Litter attractants are added to cat litter to tempt cats, notably these which might be experiencing litter field points, to spend time peeing and pooping within the litter field as a substitute of elsewhere. Though analysis relating to the effectiveness of litter attractants is restricted, litter attractants seem to work for some cats.
Earlier than attempting litter attractants, converse along with your veterinarian. Litter field avoidance and different behavioral adjustments linked to urination and defecation usually point out that cats aren’t feeling effectively. In case your cat isn’t urinating usually as a consequence of a well being situation, corresponding to an an infection, sickness, or stress round utilizing the litter field, the attractant is not going to assist.
In case your cat will get the all-clear from the vet and there’s no indication of a medical downside inflicting misuse of the litter field, a litter attractant could encourage them to make use of it once more.
Analysis Outcomes
In a 2019 examine designed to guage the efficacy of 1 particular attractant, the cats urinated extra usually within the attractant-treated plant-based litter than within the untreated plant-based litter.1
The cats have been acquainted with clay-based litter, however the researchers have been uncertain if they’d used plant-based litter. Subsequently, they decided that utilizing pure litter was a greater materials for the check as a result of cats wouldn’t be biased by their experiences with clay merchandise.
The examine additionally uncovered that cats favor to make use of clear litter containers subsequent to a wall somewhat than away from it. That is the one examine centered on the effectiveness of litter attractants, however because it confirmed that almost all cats most well-liked the litter with an attractant, it’d persuade your wholesome cat to make use of the lavatory within the field somewhat than your carpet.
What Are Litter Attractants?
Litter attractants are components that make a cat’s litter field extra interesting. Some merchandise merely take in odors and don’t have extra fragrances, whereas others use herbs like catnip to draw cats to the litter. You too can buy litter that comprises an attractant. Subsequent, we’ll talk about every kind in additional element.
Odor Absorbers
Cats favor a clear litter tray over a unclean one, notably in terms of strong materials. Eradicating feces and clumped litter is essential when making a litter field extra interesting, and except the field is clear, the attractant gained’t assist.
Utilizing odor-absorbing merchandise can irritate some cats in the event that they embody sturdy fragrances, however you will discover a number of formulation that solely comprise baking soda. Bicarbonate of soda is unlikely to hassle your cat, and it’ll make the litter field extra nice by lowering odors.
Sprays and Powders
Industrial sprays and powders are designed to draw cats and encourage them to affiliate positively with their litter containers. Their components fluctuate, however we advocate utilizing attractants with herbs like catnip. If the components embody chemical fragrances and components, you possibly can’t make certain they’re protected to your cat.
DIY Components
Dried catnip may be sprinkled instantly on the litter to draw your cat, or you should utilize a catnip spray on the perimeters of the litter field. Valerian and silvervine powders are additionally protected so as to add to the litter field.
Industrial Litters
You should buy industrial litter with attractants already added. A number of varieties can be found, together with clumping and non-clumping choices and biodegradable decisions created from walnut shells.
Unscented and scented merchandise can be found, however scented litter can typically be an excessive amount of for cats with delicate noses. Since catnip and different cat-safe herbs are cheap, shopping for common, unscented litter and including a pure attractant is less expensive than shopping for a costlier system with an attractant.
What Causes Litter Field Issues in Cats?
Litter box problems in cats are linked to numerous causes, together with sickness and stress. As an illustration, cats with mobility issues or joint points have hassle getting into and exiting litter containers with excessive sides and will resolve to go on the ground as a substitute.
Cats with urinary tract issues usually urinate in cool, clean spots like bathtubs. Modifications in litter field conduct could be a signal of stress or nervousness, and a few cats undergo from stress-related cystitis. Different circumstances resulting in litter field points embody hyperthyroidism, kidney illness, and bladder stones.
Kidney illness and diabetes could make cats urinate extra usually, and if their homeowners don’t maintain the litter containers clear, the cats will discover a extra interesting space, such because the carpet.
Are There Methods to Encourage Cats to Return to the Litter Field?
As soon as your cat has been checked out by a veterinarian and acquired a clear invoice of well being, you possibly can attempt considered one of our options under to persuade them to make use of the litter field.
It’s higher to attempt them earlier than utilizing an attractant. If one solves the issue, you don’t need to spend cash on herbs or industrial merchandise.
Location
Most cats favor to use the litter box in quiet areas that present privateness, and older pets could have hassle navigating stairs or attending to litter containers distant from their favourite hangouts. To make it simpler to your cat to entry their lavatory, it’s greatest to have not less than one litter field on each degree of your home.
Place the field in a room with out loud home equipment and much away out of your cat’s meals and water bowls. Cats dislike utilizing the lavatory close to their meals.
Litter field quantity
The rule of thumb for litter containers is to have one per cat, plus one further. This helps cut back any competitors for assets between cats and, due to this fact, reduces stress. Useful resource guarding is often related to meals or toys however can embody litter containers.
In the event you often see urine or feces on the ground and have a number of felines, considered one of your cats could also be bullying one other and stopping them from getting into the field. In the event you add extra containers and house them out round your own home, your bullied cat could really feel extra comfy and use the litter field.
Cleanliness
Cats have highly effective noses and excessive requirements in terms of litter field cleanliness. The litter ought to be scooped every day, however notably delicate cats respect twice-daily scooping. The containers should even be cleaned with cleaning soap and water each week, particularly if in case you have multiple cat.
Litter Field Design and Litter Selection
Some cats like giant, broad, open litter containers, and others favor enclosed items that present privateness. Cats with mobility points have problem moving into top-entry containers with excessive sides and want fashions with low-entry factors.
Some cats even have strong preferences regarding the litter’s texture; grainy sand-like merchandise are common, however your cat could favor crystal or recycled paper litter. Establishing a number of litter containers with completely different litter substrates is a straightforward option to uncover in case your cat has a litter choice.
Stress Discount
Cats which might be anxious or harassed can show a number of indicators. Some harassed cats withdraw and begin sleeping extra, however extreme grooming and litter field points are frequent. In the event that they’re displaying these indicators, your veterinarian ought to look at your cat, and if the stress is a behavioral downside, they’ll present recommendation to scale back it.
Nevertheless, you can too make your own home extra cat-friendly if the issue appears to be associated to the atmosphere. Monitor the dynamic between your cats if in case you have multiple. Do they sleep and groom one another? If that’s the case, the opposite cat is unlikely to be inflicting the stress.
In the event that they don’t, considered one of your cats could also be stressing out the opposite. To cut back their stress, guarantee you may have a number of feeding, consuming, sleeping, and toileting areas accessible in order that the cats can keep away from each other if they like to. You too can present every cat with separate toys, scratching posts, and cat timber to scale back useful resource guarding.
Conclusion
Litter attractants can persuade cats to urinate and defecate within the litter field as a substitute of on the ground, however chances are you’ll must make a number of adjustments in your house earlier than utilizing them. Cats keep away from litter containers or use the lavatory outdoors of them for a number of causes, together with stress and sickness, and it’s important to have your cat checked out by a veterinarian for those who discover any adjustments of their lavatory habits
Cats could keep away from utilizing the litter field due to its location, form, and even the kind of litter it comprises. Proof means that cats could favor to pee in litter handled by attractants. Nevertheless, there’s additionally proof that holding the litter field clear, placing litter containers in handy locations, and making certain cats have a sort of litter that pleases their paws and noses also can assist.
Featured Picture Credit score: Alexandra Morosanu, Shutterstock