How to make a covered litterbox

[Marianne]

On my continuing search to find substitutions for 'stuff' instead of buying new 'stuff', I found this nifty page about how to make your own covered litterbox:

http://petprojectblog.com/archives/cats/make-your-own-cat-litter-box/

It's pretty slick, using a regular ol' tote. I happen to have a few of those around here, so I emptied the contents of one into a cardboard box. I have a few of those around here, too.

I used the lid from a 5 gallon bucket to draw an arch at the top part, and then straight sides. Wah-la! Time to cut it out. Oh har. Box cutter didn't work even though I managed to finally poke a hole in the tote and it cracked a bit. The crack is in the part that's going to be cut out anyway, so it doesn't matter. I had tin snips ready but there was no way that I could get them in to use them. I guess I'll have to wait for Bill to get home and use the little zip - roto tool thing we have. He's the only one that knows where it's at or where it might be.

 

[freemotion]

I have two of those but without the lids. One of them does not have a door cut into it as the cat that uses it can still jump in and out. The older arthritic cat needs a door, but we have to keep a kitchen chair in front of the door because the dogs view it, not as a cat box, but as a snack box. The cat can still get in, but the legs of the chair block access to the dogs.

They work great and we scoop daily or more, and there is virtually no smell and very little cleaning to do. We take it out and hose it if we start to detect an odor.

 

[Mattemma]

I have been using tote boxes for a while now too. Tired of the cats peeing over the side of regular litter boxes. Good idea to cut a hole for those cats that can not jump in/out.

I recently got a boodah litter box at goodwill for $3,but that is a nest box for my chickens.

 

[glenolam]

Why can't I just be a brainiac and come up with this stuff myself?

I've been complaining for years about the cats peeing over the side of the litter box....and I have a bunch of totes lying around!

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Marianne]

Ya, me too! After reading about it, it just seemed so obvious. Wish I had found out about using a tote before we spent $30+ on a big covered box. At least I don't have to shell out for the second box.

I also have a cat that whizzes over the edge. Irritating to say the least.

 

[freemotion]

Standing higher to pee....especially if it is new behavior....can be a sign of pain with urination. Stones or crystals or an infection could be involved. This is how my cats ended up on the homemade food, per vet's orders....it cured this problem, and that of "thinking outside the box!"

 

[glenolam]

Mine do it because I forget to take out the clumps

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

We have been using a smaller rubbermaid tote for some time already, but I like this one even better.

FYI, We use wood chips/sawdust for litter, as we can get all we want free, and we found that we never have a smell coming from it.
That cannot be said for all the brands that we have tried over the years.

 

[Marianne]

Mine do it because I forget to take out the clumps

I have one that does it because she doesn't like to share the box! I had three boxes out for a while, but that got old...fast.

I'm still using Feline Pine, but supplimenting with homemade Yesterday's News or sawdust with baking soda. I use all the homemade stuff first, then Feline Pine when I don't have any of the other stuff.

 

[savingdogs]

I've been using that idea for a long time. I need to keep the dogs HEAD out of the litter box, so that size hole (pictured) is too large. I put the hole in the top of the tote,and make it much smaller, just large enough for a cat to squeeze in. They seem to have no problem. My five cats figured it out and various foster cats. I had one that could maneuver into the box with his leg in a CAST. But this is a very effective way of keeping the dog out of the litter if you put the hole on the top and make it small. It also helps contain the inevitable dribble of litter all over the floor that is from their feet, or from vigorous "burying" of their business. The only downside is that cat litter liners do not fit it, but you could always use a trash bag if you prefer liners.