Before you bring your
kitten in for
their first visit to one of our veterinarians, you may want to print
out this
Kitten Wellness Chart
and bring it along with you to your first visit. This chart is
a road map to your kitten's medical needs for the first year of
his/her life.
Creating Cat Friendly Litter Boxes
A common behavioral
complaint of cat owners is house soiling. Many
times this problem can easily be solved. Many
owners do not realize that the litter box location,
size, and type of litter used can play a large role
in whether or not their cat is using the box.
The following information can be used as a guide
when setting up a litter box for your new kitty.
First of all,
litter boxes have to meet your cat's behavioral
needs. Many owners prepare the litter box to
their liking, not the cats. This is a common
and very big mistake!
Size of the
Litter Box
- Bigger cats need bigger boxes
- Box should be big enough for
cat to turn around in
- Geriatric cats and/or kittens
may need boxes with little to no sides
Covered Boxes
- It is always best to start
without a cover as many cats do not like to feel confined inside
the box (a covered box is for the convenience of the owner, as
it reduces odor).
- If you notice your cat
eliminates in secluded areas of your home, your cat may prefer a
covered litter box.
Type of Litter
- Cats prefer soft substrates.
The finer the litter, the better.
- Unscented is best. Cats
have a stronger sense of smell than we do and those scented
litters may be too strong for them.
- Depth of the litter should be
about 1 1/2 to 2 inches. They need enough to scratch in
and bury their feces, but too much litter is bothersome for
cats.
Location
- Balance privacy with
accessibility
- Avoid area where there are
startling noises from appliances
- Make sure the cat has the
ability to see and be protected while in the box
- Assure escape and access
routes
- Keep kids and dogs out of
location
- Keep multiple boxes in
multiple locations - don't keep boxes adjacent to each other
- Locate box away from food
Maintenance and
Cleaning
- Scoop daily - some cats may
require you to scoop more than once daily
- Litter should always be dry
and clean
- Dump the entire box once per
week
- Maintain a washing schedule of
once per month (don't use chemicals with strong odors such as
bleach - Ivory dish soap works well).
- Never leave dried urine or
feces on the box
- Consider a self-cleaning box
such as the Littermaid if you feel that you cannot keep
up with the daily scooping.
