The Ideal Litter Box Size: How Big Should Your Cat's Litter Box Be?
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Are you struggling to choose the perfect litter box size for your cat? Narrowing down your choices is a tedious task to do given the so many options out there. But don’t worry—in this guide, we will help you pick the ideal size for your feline friend, ensuring both you and your cat are satisfied.
Why Litter Box Size Matters?
What size litter box should I get? This is one of several questions that every cat owner considers before selecting a suitable litter box. The short answer is: the bigger, the better. Cats prefer spacious areas to do their business, and when given a choice, they will always choose the largest litter box in the room.
How Big Should Your Cat's Litter Box Be?
According to the Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, the litter box should be 1.5 times the length of your cat from the nose to the tip of the tail. The width should be equivalent to your cat’s length, excluding the tail.
Theory vs Practice: Finding the Right Size
The average cat measures 28 inches long (18 inches without the tail). By following the above guidelines, we’ll need a litter box that measures 42” long by 18” wide. Unfortunately, most commercially available litter boxes max out at around 26 inches in length. So, in practice, the bigger the box you choose, the better.
Creative Solutions From Pet Parents
A creative and budget-friendly solution is to repurpose a large under-bed storage container. These containers often provide ample space for your cat to turn around comfortably and meet their needs. A lot of pet owners are using this hack, which seems to be so far a perfect substitute for traditional litter boxes.
Common Litter Box Sizes: What’s Available on the Market?
- Small (16” x 12”): Suitable for kittens or small cats.
- Medium (20” x 15”): Works for most average-sized cats.
- Large (26” x 18”): Best for larger breeds or multi-cat households.
Types of Litter Boxes and Their Impact on Size Choice:
Kittens and cats with joint pain or mobility issues may have different needs when it comes to litter box access. A smaller, lower-sided box might be easier for them to enter and exit.
Special Considerations for Kittens and Senior Cats:
Kittens and cats with joint pain or mobility issues may have different needs when it comes to litter box access. A smaller, lower-sided box might be easier for them to enter and exit.
What Size Litter Box Should I Pick For My Cat? Final Verdict
As cat owners, we always look for the best solutions for our furry friends. Simply pick the largest litter box that suits your cat’s needs, and you’ll be good. Remember to consider your cat’s size, age, and any mobility issues when making your choice.
You should also consider other important matters, such as where you’ll be putting this litter box. We compiled them all into one easy-to-digest post for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recommended that you use a maximum of 2 inches to 4 inches of litter in your litter box. If there are numerous cats using the litter box, you’ll need 3 to 4 inches of litter to absorb all that urine and clump around.
In fact, anything less than 2 inches will cause unpleasant odors to develop as well as a high probability of inappropriate elimination. On the other hand, too much litter will lead to a mess since most cats will simply kick it outside.
Research was conducted and published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery regarding this subject. The results showed that out of 28 different cats, 4 showed a preference for covered litter boxes and 4 for open litter boxes. The rest of the cats were happy to use any type of box they provided as long as it was well-cleaned.
This only shows that our cats have unique preferences, and only by getting to know them will we be able to fulfill their needs in the best way possible.
If you have one cat at home, you’ll most likely need to change clumping cat litter every 2–3 weeks. However, if you’re using a non-clumping litter, you’ll have to change the litter completely twice a week.
If you have an automatic litter box, you can perform a deep cleaning once a month. Unless, of course, there is a problem of feces scattering or building up inside the litter box. You will need to clean it more often in that case.
If you have a manual litter box, the litter should be scooped and cleaned at least twice a day.
Cats love to have their cat litter boxes in a corner that is calm, private, and accessible. You’ll also need to keep food away from this spot in order to leave this space dedicated to sanitary activities.
