- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #21
I did. A new box alone didn't help. There's a little more to this than that, and I think I need to try ideas in previous posts first.
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My cat is too stupid to understand how litter is supposed to work
- Thread starter Anajana
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My boy does the same thing since day one from 3 weeks old till now. He'll be 4 year old by year end. He'll dig all four corners at least minimum 10 times and dig his way to China and after that he may not pee and just get out of the box and walk off as though nothing happens. That's just him.
He's also one conscientious cat that is very particular in having his pee and poo covered well and therefore end up with a mountain of litter in the corners (he only pees in the corners of the litter box and poop in the middle of the liter box) of the box. If he sees that he did a bad job covering them, he'll go and cover it again
He has a huge box and his litter is 4" deep. I clear his litter box everyday and if I have to go out for longer periods, I clear it before I go out and clear it out before bed time.
Cats like clean litter boxes jus kill us hooman like a clean bathroom. A clean letterbox means that your cat will have more space to use it without stepping on the pee and poo that is in it.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #24
The current box WAS covered. It goes up in back to connect the shell to the box. I had to remove it because of her digging. Sometimes she would dig so much one or both sides would pop off. It got pointless leaving it on so I just removed it. I honestly don't know of she likes it covered of not. It might not even matter.
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If you are a cat owner, for sure one of the most tedious and dreariest tasks you have year-in, year-out, is to keep the litter box clean. But cleaning it as often as you can on a daily basis really makes for a happier, less stressed cat and less stressed humans, too. I try to clean my cat's poos within a short time of when she goes, and her pees at least twice a day. A litter box with more clean litter in it than dirty litter may help your kitty to feel like she doesn't have to Dig and Cover so much? Maybe?
And don't forget, you also need to actually WASH out the litter box about once a month or so to get out any bacteria, odors, etc that are in there. We empty out all the old litter, then hose out the boxes, pour in about 1 Tablespoon of bleach and add in some water. I put on some rubber gloves and use an old sponge to completely wipe down the entire box(es) inside and out then rinse really, really well. I let them try in the sun and fill them with fresh litter.
I use the Sterilite containers as the actual litter boxes, not set a litter box inside. The sides are about 15 inches high! My guys have absolutely no problem jumping in and out of them. If you want to cut an entry into it, fine, but then that would give her a way to kick the litter out so I wouldn't go that route. And we scoop the boxes in the morning and in the evening. Takes all of 5 minutes per day.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #27
I actually have had to wash it a couple times. Once she ate the wrong thing and had BAD diarrhea and obliterated the box. She made it to the litter, so I was pretty proud of her. Her vet looked her over and said she must have eaten the wrong bug or something because she was fine the next day. I also cleaned them both both times I switched boxes, and each time I changed litters. As long as I keep it clean other wise I figure once or twice a year is probably enough. Assuming she has consistent potties and pees and such.
No, once or twice isn’t a year isn’t enough. If you don’t have time to wash the boxes more frequently you can try lining them with a puppy pad that you change once a week. No pee clumps or urine odor if you use them. I use OFF extra large pads which cost $25 for 60 pads.
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #29
I'll keep that in mind, but right now one priority at a time. I have to try a few things and hopefully this digging issue will go away. I'm looking at different types of boxes, so she will get a new clean one by default. So your point is kind of moot under the circumstances.
In a week or two the bottom of the new box will start to stink, despite frequent scooping and litter replacement, so no, my suggestion isn’t moot. You either have to wash the box itself on a frequent basis or find a way to keep the bottom clean. Good luck.
A
Anajana
: hello and welcome to TCS. Sorry though about the frustration that brought you here. Hopefully we'll be able to help find a solution to the mess, even if we can't stop you girl from her persistent digging.
About cleaning the litter box, I use Petkin litter wipes. Nature's Miracle also has litter box wipes, but they're more expensive. I've also recently found some litter box wipes at the dollar store which work, and are less expensive.
Cats have really sensitive noses, so it's possible that if she can smell even a faint scent of urine or feces, that she continues to dig in an attempt to cover it.
TCS has some articles on litter boxes that you might find helpful. Here are the links:
What's The Largest Cat Litter Box (and Why Your Cat Needs It)
How Often Should You Clean The Litter Box? | TheCatSite
About cleaning the litter box, I use Petkin litter wipes. Nature's Miracle also has litter box wipes, but they're more expensive. I've also recently found some litter box wipes at the dollar store which work, and are less expensive.
Cats have really sensitive noses, so it's possible that if she can smell even a faint scent of urine or feces, that she continues to dig in an attempt to cover it.
TCS has some articles on litter boxes that you might find helpful. Here are the links:
What's The Largest Cat Litter Box (and Why Your Cat Needs It)
How Often Should You Clean The Litter Box? | TheCatSite
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #32
Geez, way to correct me like a child. Really now, one thing at a time. We might both be wrong. You can't just assume this is one issue and nothing else. Relax. For real.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #33
Maybe. I doubt it's just that. As I've mentioned I've changed boxes and litters several times and none of those changes led to changes in behavior. I also think if it was just cleanliness at fault I wouldn't have had to keep trying new litters. I mean, it's possible. But right now it looks unlikely.
Casper is a digger, too.
Sometimes, I can't tell whether he's building sand castles or trying to dig his way to China!
He does have a covered litter box so flinging litter isn't a big issue. Frankly, we don't worry about it except to joke around... "There he goes, building another sand castle!"
We find that Casper digs more (longer) when his box is dirty. I guess he's trying to find clean litter to go on.
It also helps if you keep enough litter in the box. There needs to be a good, three or four inches of litter. Otherwise, the cat won't feel like there is enough material to cover his business.
(Covering their scat is a natural instinct to hide their scent from predators.)
Yes, cleaning the box is important. You don't always need to clean the box every time the cat uses it but you need to do it regularly. Every cat is different. Some cats don't care if the box has a little bit of waste in it. Cleaning it out every other day might be okay for some cats. Other cats don't like it unless the box is spotless every time.
My former cat, "K.C." wanted his box cleaned out, immediately, each time he used it otherwise he would poop on the floor, beside the box. Another cat, "Spike" didn't seem to care as long as he could find a clean patch to dig in. Every other day was fine for him.
Simply put, you have to know your cat and what it likes.
Disciplining a cat is a tricky business. Most of the time you don't need to do anything more than yell, clap your hands or stomp your feet. The only time you should physically discipline a cat is when it is biting or clawing inappropriately. By that, I mean that it is trying to hurt somebody. (A person or another animal.)
Hitting a cat usually only makes it hand-shy.
If you want to be able to pet and snuggle your cat, you don't want it to be afraid of being touched. Do you?
Spraying or throwing things really doesn't do much except for teaching the cat to run for cover when the human picks up the squirt bottle. I have seen squirting a cat work in some cases but it has to be done immediately, the second the cat misbehaves, catching the cat in the act of misbehaving. If there is even a two-second gap between the undesirable act and the squirting, the cat associates it with the human being mean instead of as a deterrent to the bad behavior.
I have only seen squiring work one time, ever.
I had a cat named "Jerry" that used to use the potted plants as a litter box, even though it was kept spotlessly clean.
Putting rocks and chicken wire over the pots didn't help. He just pushed the rocks aside and peed through the chicken wire.
One time, I caught Jerry in the act of peeing in a plant. I was standing two feet away and there was a "Super Soaker" water gun on the table next to me.
I hollered, "Jerry! NO!" and hit him, point blank, square between the eyes with a fully charged water gun.
Jerry never peed in the plants again but that was the only time in more than twenty five years of owning cats that I have ever seen squirting work.
For your cat, I'd say to make sure the litter box is scrupulously clean.
I'm sorry to say but the picture of your cat's litter box that you posted looks pretty crusty.
Take the box outside, or down to the basement and give it a good hosing out. Scrub it out with a scrubbing pad. (Throw the pad away, after!) Rinse the box with a mixture of Clorox bleach (or similar brand) and hot water. Let it stand for five minutes with the bleach water inside then rinse with clean water until all the bleach is gone. Let the box dry completely before putting it back.
Fill the box with clean, good, litter and make sure it is at least three or four inches deep.
If your cat likes a covered litter box, go ahead and use it. That should prevent most of the litter from being flung out of the box. Casper like his box covered. It has a flap, too.
Clean the box at least once per day. If the cat doesn't have a clean place to go it will scratch more, trying to make a clean spot. Clean more often if the cat wants it.
You could also try getting another litter box so that the cat can choose which one to use.
It might sound like more work but, sometimes, a cat will pee in one box and poo in the other. In the long run, it could end up being less work. If your cat is happier, it will scratch less and won't fling so much litter around.
The bottom line is that some cats just like to build sand castles in their litter boxes.
Casper does!
Sometimes, I can't tell whether he's building sand castles or trying to dig his way to China!
He does have a covered litter box so flinging litter isn't a big issue. Frankly, we don't worry about it except to joke around... "There he goes, building another sand castle!"
We find that Casper digs more (longer) when his box is dirty. I guess he's trying to find clean litter to go on.
It also helps if you keep enough litter in the box. There needs to be a good, three or four inches of litter. Otherwise, the cat won't feel like there is enough material to cover his business.
(Covering their scat is a natural instinct to hide their scent from predators.)
Yes, cleaning the box is important. You don't always need to clean the box every time the cat uses it but you need to do it regularly. Every cat is different. Some cats don't care if the box has a little bit of waste in it. Cleaning it out every other day might be okay for some cats. Other cats don't like it unless the box is spotless every time.
My former cat, "K.C." wanted his box cleaned out, immediately, each time he used it otherwise he would poop on the floor, beside the box. Another cat, "Spike" didn't seem to care as long as he could find a clean patch to dig in. Every other day was fine for him.
Simply put, you have to know your cat and what it likes.
Disciplining a cat is a tricky business. Most of the time you don't need to do anything more than yell, clap your hands or stomp your feet. The only time you should physically discipline a cat is when it is biting or clawing inappropriately. By that, I mean that it is trying to hurt somebody. (A person or another animal.)
Hitting a cat usually only makes it hand-shy.
If you want to be able to pet and snuggle your cat, you don't want it to be afraid of being touched. Do you?
Spraying or throwing things really doesn't do much except for teaching the cat to run for cover when the human picks up the squirt bottle. I have seen squirting a cat work in some cases but it has to be done immediately, the second the cat misbehaves, catching the cat in the act of misbehaving. If there is even a two-second gap between the undesirable act and the squirting, the cat associates it with the human being mean instead of as a deterrent to the bad behavior.
I have only seen squiring work one time, ever.
I had a cat named "Jerry" that used to use the potted plants as a litter box, even though it was kept spotlessly clean.
Putting rocks and chicken wire over the pots didn't help. He just pushed the rocks aside and peed through the chicken wire.
One time, I caught Jerry in the act of peeing in a plant. I was standing two feet away and there was a "Super Soaker" water gun on the table next to me.
I hollered, "Jerry! NO!" and hit him, point blank, square between the eyes with a fully charged water gun.
Jerry never peed in the plants again but that was the only time in more than twenty five years of owning cats that I have ever seen squirting work.
For your cat, I'd say to make sure the litter box is scrupulously clean.
I'm sorry to say but the picture of your cat's litter box that you posted looks pretty crusty.
Take the box outside, or down to the basement and give it a good hosing out. Scrub it out with a scrubbing pad. (Throw the pad away, after!) Rinse the box with a mixture of Clorox bleach (or similar brand) and hot water. Let it stand for five minutes with the bleach water inside then rinse with clean water until all the bleach is gone. Let the box dry completely before putting it back.
Fill the box with clean, good, litter and make sure it is at least three or four inches deep.
If your cat likes a covered litter box, go ahead and use it. That should prevent most of the litter from being flung out of the box. Casper like his box covered. It has a flap, too.
Clean the box at least once per day. If the cat doesn't have a clean place to go it will scratch more, trying to make a clean spot. Clean more often if the cat wants it.
You could also try getting another litter box so that the cat can choose which one to use.
It might sound like more work but, sometimes, a cat will pee in one box and poo in the other. In the long run, it could end up being less work. If your cat is happier, it will scratch less and won't fling so much litter around.
The bottom line is that some cats just like to build sand castles in their litter boxes.
Casper does!
I think I remember a Jackson Galaxy video or article where he says not to deep clean the litter box more than a few times a year. Something about the cat needing the box to have its scent.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #36
Yeah, I always assumed they need to have their own scent in it to know it's theirs. That's why I don't like changing to fresh litter all the time. Mixing a bit of new litter with the old litter keeps her scent in it and freshens it at the same time.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #37
Okay, I bpught a 20 gallon tote. I went for the 20 instead of the 18 for two reasons. The first is the size and shape at the bottom. There's about an inch on each side making it square, and it resembles a litter box. It also has latching sides on the lid. The plastic is thicker and will hold her weight better when she jumps out. Tabby cats tend to be big and mine is no exception. I still need to cut holes in it. I'm thinking I'll just take a triangular chunk out of the upper corner, so half in the bin itself and half in the lid. Jumping will also help with litter tracking because the force will knock more of it from between her toes.
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Good on you!
I just thought of something.
I was rereading your first post and I got an idea.
It sounds kinda’ weird so just humor me. Okay?
The next time your cat starts building sand castles in the litter box go in while she’s still there and cover her business for her.
Don‘t be angry or anything. Be real nice.
Don‘t push her out of the way or anything. Let her be right there.
Just gently use your litter scoop and cover her business. Be real neat about it.
When you are done, pet her, say, “Good kitty,” and take her out to the kitchen (or wherever her favorite treat-getting spot is) and give her some kitty cookies and some petting and loving.
I think I know the reason why but I hope you’ll try this out, even though it sounds like a hare brained idea.
Give it a whirl and let us know what happens.
I was rereading your first post and I got an idea.
It sounds kinda’ weird so just humor me. Okay?
The next time your cat starts building sand castles in the litter box go in while she’s still there and cover her business for her.
Don‘t be angry or anything. Be real nice.
Don‘t push her out of the way or anything. Let her be right there.
Just gently use your litter scoop and cover her business. Be real neat about it.
When you are done, pet her, say, “Good kitty,” and take her out to the kitchen (or wherever her favorite treat-getting spot is) and give her some kitty cookies and some petting and loving.
I think I know the reason why but I hope you’ll try this out, even though it sounds like a hare brained idea.
Give it a whirl and let us know what happens.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #40
I guess, sure. She won't have another potty until tonight, though. But yeah. Couldn't hurt.
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