cats typically recover from being spayed/neutered very quickly.

Once your cat associate the pain with the litter box there is almost nothing to do. You should buy a new litterbox.

But, if you know ahead of time your cat is going to have a surgery, get a new box just for use during the recovery period. To save money you can also use a large Tupperware storage container.

- Litterbox smells.

Cats are very clean creatures and they don't want to use a dirty litter box that hasn't been cleaned for 3 weeks any more than you would want to use a toilet that hasn't been flushed in 3 weeks - especially since they have to stand in their litter box.

Make sure you scoop out clumps daily and do a complete dump once a week. (Or every 2 weeks for clumping litter). By doing this you'll stop your cat not using the litter box.

If the litterbox still smell, maybe you cleaned it with something that your spoiled kitty considers stinky.

Make sure you don't use any strong chemicals like bleach or comet to clean you cat box. Plain water, or water with diluted dish soap will work fine. Definitely avoid using anything with a citrus smell, because most cats despise the smell of citrus.

Another reason not to use harsh chemicals is because cats like to be able to smell their familiar scent in the box. The scent reminds them it's safe, comfortable place to do their business.

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