Are Automatic Litter Boxes Any Good?
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.
Tips on Cleaning Your Cats Litter Box
Cleaning the litter box of your pet is one messy activity. Sure, you probably knew it would come to this before you even brought it in your home, but it really isn?t something for those of us that have really weak stomachs. It is also quite tedious, requiring quite a bit of time and patience, and it is predictably not the most exciting thing in the world. Still, it?s a small price to pay in order to keep the inside of your house clean.
Cleaning a litter box is especially important when it comes to cats. Felines are naturally clean animals and they probably won?t cause you much of a fuss when it comes to potty training them. However, cats are used to poop and pee outside, where they can then cover the waste with dirt. This is why having a clean litter box is so crucial. If the cat smells or touches the feces or urine, it will avoid the dirty area, and will try to find a new spot, one that is surely going to be in your house, and is sure to leave a mess that you won?t know about until you smell it.
Unfortunately, such as in the case of urine, when you finally smell what your cat has done, it could already be too late, as pee has the nasty habit of being absorbed into surfaces and materials, and once it gets there, it is very hard to remove. Even if you manage to clean the outside, the smell will remain and must be removed through some complicated methods. In order to prevent this from happening, here are some tips that help make emptying a litter boxes a bit easier.
When you want to remove pee, lift the box and tilt it towards the back, then repeat this step with the other end of the box. This causes the waste to surface, making its removal easier in the process. Use a zip bag when scooping the waste. It will be harder to spill things that way. Also remember to use rubber gloves and if possible a mask, so that you don?t come into contact with certain microbes and viruses that can temporarily inhabit the litter box. You should scoop the litter box at least once a day, and clean it at least every week. Cleaning is done simply by using soap and water. Be sure to clean it outside, where you should then let it dry. When replenishing the box, be sure the litter level is no higher than 2 inches, as most cats won?t touch it if you put in a large quantity.
Emptying and cleaning litter boxes can be quite a chore and a pain, but if you follow these tips and instructions, it will become easier to handle. Still, if cleaning after your pet is too much for you, there are self-cleaning litter boxes for sale, and you can find them in pet stores or on the internet. No matter which option you choose, here?s to hoping you will have an easier time of taking care of your pet?s physiological needs.
