I need some advice

I live with my boyfriend and his family. His sister has a total of five cats, which she rarely cleans up after. The litter box is in the bathroom we all use and the odor is very unpleasent. My cat Autumdown uses her own personal box in my room which I clean out daily. I'm to the point where I find myself frustrated all the time with how inconsiderate she is to the rest of us. I was thinking about buying a hood for the litter box but I'm not so sure what good it will do if she's only cleaning out the litter once or twice every two weeks. I would clean it for her, but I just don't think it's my responsibility since they aren't my cats. I'm also pondering if there are any dangers to breathing in the litter everyday when I'm in there? I'm aware it isn't recommended for pregnant women. I just want to live in a more clean and healthy enviroment though it doesn't seem possible with this living situation. I know I can't change her, but I would really like to know if there is something I can do rather than just tolerate it?

Any advice is welcomed and much appreciated.

First of all, this might sound dumb, but have you asked her directly to scoop out the box more often? (I can't really tell from your post.) She may very well be used to the smell and not realize that it stinks to other people. Also, the type of litter she uses will help some -- I've found Tidy Cats to be excellent at odor control, while Special Kitty is a little cheaper, but subpar. But if she doesn't scoop and clean out the box often enough, the most expensive odor control litter in the world won't help.

Second, she has 5 cats and only one litter box? One litterbox per cat, at least, is the usual recommendation, depending on how often you scoop yours out. For example, I have 2 cats and only one box, but I'm home for most of the day and scoop it whenever I see them use it, so it's always clean. If I had five cats and a job or some other commitment that kept me out of the house for a portion of the day, I'd have at least 3 litterboxes, probably 4. Are you sure that her cats aren't using your cat's box?

Third, I'm sure you already know this, but please tell her that her cats will start to use places other than the box if she lets it go too long without a scooping and cleaning out. Oh, and a hood won't help with the smell, and it also might cause some of her cats to stop using that box entirely. A lot of cats dislike box hoods.

You are correct that it isn't your responsibility to clean out her cats' box. So I would just talk to her in person about it. :nod: I don't know if there's dangers per se in breathing in those concentrated nasty smells for a long period of time, but I can't imagine that it helps anything.

If talking to her doesn't help, or you've already tried, could you maybe ask her family to speak to her about it as well?

Finally, WELCOME TO TCS!

We're glad to have you here and would love to see pictures of your kitty, which you can post in New Cats on the Block. If you need help finding anything on the site, you can PM me or one of the moderators by clicking on our usernames.

I would also ask her if she would use a toilet that's been used by several people and hasn't been flushed all day, because that's exactly what it's like for the poor cats  

speakhandsforme said:

Third, I'm sure you already know this, but please tell her that her cats will start to use places other than the box if she lets it go too long without a scooping and cleaning out. Oh, and a hood won't help with the smell, and it also might cause some of her cats to stop using that box entirely. A lot of cats dislike box hoods.
 

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That was my first thought as I was reading your post, Mary's Calico. Eventually....and it may take awhile, but it will happen, those cats will find other places to use as their bathroom. And then, chances are, she'll blame the cats. Not a good situation, no matter how you look at it.

Also, I couldn't really tell from your post if you're pregnant? If you are, I'm not sure you should be cleaning out litter boxes anyway?Toxmoplasmosis (spelling?) is a parasitic condition that a woman can get from touching infected cat litter. She can then pass it on to her baby. IMO, you shouldn't be changing even your own cat's litter box....although my understanding is that indoor cats aren't easily infected? Somebody else might know more about this than me. I just know that when my sister was pregnant, her DH cleaned and changed all the litter boxes in the house during that time. I'm not sure how prevalent the parasite is with indoor cats. All in all, though, your sister's living conditions with that litter box is not good for anybody, least of all the cats.

We have seven cats and five litter boxes. Those boxes are scooped out twice a day and thoroughly cleaned and washed out on Wednesday nights (trash day is early Thursday morning).

Rosiemac said:

I would also ask her if she would use a toilet that's been used by several people and hasn't been flushed all day, because that's exactly what it's like for the poor cats   :nausea:

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AND I can't believe she has only ONE box for five cat's ..... I have to wonder... :hmm: are those cat's going elsewhere too :dk:. If all else fails after trying to talk to her. I would just start scooping each day... but that is just me. If you are pregnant, then ask your boyfriend to do it OR just wear disposable gloves. I had cat's when I was pregnant and you just have to take proper precautions. I would just take on the responsibility because my heart would go out to the cat's that have to use a filthy, loaded and unclean litter box. I know you probably don't want to take this on but it is like a little child who won't care for her pet and the parent has to take over. Tell her to start buying a lot more litter too, she should at least be able to do that for goodness sakes .... I don't blame you for being annoyed - but what about those cat's - I am sure they are not too happy either. Good luck and

WELCOME TO TCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosiemac said:

I would also ask her if she would use a toilet that's been used by several people and hasn't been flushed all day, because that's exactly what it's like for the poor cats  

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Now that's a good illustration!!
 

speakhandsforme said:

Third, I'm sure you already know this, but please tell her that her cats will start to use places other than the box if she lets it go too long without a scooping and cleaning out.

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Yep.  My mother has been having issues for several years now from a cat who prefers to go outside the box.  One cat doing it caused another cat to start as well!  (The first kitty came with that issue; but we love her anyway.)  She has had a hard time stopping it.  They recently replaced their main living area carpet with hardwood.  It had literally ruined the plywood underneath in spots the cats used regularly!  They started putting all 3 cats in the garage (not used for cars) when they aren't home and honestly it's made the one cat WORSE because he hides and holds it; not wanting to be put out there.  Can't say I blame him either.

What is that saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a ____ of cure."  Something to that effect.

Honestly I hate cleaning the cat box.  Always have.  We got a littermaid box about 6 years ago and it's been great!  Worth every penny and then some.  DH normally does the box when he does the trash (I am pregnant).  We don't toss the liner every time; we usually just dump it in the big kitchen trash can when he goes to take that out.  We replace them whenever they get too gross or worn out.  It saves some money that way too.  Now you can't go a week or two (esp with 5 cats!) on that either; but it helps.  I think DH does the tray every other day now and we have 2 cats.  It does help with the smell in between though.  And the sight.

I hope you can find a way to talk to her about it.  You shouldn't have to do it if they aren't your cats.  I'd be afraid you doing it for her just makes her expect to not have to be responsible for them.  I wouldn't leave my kid in a dirty diaper all day or expect anyone to use a toilet that hasn't been flushed in days and days. 
 

Feralvr said:

AND I can't believe she has only ONE box for five cat's

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I have one box for 3 cats. I used to have 2, but they all seem to like using the one in the bathroom, and the one in the bedroom would have one or two pees in it every couple of days. So now I just have the one in the bathroom. I scoop morning and evening before bed, and sometimes when I get home from work at dinner time. On days off I scoop whenever I go to the bathroom, because the box and scooper are right there.

I'm surprised the cats are still using the litter box when it's so dirty.  We have 3 cats and 2 litter boxes - actually I have 2 of those big Sterlite storage bins that we use as litter boxes as they're bigger (and my Tony is 14 lbs) and the sides are higher so there's a "little" less litter kicked out. Even so it's always a struggle.  I scoop at least twice a day.    About 6 mos ago we had an incident where Tippytoes peed on the bed and once on a chair. I realized then that the boxes were a little too messy for Miss Fusspot and now I'm much more diligent.   Not that I didn't clean them before, but I guess she's super picky and now that's why we scoop at least 2 maybe 3 times a day.

You really need to confront the issue, not only for cleanliness, but for the health of the cats.

Lol, no I'm not pregnant sorry I gave some of you that impression. I was just curious if it could be harmful to regular people.

My boyfriend and I have asked her, but she acts like she doesn't care really about it. She's 17 but she acts like she's 12 and her mother doesn't do anything about it either. Don't get me wrong she does love her animals she's just REALLY lazy when it comes to cleaning up after them. The cat litter gets all over the floor too and she just leaves it there.

Idk, the only solution IS probably to clean it myself! You guys are right it's just sick the cats have to go through that. Maybe one day she'll grow up in like 20 years or so (I don't see it happening soon).

Each cat needs his or her own box, and it should be scooped when used, or at least multiple times daily.  They may not be "your" cats, but this is basic health care for ANY cat.  The person is being very neglectful of their basic hygiene and care.  If I were in the situation, I would definitely scoop their box, and if I had any extra money, I would also buy them more litterboxes, also telling the person about this basic cat care and encouraging them to visit this or any other site with good information on cat care.  

Oh trust me I've asked her, she's not going to change. She reminds me of those people on those hoarder shows. That's why I am going to try to do something about it. Definitely not for her benefit either, just for her innocent cats and my nostrils.

Good luck and keep us updated!

For the sake of the cats and for your own comfort, just take on the responsibility yourself. No, you shouldn't have to, but it makes more sense that then enduring discomfort not doing it comes with.

Rockcat said:

For the sake of the cats and for your own comfort, just take on the responsibility yourself. No, you shouldn't have to, but it makes more sense that then enduring discomfort not doing it comes with.

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  I agree to do it for the cats and yourself. Maybe the sister will eventually catch on.

Ugh. If those cats are stepping in those boxes, with all that waste, then stepping on the countertops and furniture...

I'd be walking around with a can of disinfectant and paper towels.  

You're a caring person, and I'm sure the kitties will be grateful to not have to use such a dirty litterbox. I use fresh step multiple cat litter (I know I only have one cat...it just smells better!). It's the best I've tried, but I think my nose is ultra sensitive. 

Thanks guys! Tomorrow is pay day so I'll be able to buy the new litter boxes and cat litter. The one right now is super icky and not worth restoring. I'm also buying Lysol air freshener and latex gloves for my own protection.    I didn't like the idea of helping out at first because it would mean his sister could just continue being lazy. I'm not really bothered by it anymore though. Infact, I'm looking forward to being able to breath again. And so TRUE on the cats jumping on the counter while covered in their waste! Exactly why I don't eat there much, hah. I was thinking about getting some quick wipes for the cats too. That way it really can be a brand new start.

If you purchase sterilite containers instead of regular litterboxes, you will save a bunch of money. You can buy a variety of sizes as well. I have a couple of very lazy boys that don't like to squat so we have the deep, hgh sided sterilite containers. A friend has a female cat that doesn't have the squatting issue so she gets the under-the-bed style sterilite. And they are so inexpensive, I can replace them every 6 months when they get all scratched up. 

I think it's great you are taking this on. Yes, she's 17 and should be able to handle this responsibility, however, she is only 17 and still has a lot to learn about responsibility. 

I know there are a lot of clay litter haters in the world, and I'm not here to engage in polemic, just to help CATS whenever possible.  We have a multicat family and we've tried all kinds of different supplies; the scoopable clay litter from Petco is our choice for cat-friendliness, good hygiene, low dust content, and cost.  A 30# tub costs about $14 and you refill it at the store for $12; this makes it somewhat eco-friendly, too, because you aren't throwing out packaging every time the container is empty.  

For high-sided litterboxes you can either cover or not, try buying sweater-and-clothes storage boxes at any of the "big box" stores (Target, Kmart, Walmart are 3, though I will not shop at Walmart on principle).  Cut a "door" out on one surface of the box using an Xacto or other razor-blade type knife; you can smooth the cut surface with sandpaper.  These are by far the cheapest boxes you can buy; they are very large and tall, which cats love, and easily washable.  

Thank you again for your CARING.  And often people learn by example. 

Good luck with it all and welcome to TCS,gosh I really am suprised that the cats still use it,my cats won't use the litter boxes if theres a poop in there so I am constantly cleaning them out.Keep us updated.x