litter box snacking

[Bridget]

I didn't want to post about this, as it is such an unseemly topic, but...I have an elderly, blind cat and I have moved the litter box upstairs from the basement for her ease. Although I seldom witness it, from the condition of the litter box when I clean it each morning, I am certain my dogs have been using it for a snack bar on a pretty regular basis. Besides being disgusting, is this going to hurt them healthwise? Does anyone know of any way to make it stop?

[MaggieRoseLee]

I've found the boxes with covers help, and face the box into a corner of the room so there's room for a cat to curl around and into the box, but no room for a GSD body.

There are also the electric litter boxes that clean themselves after the cat leaves.

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[starrluvsjackson]

sorry i wont be much help but thought i would comment anyway..Its a fairly common (and yes rather disgusting) thing for dogs to do..i havent known a single dog who doesnt do it and one time or another and can actually be a help especially if you dont like picking up the poo lol..i dont think it hurts them much well hasnt affected any i know of..not sure how t get them to stop sorry..

[starrluvsjackson]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

There are also the electric litter boxes that clean themselves after the cat leaves.

=O oh that soo wouldve been handy when my i was in a house with 12 cats (not mine) =S lol

[kiya]

I always have to make sure the kitty box is "blocked" or gated off. When I set up the baby gate I pull it off the ground so the cats can get under but the dogs can't.

[Girth]

My pup loves litter cookies. I just try to make sure I get it cleaned out before he gets in it. I haven't seen any ill effects from what he does.

[Bridget]

Thanks everyone. Great ideas. I am going to get a box with a cover, not sure why I couldn't have thought of that myself. If the cats won't use it, as they are old and set in their ways, I will try the baby gate with the space underneath. Wish I could afford an automatic litter box, but just can't right now. LOL right now they're lucky to have litter!

[Cassidy's Mom]

There are pet gates with a small door that a cat can get through. I think Fosters and Smith has some. If you can gate off the room I think that would be best. It might be hard to get an older cat to use a covered box if they're not used to it.

[CarrieJ]

There are pet gates with a small door that a cat can get through. I think Fosters and Smith has some. If you can gate off the room I think that would be best. It might be hard to get an older cat to use a covered box if they're not used to it.

I'll have to look into this. I use a baby gate propped in a corner to provide an angle the cat can acess, but not the GSD. Unfortunately the weasel terrier fits in and will retrieve "almond rocha" for the both of them.

*sigh*

[Rott-n-GSDs]

Clumping litter can be dangerous for a dog. If they ingest enough of it, it can cause an obstruction.

We put our litterboxes in closets, cut holes in the door, and installed kitty sized "doggie" doors. We had to take the flaps off, as the kitties didn't like going through them with the flaps, but it still works to keep the dogs out.