1. Use the right container. Size counts, and bigger is better, as long as the sides are low enough for the cat to get in and out of easily. A good rule of thumb is that the box should be at least large enough for the cat to turn around in, to dig in, and to situate himself in comfortably.

2. Use the right litter. Cats can be fussy about the type of litter they use, but most seem to prefer fine-grained litters (like scoopable or clumping litter), which are softer and less dusty. Most cheaper clay litters are more coarse-grained, but high quality non-scoopable litters are fine-grained enough to suit most cats.

Avoid scented litters - lots of cats **** them. A thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the litter box will keep odors down, but regular scooping and cleaning is the real answer.

3. Use the right amount of litter. Don't make it too deep. Cats prefer a relatively shallow depth of litter, usually in the 2" to 3" range. If your litter is at a depth over 4", your cat may not be comfortable using it.

4. Have the right number of boxes. The optimum is to have as many boxes as you have cats, plus one extra. While that's not always practical, you should definitely have more than one litter box if you have more than one cat. Even if you only have one cat, it's a good idea to have a litter box on each level of your house.

5. Put the boxes in the right locations. Cats like their privacy, so put the box in a place that's quiet and out of the way. But not TOO far away! For one thing, if the box is so far away that you forget about it, you're less likely to keep it scooped and clean. And if it's so far away that it's inconvenient to get to, your cat is going to find alternative places to take care of business.

6. Most important of all: clean, clean, clean!! Cats vary a great deal in their tolerance for soiled litter, but eventually every cat will simply refuse to use a box that's too dirty. Scoop daily, and add litter as needed to maintain a depth of 2" to 3".

Change the litter and wash out the box regularly. Scoopable litter usually only needs to be changed every two or three weeks, while standard litter should be changed at least once a week.

Don't use strong or potentially toxic cleaners or chemicals to wash out the box - the could be harmful to your cat. And even if they're not harmful, if they leave a noticeable smell behind, your cat may refuse to use the box.

By: Ruth Butters

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