Experts recommend that you follow the “one plus one” rule. You should provide one litter box for every cat in the household plus one additional box. Cats do prefer uncovered boxes with 1-2 inches of litter. A shallow box is appropriate for an older, arthritic cat or kitten. If you have more than one cat you can experiment with different types of boxes, but at least one should be uncovered. Avoid putting the litter boxes near a noisy or high-traffic area.

When cats refuse to use the litter box, their owners often mistake a litter box aversion for “marking” or “getting revenge.” Give your cat the right choices, and you can avoid this unpleasant problem from the outset.