 Litter Box 101
Cats can be very particular about their litter boxes as well as their litter. So remember; if your cats not happy, they may do their business outside of the litter box
Choosing a litter pan for your cat
A full size, easy to clean plastic box (or a disposable litter pan) is your best bet. Generally, use 1 box per cat.
Placement of your litter box
You should place the litter box in a quiet, easily accessible location. Keep the box away from your cat’s food area. Once you have chosen a good location, keep the box in the same place so as not to confuse your cat. If you have the space or live in a large house you may want to have litter boxes in two locations.
If your cat tracks litter from the box, place a mat under the litter box where your cat steps to catch litter from her paws.
Correct amount of litter to use
Generally, you should use approx. 3 inches of clay (non-clumping) litter and 1 to 2 inches for scoopable litter. Always check the package for specific directions.
Cleaning the litter box
Remove waste (solids) daily for scoopable and conventional non-clumping litters and replace the entire contents of conventional (non-clumping clay) weekly. As you remove the clumps from your clumping litter remember to add additional litter to maintain the proper litter levels. You should also wash the litter box each time you make a complete litter change. Wash with warm water and soap and remember to rinse well.
Box liners are also a very good tool for easy litter box maintenance.
Switching litter types
Your cat may not like it so go slow. Mix the new litter with the old litter in a ratio of about 1/3 new to 2/3 new. Increase the new gradually until you have a total switch over.
Good luck!
Training
Cats and kittens are meticulous, and you may find that your kitten's mother has already trained him to use a box. If not, it's usually relatively easy.
Make sure your kitten has immediate access to his litter box and that he can climb in and out with no extra effort. A full size litter box may be too big for a young kitten to climb into (try using a pie plate).
Watch your kitten closely and place him/her in the litter box when they wake up, after meals or any time they begin nosing in corners or squatting.
If your kitten has an accident, wipe it up with a paper towel and place the towel in the litter box. Gently scratch the kitten's front paws in the filler, so that they learn this is the place to deposit and bury waste.
Do not allow your kitten to play or sleep in the litter box. Consider a non-clumping litter if your kitten continues to play in the box.
When the kitten is successful, praise him/her lavishly.
You may need to temporarily confine the cat if soiling continues. Unless your cat is ill, they will not soil their sleeping area, so placing them in a very small room or cage with the litter box should prompt the cat to do the right thing. Once your cat is using the box, gradually increase their house privileges. With multiple cats, or a small cat in a large house, more than one litter box can be helpful.
Spraying
- Many cats use urine to mark their territory. This behavior is called spraying. Instead of squatting and urinating in a puddle, the cat will raise its tail and squirt the urine backward toward the object it is trying to mark. Both males and females spray. As a rule, cats will start to exhibit this behavior when they feel their territory is threatened. For instance, some indoor cats may feel threatened and start spraying in the house if an outdoor cat makes its presence known at the window.
Cat Urine - Cat urine actually glows in the dark, so if you know it’s there; use a UV light to mark the spot. Cat urine is difficult, but not impossible to remove. Be sure to thoroughly clean soiled areas of carpet with a commercial product designed for that purpose (ask at your pet store). If the scent is not eliminated, the cat may return to the scene of the crime and repeat the offense. A clean, strategically placed cat box should prevent this problem. Some cats require privacy, so a box placed in a high-traffic area can lead to trouble.
If you are pregnant or have a suppressed immune system, you should know that a parasite sometimes found in cat feces can cause toxoplasmosis.
You should wash your hands thoroughly after handling used cat box filler.
Play Time
Keep your cat entertained with interactive cat toys rotated every few weeks. Remember: an empty toilet tissue or paper towel roll can be as exciting as a store-bought toy. Satisfy your cat's craving for vegetation (and save houseplants!) by placing a pot of cat grass nearby. It's found at most pet stores.
Cats Health
This is a short list of some common feline health problems. Remember, if your cat is suffering from these or other ailments you should consult your veterinarian
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) - An inflammation, irritation, and/or obstruction of the lower urinary tract. The inability to pass urine can become life threatening if not treated quickly. FLUTD is far more common among male cats than females. Symptoms include straining to urinate, blood in the urine, frequent trips to the litter box with only small amounts voided, or refusing to use the litter box. One of the most common symptoms of Feline Urinary Syndrome (FLUTD) is failure to use the litter box.
Diarrhea - If your cat has persistent diarrhea, you can try changing its diet. If symptoms continue for more than 2 days, take your cat to the vet with a stool sample.
Cat Allergies - The most common allergy among cats is flea allergy. As cats age, their sensitivity to flea bites increase. Food allergies account for 5-10% of cat allergies. They can cause itching, vomiting, or diarrhea. The primary symptom is excessive scratching. To detect fleas, place cat on paper towel and rub hands on fur. If black specks (flea dirt) appear on towel, chances are your cat has fleas. Wash cat’s bedding, blanket and other washable items in hot water. Infestation may require fumigation. Ask veterinarian about prevention.
Vomiting - Can result from hairballs, worms, food allergy, overactive thyroid, or kidney infection. It is important to keep your cat hydrated - be sure to offer plenty of water.
Diabetes
- Occurs in cats that cannot properly regulate their blood sugar level. Symptoms may include excessive thirst and urination, weight loss or obesity.
|