Litter boxes

I am not sure what  forum this goes under, but want to know if anyone is using the litterbox with the flap door? Seems like a good idea, but wondered if cats would actually go in and out of the flap door

It's possible to train them to go through a litter box or cat flap by taping it open until they get used to it, and reinforcing use with treats, but the question is whether it's to be recommended with litter boxes. I have covered litter boxes, but don't use the plastic flaps at all. While they sound like a good way of keeping litter inside the box, they trap smells inside, which could lead to some cats avoiding the box when it's not scooped immediately, and obviously that isn't always possible. Too, some cats (such as ours) like to keep their heads outside the box while using it. Others might be frightened by the swinging flap.

The flappable door ..that is why I was asking if anyone was using it. I do realize that the cats could be afraid of it. I didn't think about the smell being trapped in it, altho I am always cleaning mine, as I have 2 cats of my own and 2 foster cats. The main reason tho about wanting one is I love the decorated one, as it is in my dining room..and it's pretty..lol. My brother in law tho told me last nite, that he took the door off of his..So that is a possibility..Thank you for anwering !...Oh..I also use Arms and Hammer for kitty litter odors, as it is in my dining room.

I should also say, that I have 4 boxes. One in the basement, 1 in the stair landing upstairs and one in the extra bed room, and then the 1 in the dining room.

Our boxes came with flaps, but I just never "installed" them. They might be a bit loud, too. We had a cat flap in our (inside) kitchen door, and took it out again after just a few days because the sound of it closing was driving us crazy. Now there's just a little cut-out in the bottom of the door for the cat. :lol3:

Wow...I like the idea of the tote tubs!..Think I will do that.

jeileen said:

Wow...I like the idea of the tote tubs!..Think I will do that.

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Tip: my first hole cutting was cut too low and litter can get kicked out easily - I know better now and try to cut the opening so that there's a wider margin at the bottom. Also, I use a box cutter/utility knife. One time I tried using my Dremel but made an awful mess.

I hope you have a successful results.
g

jeileen said:

I am not sure what  forum this goes under, but want to know if anyone is using the litterbox with the flap door? Seems like a good idea, but wondered if cats would actually go in and out of the flap door

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I had those boxes when the boys were kittens but we never used the flaps, I just took them off. I don't see why they wouldn't go in and out of it, cats do use pet doors with flaps. I don't see any point to them on the litter boxes and they aren't recommended anyway. We use open boxes now.

We bought the boxes with flaps on them and never had to do any special training to get the cats to use them - they all took to them just fine. Over time though, the flaps have fallen off and that's okay too. We still have covered boxes, which keeps the smell in the box and out of the rest of the house pretty well.                         

My kittens had always used a hooded tray, and I realised they had worked out how to use the tray with a flap when I saw them in it!  Suspect they saw my other two cats doing that and copied them.

Another thing - I don't use regular litter pans any more - I buy $4 tote tubs at Walmart and cut a hole in them. The sides are high and helps contain the litter, as well as any thing else. 

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Gloria, Thank you for the great idea to use the Rubbermaid totes!  Recently we have had issues with our cats urinating up high (I seriously don't know how they even do this), but they've been making a mess outside of the box, especially where the cover meets the litter pan.  Needless to say, I will be buying a few totes and making my own litter boxes this weekend.

Thank you for sharing your ingenuity!

I have been using 2 big plastic storage containers for my kitties for over a year. I bought the Sterelite brand from Target, but I'd say they are just as good as Rubbermaid and a little cheaper. Mine are quite large in circumference vs their height (I didn't want to have to cut a hole for them to enter and exit). You will use more litter this way though. 

my guys use covered boxes and a few months ago I added the doors and they didn't care at all. I don't have to worry about the dust because I use wood pellets. No tracking, no dust, and my guys seam to prefer it to the regular litter... its also about 5 bucks a month for my two guys instead of 20 . Im looking at making those storage tote boxes though now.. but with two boxes to make a sifting tray.. I just cant find any cheap totes.. they are at least 15 here.

DreamRaider said:

my guys use covered boxes and a few months ago I added the doors and they didn't care at all. I don't have to worry about the dust because I use wood pellets. No tracking, no dust, and my guys seam to prefer it to the regular litter... its also about 5 bucks a month for my two guys instead of 20 . Im looking at making those storage tote boxes though now.. but with two boxes to make a sifting tray.. I just cant find any cheap totes.. they are at least 15 here.

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Whoa!  Totes for $15! I get mine at Walmart.  

The totes I use  aren't the hard clear plastic (which is usually more expensive and harder to cut), but the solid colored totes.

If the totes cost $15 I can't imagine what a covered cat litter box must cost you.

GloriaJH said:

Whoa!  Totes for $15! I get mine at Walmart.  

The totes I use  aren't the hard clear plastic (which is usually more expensive and harder to cut), but the solid colored totes.

If the totes cost $15 I can't imagine what a covered cat litter box must cost you.

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Lol the more I talk about prices here the more everyone seams surprised. I think I must live in an expensive town.. haha. Those are for the solid colour large ones at walmart.. Sometimes you see them cheaper. I just have to keep looking.

Covered litter box was either 25 or 30. Cant remember. I have a large and medium. maybe I paid 25 AND 30.

Technically I stole the smaller one.. though I was there when it was bought. Ok I know I know stealing is wrong but I did it for the cat!

Me and two friends learned of some barn kittens that were 8 weeks and not being cared for really and the person said people could just go in and take them- like who cares right? Terrible. So we took the last three, one for each of us. I was the only one with my own house, the other two lived with their parents so I took all three home. The plan was I keep the female DLH for 2 months while my one friend moved out (she already had her place booked) and the other one(Misty) a few days while she convinced her mom.. I was not sure about that but she assured me it was fine. And I was to keep Diago.

Anyways we went and bought all the stuff they would need and paid for each of our own but everything came home with me. Booked with the vet for 1 week for the two cats. days were going by and misty- who we loved- was not getting any visits. I kept asking the 'friend' what was up and she was having a hard time with her mom.. The night before the vet I said "Come get the cat or its coming to the vet tomorrow" she said her mom still wouldn't let her.

I took all three to the vet- shots deworming mites etc

next day she said shell take the cat.. I said Ok your vet costs was __. She wouldn't pay it saying she had no money, and so I said "then your not getting the cat". (I kept misty and will until her death. Lovely Girl.)..so she sais give me my **** back and ill get another one! I said No, if im keeping the cat I need the stuff. Pay the vet bill and take it all or take nothing. your call.

And that's how I stole a litter box and bowls.

DreamRaider said:

GloriaJH said:

Whoa!  Totes for $15! I get mine at Walmart.  

The totes I use  aren't the hard clear plastic (which is usually more expensive and harder to cut), but the solid colored totes.

If the totes cost $15 I can't imagine what a covered cat litter box must cost you.

Click to expand...

Lol the more I talk about prices here the more everyone seams surprised. I think I must live in an expensive town.. haha. Those are for the solid colour large ones at walmart.. Sometimes you see them cheaper. I just have to keep looking.

Covered litter box was either 25 or 30. Cant remember. I have a large and medium. maybe I paid 25 AND 30.

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Gulp - well, at least the Totes do save some money. 

We have multiple cats, and use different sized totes to meet our needs, keeping extra totes for a quick change if I need it - so saving money on litter pans really does help in the scheme of things.