Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, by now, you would think I would have all this down, but somehow, new problems keep coming up. Voodoo has started urinating outside the litterbox again -- on the aluminum foil that we put down nearby to prevent her from doing exactly that. A vet visit showed her to be in perfect urinary tract health, so it is a behavioral problem. I (and the vet) think that she does this when the box is not clean enough to suit her or when another cat is in the litter box at just that crucial moment.

The vet thinks I am not keeping the box clean enough and often enough. Every couple of months I remove all the litter (clumping) and clean the box -- first with water to get everything off, then with chlorox wipes, then air dry. The vet thinks I should use bleach, soak for a while, air out AND (this is the tough part) throw out the box every 2 months. Does anyone else do that? I understand the cleaning, but throwing out litterboxes (I have 3), especially covered ones, will certainly impact my budget. She does this herself for her 3 litterboxes and 2 cats. She says the smell eventually and irreversibly soaks into the plastic.

Thanks, Ellen
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ellen
gracie & voodoo (& Puss 'n Boots)

I would change and wash the litter boxes more often. I usually dump the litter boxes out every two weeks. And BF's mother dumps hers once a month and washes. They may not like the what you are using to wash. I wouldn't use bleach (bleach with cat urine would not be healthy for any of you).
The other thing you could do is get two more litter boxes. I know this sounds like a lot but the rule of thumb is one box for each cat and an extra. So for four cats you would need five boxes. We have six boxes in our basement. One covered that only Crash uses and then five open boxes. Maybe your cat doesn't like the covered boxes. Try an open one.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

Thanks, Jaime. I have been thinking of putting another litterbox downstairs, but it has to go in the diningroom -- the only place with space! What do you use to wash your litter boxes?

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ellen
gracie & voodoo (& Puss 'n Boots)

Actually, I have read where the smell of bleach can actually deter a cat from using a litterbox. Usually gentle soap and water is recommended.

You might want to try the "Cat Attract" litter for a while and see if this helps.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I wash them with dish soap. I usually buy new ones once a yr if they are starting to smell. But if you wash them often you don't need to do that.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker