Ew!! MAGGOTS!!!! Please help me!

So, I just went to clean Trouts litterbox for the first time since moving here which was one week ago, and THERE WAS MAGGOTS AROUND THE LITTERBOX!!

I am soooo grossed out right now, why would this happen? Her box is in the laundry room so it is damp where it is, but I thought maggots only were around rotten food?

WHAT DO I DO TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO MAGGOTS THERE ANYMORE?

I doused the litter tray that goes under th box in Lysol, and sprayed the floor with lysol too, what else can I do? I'm seriously going to move if there are maggots in this place...I'm freaking out!!

HELP

Relax
Dump everything and disinfect the whole box with bleach. Rinse the crap out of it, dry it, and install brand new litter.

The presence of maggots just means that flies laid eggs in the poo in the litter, and you didn't scoop often enough. You really need to scoop at least once a day.

Those could be tapeworms not maggots. Which means your cat needs a vet, some worming meds and flea treatment from your vet. Lysol is extremely toxic to your cat, do not use this cleaner near your cat or on items the cat uses.

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

Relax

Dump everything and disinfect the whole box with bleach. Rinse the crap out of it, dry it, and install brand new litter.

The presence of maggots just means that flies laid eggs in the poo in the litter, and you didn't scoop often enough. You really need to scoop at least once a day.

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I do scoop everyday..I thought it was maybe because she pees over the edge and everything gets really pee-ish, and maybe I missed some spots, and they laid eggs there? I don't know, but I hadn't changed the whole thing in a while too because I've been so busy. Maybe thats why....EEEEEEEW I'm gonna be sick.

Originally Posted by hissy

Those are probably tapeworms not maggots. Your cat needs a vet, some worming meds and flea treatment from your vet

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They aren't tapeworms, I know the difference..thanks for the advice though

Originally Posted by Trouts mom

I do scoop everyday..I thought it was maybe because she pees over the edge and everything gets really pee-ish, and maybe I missed some spots, and they laid eggs there? I don't know, but I hadn't changed the whole thing in a while too because I've been so busy. Maybe thats why....EEEEEEEW I'm gonna be sick.

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If maggots are present it is fairly clear that flies found something yummy to lay their eggs in. If you are scooping daily then maybe you are missing enough to attract the flies.

Maybe get a box with taller sides to end the "over the edge" problem? I am using big storage containers from Wal-Mart with really tall sides and it keeps things very well contained.
Hang some flypaper around, and maybe check the screens/doors/windows unless it is wide open in there. If it is open to air you are really going to have to stay on top of keeping that box super clean.

Since you just moved there a week ago, it was probably from something left there before you were even there. I would say as mentioned above, clean the area, clean the litterbox put fresh litter and you should be ok.

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

If maggots are present it is fairly clear that flies found something yummy to lay their eggs in. If you are scooping daily then maybe you are missing enough to attract the flies.

Maybe get a box with taller sides to end the "over the edge" problem? I am using big storage containers from Wal-Mart with really tall sides and it keeps things very well contained.
Hang some flypaper around, and maybe check the screens/doors/windows unless it is wide open in there. If it is open to air you are really going to have to stay on top of keeping that box super clean.

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I wouldn't mind getting her a taller box like you mentioned, but if they are not made for kitties, how would she get in and out of it? It doesn't have an opening like a conventional litterbox does it?

You just cut a cat sized hole in one side/end.

It is important to understand what MA said....
Lysol is toxic to cats.
Maybe someone will provide more info about why pine type products harm our cats.

Originally Posted by xocats

It is important to understand what MA said....
Lysol is toxic to cats.
Maybe someone will provide more info about why pine type products harm our cats.

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Okay, can someone please give me a product that is safe for cats that I can wipe the inside of the litterbox with...I need to wipe it every day because she pees all over the inside...Any suggestions??

Plain bleach, or vinegar

Originally Posted by Arlyn

Plain bleach, or vinegar

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Okay, and will vinegar be disinfecting like Lysol is?

And also, what would I use to cut a hole in one of these giant boxes? Does anyone have a pic of theirs so I can see exactly how you did it?

I got a big rubbermaid container at Walmart that came with a hinged lid. I took an exacto knife and made a big whole through the top of the lid at one end. It took very little time for my two to catch on how to use it. And since it's so big they have tons of space. Total cost was $11. It definitely keeps all the litter, pee and poop in!

edit to add: i'll try and get a picture up to post on monday when i get back to work (where i left my cord for my camera!)

Not as well as, I would do daily vinegar wipes and a weekly bleach scrub if you go that route.

Originally Posted by Trouts mom

I wouldn't mind getting her a taller box like you mentioned, but if they are not made for kitties, how would she get in and out of it? It doesn't have an opening like a conventional litterbox does it?

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My cats all just jump in and out.

And they don't mind going in the top??

I use a Rubbermaid tub, too. Damita, my blind foster, figured it out in 30 seconds. I'm sure Trout will do just fine with a rubbermaid tub.

Cats are sensitive to many cleaning products. When you mop the floor or clean in the bathroom, let surfaces dry before letting your cat back into the room. Use only soap and water to wash out the litter box, and rinse well. Do not expose cats to Pine Sol, Hexol or cleaners that contain ingredients with "phenol" in their chemical names.

I just did a Google search and found this info about Pine Sol.

Originally Posted by Trouts mom

And they don't mind going in the top??

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I don't keep the lid on- just a big, high sided plastic box entirely open on the top.

I feel that closed in and hooded boxes confine odors and make the box unattractive to cats. Also I scoop several boxes very often each day and a lid would slow me down too much.

Other folks like hooded boxes- it's individual preference.