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Litter Box and Litter Mat Experiment with different litter boxes to find out which kind your cat likes better -- some prefer a covered environment while others, an open one. You might even get a mat to place right outside the litter box to ensure that your cat doesn't track excess litter throughout your home. Make sure the opening to the litter box is nice and large so even a larger cat can get in easily. A cat should not have to struggle to fit into the litter box -- if your cat can't fit inside the box, it will surely find somewhere else in your house to do its business. Covered boxes are great if you have dogs in the house, who often consider cat poop attractive. It's also important to use one litter box per cat -- they, like humans, prefer privacy when using the facilities.

Litter It's important to keep your cat's litter box as clean and odor-free as possible. If your cat's litter box is not pleasant to the cat, it could lead to house soiling, which is a leading cause of cats being returned to shelters. There are lots of different litters on the market -- some are clumping (also known as "scoopable"), and some are non-clumping. It is important to find a litter that controls odor, like Fresh Step, which contains carbon. Carbon works to continuously eliminate odors, helping to keep your cat happy and your litter box smelling fresher. Scoop litter daily. For more information, visit freshstep.com.

Scratching Post Cats need to scratch! It's a natural instinct to them. When a cat scratches, its old outer nail sheath is pulled off, and the sharp, smooth claws underneath are exposed. Provide a sturdy scratching post, at least 3 feet high, which will allow your cat to stretch completely when scratching. The post should also be stable enough that it won't wobble during use, and should be covered with rough material such as sisal, burlap, or tree bark. Many cats also like scratching pads. A sprinkle of catnip once or twice a month will keep your cat interested in her post or pad. It's also important to cut your cat's nails every two to three weeks so they will be relatively blunt and less likely to harm the arms of both humans and furniture.

Climbing Tree Similar to a scratching post, a cat climbing tree can be a great source of enjoyment for your cat. Cat trees usually include several resting platforms atop the "trunks" and can be covered in tree bark or carpeted. Placement near a sunny window or patio door guarantees enjoyment.

Catnip Toys Cats love catnip -- more than 50 percent of felines go wild when they smell it. Catnip comes from the leaves of the Nepeta Cataria plant, and even scientists don't fully understand why felines respond to it the way they do. What they do know is that the reaction is caused by a chemical in the herb called transnepetalactone. A sprinkle of catnip once or twice a month will also keep your cat interested in his scratching post or climbing tree.