| There are more choices in cat litter boxes than ever | | | | Covered Litter Boxes |
| before, making the lives of cat owners easier every | | | | Many people say covered pans keep the odors |
| day. Recycled dishpans and old baking pans, to | | | | down, and help keep children and dogs out of the |
| cardboard throwaways, on up to high-priced models | | | | litter box. The problem is that some people tend to |
| that clean themselves automatically, are all available | | | | clean them less because they do not notice the smell |
| and do the job nicely. This list describes a few of | | | | is often. The key to using covered pans is to make |
| your options when it comes to litter boxes: | | | | sure and clean them just as thoroughly and often as |
| Household Items | | | | you would any other. If it becomes too dirty for |
| A regular 9x13-inch baking pan, which is too old to | | | | your cat, then he might decide to do his business |
| use for cooking, makes a great first litter box for a | | | | somewhere else, and that would defeat the purpose. |
| kitten. The low sides allow the kitten to get in and | | | | Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes |
| out easily. An old dish pan with higher sides might | | | | In recent years, inventors have come up with various |
| work great for cats who like to kick their litter | | | | versions of litter boxes that make the chore of |
| everywhere. Use a plastic storage container that has | | | | cleaning them hands-off. This is helped further by the |
| about 6-inch-high sides, like the ones used to store | | | | easy-clean properties of clumping litter. Some of |
| clothing and blankets, also work very well. You can | | | | these boxes have liners that filter the clumps as you |
| lay the lid down in front of the container to keep the | | | | lift them up. Others liners you roll over and a collector |
| cat from tracking the litter everywhere. | | | | catches the clumps. Although a little more expensive |
| Disposable Litter Boxes | | | | than standard litter boxes, these systems are a good |
| The small cardboard litter boxes are very popular for | | | | option for those who are squeamish about handling |
| shelters and pet stores, and some cat breeders, but | | | | any cat waste, and as a result, will clean the box |
| they are not very practical for long-term use for | | | | more frequently. |
| your pet cat. They are good for travel, however, | | | | Electric Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes |
| and you should think about keeping a spare one or | | | | These are obviously the top-of-the-line of litter |
| two around for special situations, like a stray cat | | | | boxes, and they carry a price tag to go with them. |
| coming into your life. | | | | The system uses clumping litter and automatically |
| Basic Plastic Pan Litter Box | | | | removes the clumps every time the cat uses the |
| This design works just fine, as millions of people use | | | | box. An electronic eye tells it when the cat is done, |
| them. They are fairly inexpensive and can be found in | | | | activating the mechanism. The litter box runs a rake |
| many stores. They can be purchased in many sizes | | | | through the litter, catches the clumps, then deposits |
| and shapes, and some even have rims shaped to | | | | them in a sealed bin for disposal. As the rake returns, |
| keep the litter in the pan. Make sure the one you | | | | it smooths the litter for the next cat visit. |
| choose is easy to scrub clean. | | | | |