How to stop Cat Litter Tracking: 6 Simple Steps
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As a cat owner, you know how much joy and companionship our furry friends bring to our lives. Yet, one of the downsides of owning a cat is dealing with the litter they leave behind. Litter tracking is a common problem for many cat owners, as it can make a mess of your home and be difficult to clean up. But don’t worry; there are several ways to prevent this from happening and keep your home clean and fresh.
How to stop Cat Litter Tracking?
Here are six tips that will help you prevent your cat from tracking litter around the house:
- Place a mat or rug at the entrance of the litter box.
- Clean the litter box regularly.
- Choose a high-sided or a top-entry litter box.
- Opt for heavy, large-grained cat litter.
- Make sure your cat’s claws are trimmed.
- Train your cat to use the mat right after finishing their business.
1. Pick a litter box mat
A litter mat is a must-have for any cat owner. It does catch most of the litter and makes cleaning much easier for us. Place a mat or rug at the entrance of the litter box to catch any litter that your cat may have on their paws. Our favorite is the iPrimio Cat Litter Clean Mat. It’s an easy-to-clean solution with a two-layer mat that allows you to easily pour the trapped litter back into the box or, rather, vacuum it.
2. Maintain a regular cleaning schedule
This one looks obvious. But it does quite make a difference. Cleaning the litter box regularly will help you control the damage. Scoop daily to prevent buildup and reduce the amount of litter available to be tracked. Replace all the litter every 1-2 weeks to maintain cleanliness and reduce odor. You can keep a broom and a dustpan around to make the process easier for you.
3. Use a convenient litter box
Top-entry, high-sided, and covered litter boxes are all good at keeping litter particles contained. Obviously, some might escape. However, the mess will be significantly less than with open litter boxes. And of course, don’t forget to check that your fluffy companion is comfortable using these types of litter boxes beforehand.
4. Opt for a low-tracking cat litter
First of all, we need to make sure our cats are comfortable with this type of litter. A low-tracking cat litter has heavy, large, and low dust particles. These are less likely to stick to your cat’s paws than finer-grained litter. Especially the ones with a smooth texture. Our favorite ones are the Feline Pine Non-Clumping Cat Litter and the Tidy Cats Unscented Cat Litter.
5. Keep your cat's claws trimmed
Trimming your cat’s claws will also help reduce the amount of litter they carry out of the box. Not to mention, it’s essential for the well-being of these fluffy creatures as well.
6. Help me help you
Another way to prevent litter tracking is by training your cat. You can train them to use a specific area to scratch and clean their paws after using the litter box. This can be done by placing a mat or rug in the desired area and using treats and catnip to encourage them to use it.
Final Note
In the end, litter tracking can be tricky and irritating for some of us. However, by adopting these practices and sticking to a consistent cleaning schedule, you can efficiently prevent it and keep your home clean and fresh.
Remember to be patient, cat guardian. It may take some time and experimentation to find the best course of action to minimize litter tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the 2022 ISFM/AAFP 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. Whereas the width should be equivalent to your cat’s length, the tail is not included. A cat that is about 18 inches long needs a litter box that measures 27” long by 18″ wide. A litter box that most likely doesn’t exist out there. That is why it is best to select the largest and nicest litter box for your beloved cats.
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.
