Are Litter Boxes With Covers Bad for Cats?

Respiratory Health

• Cat litter both contains and creates large amounts of dust. This should be evident to any cat-owner as she dumps used litter into the trash. Generally, a cloud of dust emerges as the litter hits the bottom of the barrel. Similarly, the cat's motion inside the litter box can result in clouds of dust. In an uncovered box, the dust dissipates. However, if the box has a lid, the dust is trapped in the box with the cat during urination or defecation. As a result, cats using a covered litter box inhale a great deal of dust each time they visit. This has potentially detrimental side effects for a pet's respiratory health.

Joint Health

• A frequently overlooked health issue in feline companions is bone and joint health. Frequently, because cats tend to be such athletic animals, the possibility for joint damage is not considered until the cat grows very old. However, properly caring for the animal can preserve its bone health.

  The nature of a cat's litter box can be a contributor to joint deterioration. Litter boxes with lids can create extremely cramped corners for the animal because it has to press itself inside a limited space. While some litter boxes have very large hoods, which allow the cat ample room inside the box, most create cramped corners for a majority of cats. If the cat cannot maintain a natural position while inside the box, the repeated stress of forcing itself into the area can result in health problems, or the cat's avoidance of the box entirely, which creates a mess for you later.

Claustrophobia

• Claustrophobia is also sometimes a problem with feline pets. If a litter box is too small, many cats will avoid it altogether, due an impression of entrapment. This can be particularly problematic for overweight cats, which will be even more confined in close quarters.

Privacy

• Many cats prefer to use the litter box out of sight of other animals. A litter box with a lid provides a modicum of privacy for a cat that might otherwise feel uncomfortable using the box. Another solution is ensure that the box is placed in a private corner of your home to give the cat the impression of being alone without covering the box.

Sanitary Issues

• While a covered box keeps particulate matter from escaping the confines of the container, it also traps fumes inside. These fumes can cause discomfort for cats, who have extremely sensitive senses of smell. Because bad smells instinctively inform avoidance, a cat may refuse to go to a smelly litter box.

  A cramped litter box can also create difficulty with a cat's ability to avoid contact with its own excrement. This can result in additional bacteria in contact with your cat, especially on its feet, and it can then be tracked across your home.

Conclusions

• Despite the aesthetic advantage of a covered litter box, an uncovered box is generally healthier for both you and your cat. If a covered box is an absolute necessity, buy one that is very large, in order to accommodate the cat without causing it undue physical distress. While cats sometimes require privacy, they also require room in the litter box, and litter box lids can limit space in a potentially dangerous way.