Helping Your Cat Love the Litter Box
π Summary
Encouraging litter-box use: daily cleaning, choosing and gradually switching litter, weekly changes, and fully removing accident odors.
1 Environment and Litter Choice
Cats avoid dirty spots, so scoop daily and leave a little used litter in the box at first to teach its purpose. Litters vary in scent and type: bentonite clumps well and is cheap but heavy; crystal litter is light and reusable but absorbs slowly and cannot be flushed. When switching brands, mix old and new and raise the new ratio over one to two weeks. Change fully about weekly and sun the box when you can; wash and disinfect the box between changes.
2 Fixing Accidents
If a cat goes outside the box, clean the whole area to remove all urine and stool traces, or it will return there. Move large potted plants away, since cats are drawn to soil and sand to bury waste; the litter box should be the only such spot in the home.
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