There are different designs of litter box for pet cats— ranging from simple open trays to covered boxes. Whatever design you may choose, there is one thing you ought to keep in mind—be sure that the litter box has adequate space for your pet cat to perform instinctive behavior associated with elimination such as sniffing the litter, digging and turning around several times before doing his business.

A low box is ideal if you have a kitten, so he can easily get in and out. Later on, you can exchange it to a litter box with higher sides as your pet grows up.

Covered litter boxes offer the following benefits:

• Walls or objects near the litter box are protected from cat urine and litter
• The covers keep the litter contents from being accessed by small kids or other pets.

However, covered litter boxes can trap litter dust that can become a health hazard for your pet. Since the box is covered, you may fail to see or smell it contents and you may  keep on postponing emptying and cleaning of the box. When your cat finds that the litter already stinks, he will end up doing his thing somewhere else and that can be a problem for you.

Be sure to have your cat checked by a Houston veterinarian.