Hopeful
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 19 
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Post by Hopeful on Oct 26, 2008 4:10:50 GMT -5
Howdy folks! I am preparing to move to my new place, and I have a few questions I'm hoping for some help with. First off, my cats (three) have a bad habit of urinating outside the litterbox. They are all good until one does it, and then they ALL do it. It started when one developed a medical problem associating the litterbox with pain, which was quickly diagnosed and solved, but I'm afraid the habit is set in. To combat this (since I don't have visitors anyhow), I'm going to be putting down a tarp or other waterproof, claw resistant cover over the floor for at least the first three months, until I'm absolutely certain they can be trusted. What's a good way to keep this attached? They are VERY active, and loooove to play and dash through the apartment at top speeds. Will masking tape be enough? Is that safe on paint for three months, or only temporarily? Two, is there any way to throw out two box springs without paying? Can I just put them near the dumpsters at my current complex? Three, I currently clean their boxes daily, but I'm still noticing an awful smell. Is this frequently enough? I can do twice daily, but I'm going to run out of grocery bags awfully quick! Can someone recommend a good (clumping) litter that will absorb this, or a deodorizer I can add, or one of those that sit next to the box in a plastic housing? I don't want this creeping into the hall! Lastly, I want to say "thank you" to everyone who's contributed to this board. I originally signed up with the name "Hopeless", because that's how I felt, and that's how some people have referred to me, but after lurking a bit, and especially seeing the progress some of you have made on your homes in the pictures section, I've switched my name to Hopeful. I think I can get through this with your fantastic advice and inspiration. You've all been so friendly and non-judgmental. Thanks so much  |
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dutchessbug
New Member
Joined: September 2008
Posts: 50
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Post by dutchessbug on Oct 26, 2008 8:16:00 GMT -5
hmm, i don't know about the box springs, but i do know about the peeing cats! been there, still am on occasion. I add some baking soda to the litter when i first put it in and give it a stir around, absorbs all the oders, and is really really safe for the cats. What i have found really helpfull to get her to stop peeing there is to scrub the area with baking soda, and then rinse with water and then vinegar, or using special cleaner that gets rid of their scent. Once they start weeing there it can be hard to get them to stop, covering it is also a good idea, i couldnt do that because of where it is located, changing litters helped too, it turned out she didnt like the one we had, it took a few tries to find one that she would tolerate. good luck |
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Post by fluffychild on Oct 26, 2008 8:26:44 GMT -5
Your litter box could have little cracks in it that the smell will never come out. You might have to start with all new boxes. Once a week, I do a complete dump on the box, wash it out with detergent and dry it. Sometimes the cat litter is too coarse for their feet. One time I did a search on the net and found a brand called Cat Attract. It has special herbs in it to attract them to the litter box. It is a hard brand to find - I found a grocery store had it and Pet Smart. I have also used Arm and Hammer cat litter. You should also have one more litter box than you do cats. I have one cat, but two litter boxes. My cat insists that I scoop each time that she goes potty.
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Post by mouse on Oct 26, 2008 8:43:26 GMT -5
Hi!
I too dump out the litter box completely once a week and wash it out. I use javel water, which disinfects and removes the smell. A word to the wise: don't ever use javel elsewhere to remove cat pee, because the ammonia in it still makes the cats think it's okay to pee there! If there are small cracks in the plastic of your litter boxes, the way fluffychild suggested, a proper soaking with javel water will likely solve that problem.
It's *very* optimistic to have one more box than you have cats, especially when you have multiple cats. I have four cats and two boxes, which I scoop twice a day (once in the morning before leaving, once in the evening when I get home). I add Arm & Hammer litter box deodorizer (it's really baking soda, but it has an extra nice smell added to it which I kind of like). I also use silicone crystal litter, which is *way* better at absorbing pee and associated odors.
Masking tape is not safe on paint for extended periods of time. I would invest in that blue tape that people use when they're painting, and change it every so often so that it doesn't end up sticking to the paint and ruining it.
As for the box springs, where I live I can just call the city and tell them I have large items to be taken away. I have no idea if putting them near your dumpsters will work: they may end up just staying there indefinitely. Maybe you could talk to your complex management? They may have some solutions for you.
Good luck!
~Mouse
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Post by Magpie on Oct 26, 2008 10:42:01 GMT -5
Jsut a quick note - if the cats are all recently vetted, ignore this.
Sometimes there will be an "awful smell" if a cat is ill in some way - bacterial bladder infections might cause a change in urine odor and intestinal (malabsorbtion, parasites, etc) may result in foul deposits. You may need to take a cat or a specimen to the vet to rule out a medical cause.
In general, liquid waste is about .5 cup per cat per day and stools should be formed, not liquid or loose. If you're seeing anything else, checking with the vet is a good idea.
Maggie
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Hopeful
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 19
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Post by Hopeful on Oct 26, 2008 11:31:09 GMT -5
I think I've just not been dumping everything out enough. I'd been doing it once a month, not once a week. That'll be hard to adjust to. You might be onto something with the cracks thing, too. What is javel water? Magpie - That's a good thought. Luckily they've all been checked out recently. The one cat does have IBD, but seems to be getting better through diet changes. Some days though.. bleugh! My solution at first was a flushable litter (which also resulted in me being more likely to scoop the litterbox first thing), but as it turns out, flushable litters aren't quite as flushable as I had originally thought. I'm afraid to try again  |
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Post by fluffychild on Oct 26, 2008 16:39:48 GMT -5
I flush the poo, but put the pee's in a plastic bag on the door knob and take it out to the garbage can when needed.
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Post by mouse on Oct 26, 2008 17:02:31 GMT -5
Sorry, that was my French creeping in. Javel water is bleach. ~Mouse |
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Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Oct 26, 2008 17:18:17 GMT -5
Been there,done that. I would suggest you throw out the cat litter box. as others have suggested, the inside surface is probably scratched and has absorbed some of their pee. Buy a brand new one, and fill it with "Ever Clean" litter. It may be hard to find, it's sold in pet stores, not grocery stores. They make several versions-I prefer the Multiple Cat formula. This stuff is fantastic! Easy to scoop the box, and you really never smell anything. My cats did not like highly scented litters, like pine or cedar, and they didn't like the feel of newspaper. Just my suggestions from my experience. As for the retraining, forget it. Just keep the rest of your home clean and they will "flock" to the Ever Clean. One of mine watches when I scoop the box, then immediately uses it to show her approval! And good luck disposing of those mattrresses. I would talk to your apartment super. And if you leave them near the dumpster, it may take a while, but I'm sure the trash collecter will eventually take them .
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Hopeful
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 19
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Post by Hopeful on Oct 26, 2008 19:59:57 GMT -5
Ahhh! Yes, I use bleach water to clean it out. Unfortunately it makes my home smell like ammonia until it's aired out, which intensifies any cat pee smell if it's there. All the litterboxes I see seem to be made of a semi-porous material, which is probably contributing a lot to the scent. I wish they made ones that weren't. How often do you suggest I dump these boxes and buy new? I'll try and find the Ever Clean litter. With three boxes (I haven't got room for four, I don't think, but I'll try and find space) filled with different litter, I should be able to find a favourite. Yet another theory! I think part of the problem may be aggression. They get along okay, but they fight sometimes. They're still working out a chain of command. I read today that only the submissive animals bury their waste, and the dominant cat will not. If that's true, it means at least two think they're "top cat". Does anyone else have any experience with this? I feel less like a cleaner and more like a biologist today.  |
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Post by phoebepj on Oct 27, 2008 4:41:48 GMT -5
i use odo-ban (found at any walmart) in the corners of the bathroom (where my litterbox is for my kitties) I also regularly clean the bathroom with clorox cleanup spray (its similar to comet scrubbing bubbles only with the added benefit of clorox bleach) Once in a while, i'll clean out the litterbox, then spray it with the clorox spray, scrub it good, then rinse it reaaaallly well. I also hand dry the box using an old kitchen towel. that way theres no chance of wet bleach getting on kitty paws. It keeps the smell down mostly.
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Post by Magpie on Oct 27, 2008 9:47:13 GMT -5
Another note: be sure to have enough litter boxes, in different locations. The vets recommend a box per cat plus an extra, in areas that won't get too much traffic (no surprising the cat in the box!) and where the cat can't be pounced upon or snuck up on easily by one of the others. You'd avoid a bathroom if you though someone would jump you afterwards, wouldn't you?
Not sure why you smell ammonia after using bleach - those 2 things never should be mixed, as you'd get ammonia gas which can harm your lungs! If you use a detergent and hot water first, then rinse with bleach, you'll have disinfected the pan, though not necessary removed all odor. Its OK for a box to have a faint urine odor - it signals that thats the place to go. I wouldn't soak the box in detergent or bleach, as cats aren't fond of those odors and may avoid them. Soaking in a baking soda solution may help odor, though not a disinfectant.
Maggie
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