Litter Box Recommendations

1. One more litter box than the number of cats in the house is recommended. For example, if you have one cat, two boxes are ideal. If you have two cats, three boxes are ideal. 

2. An appropriate size box is one and a half times the length of the cat from nose to base of the tail to allow for turning, digging, and burying behavior. Uncovered boxes seem to be preferred. 

3. An appropriate location for the box is key. The box should be easily accessible but secluded/quiet places generally preferred and away from food and water bowls and play spaces. 

4. In terms of fill level, 1.5 inches of litter is generally preferred to allow for the digging and burying of urine and feces. 

5. Soft, easy to rake substances such as sand or clay based litter are preferred.  
6. Avoid deodorizers, fragranced litters, and strong disinfectants as these can be offensive to your cats’ sense of smell.  

7. Scoop once or twice daily, and completely change out the old litter and clean the box regularly.  

Why might a cat avoid the litter box, or eliminate outside the box?

1. Tension within a multi-cat household/resource guarding. 
2. Aversion to the location, litter substrate, or box type. 
3. Underlying medical problems such as urinary tract disease, constipation, diarrhea, hyperthyroidism, or arthritis. 
4. Unpleasant experience associated with the box including a dirty box, painful urination or defecation, or interruption by humans or other animals. 
5. Box too close to hunting, feeding, or main activity areas, or alternately, the box may be in a too difficult-to-reach area.  

Please talk to your veterinarian if you have a cat that is eliminating outside of the box.