Here’s the scoop on poop: there’s no way your cat is going to be happy unless they have a safe, comfy and clean place for them to… you know…
It’s up to you to provide this “sacred place” – and also to maintain it. Otherwise, you might find your beloved puss choosing to use other spots in your house as the loo. So, to keep your cat happy and healthy – and save your carpets, rugs, bed and even clothes in the process – here are the four golden rules to setting up your cat’s litter box:
- Work out how many litter boxes you need
The general rule of thumb is that you should have one litter box per cat, plus at least one extra. This is because some cats won’t pee and poop in the same litter box. If you have a multi-cat household you might need two or three extra boxes: some cats hate to share a litter box with other cats, so this helps to prevent turf wars!
- Choose the best box
The right litter box is one that’s a little bigger than your cat, from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. They need room to turn, scratch and get comfy – they don’t want to feel too confined. Consider the height of the litter box, too, especially if you have a kitten or an older cat: they’ll need something that’s low enough for them to get in and out of easily. Be warned: while you might prefer a box with a cover for aesthetic reasons, some cats hate them. That’s because a covered box can restrict them from certain positions, make them feel anxious that there’s no easy escape route, and even offend their keen sense of smell. Every cat is different, so to get the “right” litter box you’ll need to experiment with options and see which one they prefer.
- Pick a location
Putting your cat’s litter box in just the right location is super-important. The ideal spot is:
- In a quiet, private area of your home (ideally in a corner so your cat can keep an eye out while doing its business)
- On a non-carpeted surface (because it’s easier to clean)
- In a well-ventilated area (to help reduce any odours)
- Away from your cat’s food and water dishes (cats don’t like to poop where they eat)
- Away from where your cat usually sleeps (and away from your bed as well)
- Away from noisy appliances, air vents or drafts (which could startle them and make them frightened to go near their box again)
- Not up or down any stairs (if you have a very old cat or a young kitten)
- In an area that’s easily accessible to your cat 24/7 (somewhere where the door can’t accidentally close and lock them out)
- Add kitty litter
The final step is to choose a litter that your cat loves. Most cats generally prefer clumping litter, which is lucky as most humans do, too! Look no further than Katz-Loo Natural Clumping Cat Litter. Cats love it because it satisfies their natural instinct to dig in the earth. Humans love it because it’s affordable, convenient, 100% natural, sourced right here in Australia and so easy to use: all waste clumps into scoopable, um, clumps! And everyone loves it because it eliminates odours.
So what’s the best way to use Katz-Loo Natural Clumping Cat Litter?
- To get started, fill the litter box to a depth of 7-10cm
- Scoop the litter box at least once or twice a day (and more if you have multiple cats)
- Top up with fresh litter as needed, to maintain a depth of 7-10cm
- Change the litter completely at least once a month (again, the more cats you have, the more frequently you’ll need to do this)
- Wash the box thoroughly with unscented dish soap and hot water, and be sure it’s rinsed and dried completely before you replace the litter
