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CBS 3 Pet Project: Litter Box Rules

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Both cats and dogs need to be house-broken but the two animals are trained in different ways.

For a cat or kitten, the size of the litter box is key. The box shouldn't be too big or too small -- just right. The rule of thumb is to have one box per cat, plus an extra communal box. For example if you own three cats, there should be four litter boxes in the house.

Pet owners also need to make sure the location of the litter box is accessible to the cat and in a space where they can do their business in private. And litter box should not be placed near a water or food bowl. If you find that you need to move the litter box to a different part of the house, pet owners must do this very gradually to provide a smooth transition for their fur baby.

If you find that your cat isn't making it to the litter box, despite the training, they may have an underlying medical issue that is hindering them from making it in time. It may be a good idea to get them checked out by a vet.

Another thing to consider when your cat is having problems with the litter box is whether there are any changes taking place in their surroundings such as the dynamics of the household.

For more information and for a list of adoptable animals visit pspca.org.

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