| With the increasing popularity of cats as pets, there | | | | the sand into the bottom pan, collecting the solids in |
| have been many developments in the accessories | | | | the lattice pan in the process. Clean the dirty one and |
| we can get to help make their lives, and ours, much | | | | place it under the stack, ready for the next round. |
| happier and more convenient. | | | | This cycle is repeated until the sand is exhausted, |
| Litter boxes, for example, have come a long way | | | | then is simply replaced. No scooping! |
| from the simple, plastic rectangle filled with plain old | | | | If you are willing and able, the more expensive |
| sand. Now you can find boxes in many shapes, sizes | | | | options include the various electric, self-sifting pans. |
| and colors, as well as other litter disposal and handling | | | | Using sensors, these pans "wake up" after the cat |
| mechanisms and systems. | | | | has left, activating a rake or screen that moves |
| In the "plain old box" category, if you want a little | | | | through the sand, dumping the collected solids into a |
| variety, you can get a triangular pan to fit in a | | | | reservoir. Simply pull the little drawer out, empty it |
| corner, or one with high sides for those energetic | | | | into a bag, if the system hasn't already done that |
| cats who like to shovel the sand around for five | | | | step, and throw it away. |
| minutes, looking like a badger digging a hole. | | | | The most expensive system I've seen is the one |
| The hooded pans, with removable covers, can help | | | | that integrates with a toilet in the home. Somehow, it |
| hide things a bit, as well as contain the odors to a | | | | rinses the sand (using special crystals, not regular |
| small extent. Perhaps one of the best features of a | | | | sand, by the way) and dries it out, flushing the |
| covered pan, though, is the fact that it keeps the | | | | wastes away in the toilet. You never have to touch |
| sand inside the box, no matter how vigorously your | | | | anything or carry anything to the trash. It's the |
| cat likes to paw around in there... unless he aims for | | | | ultimate litter system. |
| the entrance, of course. | | | | No matter which system you choose, it's essential to |
| In the inexpensive category, the box I like best is | | | | keep litter boxes clean. The most frequent complaint |
| the sifting pan. It comes with two litter pans, nested, | | | | about house cats is what's called "inappropriate |
| with a third pan on top that has a lattice bottom. | | | | elimination," or, not using the litter box. And the most |
| When the sand is ready to be sifted, you simply lift | | | | frequent reason they avoid the box is that it's not |
| up the top pan, jiggling it as you lift, and dump the | | | | clean enough. |
| solids into a waiting bag or can, leaving "clean" sand | | | | Find a litter box that is easy to use and fits your |
| behind. Place the latticed pan into the bottom pan | | | | budget and you'll find your cat behaving better in |
| and nest it underneath the top pan. When it's time to | | | | your home. |
| clean the sand again, just lift the pan out, and pour | | | | |