Does Your Cat Need A Covered Litter Box?

If there’s one thing that unites all cat owners, it is the knowledge that cleaning your cat’s litter is always a chore. No matter what happens, no owner enjoys the experience, but there are a lot of options in regards to litter, litter boxes, and dozens of other products that can make it easier or more convenient for you and your cat.

When it comes to litter boxes, there are many kinds that are broadly placed in two categories, covered litter boxes and uncovered litter boxes. There is a lot of debate amongst cat owners about the pros and cons of each of these boxes, some of which have been described below.

Covered litter boxes

Covered litter boxes are generally trays with a covering on top. These litter boxes are a popular choice for pet parents who don’t enjoy the look of dirty litter in the room, and wonder if covering the tray can work. The covered trays can also be extremely helpful if your cat is skittish and scared when using the litter, because it offers a little more privacy than the average tray.

However, covered litter boxes have their disadvantages too. If you’ve ever heard the saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’, you’ll understand what the next point is about: when you can’t see your cat’s ‘business’, you can’t really monitor his or her health in the same way, as one way that most pet parents notice that their cat is unwell is by monitoring their urine and stool. This may even result in you not cleaning the litter as efficiently as usual, because you can’t really see the mess that your cat has made in the litter box due to the covering.

Uncovered litter trays

These litter trays are used most often by pet parents, and are actually very easy to maintain and keep. Uncovered trays may add an unwanted look into your cat’s ‘bathroom habits’, but they are also much easier to clean. Not to mention, without the cover, you can very easily keep an eye on your cat’s urine and stool, and be aware of any problems or issues as they arise.

One amazing benefit of the uncovered trays is that because they’re open in the air, they actually don’t smell as much. A popular misunderstanding regarding the covered and uncovered trays is that they allow you to reduce the smell. The fact of the matter is, the more closed up the box is, the more the smell is ‘kept’ inside, allowing it to become more and more potent. With an open tray, this is not an issue because the smell is not retained inside the box.

So, what litter box should I use?

At the end of the day, the litter box that you decide to use depends on a number of things, including your cat’s attitude, your ability to stick to a cleaning schedule, and your vet’s recommendation. You will probably also need to consider whether you have a multiple cat household, as that would impact your cat’s feeling of being safe and secure inside a litter box. If you are still confused, you can always refer to your vet for advice regarding what suits your cat best. Book an appointment now.