Cat litter how many

Use mild dish detergent to clean it, as products with ammonia or citrus oils can turn a cat off, and some cleaning products are toxic to cats. Box liners are strictly a convenience for the owner; supposedly, the liner can be gathered together and tied just like a garbage bag, but the truth is that most cats shred it to bits while scratching in the box.

However, it might work if your cat doesn't work too hard to bury their waste. Most cats won't use litter that's more than about two inches deep. In fact, some long-haired cats actually prefer less litter and a smooth, slick surface, such as the bottom of the box. There's really no such thing as "litter training" a cat in the same way one would housetrain a dog. You actually don't need to teach your cat what to do with a litter box; instinct will generally take over.

You do need to provide an acceptable, accessible litter box, using the suggestions above. It's not necessary to take your cat to the litter box and move their paws back and forth in the litter. If you move to a new place, however, you will need to show your cat where the box is.

If your cat begins to go to the bathroom outside the litter box, your first call should always be to your veterinarian. Many medical conditions can cause a change in a cat's litter box habits. If your veterinarian examines your cat and gives them a clean bill of health, your cat may have a behavior problem that needs to be solved. Punishment is not the answer, nor is banishing your cat outdoors. For long-standing or complex situations, contact an animal-behavior specialist who has experience working with cats.

Preventing litter box problems. Covered boxes Some people prefer to provide their cats with a covered litter box. Pick of the litter There are several different types of cat litter on the market.

Top 10 tips. Get Your Copy. Set up Most people tend to place the litter box in an out-of-the-way spot to minimize odor and prevent cat litter from being tracked throughout the house. Keep the litter box in a spot that gives your cat some privacy but is also convenient. If the box is too hard to get to, especially for a kitten or an elderly cat, they just may not use it. Close Main Navigation Menu. Sign Up Log In. Hide Saved searches.

By Jane Harrell, Petfinder. Share this Article Print. More in Litter Box Training. So what kinds of factors can affect the size of a litter? For example, a young or first-time queen typically produces a smaller litter of up to three kittens. Breed also can affect the number of kittens in a litter, according to Tammy Sadek, a board-certified veterinarian specializing in feline practice who founded and owns Kentwood Cat Clinic in Kentwood, Michigan and Cat Clinic North in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Queens are seasonal breeders, which means they come into heat, or estrus, during certain seasons of the year. Outdoor cats most often cycle in the spring and summer when the days get longer, and they quit cycling when the days get shorter. Because indoor cats are exposed to artificial lights, they might cycle year-round.

Because of this, the more breeding encounters the cat has, the more kittens are produced, and they can be from different fathers, Sadek explains. Certain feline infections can affect the litter size and vitality. If the queen is starving or malnourished, it influences the number of stillborn versus viable kittens she delivers.

Despite her young age and it being her first litter, Fluffy produced a rainbow of five healthy kittens: one calico, and one each of her colors — white, orange, gray, and black and white the only male. To find out how many kittens your cat is carrying, taking her in to the veterinarian is your best method.

During gestation, with lasts an average of 63 to 66 days, there are three commonly-used methods that veterinarians use to find out how many kittens will be in a litter.

Ultrasounds also can be used to confirm pregnancy and estimate the litter size, but Sadek warns that both ultrasounds and palpation can give a general idea but can be off by a kitten or two.

For a more accurate count, experts recommend an X-ray in later pregnancy.