The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [51]
A Litter boxes, like litter, come in many different designs. In addition to the classic shallow open box, there are the newer covered styles, self-cleaning boxes, round-shaped boxes, and boxes that fit into corners. For the décor conscious, there are even litter boxes that tuck inside furniture to make them appear invisible to people. Some even feature doors that cats learn to open and close.
Since your two cats have used the open-style boxes with no issues, I would recommend that you keep your old ones for now and introduce a third with a hood as a test model. Some cats feel more secure using a litter box with a hood because it provides them with more privacy. Hooded types keep more litter in boxes especially when used by cats who like to kick up a fuss while burying their deposits. Covered boxes also make it harder for household dogs to conduct litter box raids.
However, hooded boxes harbor odor. You must be vigilant and scoop them daily and clean them weekly using warm water and mild detergent and let them air-dry. Hooded types may feel a bit cramped for larger cats to get into position and squat without bumping into the sides or hitting their heads.
If you’re willing to perform daily scoop patrol, than introduce the hooded type and let your cats choose. You might find that over time you are able to replace the old boxes with new covered ones.
Location, Location, Location
Q We have a two-story home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. We also have an enclosed patio. We have two indoor cats, ages fourteen and seven. I want to put the litter box in the master bathroom where I can easily clean it, but my husband insists that it belongs in the basement. Where is the best place in the house to locate a litter box?
A Make that litter boxes. Veterinarians and animal behaviorists recommend this litter box equation: one litter box per cat plus one extra. In your case, that number is three. Giving your cats choices increases the likelihood that they will routinely use a box instead of choosing a corner of the living room. If one cat stakes out a particular box, the other cat still has a place to go.
Another cardinal rule is to locate a litter box on each level of your home. You want to make litter boxes easily accessible to ensure that they will be used. In your situation, your older cat may have difficulty going up and down stairs. He needs — and deserves — to have a feline bathroom that is convenient to reach on every floor.
As for where, think like a furry realtor for a moment. With cats, it is all about location, location, location when it comes to litter boxes. Cats like their litter boxes in quiet locales that provide them with privacy. In your home, that could mean a corner in your enclosed patio, inside a den, and in the master bathroom as you suggest. Resist stashing litter boxes in laundry rooms or dark, damp basements. Sure, they are out of sight, out of mind for you, but your cats might find these places to be noisy and scary. And the less convenient they are for cleaning, the less likely you are to make a regular habit of scooping the poop.
Never place litter boxes near food and water bowls. It is a common misconception that this placement will serve as a reminder to cats to use the bathroom after meals. You are more likely to stir up a litter box boycott, because cats do not like to relieve themselves where they dine and drink.
STARTING FROM SCRATCH
Very often, the reason a cat is not using a litter box is because of a medical or physical condition. A urinary tract or bladder infection, an injury, intestinal parasites — there are many causes. If a cat experiences pain while urinating or eliminating, he may associate the box itself with the pain and go elsewhere in an attempt to find a more comfortable spot. Whenever a cat displays