Author |
Message |
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 2:13 pm
Moondance, are there different sizes and would that make a difference anyways? How's Brutus doing?
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 3:11 pm
I'm in a pickle. Fiore is still not using the litterbox and we can't round up any Dr.Elsey's Cat Attract Litter. I guess she is going to be shut into a room with a litter box, food, and water. I don't know what else to do! Fascinating information out there on cats and litter boxes. Some cats can't tolerate hooded litter boxes, they definitely don't like any messes, they hate liners...I had that one figured out!
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 3:25 pm
Have you tried different textures of litter Vee... some just like clay based some sand. It is just about getting the right cocktail JB I have the extra large size. I have 10 cats and only 5 of them like & use it. I find the bigger the better See Vee I have several boxes not just for cleanliness but I have picky pets too! So have ruled out that it is not a medical problem? I think I read that you did... Kitties rarely do this but I do know there is always a reason. It could be caused from stress. Is he under any stress from different animals, etc. If he is alone he could have separation anxiety. I know I am going to sound like a kook but I have expierence I always tell my kids where I am going & when I think I will be back. I make sure the have fresh water and everything is comfortable. I hope we can lick this problem for you. Brutus is doing great JB thanks for asking. He got his stitches out last Saturday and seems back to normal

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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 7:57 pm
Thanks, Moondance, I haven't tried different litter recipes, but I probably should. Have called the vet and he says plain old sand is what cats usually like best. Haven't told Fiore where we're going or when we'll be back...perhaps she's anxious. She may have separation anxiety because she was with three other cats before coming here. Did find some Dr.Elsey's online that we can afford the shipping for... One place was $18.00 for shipping alone. I think we are going to be paying $6.00 in shipping fees plus $10.99 for 20 pounds of the litter. I'll consider it cheap if it works for sure. Fiore is given a variety of foods...her preference is the dental stuff. She always has fresh water because I know that cats have an aversion to stale water. I'm sure we'll get this figured out. I'm not sure that I could have done it, though, without all your help, folks! Thanks!
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 8:48 pm
Ooopss sorry She I am SURE Fiore would love it if you told her your schedule... I promise this works. Sounds crazy but it does. Sending you LOTS of good kitty vibes!
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Nancy
Member
08-01-2000
| Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 3:39 am
I went out and got one of those covered boxes last night. Marble used it with no problem--However, this morning she Peed on my comforter..Not sure if that's cause normally I "carry' her downstairs to go and i was late doing that(she knows where the box is anyway!) or what--but i'll have to watch that! yuck..
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 5:07 am
This article, Peeing Outside the Box, gives some good information on the problem. One of the things that I was doing wrong...I have been doing a few things wrong actually, was that I always used bleach to clean out the litter box. That's definitely a no-no! Good luck, Nancy. I can appreciate your situation. Here's hoping that the kitties get back to their litter boxes asap. 
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Djgirl
Member
07-17-2002
| Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 8:37 am
Vee, I can understand the frustration - that's for sure! Doyle seems to be back to health again, I just hate to think of the next time!!! One thing that I have done for his outside the box problems is to have one more box than cat in the house. I have two cats, three litter boxes & one of those is covered. I have also purchased a "Litter Locker" - it's FANTASTIC!!!! It holds all the waste and then once a week you empty it and throw it out - it's the same concept as a Diaper Genie except for cats... greatest invention ever!!!! The Litter Locker Editted to add that it's available at WalMart and it's usually about $25
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 10:27 am
Thanks, Djgirl, I'll check that out tomorrow when I'm doing my Wal*Mart run. Fiore caught a mouse today. That's almost payment for not using her box. Almost, but not quite!
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 7:38 pm
Vee to help control odors I use baking soda in my litter box along with the kitty litter. When I change the litter completely I cover the bottom of the litter box with baking soda, then pour the fresh litter on top of it. Eddie has problems that the vet thinks is caused by his own urine. So we have to use anti-bacterial scoop litter. And the vet told us to sprinkle the baking soda in his box, which in turn helped with odor. I've been looking at the Litter Locker but wasn't sure it was worth the money. Right now I have a 5 quart ice cream bucket next to the litter box. I usually put a couple weeks worth of plastic bags [wal-mart, target, grocery store type] in it and also the scoop. When I am ready the bag is already draped around the bucket, I scoop, put it in the bag, pull the bag out and tie it, and throw it in the trash bin. We've never lived anywhere with mice [THANKFULLY] but will be moving to the country in an old farm house so I'm so looking forward to Eddie bringing me mousey presents...NOT!
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 9:13 pm
Hmm, well Critter uses her litter box with clumping litter. It is actually a 12 inch deep Rubbermaid tub.. the top of the tub is used as a mat for her food dish. Uh, she is also front declawed. Anyway she is clearly perfect (LOL) Tonight I finally had the camera next to me when she did one of the things that always cracks me up! I have a wastebasket next to the chair.. round and a perfect cat-magnet. She looks like a tribble:
The flash alerts her to the outside world

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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 9:14 pm
And then, the LOOK and "What?!?" Had to give her a kiss then.

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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 6:13 am
Too cute Seamonkey!!!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 6:24 am
I'm thinking twice about those kisses I've been giving Fiore after the mouse incident! Critter is so darned cute I can see why you can't resist her charms, Seamonkey. Yes, Serate, I have always used baking soda in the litter box...it gets changed twice weekly and scooped daily. I think my biggest problem was overkill with the cleaning by using the bleach.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 7:07 am
Great pics!!! Moonie need good kitty thoughts and prayers for Samson, she is on the way to the vet now..see her post in the Need Prayers thread. Thanks!!
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Djgirl
Member
07-17-2002
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 8:58 am
Serate, I'm surprised that the vet would recommend baking soda since the sound it makes when it absorbs the pee scares the cats. It can actually make them not use the box. Vee, try not using the soda for a week and see if that helps. I swear by the Litter Locker by the way - the nicest thing about it is that there isn't a smell when you open the lid of it - it literally locks away the odour!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 9:04 am
Ohhh, I had never thought of that, Djgirl! Okay, starting fresh today with no baking soda. I'll keep you posted! Thanks! Off to check on the Litter Locker today...wonder if it would make a good birthday gift for my sister! 
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 9:45 am
Djgirl the vet did not recommend the baking soda because Eddie wasn't using his box. She recommended it because Eddie, from what she could tell, is allergic to his pee. I really doubt that the amount I use now could scare a cat anyway. When Eddie was having the sores on his feet we used 1 part baking soda to 3 parts litter. Now I just sprinkle the bottom of the box, then there's about 3 inches of litter on top of that. I'm sure if alot more baking soda was used it could scare the kitty. Vee maybe you're cleaning Fiore's box too well? Only saying that because of the link you provided states if you clean all the kitty's smell away he/she might not recognize it as his/her box. And remember that no matter what changes you make to your normal routine, once you get her to use the box you can slowly change back to what you are used to, unless it's a medical problem like Eddie's.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 12:17 pm
DJ, what is Litter locker?
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Djgirl
Member
07-17-2002
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 1:07 pm
Julie - scroll up a bit... it's a great tool! See my post from yesterday at 9:37am.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 1:11 pm
Thanks DJ!
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 1:16 pm
Look what Tony La Russa did, all cuz of a little frightened stray kitty... http://www.arf.net/About_ARF/index.html BTW, he is manager for the Cardinals, so root for them tonight!!!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 2:50 pm
Nice ploy, Julieboo! Dang! We don't have anything in Maine except cold weather, moose, and mosquitoes, not necessarily in that order. No Litter Locker at either of our local Wal*Marts or at either of our local pet supply shops. They've never even have heard of such a thing. Grrrrrr! Guess it's back to internet shopping for me.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 2:56 pm
Did it work Vee? Will ya root for the Red Birds?
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 3:17 pm
Sorry, hon...I already promised my loyalties to Nino's Astros! And just this once!
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