| When adding a new litter box, consider | | | | disposal tray. |
| that a cat may not use the new box for a | | | | While it is convenient, the |
| few days. Do not force him into it. Do | | | | manufacturers warn that the motor starts |
| not put him inside it. Always sound | | | | automatically and that hands and |
| positive when he gets near and let him | | | | clothing should be kept away. As with |
| accept it on his own terms. | | | | anything automated, be careful. In |
| Covered litter boxes: Covered boxes help | | | | addition, some cats are frightened of |
| keep the litter and smell contained and | | | | automated devices. Just one scare may be |
| hidden. Some cats, however, do not like | | | | enough to stop a cat from using the box. |
| the cover. Covered boxes are generally | | | | This is a very expensive box that will |
| too small. If you are going to get one, | | | | not be any good if your cat stops using |
| get as large a box as you can. A covered | | | | it. But if you do decide to try a box |
| box might leak unless the top has a | | | | like this, which recommends a clumping |
| locking lid and an inside lip. Scooping | | | | litter, try one that does not contain |
| out solids is more inconvenient, because | | | | sodium bentonite and forms a real solid |
| you have to deal with these extra parts. | | | | clump for a machine such as this to |
| If you get a litter box with a swinging | | | | handle. There is also a box that comes |
| door, be prepared to remove it. You may | | | | with a reusable gravel-type litter with |
| have to, because some cats like to stick | | | | disposable pads, though the smooth, |
| their head out while relieving | | | | little rocks may be a challenge for |
| themselves. | | | | finicky cats. |
| Uncovered litter boxes: Uncovered boxes | | | | With clawed cats, you should be able to |
| are easier to maintain. They come in | | | | get by with scooping solids once a day. |
| different sizes and shapes and are | | | | But for declawed cats, inside-only cats, |
| mostly rectangular. A few models have a | | | | or cats with litter box problems, scoop |
| "lip" which is claimed to keep down | | | | solids and wet spots more often. Be |
| mess. You can also use plastic utility | | | | careful about sudden changes in litter |
| bins, which are widely available at | | | | brands, boxes and locations. Take the |
| hardware and discount stores, as litter | | | | poop outside the house as soon as you |
| boxes. If you get them, though, do not | | | | lift it out because it will stink up |
| use anything taller than a 12" tub, | | | | your garbage and house. If the litter is |
| which is too high for cats. There is | | | | biodegradable and flushable, flush it |
| also a triangular box made especially | | | | down the toilet right away. |
| for corners which works quite well for | | | | Clay litter or non clumping litter |
| smaller areas. These are very easy for | | | | usually starts to smell in about a week. |
| cat owners to clean and handle. | | | | Dump, wash and thoroughly rinse the box |
| High-tech boxes:These are electronic, | | | | because cats can be very sensitive to |
| self-cleaning litter boxes available | | | | certain household cleaners. Leave an |
| that automatically remove the solids. | | | | odor eliminator bag or an open box of |
| One model even senses the cat entering | | | | baking soda near the litter box area to |
| the litter box. A few minutes after he | | | | absorb odors. Wash your hands throughly |
| leaves, a mechanical part rakes across | | | | after handling litter boxes or litter. |
| the scoopable litter recommended for | | | | And remember, never handle a used cat |
| these models, and places the clump in a | | | | litter if you are pregnant! |