{"id":3401,"date":"2022-08-03T13:08:23","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T17:08:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mightypet.net\/staging\/7056\/?p=3401"},"modified":"2022-09-26T14:25:59","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T18:25:59","slug":"your-cat-litter-questions-answered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mightypet.net\/staging\/7056\/your-cat-litter-questions-answered\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Cat Litter Questions, Answered!"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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How to Train a Cat to Use a Litter Box, Properly Clean Your Cat\u2019s Litter, and More!<\/strong><\/h2>

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What\u2019s the Best Litter Box for Cats? Is All Cat Litter Created Equal? Mighty Pet Is Here to Help!<\/h2>

There are few things more upsetting and unpleasant than your cat or kitten struggling to do their business inside its litter box. No one likes to come to a mess of cat markings on the floor or strong odors, let alone your cat seeming sad or scared that they didn\u2019t go potty the way that you trained them to.<\/p>

Whether this is your first negative litter box experience or a problem you\u2019ve been dealing with for quite some time, we at Mighty Pet understand that a kitty doing their business outside the box or who doesn\u2019t enjoy their current litter box or litter type can be a nuisance, and our trained staff is here to help you take care of your litter box issues!<\/p>

Maybe you\u2019re in need of a new litter box or a different variety of litter? Perhaps you\u2019re looking to better understand the frequency in which to change your cat\u2019s litter, or why there are so many different litter types? Which litter is best for your cat?<\/p>

Have no \u201cfeline fear\u201d, your helpful team at Mighty Pet is here, and this article will answer many of your questions about cat litter, litter boxes, cleaning techniques, proper litter box maintenance, and more!<\/p>

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Cat Peeing Outside Litter Box? Methods to Managing Messy Cat Markings<\/h2>

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The Size & Style of Your Cat\u2019s Litter Box Matters!<\/h3>

There are a variety of reasons why your cat or kitten may not be properly using their litter box. First things first, the litter box may be too small, dirty, or has a cover that doesn’t allow your cat easy access to their litter.<\/p>

A common misconception is that cats don’t like covered boxes since they’re hidden from view. This isn’t the case; in fact, many cats prefer covered boxes because they offer privacy and they help to absorb odors. However, if you find that your cat is avoiding their litter box due to discomfort or difficulty accessing it, try switching to an open one instead!<\/p>

Click here to shop for litter and litter boxes<\/a> we have in stock here at Mighty Pet!<\/p>

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Different Cats Prefer Different Litter!<\/h3>

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Another reason your cat might not be using their litter box is that they\u2019re not fond of the type of litter you have chosen for them (e.g., clumping vs non-clumping). Cats have their own preferences and needs, so what works for one may not work for another.<\/p>

Some cats prefer non-clumping litter to clumping litter, while others may need something with added odor control or extra absorbency due to an illness or injury in their urinary tract system.<\/p>

If you’re looking for a specific type of litter that’s designed around your pet’s needs, be sure to check out the multiple varieties of cat litter we have in stock right here at Mighty Pet. From clumping to non-clumping and everything in between, we look forward to helping you select the cat litter option that works best for your four-legged feline friend!<\/p>

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Start at the Source: Find a Cat Food that\u2019s Best for your Cat!<\/h3>

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Maybe you\u2019ve tried multiple styles of litter boxes and tested several different brands of cat litter and you’re still dealing with messy cat markings on the floor of your house? Versus continuing to search for a litter box and cat litter, consider starting at the source and determine if the cat food you\u2019re feeding your cat is the catalyst to your litter box problems.<\/p>

Not all cat food is created equally, and whether it be the ingredients in your cat food or if the cat food is wet or dry, your cat’s diet may be contributing to the messes you\u2019re finding outside the litter box and around the house, not to mention that unpleasant odor!<\/p>

Cats that are on a high water content diet most often have better urinary health because due to the fact they pass liquid through their system more frequently than cats who are on a dry food diet. The reality is that no matter how fancy your cat\u2019s water dish is or how easy you make access to their water source, cat\u2019s typically don\u2019t drink near enough water to stay sufficiently hydrated. We recommend adding canned, freeze-dried, naturally re-hydrated, or natural raw foods to your cat\u2019s diet in order to increase their water intake.<\/p>

All this being said, a diet that encourages regular potty breaks will not only better your cat\u2019s urinary health, but also assist in preventing litter box aversion. It\u2019s well known that a cat that avoids using their litter box in the first place results in unpleasant cat markings around the house! Check out some of our top cat food options<\/a> here at Mighty Pet! We\u2019re proud to carry top-quality cat food brands that are proven to be healthy diet options for your kitty!<\/p>

It is worth noting that if you\u2019ve exhausted several litter, litter box, and cat food options and your cat or kitten is still marking outside their box or around your house, this may be sign of a more serious health issue that could be affecting your cat\u2019s urinary tract, and a visit to your veterinarian could be warranted. Some cats associate the pain of a urinary tract infection with their box, and because of this, retraining to their litter box may be necessary after the infection has cleared.<\/p>

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How Often Should You Clean Your Cat\u2019s Litter Box?<\/h3>

The cleaner your cat’s litter box, the more comfortable your cat will be when it’s time to do their business! A cat that is at ease and comfortable with their litter box will be more likely to use their litter box when it is go-time, and they’ll be encouraged to do their business inside the litter box rather than outside of it or around your house.<\/p>

Scooping out your cat’s litter box once a day is recommended and beneficial to your cat because it reduces unpleasant odors, which not only keeps you happy and your house smelling fresh and clean, but also encourages your cat to continue to use its litter box because of its sanitary state.<\/p>

It should be noted that more frequent cleaning will be necessary if you have a sick or aging cat, or if you have multiple cats in the house. If you’re just starting out with a kitten, it’s best to keep your litter box clean from the start to avoid any accidents. In addition to daily scooping, it is good practice to discard all of your cat litter, thoroughly clean the inside and outside of your cat’s litter box, and replenish the box with fresh litter once every month.<\/p>

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When replenishing litter, there is indeed such a thing as \u201ctoo much\u201d litter for your cat. Don\u2019t overfill your cat\u2019s litter box, as this will prove to be uncomfortable for your cat and it will make scooping and cleaning the litter more difficult.<\/p>

Typically, cats prefer their litter to be right around two inches deep, and this will provide an adequate amount of litter for them to do their business and remain comfortable, as well as make it easier for you to do routine scoopings and cleanings. If your cat has longer hair, it may like even less litter, so we recommend filling your cat\u2019s litter box to about 1 \u00bd inches in depth.<\/p>

How Many Litter Boxes Should I Have In My Home?<\/h3>

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The general rule is to have one more cat litter box than the total number of cats living in your household. If you have more than two cats, you should probably consider getting at least four boxes to ensure that there’s always a spare ready for when one gets dirty and to prevent litter boxes from being overcrowded.<\/p>

Cats prefer doing their business in a private, quiet place that is out of the way of highly traveled areas in your house. Cats also prefer having their own separate space to go to the bathroom away from a space that is already set up for another cat in your home.<\/p>

For those cats who don’t get along well with others, adding another litter box per animal will help prevent them from competing over territory and mitigate behavioral issues, aggressiveness, and unpleasant cat markings around the house.<\/p>

How Do I Know When It’s Time to Buy a New Litter Box?<\/h3>

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To determine whether or not you should replace your current litter box, consider the following questions:<\/p>