Implement a rigorous
daily (or more) cleaning regimen.
Cats are fastidious creatures. Most prefer
litter boxes that are relatively free of waste matter.
Changing the litter more frequently may cost you
in cat litter, but litter is considerable cheaper
than a new living room carpet! When you clean
the box, use only warm, running water. (Cats hate
soap odor.) And beware of overzealous cleaning.
Do not stand over the box with scooper at the ready
when your cat is inside, or clean the box with chemicals
so it smells more like a swimming pool than a litter
box.
(Tip: Your cat needs olfactory cues to
recognize its litter box.)
Check your litter
box.
Make sure your cat box is big enough. You
cat should be able easily hop in, have room for
a good scratch, eliminate without hanging over the
edge of the box, be able to cover its waste, and
easily hop out again. If you cat is regularly
"going" just outside the box, it could be that the
box is too small. If you can't find a sufficiently
large cat-litter box, try large trays that are marketed
for other purposes.
(Tip: Most cats don't
like hooded boxes.)
Evaluate your cat
litter.
Cats are extremely sensitive to the texture and
smell of litter. Studies have shown that,
given their "druthers," most cats prefer the texture
of the sandlike scooping litters. If sandlike
litters fail, however, try alternatives such as
wood chips, sand, potting soil, or newspaper.
(Tip:
Offer your cat a choice of different litters in
different boxes, then observe what your cat prefers.)
Relocate the litter
box.
Location of the litter box can be a key factor in
whether your cat uses the box. "No-no" areas
include the cat's feeding area, bustling thoroughfares,
and parts of the house that are somewhat inaccessible
- for example, dark, damp basements or chilly attics.
The general rule-of-thumb is that you should have
at least one box per cat and distribute the boxes
throughout the house.
(Tip: A house with several
floors should have a litter box on each floor.
When in doubt, make it easy for your cat!)
For more information on cleaning Pet Odors - click here.
