Maine Coons & Litter Boxes

Having an indoor cat requires you to supply them with somewhere to do their business. Its the part no one wants to talk about or deal with, but it must be done. However, if you have the right tools and knowledge at your disposal, everything becomes a lot easier, and cleaner. Here I will outline all that you need to be successful, including what litter we recommend, when to clean it out, and how to litter train.

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We have found that pine pellets work best for litter boxes. Pine pellets are considered more environmentally friendly, as it is biodegradable and a recycled product. On the other hand, clay contributes to landfill waste and mining it has a significant environmental impact. Odor control is another reason to switch to pine pellets. The natural pine scent can help neutralize the ammonia odor. In addition, any animals or people with respiratory issues are helped by the dust cloud-free pine pellets. TIP: The pine pellets we are referring to are commonly marketed as animal bedding and not litter, this product is the same product that can be used as litter, and can be found in your local Tractor Supply store.

Clay also has its advantages, with its clumping ability that makes cleanup simpler, or the fact that it is very absorbent, which can help with odor control. In addition, you may find that clay litter products are more readily available compared to pine pellets. However, be aware that clay litter contains crystalline silica dust, a known carcinogen when inhaled. This makes it unhealthy for cats and humans.

Cleaning out the litter box every day is essential, even if you have only one cat. Animals are often referred to as “dirty”, but the truth is that animals are actually quite clean, unless they’re kept in a dirty environment. Cleaning it out daily will ensure your Maine Coon stays healthy and clean, and the same for your home. If you don’t, you may have more issues than just a mess. Cats aren’t going to use soiled litter box, so you will most likely find a few accidents around the house. Thankfully, using pine pellets makes the chore easier, and better for your lungs.

As for location, place it in an area out of the way but still where your Maine Coon can easily access it. Corners of rooms are ideal. If you have more than one floor in your house, it would be best to place a litter box on each floor.

What litter box should you use? Maine Coons are of course, a very large cat breed, and therefore require a large litter box. Taking that into consideration, obviously XL boxes. Covered boxes are always good because they contain the mess and in general look more tidy. Automated ones are very popular these days, with some people saying that the work load is reduced. Which one you pick all depends on your budget, what your preference is for keeping your cat clean, and even your décor.

Now that you have all you need for the litter box, how do you get them to use it? Whether or not your adult cat is litter trained, as soon as he is brought into the house you should place him in a small room for a few days with his litter box. As cats are hygienic, he will use it for his business in order to keep his living space clean. As for kittens, our mother cats train their kittens, so your kitten will be already trained when he is ready to go home with you. You can treat your new kitten the same as the adult cat; keep your kitten in a small room with their box for a few days so that she learns to go only in the litter box.

If you have a mother cat with kittens, she will litter train her kittens so long as she and her kittens are provided with the correct environment. All she needs is a clean litter box, and a small room. If the room is large, the kittens are less likely to get the idea. A small spare bedroom or bathroom should do the trick. As previously mentioned, cats are very clean animals, so as long as they are provided with the right environment, they are more than happy to do their business in a designated spot.

~Ava Melpignano