Litter box design, location and management are critical to feline welfare, with inappropriate litter provision being a leading cause of stress and house soiling in cats.
Litter box management is a welfare issue that most cat owners underestimate. Inappropriate or inaccessible litter provision causes chronic stress, inappropriate elimination and urinary disease in cats. Cats who cannot use their litter box comfortably either hold urine - a welfare harm - or soil elsewhere, causing conflict with owners. Provision of adequate, appropriately designed litter facilities is a basic welfare requirement.