Cats don't like frequent change. So, if you're planning to introduce a new type or brand of cat litter (for example, going from non-clumping to clumping cat litter, or to a different scent), be prepared that your cat might reject using it.
In most cases, if you go slowly enough, your cat won't even realize a change is taking place. The way to do the gradual changeover is to mix a small amount of the new litter in with the current brand every day for several days. This changeover should typically take place over three to five days.
You should follow these helpful tips to reduce your risk of environmental exposure to Toxoplasma: Avoid changing cat litter if possible. If no one else can perform the task, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards. Ensure that the cat litter box is changed daily.
It's all personal preference, and priority should go to what your cat wants, not what you want. Just keep in mind that these other options are expensive, slightly less effective (they don't form a tight clump, making it harder to scoop and clean), but are more environmentally friendly.
Not at all. Cats like a clean litter box. If you have several cats, you need more litter boxes.
You'll know your cat doesn't like their litter box if they completely stop using it. Partial use can also be a good indicator that your cat isn't a fan (i.e. trying to use it, but misses or goes near the box but not inside it). It could also be an issue around the cleanliness of the litter.
This is normal. Just like humans, our feline friends are stressed out by changes in the environment too, especially the environment where they conduct their business. Some cats pee around or outside of their new litter box, some use the litter box only for pee-pee or caca but not for both.
“Cats will sometimes jump into the litter boxes and often use them while, and right after, their people have scooped them,” says Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behavior consultant. “Cats love clean litter boxes, ones that are freshly scooped and don't smell of excrement.
A variety of studies have found that cats prefer their litter to be soft and fine-grained. A recent study compared three types of unscented litter—wood pellets, silica microgranules, and nonclumping clay granules. Overwhelmingly, the cats chose silica and clay over the pellets.
Best Cat Litter Overall: Dr. Elsey's Ultra. Best Cat Litter For Clumping: Boxiecat Scent-Free Premium Clumping Clay Litter. Best Dust-Free Cat Litter: Arm and Hammer Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Litter.
Most cat owners are familiar with clay and clumping litter. Remember: it's recommended that you ALWAYS wear a mask when scooping litter. As it's likely that dust will float around in the air. That's not something you want to inhale.
Environmental changes in the home, such as owners being away from home for extended periods of time, greater excitement in the home or even sudden changes in litter substrate can increase stress in cats, resulting in aversion to the litter box [11,12].
Keeping your cat's litter box in the bedroom isn't ideal so if you can, move it to a more appropriate part of the house. Although the risks are small, you could become ill if you contract Toxoplasmosis, worms or you're exposed to too much ammonia.
If you can, you should aim to replace cat litter at least once per week. However, if you scoop the litter frequently, it is possible to stretch litter changes to once every two weeks.
Studies have shown families who adopt two kittens from the same litter are far more likely to keep those cats in their home long-term than families adopting a single kitten. Most adult cats, in contrast, are not very tolerant of other adult cats outside their family group.
However, you must shop wisely and avoid clay, wheat, corn, crystal, and wood clumping litters. These clumping litters pose serious health risks to you and your cat. Breathing in these litters can cause respiratory issues, cancer, and starch-based litters are at risk for deadly mold.
Dust and Tracking
For this reason, it's best to find litter options that offer dust control. Most clay litters have minimal dust and do not create tracking marks when cats leave the litter box. But silica crystals are completely dust-free and do not leave marks around the house because they are in bead form.
Less Contamination. Non-clumping litters don't clump around your cats “solids”, so they can get spread around and contaminate the rest of the litter, which isn't only unsanitary but can also be dangerous as cat poo may carry Toxoplasmosis or other harmful bacteria.
Then you know how your cat feels when he steps inside an unclean litter box. By nature, cats are fastidious animals who obsess about keeping their fur and paws clean. So the idea of using a filthy restroom is just as repulsive to them as it is to us.
It could also be that the litter box is too dirty for kitty's preference. Remember, cats have incredible senses of smell, so an odoriferous litter box will be quite noxious and unpleasant for them to use. The plaintive meows might signal kitty's need for you to take care of some litter box maintenance.
The most common reason cats dig in their litter box is to bury their urine or feces. They may dig before or after elimination. Cats may enjoy the feeling of the cat litter on their paws, so it's important to have a litter with good paw feel so those who do like to dig and bury can easily perform those behaviors.
Since she is new to the household, she may not remember where the litterbox is if it's located in an area she seldom frequents. Your cat may be startled while using the litterbox if a furnace, washer or dryer suddenly comes on and that may be the last time she'll risk such a frightening experience!
Cats are creatures of habit and prefer a stable environment. A sudden change in the location of their litter box might cause stress and confusion. When planning to move the litter box, consider the reasons for the change and whether it's truly necessary.
Newborn kittens need to be stimulated to go to the bathroom, and won't start using the litter box until around 3 weeks of age.