After hours of scouring through the internet, pet stores or visiting shelters, you have finally found your new feline friend. What is the next step to ensuring your new pet is comfy and happy in their new home? Well it definitely will include purchasing your cat’s new toilet.
Cat litter boxes come in many sizes and shapes, so that at least one will suite your cat best. The main aim of a pet owner, when buying a cat litter box, should be to purchase one that is the best fit for their cats needs. This means having an understanding of what your cat likes and needs, with reference to their toilet habits.
Below are seven of our top tips to help cat owners pick a cat litter box that is worth spending their money on, through better understanding your cats needs.
1. Decide how many litter boxes are needed in your home.
Unfortunately, when purchasing cat litter boxes, it is not generally the case of getting one, but trialling a few. For example whether they prefer an open or hooded toilet. But also seeing where your cat prefers to use their litter box. It is important to provide your cat with as many litter boxes, in the most desirable places, as they will need.
The general rule of thumb is that if you have one cat, you should have at least two litter boxes for it to use. It is definitely worth spending the money on multiple cat litter boxes as it will help reduce the possibility of your cat developing toilet training issues and problems.
2. Choose a litter box that is big enough
Whilst it may seem obvious, the size of your cat’s litter box is really important, you must choose a cat litter box that is big enough for your cat to fit in comfortably. This can sometimes result in spending more money on your cat’s litter box, but it is definitely an investment worth making.
Your cat should have enough room to move around and possibly dig in their litter box, this will influence a positive decision-making process for them. If they feel comfortable in their environment, they will use the litter box to go to the toilet because they like it.
Your cats litter box should be as long as your cat is in length and as wide as your cat is long, this is a minimum requirement which should not incur a large price tag. However, when considering the size of your litter box it’s important that you consider your cat’s toilet habits.
3. Choose a litter box that matches your cat’s toilet habits
Ensure that you spend your money on a litter box that matches your cat’s toilet habits, without knowing this any litter tray you purchase could be a waste. Some cats are kickers or sprayers, meaning they always move the cat litter around before or after they go to the toilet. This means that you should get a litter tray with higher sides, this will prevent any spillages. Some cats also prefer to use a portable litter box, this is due to their size and because they can be slotted into smaller spaces, making a more secure and thus favourable place for your cat to use the toilet.
If you have an older cat, it is important to purchase a litter box that has easy mobility access and not to set these in higher areas around your house. Some litter trays include steps and easy access openings to better accommodate older cats and those with mobility access.
4. Self-cleaning litter boxes
As everyone is trying to find quick and easy solutions to cleaning up messy litter boxes, a self-cleaning cat litter box could be the answer to all your prayers. However, there are some mixed reviews, whilst this may seem like a quick and easy fix it comes with a bigger price tag. There are many different variations of self-cleaning litter boxes, the more technical they get the higher in price they are retailed for. This is not to say that they are not worth the money, but if you have one cat that is trained, and you are around enough to ensure that their trays are clean this might not be the best route for you.
If you are an owner of multiple cats or are out of the house for extended periods at a time, then this might be a saving grace. This option is also good for cats that require a fresh tray each time they want to use the toilet, in essence the benefits of having a self-cleaning litter box are relevant to the needs of you and your cat. It could be a great investment, or a complete waste of money, overall it is important to know what your cat needs and if these needs are met with a self-cleaning litter box.
5. Deciding your budget
After you have figured out what toilet habits your cat has, it is important to figure out your budget for attending to their needs. As previously stated, there are many different habits relevant to each individual cat but ultimately you need to ensure that you have chosen the best one for them and within your budget.
Self-cleaning litter boxes will set you back anywhere from £100 – £500 depending on the specification. Standard cat litter boxes can be as cheap as £5, but with the difference in needs, such as higher sides and fully covered litter boxes this price can jump up. To stop you overspending you should set a budget before buying one and stick to the budget, there are loads of retailers that will be able to supply you with the right product, you just have to shop around.
6. Choose the right litter for your cat
In some cases, the issue has not been with the litter box itself, but with the cat litter that is used in the litter box. Cats are known to prefer a specific type of litter; this will then influence their toilet habits. This means that sometimes it isn’t even about the cat litter tray, but the cat litter itself. It is important to test out different types of cat litter before purchasing a new litter tray if your cat doesn’t like their current one, this will help you save money and allow you to give your cat the correct environment they need to go to the toilet comfortably.
7. Litter attractant
If you have tried all of the above tips and you are still not getting any luck with your cats litter tray in your home, it might be time to try and use some litter attractant. This could save you a lot of time and money in the long run and can reinforce your cat’s toilet training behaviour until it is the normal process for them. This should not be used as the first port of call, but as a helpful addition to training and aligning to your cat’s needs.
Conclusion
The main way to reduce spending on cat litter boxes is to know what your cat likes and where they would like to use the toilet. This you can only find out through trial and error; it is more favourable for you as an owner to try the cheaper alternatives before spending a lot of money on top of the range litter trays. Take the time to figure out what your cat needs to make them feel comfortable to go to the toilet and ensure that you reward them when they do.
