THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LITTER TRAY
The litter tray is your cat's favourite place to go to the toilet in peace and quiet and, because of this, it is very important that it is kept in an appropriate condition.
What does the ideal litter tray look like?
A good litter tray must be suitable for your cat's physical characteristics, such as size and weight. If your cat is elderly, we should add that the litter tray must be easy for them to access.
It must also be comfortable in terms of size: it doesn't have to be much bigger than your cat, but it must have the necessary space for them to be able to turn around or bury their stools.
Choose the ideal litter tray and you will be contributing to your cat feeling calmer and happier.
How should you clean it?
The litter tray should be cleaned every time you change the litter.
Use gloves and disinfectant products that are not harmful for your cat. Bicarbonate of soda can be very useful. Once the tray is clean, add a very fine layer of bicarbonate and add the litter in afterwards. This will help neutralise odours and prevent them spreading around your home.
Where should it be placed?
It is best to always keep the litter tray in the same place. You should also ensure that it is in a well ventilated area and is also:
- Kept away from their food and water. It's unpleasant for cats when their litter tray smells of food and vice versa.
- Kept away from devices or objects that make a lot of noise, to ensure that your cat is calm and relaxed.
- Kept separate from devices that produce heat, so that the smell does not become concentrated.
More than one cat at home?
Cats like to mark their territory, so sharing something as private as their litter tray is a great inconvenience. If you have more than one cat, ensure you separate their litter trays. If one of your cats exhibits strange toilet behaviour, it's probably their way of telling you that they are not happy with the location of their litter tray with regard to the other cat.
THE ALL-ROUND CARE THEY NEED
The territorial nature of cats means that they need to feel clean and not leave “tracks” in case of a possible “intrusion”. Find out what you can do to help them in this task by clicking on each part of their body in the image:
Ears
Teeth and gums
Coat
Ears
Cats' ears are a very sensitive part of their body: Do not clean them with cotton buds or anything similar.
Do not go too deep into the ear: If you see a bit of dirt and you can easily reach it, clean it using a clean muslin, gently working inwards. However, it's better to visit the vet for this.
Teeth and gums
You can get your cat used to having their teeth and gums cleaned from the time they are a kitten. Use a toothpaste specifically formulated for cats (human toothpaste is toxic for cats as it contains fluoride) and allow them to familiarise themselves with the toothbrush.
If you feel it appropriate, consult your vet if you think your cat's teeth require a deep clean. Last but not least: dry food is beneficial for your cat's teeth, as it helps to remove plaque.
Coat
Brush their coat regularly to avoid hairballs forming. This is an activity that they love and it also helps to strengthen your bond.
A healthy, glossy coat is synonymous with health. With the brush and their own “showers” it is not necessary to bathe a cat.