Luckily, there are several new litter box designs that make the task of changing cat litter much easier. One popular design is the hooded litter box. These boxes provide privacy for more sensitive cats, but they also help keep down litter dust. The hooded box is ideal for a single cat, as long as the cat’s owners can change the box frequently to keep it smelling clean and fresh. For people who don’t want to handle the soiled litter, there are removable liners for these boxes. Simply lift out the whole liner filled with soiled litter and discard it. Lay down a new liner, add fresh cat litter, and replace the lid.

Another popular cat litter box design is the self cleaning litter box. This box is ideal for families with multiple cats, as cats do not like to use dirty litter boxes. The rake removes soiled litter into a removable receptacle and leaves the box fresh and clean. The cat owner can easily discard the dirty litter without having to do anything more than pulling out the receptacle containing the dirty litter and throwing it away.

It is fairly easy to teach your kitten to use a litter box. The most important things for you to do are to position the litter box in the right place and to keep it extremely clean. Litter boxes should never be placed next to your cat’s sleeping or eating spots, as cats do their best to keep these areas clean.

Once you put the litter box in a convenient place, it is time to teach your cat what the box is for. Begin by placing your cat in the box and raking your fingers through the clean litter. Your cat may just decide to start using the box right away. If so, praise him lavishly. If he simply hops out, play with him a few minutes and then place him back in the box. Repeat this procedure several times, but do not overdo it. You don’t want to frustrate your cat.

When your cat eats, wait approximately ten or fifteen minutes and then place your cat in the litter box. If he uses the box, praise him. Also, when your cat is napping, keep an eye on him so that you can take him to the litter box when he awakens.

If your cat does not use the litter box, do not scold him for his accidents. He will just become angry and frustrated. Instead, place the box in the spot where he most frequently has accidents and encourage him to use it.
Once your cat uses his litter box a few times, he should continue to use it. If he stops using the box, be sure it is clean. If the litter box is not dirty, he may have a health problem, so be sure to consult your veterinarian.

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Climbing is important to cats. First, they like high places. Second, the climbing action helps to keep them in good physical shape. Again, if you don’t provide the cat with a cat tree for climbing, he will form his own cat tree using the furnishing in your home.

Cat trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be purchased from pet stores or from online sources. They come in a wide range of prices, depending on the size of the cat tree that you purchase. You also have the option of designing and making your own cat tree. For this, you will need wood, screws, and carpeting or strong fabric to cover the cat tree with.

The cat tree that you purchase will depend on two things, how many cats you have and how much space you have for the cat tree. If the cat tree will run from the floor to the ceiling, you will also need a way to bolt the cat tree to the ceiling, or to the wall for stability. Otherwise, the cat tree will easily tip over and the cat won’t get much joy from it.

A good cat tree will have a variety of perches, and one to three hiding places or cubby holes. Some have running boards or ramps that lead into the hiding places and most will provide places for you to hang various dangling toys from as well. Some may even have small hammocks on them and small rope type swings.

Again, the cost of the cat tree depends on the size that you need but prices also vary by the source. Cat trees typically run anywhere from $80 to $300, although really nice floor to ceiling cat trees can be purchased in the $100 to $150 range.

You will find that the cat tree that you select will become a favorite to your cat. You can expect him to spend a great deal of his time napping in the cubby holes, scratching the posts, and of course climbing and playing all over the cat tree. Cat trees can be placed in the center of the room, or in a corner for your convenience as well.

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Persians need toys that they can chase, toys that they can chew, and toys that they can bat. They also require climbing and scratching opportunities. Again, if you don’t provide these things, they will use objects in your home to make up for your lack of provisions.

Small plastic cage type balls that contain bells are always a winner with a Persian. These are very cheap toys, and can be purchased in most pet stores, as well as discount stores where pet products are sold. Miniature tennis balls are also good. Many cats will grab the ball by the fuzz, and toss it up in the air.

You can spend a great deal of money on wind-up toys, but most cats are not overly enthused with these gadgets. They may watch it ?but they really won’t play with it. In fact, many cats will avoid getting too close to these types of toys. Non-mechanical toys are generally sufficient.

Catnip toys and toys that have feathers are always popular with Persians as well. They love the smell and taste of the catnip. Try to purchase toys that will allow you to replace the catnip as it wears out. Feather toys will be shredded over time, and will need to be replaced.

For climbing and scratching, consider building or purchasing a cat tree. These cat trees are carpeted, provide high shelves and cubby holes, and will be greatly loved by your Persian. They come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and can be purchased either at a pet store, or from online sources. You will typically get the widest selection from online sources when you are shopping for a cat tree.

Some people actually have potted trees in their homes for their cat’s enjoyment. If the tree is hardy and strong, the cat cannot destroy it. It is important, however, to make sure that the tree is anchored well, so that the cat doesn’t tip it over.

You can even grow indoor gardens designed specifically for your cat’s enjoyment. Such gardens should contain catnip and a variety of grasses that it is safe for your Persian to nibble. If you aren’t sure as to what is and is not good for your Persian, be sure to ask your veterinarian for his or her advice.

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Once your kitty is a little bigger and demanding to explore the world outside your home, then it’s time to consider an ID tag.  There are many different types you can buy to attach to the kitten’s collar.  These range from classy to fun, and from self-wrote information to engraved.

Classy or fun is an open choice, but there are a few things you need to think about with the information – if the tag is engraved, then the information is there permanently (well until you change it for another one, if you move for instance), but an ID tag where you write the information needs three things – firstly a permanent ink pen so that the information doesn’t wear off or fade, the information must be clear so that anyone reading it can understand the address or telephone number, and it must have some form of waterproof covering so that snow, rain and puddle damage can’t erode the information.

Another thing you could consider is having your vet implant an ID chip into your kitty.  He could do this when undertaking a routine examination or perhaps taking out stitches after your kitten has been neutered.  ID chipping means that there’s no possibility of your cat losing its collar and becoming ID-less, all anyone needs to do is take the kitty to the nearest authorities and they’ll be able to scan him and have you traced in the least possible time.

There are those who love the ID chip implant idea, and those who hate it, and there’s no right and wrong decision, it’s very much up to you.  The only thing to remember is that cats, especially kittens, sometimes need a little help getting back home, and so once your kitty is mobile enough to be outdoors, he really should have an ID tag that speaks for him.

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Be sure to buy something your cat won’t outgrow easily. Most cats, especially those below 5-6 months old can easily outgrow their litter boxes. Make sure to buy something that your cat will not out-grow or you’ll end up buying more litter boxes in a short time.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some cats don’t want to poop in the same box they pee in. Peeing is an animal’s way of marking her territory and she may not want to poop because it will erase her scent. So if your cat is like this, just buy another litter box and put it some place far away from the first one so she will not look at it as another box to pee in.

Automatic litter boxes are for people who don’t cherish the chore of cleaning litter boxes each day. These boxes are not cheap but a great idea when time is of importance.

These self-cleaning boxes use robotic trays where your cat’s waste is automatically raked into a sealable container shortly after your cat uses the litter box. These will not operate until your cat leaves the box since it uses motion detectors and a safety bar to stop the cleaning rake from harming your cat.

The best thing about these automatic litter boxes is that you’ll find that the odor is greatly reduced. Once the cat’s waste is in the container, it will automatically seal itself and cause the odor to be trapped inside. However, you must remember to empty this container once it is full or close to being full or its odor will become unbearable. Simply empty the storage container and reinsert it or purchase a replacement container.

One thing about automatic litter boxes is that they generally need electricity to run so you should place it close to a power outlet. There are some automatic litter boxes that can be operated with batteries so it is advisable to keep extra batteries on hand.

Another thing to remember is that the automatic litter box should be one-half to three-fourths full of litter. Use premium litter with it because some litter clumps will break up and cause the box not to be properly cleaned.

Most of the cat owners who have tried automatic litter boxes are happy with them and would prefer them to scooping up a mess.. Other cat owners though have a hard time adjusting to it. Automatic litter boxes, especially when the rake is in motion are not that quiet and the noise is something that needs to take time to get used to.

One good reason for using automatic litter boxes is health considerations. There are certain flu-like diseases that are caused by cat’s waste and can cause a person to have swollen glands, muscle pain, fever and headache. In some cases it can also cause brain damage and damage to your eyes and internal organs. For newly born children, this could cause mental retardation and/or hearing and sight loss. This is often caused by coming in contact with a cat’s waste and accidentally swallowing the virus in it. This can happen by touching your face after cleaning your cat’s litter box so wash your hands thoroughly after contact.

Cats will have certain problems when using non-automatic litter boxes also. Cats can have UTI (urinary tract infection) after using a dirty litter box. After using litter boxes, cats usually clean themselves up by licking their paws causing them to ingest the virus and cause them to get sick. Although not really fatal, this will cause discomfort for your pet and can only be cured by consulting a veterinarian.

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