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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / February 2006Any advice welcome
The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope they will use the big Out for their business. But the enclosure isn't very big, and I don't think they can use it very long before it starts to smell. If it starts to smell, the neighbours can insist that I take down the enclosure. I thought about putting a litterbox outside, but it's winter and below freezing, so I guess the litter would freeze. It could also get full of snow that would clump the litter. I've carried the cats inside to the litterbox every time I've caught them using the enclosure. LOL! The only effect it's had is that every time he comes inside from the enclosure, Caliban rushes into the litterbox and sits there looking at me with a 'what a good boy I am' look on his face.  SignatureMarina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. marina (dot) kurten (at) iki (dot) fi Stories and pics at http://koti.welho.com/mkurten/ Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > -- > Marina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. Don't have any advice for you, but just wanted to say, that's so cute of Caliban! He's doing what he thinks his Meowmie wants him to do. Wonder if you could put a litterbox out there (like the one they use in the house) except put regular dirt in it? Or non-clumping litter? I agree it would be a PITA to maintain though, due to snow/rain. I've used litterboxes outdoors before. It works like a charm to keep the cats from doing their bizness in the flower bed, but I've never tried it in the wintertime. Sherry >>The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their >>litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Sherry Try building a small wooden box with an open end, put a covered litterbox in the wooden box with the opening facing out, make sure box is long enough that there will be about a foot of room between the box and the OUT outside of the wooden box, then very little snow would get in, and you could just slide the whole affair out when you need to clean it. Kristy > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > enclosure, Caliban rushes into the litterbox and sits there looking > at me with a 'what a good boy I am' look on his face. When we lived in Vancouver, Vino's litterbox was outside on the balcony. But of course it never got much below freezing there. It did rain a lot, but the box was hooded and no rain ever got in. I think if you put a big hooded litterbox out in the enclosure, it would be ok. Or else get a little dog house and put the box in there. Rain wouldn't get in and only the clumps of pee would freeze. The dry litter would maybe stiffen, but not turn solid. If you scooped it often, I think it could work. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. - Anonymous Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > I think if you put a big hooded litterbox out in the enclosure, it would > be ok. Or else get a little dog house and put the box in there. Rain > wouldn't get in and only the clumps of pee would freeze. The dry litter > would maybe stiffen, but not turn solid. If you scooped it often, I think > it could work. > Britta I second Britta's great advice about covered litterbox for enclosure: place it on inside wall, not outside wall, with opening facing inward. People in this frozen wasteland where we live now (well, not that bad but close) use this solution. I have just gotten used to what clothes hung outside look like when it hard freezes here (I think it's creepy looking to see them all stiff like that). Try a large covered litterbox. I have no idea what'd freeze in it but maybe better than what's going on now. > When we lived in Vancouver, Vino's litterbox was outside on the balcony. > But of course it never got much below freezing there. It did rain a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > would maybe stiffen, but not turn solid. If you scooped it often, I > think it could work. What the lady in Thailand said..... SignatureMathew Butler to 3 cats: Chablis, Muscat & Sage En Vino Veritas > I thought about putting a litterbox outside, but it's winter and below > freezing, so I guess the litter would freeze. It could also get full of > snow that would clump the litter. I've carried the cats inside to the What about a covered litter box facing south? That should minimize any snow in it. SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Caliban rushes into the litterbox and sits there looking at me with a > 'what a good boy I am' look on his face. How long are the cats in the enclosure without a litter box? Have you tried to see if you can get them to use a litter box *before* they go into the enclosure? I also think you will need to clean the enclosure thoroughly (using enzymatic cleaner). Otherwise, the scent will attract them. MaryL > How long are the cats in the enclosure without a litter box? Have you tried > to see if you can get them to use a litter box *before* they go into the > enclosure? I also think you will need to clean the enclosure thoroughly > (using enzymatic cleaner). Otherwise, the scent will attract them. Sometimes they seem to ask to be let outside just for the sake of going potty. Now that it's cold, they're never outside more than ten minutes at a time, at the most. It's also a bit like marking behaviour; they mark around the periphery of the enclosure. And it's not very easy to clean snow. ;o) Or soil, for that matter. Maybe I should elaborate. Part of the enclosure is paved, part is covered with grass (now covered with snow). The cats don't use the paved area to go potty, but the lawn area. But I suspect it's too small to properly absorb the droppings of two cats. Even if I put a litterbox outside, I suspect they wouldn't use it. SignatureMarina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. marina (dot) kurten (at) iki (dot) fi Stories and pics at http://koti.welho.com/mkurten/ Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki >> How long are the cats in the enclosure without a litter box? Have you >> tried to see if you can get them to use a litter box *before* they go [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > absorb the droppings of two cats. Even if I put a litterbox outside, I > suspect they wouldn't use it. Thanks for the description. I have seen your pictures, but I wasn't sure about the configuration. What you described does make it more difficult -- and also easier. More difficult because (as you said) you really can't clean grass with enzymatic cleaner! Easier because I think the grass and soil will probably absorb a good deal if you pick up the feces. It might be worth trying a hooded litter box, as others have suggested, but I suspect your cats are drawn to the "natual" grassy area. MaryL >> How long are the cats in the enclosure without a litter box? Have you >> tried to see if you can get them to use a litter box *before* they go [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > to properly absorb the droppings of two cats. Even if I put a litterbox > outside, I suspect they wouldn't use it. I'd give it a try. You might be surprised and it would be a simple fix. >> How long are the cats in the enclosure without a litter box? Have >> you tried to see if you can get them to use a litter box *before* [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > properly absorb the droppings of two cats. Even if I put a litterbox > outside, I suspect they wouldn't use it. Here's a novel idea. Yes, use a large covered litterbox. Can you buy sod? The squares of grass they use to start new lawn growth when they build houses? I have no idea how you'd maintain it other than to remove the clumps from the grass and periodically remove and change the sod, but if they really like the grassy lawn feeling it might be a solution. Jill > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Caliban rushes into the litterbox and sits there looking at me with a > 'what a good boy I am' look on his face. Can you build them a Sandbox lined with plastic? > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Caliban rushes into the litterbox and sits there looking at me with a > 'what a good boy I am' look on his face. Try a covered litterbox?? Cheers, helen s > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Caliban rushes into the litterbox and sits there looking at me with a > 'what a good boy I am' look on his face. There are products sold as "pet repellant" to sprinkle in your flowerbeds and such, presumably to keep cats from using them as potties. No idea how effective they are though, and how it would affect the rest of the enclosure. There are also physical barriers you could put in place to prevent the digging portion: pebbles, pinecones, netting or wire mesh, etc. Other than that, a covered litter box sounds like the best plan. Good luck Caroline S. > There are products sold as "pet repellant" to sprinkle in your > flowerbeds and such, presumably to keep cats from using them as potties. > No idea how effective they are though, and how it would affect the rest > of the enclosure. I can only vouch for one of those, and unfortunately I don't remember the brand name. One place I lived, my landlord complained about finding cat feces in his flower beds, so I bought him some cat repellant. IIRC, it was dry pellets, in a carton resembling a milk-carton. He said they worked just fine. (Of course, my cats were indoor/outdoor, there, and often came in just to use the litterbox - I suspected that it might have been neighbors' cats creating the problem, but in any case, the repellant apparently did the trick.) >> There are products sold as "pet repellant" to sprinkle in your flowerbeds >> and such, presumably to keep cats from using them as potties. No idea how [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > been neighbors' cats creating the problem, but in any case, the repellant > apparently did the trick.) The problem with a cat repellent in this case is that Marina's cats might want to avoid the entire enclosure. MaryL >>>There are products sold as "pet repellant" to sprinkle in your flowerbeds >>>and such, presumably to keep cats from using them as potties. No idea how [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > The problem with a cat repellent in this case is that Marina's cats might > want to avoid the entire enclosure. Well, of course she'd only sprinkle it where she did not want them to eliminate - but I haven't seen her enclosure, so you may be right. > MaryL >>>> There are products sold as "pet repellant" to sprinkle in your >>>> flowerbeds and such, presumably to keep cats from using them as [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > >> MaryL I suggested SOD; squares of grass inside a covered litterbox - a big covered litterbox. Since they prefer grass, this might be a solution. I've since come up with the idea to be able to rake out the cat solids in the meantime. Then change the sod as needed when it becomes urine-soaked. Jill > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Caliban rushes into the litterbox and sits there looking at me with a > 'what a good boy I am' look on his face. I'd put litter out in the enclosure. We kept the litter box on the entry porch when we lived in Alaska and it was below freezing out there all winter. Maybe try to find a covered box so it won't get too much moisture inside. It would be a real shame to have to take the enclosure down. Jo > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Caliban rushes into the litterbox and sits there looking at me with a > 'what a good boy I am' look on his face. You may have to pave it all over. My cats prefer to go outside for toilet duties. It seems your two feel the same now they have the choice. Tweed How about putting one of the small igloo (dog?) houses outside with a litter box in it. It will still get cold, but the rain and snow shouldn't get in it. Debbie dberry@mitre.org > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ > and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki > The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their > litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope > they will use the big Out for their business. But the enclosure isn't very > big, and I don't think they can use it very long before it starts to > smell. If it starts to smell, the neighbours can insist that I take down > the enclosure. yikes Marina - I don't have any more brilliant ideas than have been stated here. All I can think is that I hope you're pleasantly surprised by a covered litterbox. I know that chicken wire definitely prevents the digging issues too. Could you consider digging up some of the sod and allowing them to pee in some dirt back there? Maybe you could switch out the dirt and pick up solids quickly? I know I know - not great ideas. Good luck! Susan M Otis and Chester
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