Friday, July 31, 2009

Litter Box Problems?

I have a 1/2 bath was was placed under a stair well. So as you walk in to the left is a sink and to right is a toilet. Well behind the toilet is about 4 feet of free space. Well after I first moved it, I used this space as a place to keep the littler boxes for my cats. Well I guess I had let the box get to full or something, but they had 'accidents' on the bathroom floor. So I had to move the boxes(aren't allowed in the bathroom) but I would like to move them back to the bathroom, where they are out of the way. But I am afraid that they will continue to use the floor instead of their box, since they smell their poop on the floor. Is there anything that I can use to put over the floor, so they wont smell it or use to clean the floor. They are hardwood so I can't use bleach and by the look of it, I'm not to totally sure they are sealed.. I would really like to be able to put the boxes back, but afriad that I will be cleaning up more poop from the floor than their boxes. Please help.
Answers:
We had a similar problem. I'm not sure this is workable for you, but it did do the trick for us:

--We bought one of those odor-eliminating products from a pet store (you'll think I'm joking, but I really do think it was called "Bad Cat"!) We used that several times in a row, to eliminate the odor as completely as possible. Then, once the area was completely dry, we put the wicker dirty-clothes hamper (but you could use any object that will not strike a cat as a comfy place to sit) in the spot where the "accidents" were happening.

--Then, over a period of about a week, we moved the litter box from the place where it had been, to the place we wanted to move it to--moving it just 6 inches or so per day.

It was a pain for a little while, because the box was somewhat in the way during that time, but our cat has gotten used to the new spot and we've had no more "accidents". We were eventually able to move the clothes hamper from that spot, too.

Good luck.
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try viniger to get the smell out and keep the litter boxes in one place it can be confusing for them
Cats and litter box problems is an issue that needs to be handled immediately upon knowledge of any problems!!
The most common issue in a multiple cat household and litter box problems is not providing enough litter box's throughout the house! Many people do not realize that cats usually prefer their own in their own spot so 5 cats can need 5 separate boxes!
Cats are VERY territorial! If they smell urine on the floor or even where a cat had an accident 5 years ago, many will try to remark their territory! There is many products available that say they completely remove any trace of "accidents" however I have found that none of them really work! I have known some people to use them and think they work with their one cat, and then get another and it didn't! In moving the box back to the bathroom, you can sure try! However still keep the other box where it is! If you are providing enough box's, then after consistent use of the new location you can try to take the other away however if problems arise, put it back right away! The best rule to apply with cats and their litter box's is if one thing works, DON'T MESS WITH IT! Litter box problems can most of the time result in having to rip up and replace carpet, padding, and also sanding down and redoing the hardwood floor!
Vinegar is definitely the way to go, %26 buy a small can of polyeurathane to paint the bathroom floor. This is colorless, and will protect the floor from the worst the cats can dish out. And Lady Heather is right, moving the boxes around will confuse them, so make this the last move if you can.
Hmmm, i have a question for you. did your cats have super dirty litter boxes when the "accidents" occurred ? If so then it is almost safe to say that its a one time deal. If the have continued to have accidents with a clean litter box then not so easy. I would clean the floors really good with products for hardwood floors then i would wax on and not wax off :) several times to get a "seal/ thick" coating to keep the floors from harm. Different kitty litter might put them off so think back. did ya change their favorite? And hey i would rather have them go on the hardwood of the bathroom than the carpet in my front room or the fluffy down comforter on my bed. might be me. also its a possibility that they are holding a grunge or may be sick
Try Nature's Miracle - it helps eradicate the smell. The bad news is, if they can still smell their poop, they may continue the habit.
Is there an outlet in your 1/2 bath? Maybe you should consider getting a self-cleaning litter box. This way, if and when you go out of town again, you won't have to worry about accidents.
We have 4 cats, one being elderly and she misses the box alot because of her age. I'd say try cleaning the area with alot of bleach, let it dry completely, then put down a thick plastic on the floor, in as large an area as you can.they sell thick plastic sheeting at home improvement stores, then on top of the plastic, several layers of newspapers.then on the papers, in the center put the litterbox. If they miss the box, you just throw away that layer of newspaper..and it never gets on the actual floor.
This is what we had to do cus the cat is 18 years old and training her isn't the issue, but we still want the floor to stay clean.
Good luck with the kitties!

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