Your cat develops a complex relationship with his litter box. Many factors go into whether it gets successfully used or rejected. Here are five tips for success:

1.     Size matters. Since many cats today are overweight (sad, but true,) the box you initially chose when he was 10 pounds smaller, may not be adequate. He needs room to move around in there without feeling cramped. If your cat is large or tends to overshoot, consider using a large plastic storage box instead of a traditional litter box.

2.     Covered or convertible. Some cats like the privacy of a covered box, but most prefer to see other cat companions who might be approaching. In a multicat home where there’s tension, a covered box can create a feeling of being trapped with only one means of escape. Larger cats often feel squished in covered boxes as well.

3.     The right litter. There are so many to choose from, but in general, start with the unscented scoopable formulas. If your cat doesn’t like the brand of litter, there are many alternatives to try – everything from newspaper pellets to wheat-based to diagnostic aids. Set out a couple boxes with different litters to see which one kitty prefers.

4.     Location. Put your cat’s needs above your convenience. While you might prefer the box in the laundry room, your cat may be frightened when the washer hits the spin cycle. In a multicat home, distribute litter boxes around so that a subordinate cat doesn’t have to walk through a higher-ranking cat’s area.

5.     Keep it clean. You wouldn’t want to use an unflushed toilet and neither does your cat.

For step-by-step instructions on litter box success, refer to the book Think Like a Cat.

© 2009 Cat Behavior Associates, LLC