I need some litterbox ideas

[spinbaby]

Our oldest (15) cat has taken to peeing in unauthorized places. Our first thought was that Bud was sick so we took him to the vet. He came back minus one tooth and with the news that his kidney function was down a bit, but that that was normal at his age. Other than that, he was fine.

We think that the problem may be that our litter boxes all have very high sides--about knee high--and that Bud's just feeling too old and stiff to climb into them.

The trouble is, though, that we have those litter boxes with very high sides because one of our other cats, Matilda, is a sprayer. And she's not just a sprayer, she's an accomplished long-distance sprayer. The high-sided litter boxes have been the only thing we've found to contain her. Even the enclosed boxes don't work because she marches right in and pees right out the door.

We need a solution that works for both of them. Solutions we're considering include little steps into and out of the litter box and acres of newspaper around a shallow litter box.

Any good litterbox ideas out there?

[meti57b]

1. I suggest ... cut a cat-size notch in one of the sides of the box ...

so Bud can just walk in. Put lots of easily washable mat or throw-out-able paper outside the notch in case Matilda beats the odds and happens to spray out the notch. The notch doesn't need to be more than several inches wide, so the odds are against aiming that direction.

[Philostopher]

6. I second this one.

I have the same problem -- our 'alpha' cat (a female) is too big for covered boxes but likes to make a yellow billboard on the wall behind the boxes. We have high-sided boxes, but all our cats are currently in decent shape -- however, I envision the day we'll probably have to start cutting down one short side of the boxes. Just cut down one side for an entry and leave the other three sides tall -- might just be the help the older cat needs.

[SoCalDem]

16. We turned out "guestcloset" into the kitty bathroom

We have 4 litter boxes.. 2 "tall" and two not so tall..

We used 13" ceramic tiles to tile the floor and 3 tiles high UP the walls..Sealed it well, and put up a cheapo vinyl accordian door (which qwe leave open far enough for the fattest cat )..

Works like a charm,easy to keep clean, and no odor:)

[miss_kitty]

2. Does your sprayer spray in one direction?

Mr Big liked to stand when he peed (Well, guys do stand) and he would face out of the box, often front feet out.

I got a large pan (Diabetic, pissed a lot) and disposable aluminum baking sheets and shoved them down the insides of the box that were against the wall so as he would stand for to Grand finale, it sounded like rain on a tin roof!

cats! :shrug:

[spinbaby]

5. Unfortunately

The direction she likes to pee in is the door. That's why enclosed litter boxes didn't do it for her--she'd pee right out the door.

[curse10]

3. I've seen litterboxes with a ramp

that might be the perfect solution :-)

[spinbaby]

4. Do you happen to remember where?

I've not seen them at our local pet stores.

[curse10]

13. I think it was probably petsmart

I think you can also buy a ramp separately. :shrug:

[meow2u3]

7. Try getting more litterboxes

Each cat can have his or her own litterbox. Plus an extra one in case kitty can't make it to the box.

[ET Awful]

8. I have one of these:

http://www.petco.com/product_info.asp?familyid=11197&sku=2350350020&tab=2&dept_id=665&c1=642&c2=665&c3=&ct1=Litter+%26+Litter+Accessories&ct2=Litter+Boxes&ct3=



It has a cover, high sides, AND a ramp for the cat to walk up to get into it. It works great for my two :).

[Lin]

9. get thee to a "dollar store- foil roasting pans- lotsa sizes

to choose from, no muss, no fuss, low cost....good luck -lin

[curse10]

14. that's the one I was thinking of!

thanks, ET.

[spinbaby]

15. That's exactly what I need!

Tomorrow I go litter-box shopping. Thanks.

[liberalitch]

10. lay an old yellow pages by one side of the box.....

That way it can be used as a step and "sprayed upon" pages can be ripped off.

[LynneSin]

11. Get Cat box lids or housing

Sounds like you need a lower litterbox, why not check out some of the litter boxes that are self contained. They also have Litterbox Tents that you can put around your litter box. Cats like privacy and it would contain your sprayer's piddling

[Out the Parasites]

12. I feel for you, not a good situation...be sure to let us know what worked!

I know I'll be there some day with my cat. She's 8...still lots of time.

[demzilla]

17. Old cats can't see so well

and we found that our 17 year old cat was having trouble peeing inside the box when there was a lid on the box. He would climb in, stick his butt on the outer edge, and pee outside. So we took the lid off and, voila, he has been peeing inside properly. Maybe there's more light on the subject, less spatial distortion due to shadows.

We also keep the box in a rectangular Sterlite plastic container, which acts as a moat. We recently took a trip with the cat across the US and Canada and used the moat and box system, with absorbent Chux pads (used in hospital beds, available at medical supply shops) underneath it all. Saved our car a few times, as we had to leave the lid on the box by necessity while traveling.