Litter Box Dilemmas Solved
You have probably put a great deal of thought into making the right
selections for the litter box and litter material that best meets the
unique needs of your cat. Not to mention the routine you created
for regular cleaning and maintenance. You may be surprised to
learn, however, that litter box location is also a big issue for many
cats. It can mean the difference between your feline going in the right place, or somewhere else, such as on your favorite carpet. And no one wants that. Not even your cat!
As you might guess, most cats prefer a private place to conduct
their bathroom business, so the key to proper litter box placement is
to avoid putting it where there might be a lot of noise or people
frequently coming and going. The family room and the kitchen, as
examples, would be unattractive locations from your cat's point of view.
On the other hand, cats want their box to be convenient, and easily
accessible. The basement or garage are therefore less than desirable
choices. You can imagine, of course, that your cat would also not want
its box in areas that are cold, dark, damp, or cluttered with lots of
stuff. Plus, when the box is hidden away, you might forget to do
the necessary regular maintenance.
Additionally, you never want to put the box anywhere near your cat's
food and water dishes. Cats are naturally programmed to eliminate
in locations that are far away from their food and water supply.
Here's why: In the wild, cats know never to leave their own scent
in a place that might attract hungry predators. It is important
that the place they eat, and the place they eliminate, are always
separated.
So, where would your cat prefer to find its box? One option is
in a bathroom. The benefits of this location are many. It's
easy for you to clean, as well as being easy for your cat to find, and
get in and out. One note: after you take a shower, the litter may
become damp. So if the bathroom is the location of choice, it's
important to leave the box uncovered at all times. You will also need
to make sure the bathroom door is open a majority of the time -- even
when guests stop by.
The laundry room can also work well for some cats because it is a
warm, clean room that doesn't get a lot of foot traffic. On the other
hand, if your pet is a scaredy cat, you might think twice about the
laundry room. If it happens to be in the litter box when the washing
machine spin cycle kicks in, your pet may end up fearful of the litter
box from that day forward.
Other options include: off to the side at the top of the stairs, or
the corner of a quiet room in the house. The end of a rarely used
hallway might also work. Putting the box in a more open space comes
with an added advantage for multi-cat households. When a cat is in the
litter box, it can see other felines approaching and will not feel
cornered and uncomfortable.
Finally, remember that even if you have just one cat, you may need
more than one litter box -- especially with kittens and older cats,
which have less control over their bladders. Think of it this
way: People tend to like having a bathroom on each floor of the
house, and most cats do too.
About The Author
Beth Adelman is a renowned journalist on animal topics. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Cats magazine.
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