Ragdoll Cat Forums

Covered or uncovered? What are your thoughts?

What's the breeder using? I'd use the same to begin with, along with the same litter. Then if you want to change to another kind, put down a second box and make sure they'll use it first.

My girls use an open one that is down in a big storage tub, with a "door" cut out of the tub. It's open, but it keeps litter from being kicked out all around it.

I use both in my house but notice that the open boxes get more use.

Some cats prefer an open box due to not feeling trapped and less retention of odor. Whatever they get used to they will use as long as clean and in a place that is accessible to them.

I would love to try a covered or enclosed box, but I doubt Atrus would have any of it. Use what they are used to and then, frankly, watch them. Atrus sometimes perches himself on the edge or corner of the box. He'll also walk all around it to paw at the floor and sides when done. He wouldn't be able to do this in an enclosed space and that may upset him. Some cats would probably be fine though.

With kittens, always have a box nearby, particularly at first right by the bed at night when the kitten sleeps with you. Have the number of boxes equal to the number of cats plus one. So, for a single new kitten, have at least two boxes and for a kitten joining one resident cat, have at least three boxes - some cats want to avoid boxes used by others and even prefer one box for urine and another for stool. You can try new litters and new boxes once the kitten is settled by adding an ADDITIONAL box. As the kitten gets older, you can try having the boxes in more remote locations and with fewer numbers. Avoid clumping litters for kittens, but that is trumped at first by the concept of not changing litter or litterbox style for a newcomer.

I have a covered box,a large one, the breeder frankie came from used both types and he was used to using both. He also 'paws' the ground outside the box after using it, so the hood doesn't prevent that!

I have a semi covered. Hey maybe we can all send in pix of ours clean of course.

Better go as we just got home and I am tired.

Here is a funny photo of 4+ week old kittens getting litterbox trained.
For training we only use clay litter as it is safer for young kittens.

I prefer covered. I think they are more private and if the cat throws litter around it usually hits the wall and just goes right back in the box. I do have a box that I got from petco and I love it because I don't have to take lid off to scoop it out. It has a nice big front opening.

missnino Wrote:Covered or uncovered? What are your thoughts?

Gail- I love that photo!!! It's amazing how kittens can even make using the litterbox look unbelievably cute