Some cats adapt to a change of litter without any problem at all, while other cats may feel uncomfortable using a type of litter that they didn't use when they were young. If you think your cat may dislike her litter type, texture or smell, try offering her different types of litter to use.
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.
Not at all. Cats like a clean litter box. If you have several cats, you need more litter boxes.
“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.
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.
The choice of litter material is important and is very individual for each cat. Some cats prefer clumping litter and some non-clumping, some prefer fine and some coarse substrate, while some prefer absorbent and some non-absorbent materials. Some cats need lots of material and some only a little.
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.
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.
Dirty litter boxes can cause your cat health problems! Cats can develop painful kidney infections, bladder infections, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections if their litter boxes are not kept clean. Leaving a litter box too long before cleaning can also lead to stress in cats, which can exacerbate these issues.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
Twice a week is a general guideline for replacing clay litter, but depending on your circumstances, you may need to replace it every other day or only once a week. If you clean the litter box daily, you might only need to change clumping litter every two to three weeks.
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.
The concern here is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through cat poop (such as in kitty litter or outdoor soil where cats have defecated).
Start by filling your litter box up with about an inch and a half of your new litter. If you're using a self-cleaning litter box with very specific load limitations, fill your litter box 75% of the way full with the new litter. Then, top it off with about a half-inch (or the remaining 25%) of your old litter.
Cats are fastidious creatures, which means they hate using a dirty litter box as much as you hate looking at one! If you have multiple cats in the house, you may run into even more issues with a dirty litter box.
Anish Sheth, a gastroenterologist, says the distension that comes with the passing of a large stool causes the vagus nerve to fire, resulting in a drop in the heart rate and blood pressure which in turn decreases blood flow to the brain. The resulting mild lightheadedness can lead to a high and hence cat zoomies.
More often than not, your nose will tell you when to change the cat litter. Cat waste has a particular smell that becomes quite noticeable when your litter is no longer doing its job. A healthy nose will catch on quickly and there's no good reason to put up with the urine smell or cat feces.
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.
On one hand, too much litter in your cat's litter box can cause overflow and spillage problems all over your bathroom floor. On the other hand, too little litter in the box can create smelly and messy poo problems when your cat isn't able to dig enough litter to hide their solid waste.
The choice of clumping versus non-clumping litter is a personal decision. Though many cats appear to prefer clumping litter because it is easier for them to push aside, some cats prefer non-clumping clay.
Instead, place the box someplace that the cat can easily get to, preferably a low-traffic area away from food and water bowls, Garber recommends. Cats usually like to hang out with their humans, so one of those favorite spots may be perfect for a litter box.
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.
Add baking soda to the litter: Surprisingly, baking soda is a great all-natural deodorizer that is both safe for cats and can help manage the litter box smell. By mixing a little bit of baking soda with the litter, you can help absorb any urine odors also.