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Need recommendations for HIGH back litter boxes

post #1 of 25
10/20/10 at 7:27am
Thread Starter 
Ritz pees standing up, almost always does, always has. Ritz is female, spayed, approximately 18 months old, formerly feral, big and tall. She has peed standing up since I got her; in other words, it's not a behavorial or medical issue. Upon the advice of my vet, I did get her a dome litter box (Booda). But sometimes (sorry... graphic description coming up) the force and angle of her urine goes through the rim and seal and onto the tile floor. And the bBooda iggest dome litter box is getting too small for Ritz.
So I bought an uncovered litter box with the high back 10 inches tall; too short, as I found out the hard way. She uses the litter box all the time; she's quite flexible that way
Has anyone found a litter box that is not covered and really high? I need one about 18 inches high (yeah, I measured.....). I'd consider a dome covered one if the seals are leak proof. Thanks a lot.
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post #2 of 25
10/20/10 at 8:45am
Look into Sterilite or Rubbermaid bins. I also have a stand up pee-er and it's very rare when she goes over the top of mine.
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post #3 of 25
10/20/10 at 11:10am
I agree, one of those large rubbermaid plastic totes should be good, similar to a child's toy bin. Eighteen inches is ridiculously high, so you should also remember to put a mat outside of the bin, since Ritz is going to need to jump out of the box, bringing a hail of litter with her.

If she doesn't spray the area where she walks in, you could cut a hole big enough for her to go in, and put the top on the rubbermaid bin. That way, no jumping out, and the sides will still be leak proof.
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post #4 of 25
10/20/10 at 11:19am
Ruby does the same thing, I too bought one of those big plastic tubs, cut a hole in it, and it's awesome! It cost me just under $5 and all the cats like it! There's thread here about it with pictures if you search..maybe try making litter box? Not sure what I used to search for it a while back, sorry!
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post #5 of 25
10/20/10 at 4:06pm
I use two of these for six cats, with ~84 pounds of litter in each, and they work like a charm. They're plenty deep enough for what you're looking for and are VERY inexpensive. I think I got this one from Target for about $10:

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post #6 of 25
10/20/10 at 4:09pm
Yep. Mazy cat is a stand up pee-er too. This is her favorite litter box:

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post #7 of 25
10/20/10 at 4:25pm

That's mine, there is plenty of room and there havent been any accidents yet. I think it's...the 18gal. size
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post #8 of 25
10/20/10 at 4:47pm
I use that ^^ kind, too. Except I put the opening on the narrow side. Either way, they work great!
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post #9 of 25
10/20/10 at 5:02pm
10 gallon in one room , two 18 gallons for four cats ... sterilite seems easier to clean than rubbermaid.. I pick them up for under 3.50 for the 10 gallons and under 5 for the 18 gallons
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post #10 of 25
10/20/10 at 5:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharky View Post
10 gallon in one room , two 18 gallons for four cats ... sterilite seems easier to clean than rubbermaid.. I pick them up for under 3.50 for the 10 gallons and under 5 for the 18 gallons
Yeah, I've paid $3.50-$5.00 for the 18 gallon size silver Sterilite totes, depending on sales/season. Do you cut an opening in the side? One friend who uses them doesn't cut an opening; her cats just jump right in. . .I don't think my cats would like that. Or they'd tip the box over . So I do cut an opening, 5 inches from the bottom. I don't put the top on.
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post #11 of 25
10/20/10 at 5:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willowy View Post
Yeah, I've paid $3.50-$5.00 for the 18 gallon size silver Sterilite totes, depending on sales/season. Do you cut an opening in the side? One friend who uses them doesn't cut an opening; her cats just jump right in. . .I don't think my cats would like that. Or they'd tip the box over . So I do cut an opening, 5 inches from the bottom. I don't put the top on.
No so far they all like the jump method .. when the older years hit I will likely buy the under bed storage totes for boxes...
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post #12 of 25
10/20/10 at 8:41pm
Oh, finally, a thread where this n00b has something to contribute !

I bought this Rubbermaid litter box and am only sorry I didn't know about it sooner. I got it locally, at Pet-something (can't remember if it was "Co" or "Smart.") High enough to catch everything, has a broad-enough lip so that kitty can balance his pawsies on it comfortably, easy in-out leaves minimal litter crumb trails.

We also have the Omega Rollaway Litter Box, but both the cats and I are not enchanted by it at all. The cats use both but much prefer the open box, not sure if it's because it's open, or its placement in the house, or another reason. I also had no luck with getting the litter catching tray to function effectively - it always picked up more clean litter than clumps. Ultimately I took the tray out and just scoop like with any other box.

We also have Astroturf doormats (from Ace Hardware) in front of each litterbox. Catches litter crumbs beautifully.
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post #13 of 25
10/21/10 at 7:45am
Thread Starter 
Thanks all for your replies and ideas. Temporarily I am using two litter boxes, the smaller one inside the larger one, with the smaller one standing upright and propped against the oven door. When Ritz is in an upright position peeing, it is generally towards the oven, so I'm hoping the urine will hit the smaller litter box and flow down into the larger one. (I hope this make sense.) I did buy a large, tall Rubbermaid tote, but need to get my brother to cut a hole in it (I don't have the proper tools.)
But I might just try to see if Ritz can jump into--and out of--the large Rubbermaid box. I don't want her to hurt herself.
This is about the third time I've changed litter boxes in the past week. I have kept the same litter. I am a little afraid I'm stressing her out too much, although she did already use the temporary litter box set up (#2).
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post #14 of 25
10/21/10 at 10:45am
The hole isn't really necessary.

Even my 4 month old kitten jumps into the Rubbermaid box, and has been since she was 2 months old, and she was a tiny malnourished baby then.

The sides of the ones I use are 12 1/2 inches high, inside. They don't make that particular style any more, and I haven't found any I like as well, much to my dismay, as I like to replace the boxes periodically.
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post #15 of 25
10/21/10 at 10:48am
Thread Starter 
The height of my box is at least 18 inches; that's how high Ritz's pee goes. Yeah, I measured Ritz isn't a spayer really of the litter, and I don't mind cleaning up the litter; it won't harm tile. Urine WILL.
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post #16 of 25
10/21/10 at 10:53am
Still though, a cat can jump a foot and a half. My cats jump two feet just to get to the litter boxes. (I have them elevated to save my own back)

I always worry if you cut a hole, the cat will decide to aim the pee at the hole, then the whole purpose is defeated.

When they become senior and begin having mobility difficulties of course, things have to be reconsidered.
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post #17 of 25
10/21/10 at 10:54am
Thread Starter 
Oohhh, good point.....Things we do and think about for our PB (precious beings).
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post #18 of 25
10/25/10 at 1:09am
skipping ahead, but if you already have a dome litterbox, just take a bit of plastic and some duct-tape and put a flap over the hinge.

Its just a loose flap overhanging the gap, so shouldn't interfere with the functioning of any box, and anything direct or above it wouldn't be an issue.
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post #19 of 25
10/25/10 at 2:48pm
astroturf doormats?! what a great idea!!
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post #20 of 25
10/26/10 at 6:31am
Thread Starter 
Thanks all for your advice and insight.
I did buy a Rubbermaid type large storage box (14 inches high) and cut an access hole in the long side of the box. But the hole starts 2.5 inches from the bottom so a fair amount of litter does get kicked outside the box. But more importantly, no urine goes outside the box. So far so good; keep your fingers (paws?) crossed.
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post #21 of 25
10/26/10 at 6:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by katladee View Post
astroturf doormats?! what a great idea!!
I used those for a while when Ootay had her litter box upstairs in my bathroom, but the other cats wouldn't step on them, so once Ootay went to the Brige I stopped using them.

Instead I use a large "industrial" type doormat I get at Home Depot. It picks up everything. the only drawback is it has to be vacuumed rather than shook out.
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post #22 of 25
10/26/10 at 6:40am
Thread Starter 
Do these doormats have a special backing on them that keep them from sliding? Ritz is pretty agressive when it comes to burying and jumping out of the litter box. I put down a bathmat with a plastic backing and it moved when she got onto it, spooking her. (Though 30 minutes later she threw up on it instead of the carpet so it was good for something!)
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post #23 of 25
10/26/10 at 6:57am
This is the one I use:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

Maybe I got it at Lowes. They both have them but one store had them for a little less than the other. Of course prices can be higher on line sometimes, the one I got was $15 and change
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post #24 of 25
10/26/10 at 8:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by otto View Post
This is the one I use:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

Maybe I got it at Lowes. They both have them but one store had them for a little less than the other. Of course prices can be higher on line sometimes, the one I got was $15 and change
My mat is probably exactly the same. I use shop vac until the mat gets too grungy and then just get new one. It stays in place well but then again we have 4 boxes to nail it down too

Btw, I prefer Sterilite boxes to Rubbermaid. Seems like the plastic is less porous material and little easier to keep clean. Altho every time I find a good size and go to get another one it seems like they discontinued the size.

Right now I am planning to move into couple of inches higher too. Teppo is sometimes hitting the upper edge. None of my boys mind jumping into high boxes - I think they actually like the security of doing their business in the tall boxes. It's funny though when two of them still manage to paw the wall to 'cover' when the box is nearly up to their arm pits
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post #25 of 25
10/26/10 at 8:51am
Must....paw.....wall....at....all....costs.....must...paw....wall.....
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