This is an important choice as it is one of the items that you will have to buy on a regular basis. You will need to consider several factors when making a decision including price, effectiveness, how long the litter lasts, whether it tends to track or stay in the box and if your cat seems drawn to it.

Keeping those points in mind, below is a brief description of some types of cat litter, along with some pros and cons of each.

Clumping

This is one of the most common types of litter, and there are many companies that manufacture clumping litter.

Pros

• Clumping litter is readily available and can be purchased at any pet supply store as well as at most grocery stores.
• While not the least expensive option, there are brands of clumping cat litter that are very affordable.
• Unlike some other types of litter, you do not need to change the entire pan of litter every time you clean the box. Instead, you simply scoop out the waste and add a bit more litter to the box. You should, however, completely swap out the litter according to the frequency specified on the package.
• Most cats are willing to use this type of litter.

Cons

• Clumping litter is more expensive than clay cat litter.
• Some pet owners find that it tracks through the house.
• Some pet owners do not like the idea of not changing out the entire pan of litter each time they clean the box.

Clay/Non-Clumping

Pros

• This is the least expensive type of cat litter.
• It is available at most grocery stores and all pet supply stores will carry this type of litter as well.
• Some find clean up to be fairly easy as you simply dump the entire contents of the litter box into the trash, clean the box and replace with fresh litter.
• Most cats are willing to use this type of litter.

Cons

• Due to its fine texture, this type of litter tends to track throughout the house.
• Because you need to replace the entire contents of the litter box each time you clean it, most pet owners find that they need to keep a fairly large supply of clay cat litter on hand. This can be problematic for someone who may not be able to carry a 40 or 50 pound bag of litter.
• Some find that this type of litter is not as odor absorbent as other types of cat litter.

Reusable

Reusable litter is made up of small balls or pellets. They are placed in a special box where the litter is rinsed after each use.

Pros

• It provides a very sanitary type of litter box.
• Because it is self-cleaning, there is no scooping or changing litter necessary.

Cons

• The litter box for use with this litter is quite expensive. Most models cost between $250 and $300.
• Some cats do not like the texture of reusable litter, so they will refuse to use the box.
• Box needs to be placed in a location where it can be hooked up to a water line.

Pearls

Pearls are small round pellets that absorb moisture and odor.

Pros

• Pearls are very effective at odor control.
• If used and maintained properly, this type of litter is quite long lasting.
• There is no tracking of litter throughout the house.

Cons

• This is among the more expensive types of cat litter.
• Some cats will not be willing to use this kind of litter because the texture does not feel at all like the sand or dirt that they would use in nature.

Environmentally Friendly Litter

There are several forms of litter that are environmentally friendly. These include litter made from recycled paper, wheat, corn and wood.

Pros

• The texture of some of these litter options is similar to that of clay and clumping litter. That means that even picky cats will use them.
• For those who care deeply about the environment, the benefit is obvious.
• Most are very effective at absorbing odors and wetness.

Cons

• This type of litter tends to be a bit more expensive than some other options.
• Depending on the type that you choose, it may be hard to find. Not all pet supply stores will carry this kind of litter, so you may have to order your supply online.

It is best to stick to one type, rather than switching back and forth between different types of litter. The main reason is that your cat will get used to using a particular kind of litter. If you suddenly switch litters, it may cause him to stop using his box, at least for a while.

If you do want to switch the kind of litter that you use, it is best to do so gradually. Simply add a small amount of the new litter in with the old. After a day, add a little more of the new litter, while decreasing the amount of the old litter. Continue with this gradual transition until you are using only the new litter.

Be prepared for the possibility that the cat will reject the new litter outright, even if you introduce it gradually. This is particularly true if the litter is of a texture that is different from what the cat is used to using.

You can try to introduce the new litter, but if the cat does not want to use it, you may have to switch back.

If you have more than one cat, you should use the same type of litter for both cats, even if they have separate boxes. You do not want to do anything that may confuse the cats when it comes to their litter box.

Doing so many mean the cats will use the bathroom outside of the box, and that isn’t fun for anyone!

With so many types of cat litter available, it may seem like choosing one could be difficult. There is no one “right” cat litter. Just use the one that works best for you and for your cat.

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While some cat owners have resigned themselves to the belief that such destruction of property is just part of cat ownership, others have sought ways to put an end to the destruction.

While it is not cheap, replacing a piece of furniture is a whole lot easier that replacing a room of carpet. But there is something about carpet that many cats find simply irresistible. As they saunter from room to room, each step reminds them that, right below their feet, is an endless supply of scratching delight.

It must be terribly hard to resist because most cats don’t bother even trying to resist and instead, pick a spot or two and let the destruction begin. Some cat owners focus on trying to get a cat to stop scratching completely, but that is never going to happen. Scratching is natural and necessary to a cat, so trying to stop the behavior altogether is a waste of time.

Instead, try to get your cat to scratch in appropriate locations, such as on his scratching post.

Why Do Cats Scratch?

There are four main reasons that cats scratch.

1. Keep Claws Sharp
It is important that a cat keeps his claws sharp and healthy. This is one of the functions of scratching.

2. Mark Territory
Cat’s feet have scent glands that, thankfully, humans cannot smell. Those scent glands, which are left behind wherever a cat scratches, let other cats know who has been there.

This explains why cats will nap on their favorite spot on the sofa and then, before hopping down, give the spot a good scratching. The cat is just letting everyone know, “hey, this is my spot.”

3. Release Energy
Scratching is a form of mild exercise for cats and it helps them relax as well as burning of excess energy.

4. It’s Fun
Scratching just feels good to cats. If you don’t believe it, just notice that often when your cat is scratching, he is purring at the same time.

Now that you know why cats scratch, it should be clear why trying to “train” them to stop scratching is not a good idea. Instead you need to give them a place to scratch that is acceptable to both you and your cat. Doing this will help to stop your cat from scratching the carpet.

The Perfect Scratching Post

For most cats, not just any scratching post will do. There are many areas to consider when shopping for the perfect scratching post.

1. Texture
While your cat might enjoy scratching your carpet, that is actually not the best material for scratching. The reason is that, as mentioned above, one of the reasons cats need to scratch is to keep their claws sharp. That is why a rough surface, such as sisal or cardboard are best. That is not to rule out carpet covered scratching posts completely as most cats do love that texture. Just be sure to also provide a rougher surface as well.

2. Size
The size depends on many things, including how much available space you have in your home. Just keep in mind that your cat should be able to fully extend her body while scratching. As long as the post is long or tall enough to accommodate that fully body stretch, it will work.

3. Stability
What do you think would happen if, the first time your cat tried to use the scratching post, it fell over and scared the jeepers out of her? Of course, the answer is that she’d never go within ten feet of that scratching post again. That is why it is important to be sure that the scratching post is very stable before trying to introduce your cat to it.

Another thing to consider is that it is a good idea to have scratching posts in every room in which your cat spends a lot of time. It’s fine to have one where he sleeps, but if the cat is napping in the living room, the carpet will look just as appealing as the scratching post. By keeping one in every room, there is a better chance that he will use the post and leave the carpet and furniture alone.

What About Having My Cat Declawed?

Declawing is as acceptable an idea as cutting your fingers off at the second knuckle. Don’t do it. Some people think that declawing a cat is similar to trimming a person’s nails. This is not the case. Claws are not just tails, but rather they are an important part of the cat’s anatomy. A declawed cat will have issues with balance and mobility. Also, many cats that have been declawed suffer behavioral and emotional problems as well.

Declawing a cat is cruel and it is not necessary. It should be completely removed as an option.

Getting your cat to stop scratching the carpet will take some time and patience. But once your cat adjusts to taking out his scratching urges on his scratching posts, your carpet and furniture will once again be safe and he’ll have a perfect spot on which to scratch to his heart’s content.

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It is important to keep in mind that your best intentions are not going to mean much if the cat refuses to use the earth-friendly litter. Some cats are simply pickier than others when it comes to what type of litter they will use.

Some will only use traditional clay litter. Other cats don’t really care what type of litter is in their box. If it’s in their box they are going to use it. The only way to know if your cat will be willing to use one of the types of litter that is good for the earth is to try it.

Making the Change

When changing from another type of litter to environmentally friendly cat litter, it is important to transition the right way. You do not want to make the transition very sudden. If you do, there is less of a chance that your cat will respond well to the change.

Instead, you want to introduce the new litter gradually. Start by placing a small amount of the new litter in with his old litter. Over the next several days, gradually increase the amount of new litter while decreasing the amount of the old litter.

Another option is to leave his current litter box filled with his old litter. Place a new box next to it with the new litter. Add just a bit of the old litter so the cat will understand what this new box is all about. If you find that the cat is using the new box with no problems, you can eliminate the old box and the old type of litter.

Types of Environmentally Friendly Cat Litter

Recycled Paper

One type of litter that earth conscience pet owners may choose is made from recycled newspaper or other types of recycled paper. The paper is shredded into material that resembles traditional litter and works much like clay litter.

Litter Made from Wood

Environmentally friendly cat litter made from wood comes in different forms. Some brands feature wood that is pressed into pellets. Others are simply wood shavings. Still others are ground to resemble traditional litter.

While all are fairly effective at controlling odors and absorbing wetness, some cats will be less likely to want to use the pellets or the shavings. They may instead prefer the litter made from wood that more closely resembles the texture of traditional cat litter.

Grass Boxes

This litter alternative is fairly new on the scene. It is not really litter at all, but instead provides an environmentally friendly alternative. It is a box of actual grass. The makers say that it is like bringing the outside in. You simply pick up solid waste while urine can be rinsed away manually or automatically, depending on the type of box.

You can choose real grass or synthetic and the grass can be easily changed anytime it becomes necessary.

While these grass boxes are marketed to dog owners, some cat owners are using them as well.

Reusable Litter

Reusable litter sounds like a good, economical choice. There are, however, some things that you should know before choosing this type of litter. Reusable litter is usually in the form of small balls or pellets. They are placed in a special litter box that is hooked to a water line. When the cat uses the bathroom, the box will rinse the pellets and the box leaving it fresh and clean for the cat’s next use.

While it is quite a low maintenance choice, the box itself is quite expensive with a price tag of between $250 and $300. Also, you can only use the box where there is a water line. This certainly limits your options when it comes to where you want to keep your cat’s gear.

Also, some cats will not be fond of the texture of the litter and may refuse to use the box.

Before investing in this type of box and litter, you might want to try to figure out how picky your cat is about his litter. Try to use an inexpensive pellet or ball type litter. If he responds well to it, he may be a good candidate to use reusable litter.

Litter Made from Wheat

One company makes cat litter from wheat. This is an odor absorbing choice and because the texture is much like that of traditional litter, many cats that may shy away from some other alternative litters will be willing to use this one.

Litter Made from Corn

Much like the litter made from wheat, corn is ground down until the texture resembles clay or clumping cat litter. Again, this is a good choice for cats that are a bit picky.

As you can see, if using environmentally friendly cat litter is important to you there are plenty of options. It might take some trial and error before you find a litter that is both earth-friendly and that works well for you and your pet.

While some of the types of litter mentioned above will be available at most any pet supply store, some may have to be ordered over the internet. It is a good idea not to stock up on any type of new litter until you have used it to see if it is effective and that your cat will use it.

Some may cost a bit more than traditional clay and clumping litter, but some are willing to pay a little more in order to be able to have the peace of mind to know that their choice is not harming the environment.

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The only work is teaching your cat to use the litter box.  The good news is that, most of the time, this is a relatively simple task that most cats pick up very quickly.  Cats have a natural tendency to go to the bathroom on dirt or sand, so Mother Nature has taken care of some of the training for you.

Many pet owners will report that all they did was toss their kitten or cat into the litter box a couple of times and they were trained.  While many lucky cat owners will have it just that easy, others will need a few more tricks in order to teach their feline friend the proper place to go.

Remember, cats are finicky.  If things are not just the way they want them to be concerning the litter box, they will find a place to go that they like better.  As silly as it may sound, you’ve got to sort of set the stage, so to speak, in a way that is pleasing to your cat.

Again, most cats will begin to use the box after being shown where it is just once or twice.  If you cat isn’t cooperating, here are a few possible reasons for the rebellion.

Aversion to the box
There are several styles of litter boxes available from the most basic to covered versions to fancy models that clean themselves.  If you are having trouble getting your cat to use the box it may be that he doesn’t care for the type of box you have chosen.  For example, if you chose an uncovered box, your cat may want more privacy so a covered box would be worth a try.  Or, if you bought one of the models that are self-cleaning, the cat may have been startled by the sound of the mechanisms and is now skittish around the box.  Luckily, if this is the problem, the fix is as easy as trying different types of litter boxes until you find the one that your picky cat likes.

Aversion to a certain type of litter
There are even more choices for litter than there are for litter boxes.  There are crystals, shavings, sand, clumping, non-clumping, even shredded newspaper has become popular in the last few years.  While you may have your preference based on what is least expensive or easiest to clean, your cat – if he is picky – will have his own ideas about which litter is best.  If your cat isn’t using the box, try experimenting with different types of litter.

Cat prefers another location
Some cats prefer more privacy.  Some cats don’t like a lot of noise.  Other cats may not want a long walk from their food bowl. Yes, sometimes location really is everything.  If you have noted that your cat always goes in the same place (a certain corner) try moving the litter box to that location.  It may be that he just prefers that spot for some reason.

Hopefully, the above tricks will solve the problem.  If not, you may need to consult a vet or animal behaviorist for advice specific to your cat.

When the Cat STOPS Using the Box
Sometimes, a cat that has used the litter box for years will suddenly stop.  In order to solve this problem, you’ll need to find the underlying cause.  Cats will not just stop using the litter box for no reason.

Contrary to what some pet owners may think, cats will not stop using their litter box because they are angry with their owners.  Nor will they “hold out” in the hopes of getting a special treat for agreeing to turn again to their litter box.  For these reasons, punishing your cat is not going to help the situation and, in fact, could make the behavior worse as she will become nervous.

Here a few possible reasons for your cat having stopped using the litter box.

Medical Problems
If your cat has been using the litter box faithfully and suddenly stops, you should first be sure that a medical problem is not to blame. Cats often don’t act sick or like they are in pain until the problem has progressed sometimes beyond repair. That’s why it is important to note behavior changes, such as not using the litter box, and to consult with your vet quickly.   One medical problem that is commonly associated with discontinuing litter box use is a urinary tract infection.  Since urinating with this type of infection can be quite painful, your cat may start to associate the litter box with pain and therefore not want to use it.  The best thing to do is visit the vet to be sure a medical problem is not the reason for the behavior.

But this Smells Like My Litter Box
If your cat, or another cat in the house, has soiled the floor in your home, the smell can linger even after a thorough cleaning.  If your cat tends to go in the same spot, try cleaning that area with a cleaner that is specially formulated to remove the smell of urine and feces. Household cleaners will not be effective.  Even if you can’t smell anything, remember that animals have a much stronger sense of smell.

Unclean Litter Box
Would you want to use the bathroom if it were filthy? No, and neither do cats.  In fact, cats are more particular than some humans!  For this reason it is very important to keep the litter box clean.   Scoop out waste each day, and thoroughly clean the box at least once a week.

Hopefully, your cat will be of the “very-easy-to-train” variety. But if she requires a little more training, just remember that she is worth every moment!

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Most of the time, cats are going to start exploring their new space. One thing that they will be searching for is the most suitable bathroom. If the litter box is not yet in the house, he may choose a plant or some other space instead. It is easier to teach a cat to use the litter box than it is to teach them to STOP using some other spot.

There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for this most important piece of cat gear.

Space

The amount of space that you plan to dedicate the cat and his gear will have an impact on the decision that you make when making a selection. For example, if you only have a tiny space for the cat, you will not want to purchase a huge electric litter box.

Litter boxes are available in a variety of sizes. Keep your space in mind when choosing one.

Number of Cats

The number of cats that you have or plan to have must also be considered when buying a litter box. A good rule of thumb is no more than two cats per box. Of course, it is ideal to have one box per cat, but this is not always possible due to space constraints.

If you have more than one cat, you will need to go with a larger size. If you purchase the smallest litter box for more than one cat, it might get dirty faster than you can clean it, causing the cats to look for other places to do their business.

Size of Cat(s)

The size of the cat or cats is yet another consideration when choosing a box. If you have a tiny kitten, you will need to purchase a litter box that he can climb into easily. The average size box will have sides that may be too tall for him to scale. Therefore, you will have buy a small box for the kitten and replace it as he grows.

On the other hand, if you have a particularly large cat, you will need to buy a box that the cat fits into comfortably. If the cat feels too crowded, he may look for an alternate location.

There are several types of litter boxes on the market at any given time. Below are brief descriptions of some of the most popular.

Open

The open litter box is the most economical and most common choice. This is a simple plastic pan that comes in a variety of sizes. While it is the least expensive, there are some downsides. First is that you will have to see and smell the contents of the litter box anytime that you go near it. Also, if you have dogs, they are quite likely to help themselves to a stinky kitty treat.

Domed

Dome or covered litter boxes are another option to consider when buying a litter box. Covered litter boxes are slightly more expensive than open boxes, but are still quite affordable. This type of box gives the cat more privacy and keeps the content of the box hidden from view.

Filter

Many domed and covered litter boxes also come with a charcoal filter. While these filters may make the smell slightly more tolerable between scooping, they do not eliminate the smells altogether. The filters must be replaced every couple of months, but they are very inexpensive.

Disposable

For some cat owners, the idea of a disposable box might be very tempting. The idea is that when the box is dirty, you throw the whole thing into the trash and put down a new box. The downside is that you will need a new box at least once a week, and more often in you have more than one cat. This can get quite expensive to keep up. There will also be the extra expense of using brand new litter each time instead of scooping out the waste and adding a bit more litter to the box.

A disposable litter box is a good idea if you plan to travel with your cat. Some people who live in hurricane prone areas keep a couple of disposable pans with litter in their “go boxes”. That way, should they need to flee with their pet, they will have the items that they need without having to carry the dirty, used litter box.

Electric

Electric litter boxes are another type of item that promises to reduce the amount of work that a cat owner must do. When making a decision, if you want one of these that will do the scooping for you, plan to pay a pretty penny. Electric litter boxes start around $99 and some go for as much as $300.

Also, some pet owners find that their cats are frightened by the sound of the motor and refuse to use the box.

If you don’t mind spending $200 on a litter box, this is an option, but it really isn’t that much of a time saver as you will still have to empty the tray into which the litter box scoops the waste.

Furniture

One of the newest options is litter box furniture. These are attractive pieces of furniture, such as an end table or a faux doll house, in which the litter pan is housed. They make a great choice for those who have limited space or who do not want to deal with an unsightly litter box.

You will simply open the front of the end table, which has a door cut out for the cat to enter, and pull out the pan for cleaning.

There are many choices available when buying a litter box. A bit of research and some thought into the amount of space you have and other factors will help you determine which one is the best choice for you.

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Every cat has its own unique personality and temperament. By design, cats have a few behaviors that have earned them the label of finicky and perhaps a bit snobbish. Some of these behaviors can also be seen as aggression. Pouncing on your feet while they are under a blanket or chasing toys and strings that are dragging are normal reactions.

Cats are naturally designed to hunt small animals including rodents and birds. To do this they have to be quiet, patient and a bit aggressive. In fact, most of their behavior is quite natural if you look at the reasons behind them.

Reasons for cats to show aggression

There is always more than one side to every story. Situations that cats can show aggression include

• Playing/Improper Socialization
• Defending their territory
• Fear or being startled
• Medical problems, especially if there are recent changes in health conditions
• Recognition issues (can be aggression to both familiar animals and/or family members)
• Lack of attention
• Over-stimulation
• Maternal instincts
• Hunting instincts

What Can be Done to Help Aggressive Cats?

Knowing that there is most likely a reason for aggression means that you have a choice. You can either excuse the cat’s behavior or help your cat to get past the aggressive behavior issues and become the pet you hoped she would be when you adopted her.

Dealing with Playful Kitties

One common reason for cats to be aggressive is play. Socializing a cat at a very young age is important and continued socialization as the cat ages is also important. Oftentimes what a cat considers to be fun you may see as being aggressive. Instead of getting angry at your cat for being a cat it is better to work on training it how to play a little nicer. Look into ways to train your cat not to bite or scratch. Behavior modification can be used to teach your kitty how to play nice.

Having New Territorial Issues or is it a Simple Misunderstanding?

If your cat is aggressive when you bring another of your family’s pets from the groomer or when you get home from your friend’s home you may be having a misunderstanding over territorial issues. The scent of other animals (both cats and dogs as well as other pets) can be clinging to your clothing or to your other pets’ fur, confusing your cat and making it appear as though you have brought a stranger into her territory.

Spend a few minutes re-familiarizing your pet with everyone after going to the groomer and give your cat time to realize it is you before you try to touch her when you get home. This can help her to recognize family members when they have new scents on them.

‘Fraidy Cat or Bully?

You most likely have heard a woman who has been startled shriek. Everyone knows what the squeal of a little girl who has been scared sounds like and a young man who is frightened usually lashes out. Cats aren’t that much different from these people. When you scare a cat you can cause it to yowl or strike in fear, or both. Most cornered animals will choose to fight rather than going quietly.

Often fear is seen as aggressiveness, especially when you are the one getting bitten or scratched up. Making sure you have let your cat know you are around and allowing your cat to come to you instead of approaching your cat can help break your cat of aggressive behaviors.

Not feeling well?

Have you ever met someone who gets nicer when they are sick? Everyone wants to be around them because they are so kind? I haven’t. Many people begin to rant and rave over little issues when they don’t feel well. It is as if getting sick gives them a license to become a witch if things don’t go their way. Cats can have this same problem.

If your cat is in pain, or is having changes in health making it not feel well, it may become grouchy. Striking out at others in the family including other cats, your family dog and even you is not that unusual for a cat that isn’t feeling well. Watching your cat’s behaviors you should be able to tell how your cat feels. If you notice a sudden change in behavior that doesn’t seem to have any other reason you should take your cat to the veterinarian.

Recognize Anything? See Something New?

If your cat has problems with vision it is possible that your cat can become confused and strike out at anything that she sees move. Not recognizing your family members can be scary for your cat so not only is she having vision problems but she is having issues with fear as well. Slow movements and soft voices in the house can help your cat to stop aggressive behaviors.

Attention or Not?

Cats enjoy getting attention – lots of attention. If your cat is not getting enough attention, or if you cat decides she has had more than enough attention, she can have fits of aggression. Giving your pet quality time is important. Making sure you don’t overdue it and overstimulate your cat when you give her affection is important as well.

Mommy to the Rescue!

There is not much that a mother won’t do to protect her babies if she feels they are in danger. If you have a mamma kitty you need to be careful to not do anything that she may perceive as a risk to her kittens, especially if you don’t want to have an attack cat on you like flies on garbage in June.

On the Hunt

Dinner has always been a quest for felines. Even though you serve your kitty daily, natural instincts will cause your cat to continue hunting practice. Pouncing and attacking your feet or their favorite toys is how cats sharpen their skills.

Aggressive cats usually have a reason behind their aggression. It is rare that a cat is just plain mean; it is possible, but rare. If you have gone through all of the possible reasons for aggression and you have taken your cat to the vet and there are still no answers, you may want to look into options with your vet or local rescue group. Not all animals were meant to be pets. Some cats have had a poor upbringing. After being abandoned and spending the early stages of life as a feral cat it is difficult to train some cats. Once you have done all you can sometimes we have to admit defeat and move on to a loving cat.

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Whatever the reason your cat has for biting, it is important to know you can stop cats from biting no matter what the reason is for biting. Cat bites hurt, and can get infected, so it is important to get the behavior under control quickly.

Why do cats bite?

Biting is one of the most common behavior issues that people have with cats. Scratching and urinating in inappropriate places are other top behavior issues that people have with cats.

Cats bite, scratch and roll around with their playmates. These types of aggressive play trains cats for a time when they grow up and hunt for their prey. Although housecats don’t necessarily need to hone their hunting skills, it is natural for them to practice hunting anyhow. You need to train your cat to know which behaviors are acceptable; biting shouldn’t be one of them.

Just who is boss anyhow?

Getting the drop on you and surprising you with an affectionate nibble here and there is fun for a kitty. Unfortunately, this means your toes may be pounced and you may be awoken from a nap by suddenly acquiring a furry hat with claws. When your kitten takes the playing behavior to the next level and insists on winning, even if it means biting and causing injuries, then you need to show him who is boss. If not, he will show you who is boss. The cat.

Winning dominance through physical assertion is natural with cats. If you are not willing to be dominant, your cat will be. That doesn’t mean that you have to be mean or aggressive, in fact it means quite the opposite. It is much more damaging to a pet to not give them rules to live by than it is to let them know what the boundaries are and where the lines are drawn.

So, how do I stop a cat from biting?

What it all boils down to is behavior modification. When a kitten is young it learns how far it can push other kittens by testing boundaries. It bites, scratches and play fights with its littermates until it gets its butt kicked. After a couple times it realizes it can’t bite too hard or scratch too much before getting a response it doesn’t like.

When you play with your kitten and he bites you need to respond in a way he doesn’t like. This doesn’t mean that you have to go to extremes or be abusive. You just have to give a response that your cat dislikes. If biting gives your cat what he wants he will continue; if biting causes a reaction he doesn’t like he will stop.

The spray bottle method

Some people suggest using a spray bottle to modify your cat’s behavior. It is possible to spray your cat with water in response to unwanted behavior. This can be a good method of behavior modification if the spray bottle is always around and you immediately respond to biting with a quick shot of water. You need to be cautious to keep water away from your cat’s ears and you have to always have a spray bottle around. Because you always have to respond the same this method can be difficult, but possible.

Ignoring your cat

One of the reasons for biting is to take control of the situation. If your cat wants to have attention on his schedule, and then end the attention at his convenience as well, you can have biting issues. If you are giving your cat so much attention that he wants to get away from you, and bites to get you to leave him alone, then the best recourse you can have is ignoring him.

Only giving affection in small amounts then stopping the attention before he hits his limit is a good start. If you know your cat is going to bite you if you pet him for more than 3 minutes, stop at 2 minutes when he still wants more. Do not play with him if he is biting. This can backfire if your cat figures out that biting you can cause you to leave him alone and he really just doesn’t want to be bothered.

Bite him back

Ok, before you go biting your cat, hear me out. In nature your cat would stop biting other cats if they bite back. You need to give him a reason to stop. If you make a loud noise and firmly say, “No!” whenever your cat bites, even if it is gentle and in a playful way, he will get the idea. It may take a few times, but giving him an unpleasant response EVERY time will help him to learn his behavior is not going to be tolerated.

If you choose to swat your cat when he bites you are initiating physical contact that may continue the struggle for dominance. It is best to give a firm, “No!” each time he bites and give him all sorts of praise for his other activities.

Reinforce positive behavior

If you spend time daily brushing your cat’s coat while talking to him and making sure he knows you are part of his pride he will have better behavior. Taking time to point out times when he is behaving well and rewarding him by petting him, talking to him or giving him a treat goes a long way toward getting him to behave the way you want him to.

Rewarding your cat by giving him attention when he is behaving, and not tolerating his poor behavior, will help to train a kitten and will also work to retrain older cats as well. Cats have the basic need to fit in and be loved. The best way to stop a cat from biting is not to tolerate it from the beginning. If you or someone in your family is being used as a teething ring for your cat then you need to stop taking it and let the cat know who is boss. If you allow your cat to bite you or others then he is the boss.

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How often you need to change the litter depends on the type of litter, the size of the box and the number of cats that are using the box. Some cat owners who have several cats actually change the litter each day. Others do so far less often.

Types of Litter

Clumping

Clumping cat litter is one of the most popular and easy to use types of litter. When the cat urinates in the litter, the moisture causes the litter to form a clump that quickly hardens. When it is time to clean the litter box, you simply scoop out the hard waste and the clumps. Then you add a bit more litter.

There is no need to pour out all of the litter each time you clean the box. You should, however, completely change the litter according to the directions on the package.

Clay/Non-Clumping

Non-clumping or clay litter is another popular type of cat litter. When buying cat litter on an especially tight budget, this is a logical choice as it is usually the least expensive.

Unlike clumping litter, this type of litter must be completely changed every time you clean the litter box. Some cat owners find that dumping the box and pouring in fresh litter is preferable to scooping out the waste as you must do with clumping litter.

It really comes down to a matter of preference.

Pearls

Pearls are a type of litter that looks like small white balls. The claim is that the balls absorb all of the smell of cat urine. You can scoop out the used pearls with a specially made scooper and continue to use the other pearls until they become dirty.

Some pet owners report that their cats do not like this type of litter. One reason may be is that it does not mimic sand or dirt which is what cats in the wild would use to go to the bathroom and then cover their scent.

Another downside is that this type of litter is quite expensive compared with the other options.

All Natural

When buying cat litter you will notice that there are some types of litter that are branded as being all natural. These are typically made from a type of wood. The litter may be in the form of pellets or may resemble wood shavings.

Some cat owners find that this type of litter is not well received by their cats, probably for the same reason as the pearls. It simply does not feel like sand or dirt the way that more traditional cat litters do.

Still, some pet owners have good luck with this type of litter. If an all natural product interests you, it is worth a try to see if your cat will respond properly.

Recycled Paper

For pet owners who are very much into recycling, there is a cat litter that is made from 100% recycled newspapers. The newspapers are formed into small pellets that absorb wetness and odor. Again, some cats will not like this type of litter, but if recycling is important to you, you can try it to see if your cat will use it.

Things to Consider When Buying Cat Litter

Cost

The cost factor should be weighed against other factors. Keep in mind that if you pay less but have to change the litter far more often, you are not really saving anything.

Effectiveness

Obviously, when buying cat litter, the effectiveness of the product is going to be one of the top priorities for most people. You will want to find a litter that absorbs odors well. Also, if it is a clumping litter, you will want to find a brand that clumps well making cleanup easier.

Appeal

If the type of litter that you choose does not appeal to your cat, it is not going to work. Each cat is different. There are some cats that will respond well to any type of litter. Others will only use a specific brand of clay or clumping litter.

There is really no way to predict where on the picky spectrum your cat will fall. The best thing that you can do is just try the litter that you want. If the cat will not use it, you may have to try another type or brand.

Longevity

Finally, you should consider the longevity of the litter and that should be weight against other factors, such as cost. Remember, if you pay a bit more but get more use out of a certain brand of litter, that might be the way to go.

When Changing Types of Cat Litter

When buying cat litter that is a different brand or type then your cat is used to, you will want to slowly transition to the new type of litter. This will make the cat much more likely to respond well to the new litter than if you make a more sudden switch.

Start by adding just a little bit of the new type of litter to his existing type of litter. Then slowly increase the amount of the new litter while decreasing the amount of the old litter until you are using only the new type of litter.

This may seem like a bit of a hassle, but it is worth it to ensure a smooth transition without any accidents taking place in your house.

There are several types and brands of cat litter to choose from. Unless you have a good reason, it is a good idea to stick to what the cat knows and uses. If you try to change and your cat rejects the new type of litter, you may have a bit of a challenge on your hands and you might even have to retrain your cat to use the box.

Sticking to what he knows will make things easier for your cat and for you.

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Most experts believe that cats scratch for a variety of reasons. Just as a dog barks for different reasons at different times, cat scratch for different reasons at different times. A cat will often scratch as part of the territorial marking fest. While scratching is usually preferable to spraying, it does many of the same things, thankfully without the aroma. Cats who have scratched up a group of trees in the wild is telling other cats out there that the territory is already owned. Back off. This is my tree, and so is this one. In fact, these trees all long here, they belong to me. It takes time to get those trees looking that way. It takes work. It takes a commitment to a territory. Most domesticated cats do not feel the need to add their markings to their scratched areas, but wild cats will. There are numerous little scent glands within the cat’s paws that allow the cat to scratch their scent into their territorial scratching. Spraying just adds a little insurance that kitty number 2 won’t mistakenly come upon King Kitty’s territory believing he can take a nap.

Okay, but why do cats scratch when there’s no threat to their territory. In part because it’s instinctive. Cats will need to scratch whether they are the only other living being in the household or whether you run a foster home for kitties, with new feline friends coming and going regularly.

Cats also scratch as a combination of exercise and release. It relieves stress for them the same way a round with a punching bag, a good swim, or a run can do for humans. Scratching works the muscles located in their front quadrant while giving them a good release of tension. A cat that for whatever reason doesn’t scratch can become remarkably stressed and begin to scratch at his own body. While this might seem a little ridiculous considering that our kitties are typically well pampered individuals. We worry about our 8 o’clock meeting, our deadlines, our general worth in the world, and trivial things as such while cats are worried about…keeping in line with the sun as it streams through the window? Granted, some kitties may have had an increase in their stress level the day the Supreme Court ruled that small animal sacrifices were legal, but most were too bust sleeping through the news that it didn’t even blip on their radar.

But cats do have stress. All animals do. Just because we can’t understand their stress doesn’t make it any less real to them. Your cat may look like he’s watching the birds intently while curled up in a comfortable spot on the back of the sofa, but who’s to say that he’s not really practicing some form of self torture. How horrible it must be to stare at something every single day that you desperately want only to know that all your scheming and plotting is for naught. That must be rather stressful.

When we question our cats—why do cats seem so aloof one minute and crawling all over us the next—why do cats scratch—why don’t cats like to swim despite the fact that they are very good at it—we actually bring ourselves closer to understanding not just our kitten friends, but understanding something inherently natural and real. That is part of why own our pets, because we like the stripped down raw material they give us to work with rather than the pampered and sometimes made up truth that humans tend to dish at each other. When was the last time your cat fibbed to you for your own good or made you think things that weren’t true because they weren’t getting enough attention? All of our daily pent up garbage usually ends up coming home with us. When we really want to kick and scream and let it all out, we don’t because we are fearful of consequence. Our cats carry this for us. Sometimes because we ask them to and sometimes because they can and they love us deeply. Other times they just want their dinner on time.

Regardless. They have stress and they are trying to relieve it. One of the best things we can do for our feline friends is to offer them a safe and sacred place for their habitual scratching needs. If we want to save the suede sofa, we are going to need to devise a system that our cat will be happy with. Cat scratching posts, the ones that have rough surfaces and are long enough for Fluffy to stretch out and get some serious scratching going on. Place it out in the open where Fluffy can not only readily find it, but he can feel as though he is still marking the territory he wanted to while relieving his stress. Working with him to find a reasonable solution to his scratching needs will make you both much happier and ultimately healthier. A little effort is all it takes to really make his habit an acceptable on, rather than amputating the tops of his claws. Declawing is really not an appropriate solution, at least in the cat’s opinion. If you take a moment to understand what it is, and to understand why do cats scratch, you may realize that you would be robbing your best friend out of the act of relieving his stress. He certainly isn’t there to take away your vices. Not to mention how much cheaper a good scratching post is compared to surgical declawing.

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When cats attach their claws to an object and pull and scratch at the object, whether it be a couch, a bed, or the floor, they are doing it to stretch their back and to sharpen their nails. In some cases, cats scratch to shed an old nail sheath that is hanging off. You will sometimes see these nail remnants laying around on the floor.

But we as humans cannot tolerate a cat that constantly scratches our things, especially expensive things. We sometimes can’t relate to the fact that cats are animals, and will sometimes do what animals do. They don’t understand why an object is of increased value to us, that is why training is necessary. Many people believe that cats cannot be trained, but that is false. Effective cat training has been achieved in many households; patience, information, and a lot of treats are required.

So how do you allow a cat to perform its necessary regular stretching and nail sharpening rituals while protecting your valuables? Some people put aluminum foil and double sided tape on their couch or bed to discourage scratching, while others spray orange solutions and other repulsive smelling products to areas that they want to stop their cats frequenting. Still others participate in the inhumane act of declawing their cats, rendering them defenseless against other animals. That is not right. So instead of being cruel to kitty, another option is to buy a scratching post for him or her to use.

These posts come in varying forms. Most major pet stores will carry several sizes. There are many options, from small ones that you can hang on a door, to larger posts that have twists and turns for the cat to navigate through, giving them several options for their scratching needs.

Hanging scratching boards are ideal because they are held in place by the closed door they are hung from. This provides an optimal opportunity for the cat to have a good stretching session. Some retailers sell scratching boards that have catnip built in and bells attached that ring while the cat is scratching. Cats love the sound of a mildly ringing bell.

The taller the post the better. A post that stands at at least two feet will allow the cat to get a full body stretch for its back and shoulder muscles.

Sisal posts are preferred by cats because they are made from sisal fabric. Sisal is a woven material that is irresistible to cats and allows for the ultimate scratching and shredding experience for them.

Certain cats prefer a more natural feel when it comes to the material they want to scratch. Natural wood scratching boards are available that are made of real wood to entice outdoorsy cats. There are also wood posts that imitate the grooves (bark) of a wood log.

Some cats even prefer plain old cardboard to dig their claws into. Try leaving a piece of a box laying around, and inspect for claw marks to see if that is doing the trick. Alpine scratching boards are made of cardboard, come with catnip, and are grooved to allow cats to really get their claws inside.

Sometimes it is difficult to get an older cat to behave and use scratching boards instead of your nice $1,000 couch. Hanging catnip on the board will usually serve to attract the cat to the board. When they reach out for the catnip, they will most likely snag a nail on the scratching board and realize that that feels good. Temporarily placing the post directly near or onto the place where kitty loves to scratch may also encourage the cat to use it instead of furniture.

Posts should be placed in an area of the house that gets high traffic; it should not be placed in a back corner or closet. A lot of the time, a cat will also scratch to mark their territory on something that occupies an important space in the household. So be sure to put the post in a room that is significant to the family, such as the living or dining room.

Another way to encourage use of the post is to give your cat positive reinforcement whenever it goes near the post or actually uses it. This is where the cat training comes into play. While the cat is using the post, even if it is just pawing at the object, coo and say “Good girl!” to show them that this is good behavior. Before it leaves the area, give the cat a treat to help encourage it to do the same thing again.

Do anything but declaw your cat. Declawing a cat is equivalent to cutting off their hands and feet. Their claws, and to a lesser degree their teeth, are their only defense mechanisms when in distress. If you declaw your cat you can never allow it to see the light of day. God forbid it escapes your home and gets lost in the wilderness, the chances of your cat returning home intact are slim to none. If it encounters any wild animal or another aggressive cat it will be defenseless without its claws. Declawing also has been shown to make cats less passionate about life, unhappy, and lazy.

If your cat is scratching up your furniture, now you know why. It helps to develop an understanding of why your cats participate in certain behavior. It’s usually not because they are bad—it’s because they are operating on instinct. So don’t pull out your hair, just get the proper tools and education you need, such as a good scratching post, to end the destructive scratching behavior of your cat.

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