When you know where to put a little box, you’ll likely have a happy cat

Thinking outside the box is usually a good thing, but going to the bathroom outside of the litter box is definitely not. Some cat owners often find themselves feeling frustrated and upset because their cats decide to not use them anymore. Part of this problem has to do with location. However, when you know where to put a litter box you lessen your chances of having issues with your kitty as a result.

Type of Pan

The type of bathroom you want to give your kitty may not be the type your kitty is comfortable with. For instance, a hooded litter box is ideal for owners, as they don’t have to see their cat’s waste. Additionally, these types of receptacles can also keep odors a bit at bay.

However, not every cat digs this type of potty. The hoods can scare them. Plus, the dust that accumulates when the cat scratches in the pan can cause it to sneeze and irritate its eyes.

The same goes for receptacles that are disguised as something else. Some companies can make a potty look like a hamper or other piece of furniture. While it may be perfect for you, it might not be for the cat.

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Oftentimes, the best receptacle to use is a low-sided, open potty that is easy to get in and out of. If your kitty has issues getting in, it will likely refuse to use it, which will cause problems for you later on.

Give Some Privacy

You probably don’t want to go to the bathroom if front of a bunch of people, and neither does your cat. Place the potty in an area that is private, but not too out of the way. For instance, a deep, dark corner of your basement may be a little too obscure for kitty. It may be scared of how deserted the area is and refuse to go there.

On the other hand, you don’t want to place the potty in an area that sees a lot of action. All the traffic and excitement might cause the kitty to stress out and become afraid to use the pan.

The same thing goes for placing the potty next to a noisy appliance. If the water heater or the furnace makes weird noises and you place the pan next to one of them, your kitty will probably want to relieve itself somewhere else. It may take some time to play around with the location, but you’ll probably find the perfect spot for the potty over time. 

Have Enough Pottys

Some cats are picky and don’t want to urinate and deficate in the same pan. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to have one potty per cat, plus an extra. For instance, if you have two cats, you should have three pans.

The location of each pan depends on the cats’ preferences. Some may like them all next to each other, whereas others may like the receptacles in different spots. You’ll probably need to try out a few different methods before you find a combination that works.

Keep It Clean

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to your kitty’s potty is allowing it to become too dirty. You wouldn’t want to relieve yourself in a spot that is covered with waste, so you can’t expect your cat to, either.

To keep things tidy, remove the waste with a scoop at least once a day. The scoop will collect the offensive items and sift out the litter, allowing it to fall back into the pan to be used. Cleaning up as soon as the pan is used is best; however, if that is not possible, you can get away with once a day.

Knowing where to put a litter box keeps your cat happy, which in turn, will likely make you happy, as well.

Resources:

The Humane Society of the United States: Preventing Litter Box Problems