IndexArticles
10th Mar 2009
Last issue we looked at the various kitty litters on the market, but as litter is synonymous with litter trays, this time we’ll take a look at the range of kitty litter tray options around.
Litter trays are available in a variety of choices. Avoid trays that are too small, remembering that cats do like to have room to turn around and scratch before and after the deed. Individual cats prefer different trays so shopping around is necessary to find its perfect match, and one that you can live with too.
By far the most popular and most affordable is the traditional standard litter tray. This basic tray is easily accessible to both the user and the cleaner, but make sure it has reasonable height to its sides to keep litter where it belongs, and that it is of a hardy plastic.
A covered tray helps to neutralise odours with a replaceable charcoal filter fitted into the top of the cover – some manufacturers even promise up to 99% odour reduction. Certain cats will love the privacy; others may not like the confinement or the concentrated smell as they are ‘going’. Scooping solids is a little more difficult, and these do generally take up more space than regular litter trays. If buying a covered tray, there is a wide range of options from the basic, with or without a swinging entry door, to corner and shaped trays, to luxury varieties like the ‘Booda Dome Clean Step’ wherein the cat walks up some shallow steps, around a ‘wall’ into a ‘room’ that holds the litter which is therefore contained well inside. Kitty can dig to its heart’s content without litter escaping the confines of the ‘room’, and any that remains on the paws will either fall off on the steps out, or onto the attached purpose-made mat section past the steps. This shape of tray is particularly ideal for those cat owners who also have dogs likely to ‘snack’ at the litter tray as even the most ambitious doggy head will be unable to reach the contents!
There are also sieve style trays available, featuring two or three parts to the tray – these are for the wood-based litters, and work exceptionally well if a cup or two of litter is placed into the base and three or four cups onto the top, sifting the wet used litter into the base after ‘visits’, leaving your feline’s feet perfectly dry, and eliminating odour if the base is scooped and replenished daily.
Litter Kwitter is a toilet seat for cats – a series of seats actually. An Australian invention, it is a training system that works in a three step process, detailed for the owner in an included DVD as well as an accompanying booklet, promising to train your cat to use a regular toilet in just eight weeks. You can see the Litter Kwitter being used by a varied bunch of cats at www.litterkwitter.com. If you don’t mind your cat using your toilet, or if you have a spare toilet at your place, this is a system that has been very successful with many cats and is a certain way to eradicate the whole kitty litter drama from your life, and amuse your friends with a scene that looks straight out of ‘Meet the Parents’ at the same time!
The Rolls Royce of litter trays is one that is disguised into a large pot plant holder and is called the ‘Hidden Litter’. It states that it is ‘a litter box that you don’t have to hide’ but owners need to realise that thorough regular cleaning will still be essential, or the smell will soon give it away! Complete with an attractive plant, this is ideal for apartments or houses with limited space.
And for those of us who have fully indoor cats and would really like to avoid the chance of any nasty smells, there is the Cat Genie, a ‘flushable kitty toilet’ which actually connects to a water source; it flushes and deodorises following each kitty ‘visit’! Unfortunately for us, the Cat Genie is not yet available in this country; you will need to travel to the United States for it. Check it out at www.catgenie.com – and dream!
Regardless of which litter tray you choose for your furry friend, the tray will always need a good cleaning between changes of litter. This is not only to keep your nose happy, but also to keep your cat using it and most importantly, to prevent disease. Ideally, use household bleach diluted 1:30. Rinse it out well afterwards and allow the tray to dry in the sun, if possible. Always scoop as soon as possible after solids appear, and if you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system, definitely wear gloves whenever dealing with the tray, or have someone else do it for you if possible. If the tray starts to look worn or too scratched inside, or becomes permanently whiffy, it’s time to replace it before any nasty leaks occur!
by Susan Shoring, Secretary of the Gold Coast Cat Club
