
Adding extra litter won’t reduce the amount of cleaning necessary for a litter box. Some long-haired cats prefer less litter and a smooth, slick surface, such as the bottom of the box. Most cats won't use litter that's more than about two inches deep. A thin layer of baking soda placed on the bottom of the box will help absorb odors without repelling your cat. Note that while many people use scented litter or air freshener to mask litter box odors, these odors can be off-putting to cats. Switching litters constantly could result in your cat not using the litter box. Once you find a litter your cat likes, stick with it. A cat who rejects all commercial litters may like sand a former outdoor cat may like soil mixed with their regular litter. The most popular commercial litters are traditional clay litter, scooping/clumping litter, crystal-based/silica gel litter and plant-derived/biodegradable litter. Buyer beware: Some of these features may prevent a cat from wanting to use their litter box, so if your cat is used to a traditional box, it’s best to stick to what they know.Ĭats were originally desert animals, so most cats prefer fine-grained litters similar to sand. There are a wide variety of litter boxes available that offer convenience and automation in cleaning your cat’s litter. Ultimately, if your cat doesn't like a covered box, they won't use it. Covered boxes can also be difficult for larger cats to turn around and position themselves in and may lead to easier ambushes by other cats on exit.

An “out of sight, out of mind” box is easy to forget about, which may lead to a dirty box with odors trapped inside that’s unappealing to your cat. Covered boxesĪlthough covered boxes can decrease the amount of litter that flies from the box when your cat buries their business, there are some potential downsides. Try a few types of boxes and litters to find which your cat prefers. They want to feel safe, which means being able to see their surroundings and view potential “escape” routes, and they want the area to be clean, which means it needs to be regularly scooped.īoxes should be large enough for the cat to easily turn around in without touching the sides of the box, low enough that they can easily get in and out and placed in a quiet but accessible area of the home away from food and water bowls. When cats eliminate, they are releasing scents that can lead to unwanted attention from other cats or potential predators, says Wildman.
