Are covered litter boxes safe for cats?

Enclosed litter boxes may be perfect for people, but not so much for cats. Felines prefer being safe in an uncovered box so that they can see potential threats and escape them. Covered litter boxes do their job of containing odors. Although this works for people who don’t scoop often enough, it doesn’t work for cats.

Which is better covered or uncovered litter box?

When individual cats were assessed, 70% showed absolutely no preference (i.e. used both boxes equally), 15% used the covered litter box more significantly, while 15% used the uncovered more than the covered. Pretty even results. It seems cats tend to think inside the box – as long as it’s clean.

Do covered litter boxes smell less?

It’s not that fresh litter itself controls the odor; it’s just that it provides the right amount of material for the cat to use when covering her own urine and feces. Covered waste has less odor than uncovered waste.

Why won’t my cat use a covered litter box?

Cats stop using their litter boxes for a variety of reasons, including issues with the box or litter, dissatisfaction with the placement or number of boxes, changes in the environment inside or outside the house, and undiagnosed medical conditions.

Where is the best place to put a cat litter box?

The Best Place for the Litter Box A great place to locate the litter box is your own bathroom, as long as you make sure to keep the door wide open when it’s not in use. Many people tuck the litter box next to the toilet, between the toilet and tub, or under the sink.

How tall should a covered litter box be?

So look for boxes with three sides that are tall enough to prevent pee, poop, or litter hitting your floor (usually wall heights of around 8–12″ are good), but that also have a lower entry/exit side to make getting in and out easy (this side should be around 5–6″).

Can I put baking soda in cat litter?

Many people use scented litter or air freshener to mask litter box odors, but often times, these odors can be offputting to cats. A thin layer of baking soda placed on the bottom of the box will help absorb odors without repelling your cat.