litter

almost anyone knows how fastidious animals cats are. they keep themselves clean and more so when it comes to toiletting.
cats that go out will use the soil in the garden or field to bury their faeces, but surely you should in any case provide a litter tray in the home as well.
when it comes to litter types, there are various products around. which one you choose is actually up to you and a matter of taste (if one can say that in that context :) i have listed the common litter types below:

• reusable litter
  not absorbent, washable granules,
  used with special double floored trays
• fuller's earth
  natural claybased litter
  available in clump forming varieties
  easy to clean up
• lightweight litter
  granules like fuller's earth but not so heavy
• woodbased litter
  made of sawdust and pressed
  into pellets
• paperbased litter
  made from recycled waste paper, pressed
  into pellets, dust free

litter tray

the litter tray should be big enough for your cat to turn in. a simple about 10 cm high tray, maybe with an extra rim should do the trick. some cats like more privacy than others and might prefer a covered tray that looks like a small hut. if you have a timid cat you may want to use one of these.

place the tray away from food and bedding in an undisturbed place. cats don't like to feed next to their toilet and neither would you if you were a cat. so be sensitive and try to think "cat"

clean the tray at least twice a day and scoop out soiled litter and faeces with a little shovel. wear disposable rubber gloves if possible.

cleaning

once a week the litter should be removed completely. rinse the tray only with water and a special disinfectant for pets. do NOT use a household disinfectant, as some substances in them are toxic to cats!