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A litter box of some kind is a must for every home with a cat. It is as basic to cat hygiene as a toilet is to us.

One is a Lonely Number
Just as every home needs at least one bathroom, every cat needs at least one litter box, and preferably two. In multiple cat households, plan on at least one more box than the number of cats.

Each litter box should be placed in a quiet and private spot, away from the cat's food and water. It should of course also be easily accessible to both you and the cat. Proximity to a toilet will also make cleaning the box simpler.

Pick of the Litter
There are many types of litter available these days. Though you may like the smell of scented litter, you cat probably does not. Besides, don't forget the cat is walking in it, scratching it, and then licking her paws. Dyes and perfumes are not meant to be ingested!

You may want to experiment with different brands and kinds of litter to find the one that suits your cat (and you) the best. Often if a cat won't use a litter box, it is the litter that she is objecting to.

Some are softer than others, and these are more appealing to most cats, and especially older ones.You can now find clay-litter alternatives, made from corn, wheat or pine.Most are flushable, all are biodegradable and a little goes a long way.

Mr. and Mrs. Clean
The most important thing with any litter box is to keep it clean!

Cats are very fussy, and many will not use a box again once it has been soiled. Check the boxes at least twice a day. Remove and flush solid waste, flush or dispose of wet clumps and shake box to disperse any remaining wet litter.

Change box entirely once a week, and wash if necessary. Use plain water unless box is very soiled or cat has been ill. If the box needs disinfecting, use a very mild bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water) and rinse well.

Expectant Mother's Take Note!
Pregnant women should not clean the litter box due to the danger of Toxoplasmosis. This is a disease caused by a parasite that cats can spread thorough egg spores in their feces. Though not harmful to adults, Toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects if the mother is infected.

Daily scooping and disposing of litter helps to decrease this risk since the spores require incubation for several days before they are infective. If a pregnant woman must clean the litter box, it is a good idea to wear disposable gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.

For the same reason, never dispose of used cat litter in the vegetable garden. They can be used as mulch around trees or flowers, but be sure to wash well after working in the soil.

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