Covered Litter Box?

Question

I just moved to a new place and the situation I am in causes me to have the litter box in my room. Since I would like to cover it for obvious reasons, I bought a new covered one for my kitty. She wouldn't use it, so I took the lid off so she could get used to using the new box. That worked fine, but when I put the cover on, she refuses to use it. Is there anything I can do to make her use it with the lid? Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Is it large enough for your cat to get in and move around without having to stoop down or bump herself on the sides? I have rather large cats, and while the pan was deep enough, the cover didn't allow them to move around freely. That may be her objection. They do come in different sizes, if your cat is smaller, try stepping up to a larger model. In my case, it's covers off until they come out with one the size of a small wading pool. LOL

Answer 2

Try putting the lid nearby so that she can get used to it; if it has a u-shaped opening in the front (as opposed to a cut-out), you might gradually put it on the box so that she can see it doesn't pose a threat. You might also put a second litter pan nearby, without a top, on a temporary basis. That way, would still have a litter box that she wasn't "worried" about, and I suspect her natural curiousity will eventually prompt her to investigate the covered one. If all else fails, consider spending the money to get one of the types that cleans itself after each use; while they're not perfect, it is less objectionable than a box full of poo, and it definitely reduces odor. I have a littermaid for my cats, and it's probably the best $90 I ever spent. They're least expensive when purchased through a volume dealer such as Amazon.com.

Answer 3

The size of the box is VERY important...cats do not like to have their backs touch anything so, when she arches her back to eliminate, if her back is touching, she doesn't like it. You can buy VERY LARGE covered cat boxes for less than $30, and they have filters for smell. Most important thing for any new toilet area is to add a "smelly bit" just as the other reader said - put some of her poop or crumble some of her clumped pee into the new litter...cats want to use what they have marked as their own... do NOT seal her in as another reader suggested, the cat will freak out and never return, maybe even pee on the floor out of fear!! It pays to buy good quality lumping litter. The better the litter, the better it clumps and the less it smells. Also, be sure to scoop out the clumps EACH AND EVERY DAY. Cats are by nature fastidious creatures so respect their inborn traits and you'll both be happy. I raise champion Burmese and I have helped train cats and kittens for other people the kind and gentle way, even barn cats have responded.

Answer 4

Every cat I have known LOVES the Tidy cat blue and white crystals ... they are the best. You can't smell anything!!!! I don't know what liter you use but try it if you haven't (and with the lid on). If your cat still won't use it with the lid on, you might have to leave the lid off but what you could do is get a 3-panel partition (cover it with a fabric that matches your decor in your room) and put the box behind it so you don't have to look at it.

Answer 5

Well, I could say give her time. but, then, you may find some not so nice suprises... Instead of a covered box, have you considered a screen? Like the old days when people would dress behind the screen. You could put it around the kitty box. Like an Oriental sukoshi (sp) screen. Not sure how that would help with odor, but you wouldn't have to look at it. Another thing, is to scoop as she goes.

Answer 6

Put the lid on the litter box and when she has to go to the bathroom she'll get in it. If she doesn't and you see her start going to the bathroom, just pick her up and put her in it. Then they're usually not as scared of the lid.

Answer 7

Angle the lid so it hangs off the back/when kitty get in talk to her in a gentle tone and place the lid on while she is in the process of doing her business and continue to reassure her then praise her when she jumps out.

Answer 8

i've got used the two and my cats did no longer have a decision. I favorite the lined clutter container because of the fact it enables save the clutter interior the container greater effective than an open one. lined ones additionally could contain ordor filters (they do no longer do very lots, so do no longer anticipate lots) that in case you detect sensible could get replaced each and every so oftentimes - changing is far less costly and ordinary. lined ones additionally provide you any addition piece to bathe or dirt - as a substitute of basically cleansing out the pan, you will could clean the canopy too. Mine became into often basically dusting it off and and a rapid clean of the interior. i might say initiate lined and as long because of the fact the kitten accepts it, you're set. you could constantly basically get rid of the canopy if no longer and basically circulate away it open.

Answer 9

what you can do is place her into the litter box with the lid on. Place your hand over the exit hole and refuse to let her out until she does her business. Do this for a week or two. It should work.

Answer 10

Just give her time. She'll use the box covered.