5 Essential Rules Regarding Your Cat’s Litter Box

For many people, their home isn’t complete with a four-legged, furry companion running around. The debate is still out on which is the better pet – a cat or a dog – but if you’re team feline, you likely haven’t potty trained your kitty yet and have the fun chore of cleaning their litter box. While nobody enjoys taking care of a litter box, there are essential guidelines you can follow to make this one aspect of cat ownership less gross and more manageable. To take your litter box game to the next level and keep you and your kitty happy, keep reading to master those essential rules. 

Out of Sight, But Not Out of Mind 

One way to make the litter box less of an eye (or nose) sore in your home is to camouflage it! These days it’s easy to find litter boxes that are disguised as end tables, plant pots, or even an entertainment center. You can choose to invest in a pre-made one or make it a weekend DIY project. There are stylish options available to let your cat potty in style, and you do not sacrifice your home’s beautiful aesthetic.

Quantity Matters 

If you have more than one feline companion living under your roof, you must have enough litter boxes for everyone. Not only do cats not like sharing litter boxes with each other, but you also don’t want your litter box filling up too quickly and becoming harder to keep clean. You’re one step ahead of the game by making sure you have multiple litter boxes throughout your house, so each cat has at least one. Even if you only have one cat, if your house is multiple levels, it’s a good idea, not to mention thoughtful, to provide your kitty options. 

Scoop Daily 

You wouldn’t want to use a dirty toilet, would you? The same is true for your cat. Knowing when to change cat litter is important, but knowing when to scoop is critical. You want to scoop out the litter box daily. Not only is it uncomfortable for your cat to use an extremely soiled litter box, but it can also even affect their health. Having to go potty on already soiled litter can make your cat susceptible to UTIs and other health issues. Cats are masters at hiding discomfort and illness so that a small issue can become a full-blown emergency overnight. Avoid unnecessary health problems by scooping out their litter box every day. 

When To Change 

If you’re staying up on scooping out the litter box daily, you likely don’t need to change your litter more than once a month. Of course, if you have multiple cats, that need may be more like every two weeks, but monthly litter changes are ideal with just one kitty and regular scooping. While it’s easy to accumulate a lot of clumping and severely soiling the bottom of the pan from urine, there are solutions for that. You can freshen the litter in the box by adding a small amount of baking soda to the litter once a week or more often as necessary. 

Litter Liners 

Sometimes the base of the litter box can become saturated, and you need to do a deep clean of your cat’s potty. While this task can be stomach-churning for some, it’s part of making a happy home for your pet. If the smell is bad for you, imagine how it is for your beloved kitty! Avoid those strong smells and serious clumping by using litter box liners. They’re essentially trash bags for the base of your litter box. While there is a bit of a learning curve (some owners abandon these out of frustration), they’re worth it for you and your cat’s comfort to stick with.

Taking care of your cat’s litter box is a chore few look forward to, but it pays for itself in spades when it comes to you and your pet’s comfort. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, keeping a clean litter box is essential to your cat’s overall health and well-being. By following the guidelines mentioned above to a clean litter box, you’ll have a grateful cat and a clean home.