Litter Box

Any one graced with the privilege of owning a cat knows the joy of having a furry friend by your side. With their curious and playful habits, these little animals are the most popular pets in America, even more so than dogs! With the joy of owning a kitty comes responsibility. Like all creatures, cats need toilets too. Try as we may, we can't teach them how to flush.

The only sensible course of action is to get a litter box. A litter box ensures that your little friend will always have a place to potty. Modern technology has raised the ordinary litter box to new dimensions, with automated raking and emptying functions. If you're undecided about which of these super litter boxes to buy, you can try the old-fashioned plastic litter box in the meantime.

If you're serious about being a good pet parent, you must have not only a litter box, but one that's clean and odor free. There are several tried and true methods to keep that ammonia smell out of your house. To begin with, choose a good location for the box.

Bathrooms make the most sense for location. Most cat owners don't want the litter box sitting in the corner of their bedroom! In the case of a litter box, prevention of offensive odors is paramount. Here are a few tips on choosing and maintaining the “manual” cat litter box.

Choose the right size for your cat household. If you have two cats, you'll need a larger box, to accommodate two cats at once. Choose a box of durable plastic with a little flexibility. Hard plastic tends to crack more easily. Make sure the box is at least six inches deep, to prevent litter flying out of the box.

Put a plastic liner in the cat box. This makes it easy to dispose of when it's time for a complete change of the litter. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on top of the liner. Baking soda neutralizes ammonia odors.

Pour about three inches of kitty litter into the pan. Don't put more than three inches, so the litter stays in the box. Avoid spilling litter on the floor. If you do, a cat will see the litter on the floor, and think that that is the toilet! No kidding!

Many pet owners use a litter grate to make sure litter isn't tracked through the house. This is a plastic or metal grate that goes directly in front of the box. When the cat walks over it, any loose debris falls through the grate. Animals need to wipe their hands too!

Make sure you keep a pooper scooper near the litter box and clean it daily. Never dispose of the litter in your toilet, because this can plug up a septic system.

The “manual” cat litter box method works. Over time, you may find one of those automated boxes a tempting purchase!

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