July 28, 2024, 10:16 am | Read time: 10 minutes

The litter box is an essential piece of basic equipment, but the choices are huge. With a hood or without? Electric and self-cleaning, or is a simple tub enough? What should you look out for when buying? And where is the best place to put the litter box? A cat expert gives some tips.

PETBOOK spoke to cat psychologist Sabine Roßberg from the cat behavior consultancy Fritzi & Fritzi. What owners should also consider when purchasing and additional tips the expert has for the litter box.

The ideal size of the litter box

The size of the litter box should match the size of the cat, as cat psychologist Sabine Roßberg explains to PETBOOK: “The cat should be able to move comfortably in the litter box and also have enough space at the top to be able to stand upright. Generally speaking, the bigger the box, the better”, emphasizes the expert. She gives those interested in buying the following rule of thumb for the optimum litter tray size: body length of the cat (cm) x 1.5 = minimum size of the diagonal of the box.

Litter box with a hood — is it a wise investment?

A hood, which is designed to prevent the cat litter from being spread all over the room after use, is often tolerated, but according to the expert, most cats find it rather annoying. This is because “Most cats hate touching the hood with their heads when doing their business upright.”

Moira Gerlach from the German Animal Welfare Association also advises against cat litter boxes with hoods, as she explains in the magazine “Du und das Tier” (issue 2/2024). This is because problems could arise with ventilation. “In addition, cats then feel as if they are going to the toilet in a kind of cave — something they would not naturally enter to do their business.” They may therefore simply not go to the litter box — or only very reluctantly.

In general, open boxes without a hood are more accepted. If the cat wants a hood, the following rule of thumb applies, according to the expert: standing height of the cat + 10 cm (3.9 inches) = minimum height.

Edge and entry height: tips for the right litter box shape

Most litter boxes are rectangular. However, there are also square or even round models. According to expert Roßberg, there is no right or wrong way to choose the right litter box shape. Instead, she says, “The shape of the litter box must first and foremost suit the needs and preferences of the individual cat, and these can of course change over the course of a cat’s life.”

However, the edges of the box should be slightly higher for some cats. The cat psychologist notes that higher edges are hygienically beneficial, particularly for cats known to kick litter around or those that urinate standing up. In some cases, special constructions are required.

According to the expert, the entrance to the litter box should ideally not be too high. “Especially for older cats, it is often unreasonable to have to climb into the litter box with a full bladder.”

Litter box with flaps or without?

A litter box with an entry flap is intended to minimize the scattering of litter on the floor after use. However, expert Roßberg advises against models with flaps. She emphasizes: “Cat litter boxes with entrance flaps have a constricting effect and are simply an unnecessary obstacle when entering them.”

In addition, according to the expert, air circulation is prevented by the flaps, which means that gases form inside and the odor cannot dissipate. For this reason, odor filters are installed in many cat litter boxes with flaps to neutralize the odor. Roßberg comments: “The filters offered specifically for this problem are not a compromise for cats’ sensitive noses.”

Tip: What material should the litter box be made of?

Most litter boxes are constructed from plastic. This material is recommended because plastic litter boxes are easy to clean and durable. According to the expert, another point you should pay attention to with regard to the material is: “You should not choose a material that makes loud, unpleasant noises when scratching.” This could frighten the cat.

Tips for the best location for a litter box

Once you’ve purchased a litter box, the main question arises: where’s the best spot to place it? According to cat behavior consultant Roßberg, the answer is clear. She emphasizes: “A well-placed litter box is usually in a quiet and easily accessible place that the cat can reach at any time, within a short distance, and without major obstacles.”

This is especially true if the cat is getting older or is ill. If the litter box is somewhat freestanding in the room, with only one side against the wall, the cat can relieve itself easily. Cat expert Roßberg adds: “This also gives the cat a good view of any troublemakers, and, if the worst comes to the worst, it can escape to the side.”

Especially if there is more than one cat in the household, the litter box should not be on a dead end. This is because some cats are prone to “litter box bullying”. They deliberately ambush the other cat when it is sitting in the litter box. If the other cat is unable to escape or evade, this can cause so much stress for the bullied cat that it looks for other places to do its business.

Which room is particularly suitable?

But which room exactly is the best location for a litter box? Ultimately, it’s up to each owner to decide. However, many owners place the litter box in the bathroom for hygiene reasons. Because if the cat litter gets stuck in the fur after use, it can easily spread. The litter is easier to remove from bathroom tiles than from carpet.

But according to cat psychologist Roßberg, this location is also advantageous for another reason: “Some cats like to go to the restroom together with their owners.” However, owners should keep in mind that the cats do not want to be disturbed while going to the toilet.

So make sure that no drops of water from the shower or sink can fall on them. Also, if there is a washing machine in the bathroom, it should be as far away from the litter box as possible. The reason: A washing machine that is directly adjacent and far too loud disturbs the cat.

Tips from an expert: How many litter boxes do you need?

The answer to how many litter boxes are needed might seem straightforward, or does it? One per cat? Expert Rossmann disagrees: “To make it as comfortable as possible for the cat and to prevent mess, it’s worth having several litter boxes in different places in the home.” She gives owners the following rule of thumb: number of cats + 1 = minimum number of litter boxes.

However, if there are several cats in the house, this does not automatically mean that you require two litter boxes per cat. “If I live with four cats, for example, I should provide at least five appropriate litter boxes,” stresses Roßmann.

Cleaning the litter box

Once you have found the right places for the litter boxes, the question arises as to how best to integrate litter box cleaning into everyday life. Because every cat has a different sense of hygiene. Some will stop using a litter box as soon as they have done their business in it, while others will use it three more times.

Basically, it can be said that the litter box should be cleaned twice a day with a scoop. Of course, this is particularly useful in the morning and evening so that you can develop a rhythm for yourself. However, it is also beneficial for the health of the cat and the odor in the home to remove the cat’s excrement directly.

There are also certain guidelines for a complete litter box cleaning that you can incorporate into your daily routine. The litter box should be completely emptied and washed out approximately every three to four months. However, harsh cleaning agents should be avoided, as they could discourage the cat from using the litter box again. Citric acid or an odorless, ecological washing-up liquid is suitable as a cleaning additive. However, it is also sufficient to clean the litter box with hot water and a brush.

Self-cleaning litter boxes: are they recommended?

Self-cleaning litter boxes automatically remove waste multiple times a day, freeing you from the concern of cleaning them. Cat expert Roßmann comments: “This is of course great, especially for cats who absolutely refuse to use a litter box that has already been used. However, as with a conventional litter box, you should check carefully whether the cat’s needs are being met.”

Above all, owners should make sure that the automatic cleaning process does not frighten the cat. It should also be checked to see if the litter box is spotless after automatic cleaning. The reason is that fecal residue can cause disease. Roßmann adds: “With self-cleaning litter trays, there is also a risk of easily overlooking changes in excrement. However, these can be the first signs of health problems in our cats.”

The right litter is also important

Litter is also an essential component of the litter box. First and foremost, you should make sure that it is not unpleasant for the cat. It should not contain any sharp or sharp-edged stones. Young cats, in particular, still have sensitive paws and can quickly develop an aversion to the litter box.

You have to try out which litter is the right one. You also need to find out which filling level the cat prefers. Some cats don’t like it when they sink ankle-deep in litter. Baby powder-scented litter is also unsuitable — even if it smells pleasant to humans.

Incidentally, just because it says “organic” or “eco” on the label does not mean that the litter is biodegradable or environmentally friendly. Most products are based on bentonite, which is a real environmental problem.

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Questions owners should ask themselves before buying a litter box

According to cat expert Roßmann, pet owners should generally ask themselves the following questions about the litter box:

• Is the size of the litter box suitable?
• Does my cat like a covered litter box?
• Is it possible to clean it hygienically?
• Is the litter box really safe?
• In the case of a self-cleaning litter box: Is the noise level of this litter box acceptable for the cat?