I went to Petsmart today and bought my babies a litterbox with a cover and swinging door. I put it together in front of them so they would see the litter before I put the cover on. I guess I could've made things easier if I had left the swing door off for awhile, but I didn't think about it. So now we have this new thing in the cat room and Neo is very curious. The first thing he does is sniff all the way around it, I guess looking for a way in. I pushed open the door for him and let it swing shut. He began to paw around the sides of the door. After a couple of very pitiful looks, I picked him up and gently pushed him through the door. He was in! But, he's too smart for his own good. He understood that the door went IN to let him in, so it must go IN to let him out. He extended his claws and got them through the side of the door to grip the door and pull it in towards him. He couldn't get a grip and you could tell he was getting frustrated. I obviously couldn't show him the way out the same way I showed him in, but I pushed the door enough for it to swing in and out so I could catch it and open it for him OUT for him to see it goes both directions. It took him a good 10 minutes to figure it out, but he never cried for help, so I let him think it through. I'm a little worried about Sapphire, though, because there are times I think she's a little retarded, bless her heart, and I'm not sure she'll get it before she has to poo again. She didn't stick around to watch Neo figure it out. I figure I'll just watch for poo on the floor and take the door off it it becomes a problem. Any suggestions on making this transition easier?
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New covered litterbox
- Thread starter reneeteachj
- Start Date
i wouldnt use a covered litterbox because most cats dont like them. but if you want to keep it on, then take the swinging door off.
I and Ollie love the covered box (he's a big litter digger and likes to scratch walls aronud the box as well, so he doesnt destroy walls with the cover)... he also didn't understand the door - even though I tried a million times to get him to get it - and the poor thing held his poo over night.... so when I got up in the morning and saw he hadnt been in the box, I took off the door and he flew in and pottied.... even if he got the door, I don't think he'd like it, cuz he likes to stick his head out the door and make the "pee pee face" when he's going....
Most cats? I know some cats don't like them but is there any evidence that most don't like them? Some prefer the privacy of a closed box. None of mine have ever had a problem with them (I use one with a door) and most of my friends with cats have covered boxes too. I wouldn't discourage anyone from using a covered box unless it's obvious that their cat doesn't like it
I've never had a cat that seemed to have a problem with a covered litter box, but I have never tried one with a door. I can see where many might have a problem with a door on one.
I just put a pet door in my kitchen screen so they can let themselves in and out and although they will use it if I open the door for them to go either way, not ne of them has used it one their own yet.
I guess they prefer having me be their doorman.
I just put a pet door in my kitchen screen so they can let themselves in and out and although they will use it if I open the door for them to go either way, not ne of them has used it one their own yet.
I guess they prefer having me be their doorman.
I have 3 covered boxes and I love them. Both of my cats picked up on how to use them pretty quickly. I think you did the right thing by gently pushing him through to the inside. To get him to come out, you might want to lift the door open a little and put a treat on the outside. When he starts to come out, lower the door to brush against his head so he has to push it open with his head. I hope I explained that okay. Good luck!
Both our boxes have lids - a regular one for Mika and the Booda Dome for the big boy Bijou. I like the covered ones and the kitties don't seem to have any problem with them. I'm not sure about having swinging doors on them though. Bijou likes to sit with his head out the entrance while he does his business.
well I know but I have heard that most cats don't like them. I've heard that you shouldn't use covered litterboxes
Nathan does the same thing. It's like he's gonna miss something while he's piddling.Originally Posted by Yosemite
Bijou likes to sit with his head out the entrance while he does his business.
I don't who told you that MOST cats don't like covered litter boxes, but I can tell you we've had covered litter boxes for a few cats now, and they've all been fine with it.
With the current cat, I had her old tray next to the new one, both with litter in them, and I was planning to keep the lid off until she got used to it. Then I put the lid on to check the catches as they seemed not to be working, and she ran in to the new one with its lid on rather than the old tray while I was there
So I got rid of the old litter tray straight away, and just have the new covered one now
Kittyluver - I certainly can't see any reason why anyone would say that you shouldn't use covered litter boxes!!
Renee - If they're a bit scared of it, start off with the just the tray and no lid. Once they're comfortable, put the lid on with no door, and once they're comfortable, put the door on and try showing them how it works again. Hopefully it they're already used to the tray and lid, the door should be a breeze!
With the current cat, I had her old tray next to the new one, both with litter in them, and I was planning to keep the lid off until she got used to it. Then I put the lid on to check the catches as they seemed not to be working, and she ran in to the new one with its lid on rather than the old tray while I was there
Kittyluver - I certainly can't see any reason why anyone would say that you shouldn't use covered litter boxes!!
Renee - If they're a bit scared of it, start off with the just the tray and no lid. Once they're comfortable, put the lid on with no door, and once they're comfortable, put the door on and try showing them how it works again. Hopefully it they're already used to the tray and lid, the door should be a breeze!
Mine cottoned on to using the door first try. When I first got one with my kittens years ago I didnt realise the door came off so after a couple of weeks using just the base I put the whole lid (including door) on and both sussed out how to use it immediately. Mosi had no problem either, but he was used to using a cat flap at his previous home (just not on a litter box).
yeah I know but I have had problems with my cat not going in his box and someone suggested to get rid of my covered litterbox.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #14
I was gone all day today, and I checked the box as soon as I got home. There was no poo on the floor and there was poo in the box, so somebody has been using it (not sure who). I did notice that the box had been moved one direction and the rug that is kept in front of (and slightly under) the box was moved the other direction. I'm not sure what that means. Either they were playing really hard (which is very possible) or one of them got stuck inside and freaked out before figuring out how to get out. I haven't actually witnessed Sapphire using it yet. But I already notice a difference in the cleanliness of the floor!! Usually when this much time goes by after I vacuum the room (I vacuumed Tuesday afternoon), it looks the same as it did before I vacuumed. Right now, it looks just as nice as the day I cleaned house. The computer room, however, is already accumulating a solid layer of dog hair.
The floor cleanliness is one of my favorite parts about the covered... I do keep a little rug in front though for the bits that stick to his paws after he flies out... and I know what you're going through with the dog hair! We've got black dog hair tumbleweeds all over the house from my lab - my mom just ordered the pet vac as a last resort! haha
I don't know why that person said to not use covered litterboxes but thats just what they said. I wasn't trying to discourage anyone from using covered litterboxes, I was just trying to give some friendly advice. I probably should have said it a little differently then just stating that MOST cats don't like them. Sorry, that's just what a person suggested.
Gosh your cat is so beautiful. I love its orange fur. Totally adorable.
Hehehe, thanks! He knows he's handsome/cute too and tries to get away with everything! (And he does to an extent - can't be mad at a furry face!)
I know this sounds weird, but I can't take my eyes off of him. He is just soooooo adorably handsome. I love his eyes!!!!!! lol
yeah who could be mad at a furry face?? huh? especially when its your adorable cat!!!?
