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How to Choose the Right Litter Box for a Cat: Every Owner Should Know This
26.05.2023 10:32
Food, water and a litter box are the most important elements of cat care.
And if everything is more or less clear with the dishes for food and water, then mistakes are made when choosing a tray. This leads to the fact that the cat either uses it every other time, or refuses to do it at all.
People blame their pets for this, although the responsibility for the full provision of the animal's life lies with the owner.
The litter box should be comfortable, functional, and meet your cat's needs, not human ideas of beauty and convenience.
This article looks at several factors that every owner should know when choosing a toilet for their four-legged pet.
1. Size
The length of the tray should correspond to the size of your cat. The pet should have enough space. The optimal size is 1.5-2 times the length of your cat's body.
The width is enough to be one length of the cat. Do not neglect this rule! Measure your four-legged friend before going to the store.
The tray should also be deep enough to rise 3–5 cm above the filler layer. Otherwise, the granules will be scattered all over the apartment.
If you decide to buy a covered litter box, measure your cat in a sitting position from the floor to the tips of the ears, then add 7 cm.
The lid should be at this height so that the pet feels comfortable inside.
2. Material
Cat litter boxes can be made from a variety of materials, such as plastic, metal, or wood. Plastic litter boxes are the most popular option because they are lightweight, durable, and easy to clean.
However, if you want a more eco-friendly option, you can consider trays made of wood. Animals, as a rule, are more favorable to natural materials, neutral to plastic, but dislike metal.
If you decide to equip the toilet with a metal container, the cat may refuse to use it because he does not like the material.
3. Don't get carried away by modern inventions
Manufacturers offer a variety of models - closed trays, with a grate, mini-bidets with flushing, a tray that automatically sifts the filler.
Remember: cats are naturally wired to go to the toilet in loose materials. They need to dig a hole, do their business, and then bury it. If the cat does not find such an opportunity, he may bury the "traces of the crime", for example, with your clothes, blanket or bed linen.
When purchasing a non-standard litter box, be prepared for the fact that you will need to teach your cat how to use it.
If you have several cats, you need to install several trays. Each animal should have its own toilet to avoid conflicts with relatives.
