Quiz: Do You Know the Litter Box Essentials?

Cats usually don't need much litter box training, but they need some. To train kitty, start with a small, uncovered box in a quiet location close to where they sleep. Put the litter in the box -- your cat may prefer the unscented kind. When kitty sniffs at the box, pick them up and put them inside, praising and petting them. When kitty uses the box, give them a small treat. Keep the box clean and avoid any negative associations with it. For example, don't give kitty medicine or scold them when they are near the litter box.

Some cats have preferences, such as what type of litter they use and where the box is placed. If your cat stops using their box, that may be a sign it's in the wrong place. Take a look at where you put the box: Is it hard to get to? Does kitty have to pass a pooch to use it? Make the litter box as appealing as possible by keeping it clean, making sure there's at least one box per cat, and placing it in a quiet location that offers plenty of escape routes. One place not to put it is in the laundry room. A buzzer sounding while a cat is in the box can cause a negative association.

There are a lot of reasons your cat might “go” outside their box:  They are sick, their litter is dirty or not in a place that suits them, or you don’t have enough boxes. Or they may be stressed about something or hurting. Things like bladder stones, urinary tract infections, kidney failure, diabetes, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), or pain from arthritis or trauma may cause them to go potty someplace they aren’t supposed to.

Always talk to your vet about litter box issues. And never punish your cat for going outside the box. You don’t want them to link punishment to their litter box.

Kittens may occasionally nibble at litter if it's introduced to them during weaning. But in general if your cat is eating kitty litter it could indicate anemia or another dietary deficiency. Other signs of anemia in cats include weight loss, lack of appetite, weakness, and pale gums. Always talk to your vet if your cat starts eating kitty litter. The litter may get caught in their stomach/intestines and require surgery.

Covered or uncovered? Although it depends on the kitty, most cats seem to prefer uncovered boxes, which allow them to move freely and keep an eye on what's happening around them. A covered box may help reduce unpleasant odors for the humans; an uncovered box reminds us when the box needs cleaning.

You can't scoop forever. That's because eventually cat litter becomes saturated with bad odors as small bits of waste break off scooped clumps and remain in the box. To keep kitty happy -- and odors at bay -- empty the entire litter box every two or three weeks and refill it with fresh litter. Research shows that most cats prefer 2 inches of fine-grained clay litter.

According to research, most cats don't like scented litter -- or deodorizers or air fresheners near the litter box. To control odors, scoop at least once a day, more often if possible. You can also help absorb odors by sprinkling a bit of baking soda at the bottom of the litter box. Remember, if you find the box stinky, so does kitty!

The general recommendation is at least one box per cat. The reason is simple: If every cat has a box available there's never any waiting or arguments if two cats want to use the box at the same time. Allow as much space as possible between litter boxes. Put them in different rooms if you can. Also be sure to place each box so the cat using it can see the approach of people and other pets.

Some cats are sensitive to dust particles or may have asthma, which can be made worse by the dust. Most cats are fine with today's silica-based clay cat litter, but a few may be allergic to either the fine dust found in some scoopable litters, or to the scents used in them. Allergy symptoms might include sneezing, runny eyes, and frequent scratching. Fortunately cat litter options include recycled newspapers, pressed sawdust, wheat, wood chips, and play box sand. Although research shows that cats tend to prefer fine-grained, unscented clay litter, experiment to see which your feline friend likes.