The right litter box is very important for the comfort of your pet and comes to your advantage as well, saving you from unwanted accidents and from the fact that you will have to clean after your cat, who does nothing but exploit her natural instincts in a less natural environment. A cat that doesn't use the litter box properly can be trained, using gentle methods as well as buying a proper litter box, according to your cat's needs.
There is no “perfect” litter box out there, but there are some criteria that will help you make a good choice. First of all, find a box that your cat is ok with. If your pet does not feel good in it, she will probably prefer to defecate and urinate anywhere else. Also, when you change the existing litter box with a new one, make it gradually; keep both litter boxes for a while, because cats don`t enjoy sudden changes.
Another thing to consider when choosing a litter box is its size. Your cat needs enough space to stand, turn around and dig the litter. The height of the walls is particularly important, because they prevent litter from spreading around. However, keep in mind that an old cat may have difficulties to get inside a box with too high walls.
If you have multiple cats, you will need a litter box for each of them.
The litter box should be safe, made of a bio-resistant plastic that does not absorb odor and that cannot be altered by the acidity of urine. It must not allow smell to spread around the house. In addition, it must also be easy to clean and disinfect. Of course, homeowners also prefer boxes that occupy less space and have a design that can be easily integrated in the room.
Keep in mind that cats tend to prefer litter boxes that provide them privacy.
Types of litter boxes
• Open cat boxes (trays)
• Covered Boxes
• Litter boxes concealed in a specially designed piece of furniture
• Litter trays with self- cleaning system (automatic)
Automatic cat litter boxes
These are the most modern types of litter boxes. They are electrical and possess a sensor that activates a self-cleaning process after the cat leaves the box. There is a small rake, which passes from one side to another, collecting the litter soaked with urine or excrements. Droppings are automatically stored in a plastic bag, which is easy to dispose.
The noise they produce can scare the cats and their overall appearance may not be so attractive for them, at least at first contact. Their price is also high, compared to other types of litter boxes. Rakes can get dirty and may be difficult to clean; sometimes they can also get stuck.
However, this type of litter boxes has more advantages than disadvantages: it is easy to use, convenient, hygienic, it has an ideal size, it works with different types of litter and is truly a great addition to our busy lives.
