Dirty Cat Litter Box Secrets

For those of us who choose to own cats and dogs (and maybe all pets for that matter), there is definitely a large responsibility involved. Not only do these pets need to be fed, groomed and loved - they must also have a place to 'use the bathroom' several times each day.

While most dogs require an owner to take (or let) them outdoors, we cat owners can get away with a cat litter box.

Okay, so this all sounds unfair and way too easy. However, a cat litter box can be more of a hassle than you may ever know until you have to deal with one. Trust me, I know all about this aspect of caring for cats. After all, I have two of them, and neither of them is very tidy about using the litter box. This is why a special cat litter box is required for the job.

All litter boxes were definitely not created equal! There's the old-school, manual cat litter box that basically sits there like a miniature sandbox somewhere in your house, basement or garage with the litter completely exposed. Ah, breathe in that fresh air! And if the odor weren't enough, once these cats have finished doing their 'business', they proceed to kick litter all over the place, attempting to cover up their mess.

Now, don't get me wrong - these simple little boxes work. They can be a bit messy and quite stinky at times, but they are cheap to buy, and they can last for years! But isn't there something better?

Well, I looked around and found there are now enclosed cat litter boxes. These definitely are a step up in regards to keeping (most) of the cat litter inside the box, but they don't do much for odor control. I bought one that stunk to high heaven if I didn't empty it almost every day.

And then came the automatic cat litter box. These are quite the new-age concept to say the least. The cat steps into the open litter box to do his/her business, and then is warned by a beeping noise to get out. Once the cat steps out of the litter box, the cat litter box cleans itself right up!

A mechanical raking device sweeps through the litter, forcing any stool or clumps into a sealed storage compartment that locks in the odor. This way your beautiful home won't smell like it belongs to the cat.

I found mine online by searching for "automatic cat litter box", and found some great prices. One wonderful automatic litter box that's currently gracing the market is produced by Fresh Step. My local pet shop carries it for about $150 - but I found it online for much less. If you're tired of the smell and the mess, I'd definitely check one out.

- Submitted by Stinkman (didn't think I'd leave that in there, did ya?)