You must have a lot of cats! :-)

Sherry

Dave,

I only have two litterboxes and have never had sore hands from scooping.
However, it does sometimes bother me to bend over that way (pain in lower
back and hips).  I solved that by keeping a small (but sturdy) child's chair
to sit on during times that I notice the discomfort.  It is just the right
height.

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly (pictorial history of my blind cat Duffy's
integration into our household):
Duffy, Part I: The Introduction -- http://tinyurl.com/8y54
Duffy, Part II: Life at Home -- http://tinyurl.com/8y56

I am a Senior, have 10 cats and five
litterboxes to clean daily, and I do
share your back pain problem. I have
a comment;

Vioxx is quite expensive, as you know,
but in my case, it also caused me to
have diarrhea. I am now taking
over-the-counter glucosamine complex
with identical results, less the internal
distress that I experienced with Vioxx
(and Celebrex).

I though you may find this to be of
some interest...

OB

Elevating the litterpan helps, certainly.  You might also consider
changing litters to something more lightweight, if you are using the usual
clay clumping litter.  I very much like the corn-based stuff called "The
World's Best Cat Litter," or something on that order.  It is very light
(even when used), never sticks to the bottom of the pan (so it scoops
easily) and though expensive it is very effcient and long-lasting.  And it
is dust-free!  We are thinking of converting over in our household.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats
www.campuscats.org

What about a self-cleaning litter box? There are a few types. I think you still
have to empty out the tray so might be best to keep them elevated.

I feel for you, but am sure it is the arthritis and not the scooping
that is the cause.  With arthritis, moving the joints helps (even if
it hurts)  so keep scooping!