i figured out the problem. it isn't the box that smells like an ash tray, it's the garbage can i'm scooping the litter into. my roommate's new girlfriend smokes, and even though she smokes outside, she's a decent enough human to throw her butts in the garbage. hence the garbage smells like an...
this is really weird because neither my roommate or i smoke. but the cat box (or that one particular corner of the house) smells like an ash tray. i've never seen a cat smoke a cigarette, haha.
She is an indoor cat, almost exclusively. i'm trying to be eco-friendly (and cheap) so i keep my heater set at 60 during the day, and 55 when we're sleeping. Caramel always hangs around by the heating vent or right next to my laptop (where the fan blows out warm air). i've heard that's a sign...
i do that too! i have a 5 gallon bucket with a lid that i washed out really good.
for cupboards, i use thick rubber bands, like that come with broccoli. i put them over the two handles on the cupboard doors. the cats can no longer drag my plastic bags and dish towels across the kitchen. ...
i have 2 boxes for my cats and i have noticed that 100% they prefer the box in the basement. i don't like it there though because like you mentioned above, out of sight out of mind. i forget it's there, i only see the one upstairs which could remain untouched for days because they don't like...
short answer: yes.
i would never have a cat declawed because i think it is cruel, but i adopted one from a previous roommate and she is declawed. i only let her outside when i am out with her, but, yes, she can climb trees. and houses. she got onto the neighbor's roof one time.