Stopping a cat from going over the side of litter box!

[Tina B and crew]

I've tried everything, from large litter boxes to covered litter boxes but I can't seem to get Gizmo to stop going over the side of the litter box. I can tell he stands in it, but hangs his butt over the side and always poops on the floor right next to it Right now I have one of those large underbed rubbermaid boxes for him...but he insists on using it hte narrow way..LOL Any ideas? I do keep a piece of vinyl on the floor under it, so he doesn't get it on the floor...but still, I'd rather it be in the litter.

[kehorner]

You're on the right track with the rubbermaid, you've just got the wrong style. I use large clear storage containers. They are about the same size (length and width) of a normal litterbox, but the sides are about a foot tall. There is simply no way for them to get it outside the box that way. So as long as the cat is big enough to jump up and in, and doesn't have any mobility issues, they work great. It also reduces litter that is kicked out of the box when digging. My mom actually found one that has the high sides and is even larger (length and width similar to the underbed storage containers). It's definitely been a lifesaver for me, since I have 3 boys, and we all know that boys sometimes have difficulty with their aim.

[Traci]

I was going to suggest the same thing as kehorner, use a square box, and at least as tall as kitty's tail base. (the taller you go, though, you should try to cut an opening in front). Also, litter depth, if it's too full, he may not feel inclined to dig.

[Tina B and crew]

I've thought about the taller ones, but all the ones I've seen don't seem to be any bigger than your typical litter box...remember, Gizmo is a big cat. I'm afraid if he feels too confined he will not use it at all...however, I might just have to look for some larger ones and see what I can find. He has no mobility issues at the time.

I think the litter depth is OK. It's usually no more than an 1 1/2 deep. I use one of those 8lb crystal litters in that huge box.

I guess I'm on a mission for a taller box. I recall one time I was considering a childs swimming pool....but I couldn't imagine cleaning it would be fun

[kehorner]

Yeah... mine aren't much bigger than a normal litterbox. My boys might enjoy a little more room, but they don't mind the size. My biggest is 14 pounds. I do know that my mom found one that's pretty big. The width is about the same, but it's much longer, like two litterboxes next to each other. I'm not sure where she got it, though. I would check meijer, walmart, big lots, kmart, maybe target. I think I found the best stuff at walmart.

One other thing to consider... Check out the inside of the bottom of the box. Make sure that there aren't a lot of dips and ridges and stuff that would make cleaning and scooping difficult.

[Tina B and crew]

big lots

My favorite place

Good point about the ridges and dips!!

[Traci]

So what is this Big Lots you speak of?

I have one here but have yet to check it out, I assume they change the type of inventory on a regular basis?

[kehorner]

Yeah... it's pretty hit or miss. You can get a lot of random stuff there, and a lot of off-brands. New flavors of foods that never caught on, food that's near expiration... They pretty much sell all kinds of stuff, though. Furniture, some clothes (esp underwear and socks), cards and giftwrap, decorative junk, school supplies, flowerpots, food... almost everything.

[Tina B and crew]

You can get great deals at Big Lots if you look. I just bought an HP printer there for $29...and it's no reconditioned. I've found lots of scrapbooking supplies for really cheap and I almost always get my plastic storage containers there

[Tambrey]

I got a regular storage tote and used a knife I kept holding in the flame on the stove to cut an entry hole in the narrower side of the tote...my Bud stands staight up to pee and always making a mess...not sure what it is called when you neuter an adult male cat, but if he were a horse, he would be considered "proud cut"...so I figure that is why he more or less squirts straight back most of the time...

Anyways...yes...I got a TALL tote and that works great as far as that kind of cleanup goes now...but I did NOT pay attention to those ridges on the bottom...until can find one with a flatter bottom, I use a putty knife in taht ridge....