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Learn more...
Famous Quote
A
cat is more intelligent
than people believe,
and
can be taught any crime.
-Mark Twain Notebook, 1895-
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Give Your Cat
a Litter box Buffet
What is it?
Just as some people squeeze
the Charmin and prefer double to one ply when it comes to toilet paper, and
Kohler to American Standard when it come to toilets, some cats are fussy
when it comes to toileting preferences. In nature, cats would be able to
select just the right spot and surface material. Giving your cat a litter
box buffet means putting out boxes with different types of litter and
allowing your cat to show you litter preferences.
Selecting
an area in the home outside of the litter box for elimination is the most
common complaint about indoor cats
Don't risk your cat using
an undesignated area as the new fresh-scent toilet. If
you want your cat to use the
litter box, don't just pour what's on sale into
her toilet. Show some courtesy and ask your cat's
opinion first. After all, most litter is a step down from nature's earth
and sandy beaches.
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Make sure you have one
more litter box than number
of cats and you clean all
litter boxes twice daily.
Cats
prefer a flushed toilet. |
What
to do?
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Litter
boxes: Buy
three different types of boxes. Include one covered, one extra large and
one of your choice.
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Litter: Buy three
types of litter. Choose one that is the clumping kind - the number one
choice for most cats. Include scented and unscented.
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Trial One:
Set up your cat's cafeteria by placing boxes in a row about 6 - 12
inches apart. Put a different litter type in each box. Fill each box
with at least 2 inches deep.
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Trial Two:
After one week, rotate the type of litter used in each box. Never use
chemical cleaners on litter boxes. Cats are sensitive to scents. Use
soap and water.
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Trial Three: Put
your cats favorite litter type in the two boxes and place in two
different areas. When you let your cat's feet do the talking, you will
discover your cat toileting preferences.
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Cats
like their privacy! Do not
place the litter box in a
high traffic area or
near the cat's food.
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Don't toss
your used litter pans, go green
by planting marigolds or placing
garden tools in them. Donate the
remaining litter (and unwanted
boxes) to a local shelter or
veterinary practice.
Keep your cat's litter box
smelling fresh and clean by washing it monthly and replacing it annually. An
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
American
Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
Feline Behavior Guidelines
2004
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"Helping you raise a fabulous feline
friend for life." |
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