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Cat Latrines (view source)

Revision as of 09:09, 2 July 2014

1,827 bytes removed , 09:09, 2 July 2014

→‎Indoor Latrines

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* Use a litter scoop to remove any faeces every couple of days, as you would with an indoor tray.

* Dig out and replace the sand every few months to refresh the latrine.

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~~==Indoor Latrines==~~

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Indoor latrines should be made as appealing as possible. They should be positioned in quiet locations and deep filled with a scent free mineral based litter. In some cases, soft sand or a mixture of soft sand and litter is attractive to cats, and the sand content can be reduced gradually once the cat has shifted its location preference to the designated litter tray.

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~~Cats do vary in their preferences, but here is a general indication of what cats would regard as an ideal litter tray:~~

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* Deep sided and large enough for the cat to turn around in.

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* Filled to a depth of at least 3 cm with a dry, soft mineral based litter (not wood chips, or litter made from wood pulp or scented). You may try using soft white sand or a 50% mixture of litter + sand as this is more attractive to some cats.

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* Position the tray in a quiet place where the cat will not be disturbed.

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* Try having litter trays open and covered to see which the cat prefers. To test this, cover one tray with a large cardboard box with a hole in the side.

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Inappropriate facilities may be at the root of inappropriate toileting problems and it is important to consider the type of litter used in the tray, the sort of tray that is being offered and also the location of that tray. The cleaning regime may also be relevant since most cats are reluctant to use trays that are dirty and some others will fail to bond successfully to their latrine if it is cleaned too frequently. Other potential causes of a breakdown in house training include challenges to security in nervous individuals, overcrowding within a small-sized territory where there is competition over the resource of the latrines or access to the trays is controlled and manipulated by one individual within the household. There is also the issue of old age and debilitation.

==Deterrent Methods for Inappropriate Latrine Locations==

Jon Bowen

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