In earlier articles on this blog we’ve mentioned litter trays several times.  The traditional kind of litter box was just an open tray filled with sand.  Eventually more absorbent materials came into vogue, that not only soaked up the moisture but also much of the odour.

This was quite an advance over having a wad of old newspaper on a patch of linoleum, but even so for many cats this was not ideal.  Some seem very concerned about their privacy, and therefore the location of the tray had to be chosen with care.    Then came the enclosed litter box came into use.  This is a box with a roof to it, and a cat flap entrance through which the sensitive feline can go, do what it has to do, and emerge with dignity intact.

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Tags: cat care, cats, litter box, litter tray

For some people it is no great problem.  For others it is little short of agony to clean out a cat’s litter box.  The cuddly furry little pet that spends hours lying on a rug cleaning itself can also leave a foul mess, and then cat care takes on a different aspect.

In taking on the care of a cat, however, an owner takes the rough with the smooth.  For the owner of a cat good hygiene is an important responsibility and cannot be avoided without adverse consequences.  Not only does lack of good pet hygiene bring health risks but if you do not keep the litter tray clean you can be sure that your cat will find somewhere else in the house to leave its mess.  In the experience of many this often means ruining a favourite carpet – and sometimes it almost seems as if the little furry f(r)iend thinks, “The more expensive the better”.

Although it is important to keep the litter box clean this does not necessarily mean a complete replacement of its contents every day.  Simply check once or twice a day for lumpy areas and use a plastic trowel or litter scoop to remove the contaminated part of the contents.  Put this into  a small plastic bag for disposal outside with the garbage, and remember to probe around the litter a little to check that there is not more than one area to be removed.

Usually the cat’s urine will have been soaked up by the litter material and should not be a major problem, but if an area is becoming noticeably damp then remove that part of the contents along with the solid lumps.  If you have to remove much of the litter replace it with some fresh material.

Approximately once a week you should replace the litter material  completely and wash  out the tray thoroughly with water and detergent.  Under normal circumstances this should be often enough, although if your cat is unwell it may have to be done more frequently.  Keep checking.  Cleanliness is vital to the health of your cat.

Tags: cat hygiene, cat litter, litter box, litter tray