Thinking Outside the Litter Box
By
Theresa Chaze


Animal care has become big business with owners of “furkids” willing to pay top dollar for accessories, food and daily necessities. It would be very easy to spent hundreds of dollars to make your home feline friendly; yet a high priced tag doesn’t necessarily mean the product is more effective. Sometimes the simple, inexpensive resolutions are the best. Whether it be litter box odor, scratching on furniture, chewing on household plants or shedding, there are uncomplicated solutions, which will allow cats and humans to peacefully co-exist in the same home.
Costing from several dollars to close to two hundred, litter boxes come in all sizes and shapes; some of them are motorized coming complete with sensors, which automatically scoops after the box has been used. However, the higher price tag doesn’t always mean it is more effective. Normally cats use the box once or twice a day. By keeping enough litter in the box for the cat to bury their waste and by scooping once a day, you get the same odor control, but at a lower cost. The rule of thumb is that there should be one litter box for each cat. Although cats will share litter boxes, it's best to give them a choice. In additions, more litter boxes will prevent the waste from accumulating if it is divided among multiple boxes. Scooping daily and completely changing the litter boxes once a week radically cuts down on the odor. Although some people swear by the clumping litter, there have been cases of the ingredients, which cause the litter to clump, also causing intestinal blockages that needed to be surgically removed. By using the cheaper clay litter, it can be inexpensively replaced weekly or bi-weekly if the necessity arises. By completely cleaning the boxes, everything is removed and the possibility of missing something is eliminated. With the clumping litter, the box is completely cleaned less frequently, making it easier for urine to build up on the bottom beneath the litter.
What you wash the box with will also make a difference. Many of the pine cleaners can cause liver damage to cats and should be avoided. Warning labels need to be checked for pet safety issues before they are used. Pet enzyme cleaning products are the safest to use. Normally these products are used to clean up accidents on floors and furniture, but they are also excellent for cleaning the litter boxes. A quarter cup mixed with water in a quart spray bottle is strong enough to clean the box and eliminate odors. Although they contain a mild detergent, the primary benefits are friendly bacteria and enzymes, which break down the odor causing elements. The enzyme cleaners are designed to be safe around cats and the residue actually is beneficial, as it continues to work to keep the box odor free between cleanings. Some people swear that adding baking soda is beneficial because it absorbs the odor. Being alkaline, it neutralized the acidity of urine, which can curb some of the smell but does nothing to really keep it clean. More than anything else, it masks the problem, but doesn’t solve it.
A secondary source of litter box odor could be the flooring. Porous materials, such as cement and carpeting, readily absorb both aromas and waste. After a while, the area can continue to smell even when the litter boxes are clean. Hooded boxes will help by preventing misses and control over enthusiastically digging, but they do nothing to prevent litter being dragged out on paws. Washing the area regularly will help, but it won’t solve the odor absorption problem. Keeping the litter boxes on non-porous surfaces, like tile or linoleum will prevent the transference and keep the area fresher. If you don’t have a suitable surface available, it is easy to create a floor guard that is both efficient and mobile. To make a floor guard you will need a piece of plywood or the equivalent that is about two feet larger than your litter boxes area and a non porous surface such as linoleum or tile that is the same size. The plywood will keep the top covering flat and stable. An uncut piece of linoleum would be best, because it lacks the seams where dirt could collect; however, if the tiles are tightly fitted, they will also be effective. The self-adhesive vinyl tiles are more cost effective, easier to install and makes the floor guard lighter than ceramic. Once the tile or linoleum has been attached, the guard is ready to be put into place. If you are concerned about damaging your floor, you can put an inexpensive rug beneath it. You will still have to keep it clean, but it will be easier to do so and will not absorb odors.
Those with dogs in the household have already learned of their attraction to litter boxes. Even well trained dogs have a tendency to snack on feline feces. By keeping the boxes up out of their reach by placing them on tables, you prevent this nasty habit from becoming a disciplinary issue. It is simpler to prevent a problem than try to correct it later. As long as the table is large enough for the litter boxes to sit flat without wobbling and for cat to jump onto it safely, they shouldn't have an issue unless age or illness are factors.
Diet can also contribute to the intensity of the litter box odor. The cheaper dry foods contain ingredients that are not easily digestible by cats. Grains are frequently used as fillers, but contain no nutritional value for them. Although your cat may feel full, they haven’t met their daily nutrition needs; therefore, they will eat more regularly. The fillers will not be absorbed in their digestive track and will eventually find their way into the litter boxes. Although the food will be initially cheaper, your cats will eat more of it and use the litter box more frequently. In addition, the filers cause intestinal issues such as upset stomachs and foul smelling flatulence, which isn’t pleasant for anyone. Ingredients are listed on the bag according to the content percentages. Foods that list meat first have that product as the primary ingredient. They keep your cats healthier and more active, especially in the later years of their life. Although these foods cost a few more cents per pound, they will save you in the amount of litter you use and time spent cleaning the boxes. They will also reduce the odor both in the litter box and what you experience scratching your cat’s belly.