Earlier this week, I answered a question about how to encourage a cat to use a litter box and my email overflowed with helpful suggestions. Here they are:
DEAR JOAN: Although I live in Colorado now, I read your paper every day online. Regarding this week’s article on cleaning cat boxes, I wanted to share something a veterinarian told me when I got my first cat in 1967.
He recommended placing a section of newspaper in the bottom of the box then adding 1 to 2 cups of litter. This is then lifted out and discarded twice per day. No scooping is required and the litter is much fresher than emptying it once a month.
I have had a dozen cats over the years and they have all been happy with this arrangement.
Your reader might give this a try, plus it increases the need to subscribe to newspapers.
Diana Doner
Lafayette, Colo.
DEAR DIANA: Well, you sure can’t do that with an iPad. Sounds like a brilliant idea.
DEAR JOAN: For years, I have tried to get folks to shred their newspapers for kitty litter.
The litter is free, contains no odor and is biodegradable.
It’s a no-brainer environmentally and very easy to live with.
Jean Bussy Knofler
San Jose
DEAR JEAN: Sounds like a great idea to me.
DEAR JOAN: Our cat began life feral. She liked being indoors with us, but refused to do her business anywhere but in flower pots.
Several people recommended “Cat Attract” litter. In an effort to make it even more attractive, we also sprinkled a bit of the same company’s “Litter Attractant” over the top. She immediately took to it. She has not had an accident in more than two years.
Garrett Toren
Bay Area
DEAR GARRETT: Another great recommendation. The full name of the litter is Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract. It appears to be available at Petco and online.
DEAR JOAN: My cat from time to time will urinate in areas other than his clean cat box. His favorite is a couch.
After buying a new couch, he has gone on it just once. My solution is to keep moth balls in the area. I have some that have a lavender scent that keeps the room smelling clean.
Myra Feiger
Hayward
DEAR MYRA: Interesting idea. Just a word of caution. Moth balls are toxic, so keep them away from pets and children.
DEAR JOAN: We had the same problem as your writer, and we have used all of your suggestions. I have three more that finally did the trick for us.
Put up some sort of free-standing air fresheners to help block the cat’s nose from finding the smell near the “wrong” place while leaving the puddle pads in place, just in case.
For a few weeks, close the cat up with the litter box at night or when you are gone. We still do it at night.
Put a litter genie or trash can right next to the box and scoop it every time you see it has been used. Our cat is old with a long history of potty problems and adding in the last few steps probably saved her life and my sanity.
Aileen Walton
Bay Area
DEAR AILEEN: I’m all for saving lives and sanity.
Contact Joan Morris at jmorris@bayareanewsgroup.com. Read the Animal Life blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/pets.
