The scoop on poop - Litter box basics
Keeping the litter box clean and respectable is probably the least enjoyable aspect of daily feline care. But when you welcome a cat into your life and home, you’re signing up for ALL of it...
Litter tray life is not well enough understood by most of us. Our beautiful, sensitive friends are expected to simply fit in with our busy homes, hectic schedules and live with the decisions we make for them. It’s really not surprising that so many cats are stressed.
Inappropriate elimination or failure to use the litter box are very common reasons for vet visits, abandonment, surrendering cats to shelters and euthanasia. But very often guardians are not providing appropriate resources or meeting a cat’s most basic needs…
Make it all about them (not all about you)
Studies have shown that litter box sales and the various substrates we buy are driven by aesthetics and the convenience preferences of guardians rather than the wellbeing of the cat or the recommendations of feline behaviourists.
As a cat champion, on the back of those findings I swing between sadness and frustration. After all, we humans complain bitterly when confronted with a toilet that’s unclean or uncomfortable. And indeed, many of us choose to ‘hold it’ rather than use a facility that isn’t up to standard. Why do we expect our cats to tolerate anything less than a clean litter box? And why aren’t we more compassionate when our cats leave ‘clues’ in places we’d rather they didn’t?
Many guardians simply don’t realise that a dirty litter box may be the root cause of their cat’s distress. Rather, we conclude that the cat is somehow flawed and off to the vet or shelter they go…
Inappropriate elimination can occur for a variety of reasons and of course, some of them may be complex, requiring patience, understanding and perhaps the help of a vet or behaviourist. But the bottom line is that a clean, comfortable toilet in the right location is as important to our cats as it is to us. Getting that right isn’t complicated and doesn’t require anything very fancy. It just requires us to look at life (and the litter box) from a cat’s perspective.
Why all cats should have a litter tray
Many times, I’ve heard cat guardians say (with a degree of relief) that they don’t need to worry about the awful litter tray smells and mess because their cat toilets outside the home. I get it. Pee and poop are messy, smelly and when there’s a litter box, we need to deal with it. It’s not pleasant and nobody really wants to do it.
Checking our own waste provides important clues about our general health. Your cat’s pee and poop is no different and can contain all sorts of stuff that isn’t normal like mucus, parasites, a change in colour and consistency, indications of digestive issues and other diseases. Perhaps there’s blood in the urine or poop. None of these are good news for your cat.
If feline waste is buried in your garden (or someone else’s) then you’re missing vital clues which, when detected early, give your pet a greater chance of a quick recovery and a long, healthy life. You’ll also save on vet bills in the long term.
Consider also how utterly miserable it is for cats to pee and poop in the cold or rain especially if they are old or unwell. For those who already have litter trays, there are so many ways we can give our cats a much happier experience and keep everything inside the box!
So… get a tray that suits your cat. Set it up with litter they feel comfy using and GET SCOOPING!
Clean tray, happy cat
Studies indicate that our feline companions have litter box requirements and preferences that are way more complex than just the brand of litter we buy for them.
Cats are fastidiously clean animals and stepping in waste can be deeply uncomfortable, causing them anxiety and stress. A 2017 study showed that cats are less bothered by sharing the tray with other cats (and the associated odours) than they are by the actual waste left in the box. And this is partly why it’s so important to scoop at least twice daily.
Other studies show that cats require a larger surface area than we typically provide. But above ALL else, cleanliness is what keeps our kitties using the litter tray appropriately.
There are also important health reasons to keep it clean. Transmission of bacteria can cause painful Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) which require medication to resolve.
And OMG, then there’s the SMELL! Cat urine is highly concentrated. When bacteria breaks down the urea in cat pee, ammonia is released and it’s like a chemical assault. It always makes my eyes water.
Cats have approximately 200 million odour receptors compared to approximately five million in humans. If we think the litter tray stinks, imagine how unbearable it is for them, especially in multi cat households.
Some of you may know that I have a pet-sitting business which means I’ve dealt with quite a few litter trays in my time. To be honest, if I was a cat, not even the promise of a lifetime supply of freeze-dried treats would tempt me into some litter boxes!
Believe it or not, some cat owners scoop, top-up and empty but never actually wash the litter box. Nope, NEVER. Obviously, this isn’t adequate or hygienic for anyone in the home. The litter tray becomes a haven for bacteria and parasites that can be passed between cats and humans.
So, is it really fair to blame and shame our cats for peeing on the hallway runner? And by the way, scolding your cat will only cause additional stress and could contribute to the breakdown of your bond.
PLEASE wash the litter box regularly. Regular cleaning in hot water and a mild, pet-friendly soap is adequate. You don’t need to use hardcore cleaning products such as bleach (unless heavily diluted). Not only are these toxic, irritating skin and mucous membranes but they will also strip the tray of your cat’s familiar scent. And after all, the litter box is the cat’s domain.
One of two reasons cats jump straight into the tray after cleaning is to scent mark. The other reason should by now be quite obvious. It simply wasn’t clean enough before.
Pretty simple. Keep it clean and your cat/s will continue good litter box habits.
Size and style
Most litter trays are too small for the size of the cat. Ideally they should be 1.5 - 2 times the cat’s length (not including the tail length). The width of the box should be equal to at least the length of the cat.
We need to give them room to move with ease, to dig and position themselves comfortably for elimination (and just like us, this can vary from cat to cat).
In multi cat households, when there is heavy traffic between scoops, we want to leave them with adequate space to stand between each individual deposit. That just isn’t possible in smaller trays.
According to one study, covers are well tolerated when there is a large surface area and no door. The cover should be high enough for your cat to stand up straight and position comfortably when eliminating. The cat should be able to move and turn freely and certainly stretch to full height without hitting its head.
With smaller covered trays, when the door remains intact, there is insufficient ventilation. When not cleaned regularly enough, odours are trapped in a relatively tight area. Using the box becomes deeply unpleasant for your cat, providing good reason to reject it completely.
A basic but generous box in a quiet location with clean litter, regularly scooped, is all your cat needs. Open boxes are suitable for cats of all ages and abilities. They provide easy access, freedom of movement and good surveillance opportunities!
A quick word of advice for anyone thinking about buying an automatic, self-cleaning machine. I am not a fan. In fact, I really don’t like them. Cat requirements were clearly at the bottom of the specification sheet. From what I’ve seen, they’re unreliable. Normally relaxed cats in my care who have been provided with the ‘upgrade’ have become anxious in the box as they genuinely struggle with inadequate and uneven surface area. Or the machine had simply stopped working. They’re designed for humans, not cats and in my opinion, they’re a bit of a hoodwink. If you think cleaning a standard litter box is a chore, cleaning an automatic machine (properly) requires a serious investment of time and effort.
Scoop it up
I scoop as soon as my cats have pooped. But, I’m home a lot. Without fail, both cats ‘announce’ when my services are required. Twice a day is usually sufficient per tray if you’re not available to wait on them. This not only removes uncomfortable obstructions from the box but also helps to control odour and the growth of bacteria.
Wash day
Keep in mind that even when we scoop, there are still wet or faecal deposits in the tray. Clumping litter is cleaner than non-clumping (which leaves the base quite wet). However, I use a non-clumping variety and for that reason, I wash my litter box thoroughly and replace litter, twice weekly. If I didn’t, my Juno simply wouldn’t use the tray.
In a single cat household, if you’re scooping at least twice a day, a weekly wash is probably enough. It should be more frequent when there are more than two cats. In the warmer months, you may feel it’s necessary to wash all the boxes more than once a week.
Be guided by your cat’s habits. One cat’s output may require more work than others, especially when there is a digestive complaint. Some litter types are tidier and more absorbent than others. You may get an extra day or two from one brand to the next.
Quite apart from keeping the box clean for our cats, regular cleaning ensures that our homes are more hygienic and smell sweeter!
Location, location, location!
When a cat needs the litter box, they require three things:
cleanliness
a comfortable substrate that is both easy to dig and to cover waste
safety from intruders
Position the box where they have full freedom of movement. But in a quiet, private location, away from footfall or where they are overlooked. If you have a cover on your litter box, it’s advisable to remove the swing door so your cat can survey their immediate surroundings.
Cats are happiest and most relaxed when the litter box is kept on the fringe of their territory away from food, water and zones for rest and relaxation. You may have noticed that in their own gardens, outdoor cats toilet as far from their resources as possible. Just as cats behave in the wild, this is instinctive behaviour to avoid attracting predators to the nest, protecting food, water and of course, their babies.
Our indoor cats benefit from the same type of arrangement so please position your litter boxes as far away from food and water as possible. Then there is absolutely no confusion around where they should eat/drink and where they should use the toilet.
If you plan to change the location of your litter box or boxes, please do it very gradually. An already stressed cat will be further stressed if their litter box suddenly disappears. You want them to head to the approximate location at where they last used the tray. Your cat will follow the path until the box eventually reaches the intended destination.
Safety in numbers
In a single cat household, one plus an extra is recommended. If you have more than one floor, keep at least one on each level especially if your cat is elderly or has mobility issues.
In multicat households, one per cat is the general rule of thumb. There should always be at least one litter box on each level of your home.
Standard guidelines may not always be necessary. I have found in households where there are only sibling cats, they are usually quite happy to share the box. I’ve had as many as three litter trays for my two (sibling) cats. They completely rejected the additional two so there goes the theory! However, there is always a spare at the ready.
But in some multiple cat homes, not all kitties are pals. So... having additional boxes arranged throughout the home helps to avoid rivalry, conflicts and the stress around such situations. My advice is always start with the recommended advice, watch how your cats respond and tweak as necessary.
If you’re really short on space, you’ll do best for your cats by providing one generously sized box in a cat-suitable location. Just keep it clean and fresh.
Spoilt for choice
There are ever-increasing litter options and to be honest, I can barely keep up.
Clumping, non-clumping, clay, paper, plantbased, wood pellets, recycled vegetable waste, silica, odour-absorbing, scented, unscented, dust-free, non-tracking and the list goes on and on…
Clumping brands tend to be popular choices used by most of my clients. As mentioned earlier, clumps are easy to remove and leave the remaining litter clean and dry minimising odour (providing you’re scooping regularly).
I find that clumping litter is very helpful when working with some of my renal and diabetic kitties. The size of the clump gives me a good indication of how much the cat is drinking and their output.
Generally, cats prefer a substrate similar to that they would find in nature… like soil which is easy to dig. It should be stable but comfortable. Softer, organic and unscented substrates are also gentler on the paw pads.
Rex and Juno’s breeder used a chemical-free recycled paper litter. As a newbie indoor cat Mum, I followed advice from other cat Mums, transitioning them to a best-selling, clumping brand. I found it incredibly dusty and messy. But it wasn't about me. What was happening with the cats was much more telling and it really didn’t suit them either. They were covered in dust after every visit to the box. They’re very clean cats and both groomed constantly which caused hairballs. These were regurgitated (with alarming regularity) by Juno. And poor Rex became constipated. It also made Juno sneeze. Guess what? We went back to the original paper brand and 11 years later, we’re still using it. If it works for them, it works for me.
Like us, cats are unique. What works for one, may not for another. My point is, really take the time to notice how your cat responds to the litter you choose. Don’t be afraid to experiment but do it very gradually or you may cause them additional stress around using the litter box. Cats will adapt to change when new products are introduced slowly transitioning from old to new. Your litter choice should not cause health problems for your cat.
I personally prefer products as natural and as organic as possible. However, organic products degrade quickly. Regular, thorough cleaning is super important.
Certainly unscented, fragrance free litter is a must. Your cat won’t care for perfumed litter. These brands are catering for guardians rather than cats. These and numerous litter brands are full of chemicals which are detrimental to your cat’s health; easily ingested when grooming and via dermal absorption. Please do your research and avoid them.
Litter depth between 3 and 5 inches deep is about right. That’s enough to dig a hole and bury the treasure!
Too much litter and you may feel as if you’re living in the Sahara. Too little, your cat will be wet, probably stressed and your home… likely to smell like a urinal in a heatwave.
Not fantastic plastic
Plastic liners are again, designed for the convenience of guardians and can sometimes make using the tray difficult and stressful for kitties. This applies mostly to cats with unclipped claws. Scratching to dig or bury their waste can rake up the liner, dislodging waste.
In homes where plastic liners are used in a tray, when I’m cat sitting, I regularly find waste outside the box because liners have been caught on busy claws. This also causes holes and tears in the liner so actually, when it comes to removing them, there’s still a wet and mucky litter box to clean in addition to what’s also on the surrounding floor.
Is it worth the hassle or expense? Nah, it really isn’t unless you’ve got an incredibly tidy cat.
Open the windows!
Sprays, fragranced plug-ins, reed diffusers, scented candles etc are generally overpowering for cats and almost always harmful, often toxic. Open a window instead. Simple. Read my blog on Toxic Homes for more information and recommendations.
…and finally
We’ve barely scratched the surface (pun intended) and I’ll be talking more about litter tray health and habits in the coming months. But, I hope for now the advice has been useful and perhaps also enlightening. For cats, a litter box is so much more than just a toilet.
It’s our privilege and responsibility to give our cats their best life. But when convenience and aesthetics drive our decisions, when we forget that we share our space with another species, we can make what should be a basic function difficult and actually very stressful for our kitties.
Too often, they are held responsible for behaviour we have helped to create. It’s so unfair. They are simply trying to cope in an environment that doesn’t meet their most basic needs. Please try to consider their position and perhaps, you could make even a small change to help them.
Just Keep it simple, comfortable, clean and… embrace the poop!
