![]() If you elect to use a self-cleaning litter box, make sure that your cat still has access to a conventional litter box, at least during the initial transition period. Additionally, the scooping or cleaning feature of self-cleaning litter boxes can be noisy, leading cats to be concerned about using the litter box. Many cats prefer clay, clumping litter to pellets or washable granules, which may make them reluctant to use self-cleaning litter boxes that utilize these types of litter. More importantly, however, some cats balk at self-cleaning litter boxes. Obviously, these systems are associated with a higher up-front cost than a conventional litter box. Most cat owners find daily litter scooping to be an unpleasant part of cat ownership eliminating this chore is an appealing option! However, there are also potential drawbacks to these sorts of systems. Self-cleaning litter boxes have their pros and cons. Finally, systems like the Litter Genie utilize washable granular “litter” and connect to your home’s plumbing, in order to provide a true self-cleaning feature. These litter boxes contain a reservoir that must be emptied regularly, and also require weekly or monthly cleaning (like a conventional litter box.) Other litter boxes, like the Breeze System, combine specialized pellets with absorbent pads to replace daily scooping, although you will still need to clean the litter box on a regular basis. Some of these litter boxes, like the Litter Robot, use conventional litter combined with an automated scooping feature. There are a number of self-cleaning boxes on the market, including the Litter Robot, the Purina Tidy Cats Litter Breeze System, and the Cat Genie. Many owners attempt to avoid daily litter box maintenance by purchasing a self-cleaning litter box. Benefits and disadvantages of a self-Cleaning litter box (If you use a non-clumping litter, you can instead add two inches of litter.) This provides a thick enough layer of litter for your cat to bury their eliminations, while also reducing the likelihood of urine soaking through to the bottom of the box. If you use a traditional clumping litter, you should add approximately three inches of litter to the bottom of your cat’s litter box. It’s important to know how much litter to put in the litter box. Once the litter box is completely dry, you are ready to add new litter to the box. After thoroughly scrubbing all surfaces of the litter box, set it outside in the sun to dry and “air out.” Your best option is to clean the litter box with water and gentle dish soap. Avoid using strong disinfectants or strong-smelling cleaners, because these may be unpleasant for your cat and decrease the chances of them using the litter box after cleaning. Next, you will need to thoroughly clean your cat’s litter box. This is often a less messy approach than attempting to pour litter into a trash can! Then, gradually lift the litter box out of the bag. In many cases, the easiest way to do this is to pull a trash bag over the entire litter box (or the lower portion of the litter box, if your box has a lid). The first step to cleaning a litter box is to empty out all of the old litter. (Image credit: PetSafe) Litter box cleaning hacks This helps ensure that the litter box remains clean for your cat’s use, while also helping to control odors associated with urine and feces. Use a commercially-available litter scoop to remove all visible clumps of urine and feces from your cat’s litter box on a daily basis. How often should a litter box be scooped?Ĭonventional, clumping clay litter should be scooped once daily. 11 ingenious ways to hide the litter box.In order to prevent these problems, you want to ensure that your cat always has access to a clean and welcoming litter box. Prolonged retention of feces can not only result in constipation, it can also stretch the colon to an unhealthy extent, resulting in a condition called megacolon. Prolonged urine retention can result in feline lower urinary tract disease. A more serious consequence, however, is that your cat may begin to hold their urine and feces for an abnormal amount of time. ![]() At best, this could mean that your cat begins urinating and defecating outside of the litter box, developing a house-soiling habit that could be difficult to break. Many cats go out of their way to avoid using a dirty litter box.
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