How Many Litter Boxes?
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturer’s Association, almost half of
cat owners in the United States share their homes with two or more cats. Providing an
adequate number litter boxes for cats in multiple-cat homes is an important consideration.
Many cats are very particular about the type of box that they prefer, where their box is
located, and the type of litter it contains. Some cats also prefer to have their own private
box and will not use a box that they must share with other cats. Studies of multiple-cat
homes report that cats are more concerned with the number of boxes that are available to
them, rather than the size of the box. So, rather than increase the size of the box when you
increase the number of cats in your home, add additional boxes in different locations. A
basic rule of thumb is that the number of litter boxes in a multiple cat household should be
equal to the number of cats plus one!
What Type of Filler to Use?
The litter box filler that is selected should be easy to use and clean, have
minimal dust or “tracking” properties, and be economical. And of course, it should be
acceptable to your cat! The two most common types of litter box fillers are clay litters and
clumping litters. Many cats prefer an unscented clay litter with a relatively small granule
size. These litters absorb urine well, are an agreeable texture, and control odor when good
box hygiene is practiced. Although scented clay litters are available, these litters tend to
mask but not eliminate litter box odor, and some cats refuse to use perfumed litters. Dust
can be a problem with the finer clay litters, but some products include components that help
to reduce dust. Clay litter should be changed at least twice weekly when the box is used by
one cat.
Clumping fillers are very popular today and are slightly more expensive than clay
litter fillers. This type of filler reacts to liquid by forming “urine clumps” that are
easily scooped and removed. Clumps should be removed once or twice daily to keep the litter
fresh. Because this type of filler is quite fine in texture, it can be dusty and may adhere
to cats’ paws, resulting in tracking through the house. Textures vary however, and low-dust
varieties are available.
The newest filler available is silica pellet litter. This product is comprised of
small and absorbent silica beads that change color when they are saturated. This provides a
signal that it is time to replace the filler with fresh litter. Silica pellets control odor
well but some cats do not tolerate the unusual texture of the silica beads. These products
come in several different textures to try, so owners can experiment to find out what is most
acceptable to their cat.
Tip - Cleaning the litter box frequently is the most effective means of reducing
litter box odor!
|