litterboxhelp

Minimize Stress

Playwith your cat each day. Make sure she has some convenient scratching posts that she uses. Let her sleep undisturbed in a comfy place. Give her some nice views, fun cardboard boxes to explore, a cat tree (or reasonable facsimile) to climb, and a small family of partially hidden catnip mice to discover - accommodate her natural curiosity safely. Strive for a harmonious household.

Tell your cat what a great kitty she is, and give her affection each day - but don't invade her space when she prefers to be left alone.

Cats derive comfort from a predictable routine; if major changes such as a move or a new baby are inevitable, gently and gradually acclimate kitty, and maintain her routine as much as possible.

Monitor Kitty's Litter Box Habits

Get to know your cat's eating, drinking, and bathroom habits, and be alert to any changes. When you scoop, do a once over on the litter box contents. Occasionally watch kitty in the act, as long as you don't bother her. The urine amount emptied should be more than tiny; stools should be brown, not immediately hard, and not runny. Your cat should seem comfortable when using her litter box and digging in the litter. There is some room for natural variation in these behaviors - when in doubt, call your vet. (This is one of the most important reasons for keeping cats indoors. You can nip potentially serious urinary conditions in the bud - something that wouldn't be possible with outdoor cats.)

Special Cases

• Kittens should be introduced to the litter box early. If your kitten goes outside the box, wipe up the waste with a paper towel, put the towel in the box, and help kitty cover up - she'll catch on.
• Declawed cats might be more reluctant to dig in the litter, and may require a lighter litter.
• Older, handicapped, and injured cats will appreciate more and shallower litter boxes, in locations that are easily accessible, e.g. no stairs to climb to reach them.

Working as "partners" with your cat in proper use and maintenance of the litter box will go a long way in making your cat happier and healthier, while keeping your home clean and odor-free.

This is the HTML version of one of our Shelter Sheets, which were designed to be downloaded and printed for handout by Humane Societies, Animal Shelters, Rescue Groups, and others involved in re-homing cats. This sheet was written in conjunction with Gary Loewenthal, former host of the About.com Cats Forum. Go here for a free printable version: