There are many different types of cat litter boxes on the market. You can chose one that is automated, one that sifts gravel, a basic design, or something fancier. The problem is though; it is your CAT that needs to approve of the litter box.
I have two cats in my home. When we realized that they were not going to be “best friends” but rather “strangers under a truce,” we knew they would need completely separate litter boxes, food dishes, etc.
I have always liked the look of a covered litter box. Maybe in my mind, I feel they are more sanitary. I have certainly found them useful for odor control with the replaceable filters. Luckily, Gypsy agreed that it was a good place to do her business. I bought a second one for Miss Kitty and placed it in the tub in the spare bathroom.
Kitty decided that the tub itself was a much better place to go – UGH! After a trip to the vet to rule out any medical reason for eliminating outside the litter box, I figured maybe she didn’t like the type of litter that I normally buy. Three months and seven different types of litter later, I started wondering if it was the litter box, instead of the litter. I brought home a simple open litter pan, filled it up with a basic clumping clay litter, and crossed my fingers.
It was like magic! All of a sudden she was using the litter box without any reservations at all. In all of this, we also learned that Miss Kitty is EXTREMELY fastidious about having a clean litter box. If it is not cleaned right away, she will eliminate in the tub rather than step into the box. I’m thinking about getting her an automated litter box or a second open pan for those days when I get home late.
Final tally in my home is one vote for the Hooded Litter Box (in my bedroom for Gypsy), and one vote for the Open Litter Pan (in the tub in the spare bathroom for Kitty). How does your kitty-household vote?
Other Cat Information You Might Enjoy:
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- Living With a Deaf Cat
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We have 3 cats and 2 dogs (as well as an 18 month old human). Having covered litter boxes is esseantial for us… it prevents the dogs from eating litter and contains any spraying that the cats do in the litter box. I also agree that it seems more sanitary to have it covered.