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 Many people think a covered litter box
provides privacy, something we as humans
want during those personal moments, and
which we naturally assume cats want as well.
If your cat has an aversion to the litter
box, it might very well be the cover itself
that’s the problem. Let’s think like a cat
for a second and look at the situation from
her point of view.
·
A cover on the box reduces air circulation,
so it takes longer for the litter to dry.
That can lead to a smelly box.
·
Many cats feel cramped inside the box,
because their heads touch the lid while they
squat to eliminate. If your cat sticks her
head out of the box during elimination, it
could mean she doesn’t have enough room.
·
A covered box drastically reduces a cat’s
ability to escape. This is especially
important in multi-cat homes where one cat
may ambush another. The covered box has only
one exit, so a cat feels trapped. To
increase her feeling of safety, she may
resort to eliminating in more open areas of
the home that provide better escape options.
·
While digging and scratching in the box, a
cat may not like how the litter dust stays
inside, close to where she is breathing.
·
With a cover on the box, there’s more of a
chance we won’t look to see if it needs
scooping or cleaning, so it may not get
changed as often.
If you’re wondering whether your cat
dislikes the cover, remove it and see if she
enjoys more head room. If you chose a
covered box to reduce litter scatter, get a
high-sided open box, such as the
Rubbermaid litter box. It has a
scooped-out entrance on one side.
For step-by-step instructions on how to set
up the ideal litter box, refer to the book
Think Like a
Cat. |
