How to choose and use a cat litter box?

When a kitten appears in the apartment, the house is filled not only with fun and joy, but also with additional problems. Improper use of the tray can lead to odors and dirt from litter pellets scattered throughout the room. To always have a pleasant atmosphere in the house where the cat lives, it is recommended to purchase a tray with a lattice.

The following facts will help to make sure that the tray with the wire rack is much more effective than the regular pots:

• the cat is not in direct contact with the filler granules, which means that they do not stick to its paws and do not spread throughout the house;
• if liquid waste is not cleaned up on time, then the pet will not get dirty through the grate the next time you visit the toilet;
• The grill tray protects the health of curious kittens who like to taste the litter, leading to intestinal blockages;
• stores offer a large selection of trays with a lattice, among which you can choose the most suitable design, color, size, so that the tray in your home interior is not striking.

Before purchasing a pot with a lattice, check out the following disadvantages of this design:

• solid waste is not buried, they immediately thin out unpleasant odors, they are clearly visible, which is not very aesthetically pleasing, therefore, waste products must be removed immediately after the cat visits the litter box;
• there may be traces on the grate itself after cleaning the feces or liquid waste that did not have time to drain down, so the grate should be rinsed frequently;
• not all cats can get used to such a toilet, many of them will refuse to visit the litter box due to the habit of digging holes and carefully burying their waste products.

If the owner opted for a tray with a lattice, then he is offered one of several types of filler.

• Pellet inserts Is the most economical option. Wood filler can now be purchased in bulk from various woodworking enterprises at an even lower price than the stores offer. However, it is still a less effective filler, since it absorbs odors to a minimum. Rather, it absorbs an unpleasant aroma immediately, but upon contact with liquid, the pellets soak and turn into a foul-smelling gruel, which should be removed immediately. That is, wood filler is only suitable for those owners who are constantly at home and can clean the tray in a timely manner.

• Absorbent filler Is a good option for a gridded tray. The absorbent granules absorb liquid and "loosen" the interior of the material, while the area between the granules and the surface remains moist. Without the use of the grate, the cat, in the process of "hiding" its waste, digs up well-soaked granules, which makes the smell more pungent. Therefore, the variant with a lattice is the most effective in the case of using an absorbent filler.

• Clumping granules... When moisture gets on the clumping filler, the granules form into a lump, so it is very easy to remove them with a spatula. However, this species also has disadvantages. The filler must not be disposed of in the toilet, as it turns into cement on contact with water and can clog sewer pipes. In addition, if the formed lump is not removed in a timely manner, then soon the entire contents of the tray will turn into an unpleasant substance, it will be quite difficult for the squeamish owner to clean the container. The advantage of the variety is not only ease of cleaning, but also the natural origin of the product. The filler is based on clay raw materials, so it is safe for the pet.

When choosing the right cat litter box at your pet store, there are several criteria to consider.

• Material. Basically, all pots are made of plastic, but this material can be of different qualities. Feel free to sniff the tray. If there is a pungent smell of chemistry, then it is better to refuse this product. The cat has a keen sense of smell, and may not want to visit such a toilet. Also, make sure that the grill is strong and does not sag under light weight.
• Design. The pots are available with low and high grates. It is recommended to choose the second option, it allows you to pour a larger volume of filler into the container, and is also more convenient for owners who use plain water instead of granules. Alternatively, you can purchase a tray with low or high sides. In this case, it is better to give preference to a pot with high walls. Many cats, especially when they are older, will begin urinating almost while standing. Thus, the animal floods the walls, floor and nearby objects. Large sides will eliminate this problem.
• Dimensions. If a small kitten lives in the house, then it will be more convenient for him to use a compact tray. As the cat grows, it will no longer fit into a small space, so it is recommended to buy him a new spacious pot.

It is not difficult to use a tray with a grid. To do this, you need to lift the mesh, fill the filler with the required layer and put the grate back. The volume of the granules depends on the filler.For example, if it is a silica gel filler, then you need to add a layer of granules of 3-5 cm. Pellets are needed quite a bit, since this type requires instant cleaning. The standard layer for other varieties is 2 cm. Make sure the grill does not push the litter out of the tray.

However, after this, the grate must be rinsed under running water. Moisture penetrating under the grate, depending on the type of filler, is removed in the following ways;

• if it is woody, then the contents are shaken out completely;
• if silica gel, then part of the granules is removed, and the rest is mixed for quick drying;
• if a lumpy filler is used, then only the lump is removed.

Once a week, the contents of the tray are removed completely. The bottom is thoroughly washed and disinfected. Sometimes, when interacting with cat urine, limescale remains on the plastic bottom. To eliminate it, you can use special tools that are offered at the pet store. Cat urine has a very odorous properties, sometimes even a high-quality filler does not save the tray cover from an unpleasant odor.

Try to avoid alcohol-containing preparations when cleaning the litter box, as sensitive cats, smelling an unpleasant smell for them, may refuse to go to the toilet. Another way to reduce the odor is to pour soda into the bottom of the cleaned container, and fill the pot with fresh granules from above.

Soda absorbs unpleasant odors. Pet stores sell special soda-based products, they are flavored and are also good at eliminating odor in the litter box. Cleaning the pot must be done with heavy rubber gloves. When the cleaning process is finished, the gloves should be washed well, hands without gloves should also be thoroughly washed with soap.

Before you can train your cat to use the toilet on the bars, you need to teach him how to visit an open litter box. The younger the pet, the easier it is to train it.... When the cat goes to the toilet in the wrong place, transfer its solid waste to the pot, and moisten the liquid waste with a newspaper and also put it in a container. Spray the area where the cat is not allowed to go to the toilet with a special repellent, you can find it at the pet store. Over time, the pet will understand what is required of him.

As soon as the cat has learned to go to the toilet in a certain place, you can put a grate on the tray, and pour some granules on top. Reduce the amount of filler placed on the wire shelf gradually. When it does not remain at all, the animal will already be accustomed to a specific place and, over time, will completely get used to this method of going to the toilet.

The subtleties of choosing a litter box for cats are presented in the next video.