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Pet owners hate it when their dogs munch a treat from the litter
box of cats. Not only is it highly unsanitary and causes bad
breath, but it can lead to the transmission of a number of
parasites. Cats also hate it when dogs do that. They will start
looking for safer places to eliminate. And it is not just cat
waste that appeals to dogs. They also like eating horse and
rabbit poop.
How can you put an end to it?
- Keep the litter box of your cat as clean as you can. Scoop it
up daily and dump it all away. If you leave the waste lying in
the box for a long time, it makes it alluring to your dog.
- If you cannot scoop the poop immediately, you should think
about purchasing an electronic litter box. These automatically
sweep all the feces into the bin following the deposit. It might
take some time to transition your cat to an electronic box, but
the effort is worth it.
- Dogs cannot reach the litter box if they are placed at an
elevation. Place it on a table or on a countertop to keep it away
from nosy dogs.
- If you have a large breed dog, you can place the kitty litter
box in a closet or a small cabinet that has a door latch just
wide enough for your cat to make its way in.
- Baby gates are an excellent option to keep dogs at bay. Cats
can easily jump over the barrier or squeeze through them. You can
also choose to install a pet gate that is just a few inches above
the ground level so that your cat can easily go beneath it.
- If your cat can accept it, use a
covered litter box with an opening that is not big enough
for the dog to fit his head through. However, keep in mind that
covers tend to keep all the smells contained and feel like a
trap to your cat. So use them with caution.
- You can also try changing the consistency of your kittyโs
stool to make it unappealing to your dog. Add two teaspoons of
vegetable oil to your catโs diet. This will make their feces
softer. You can also give a tablespoon of canned pumpkin to your
cat to change the consistency of her stool. Cats like pumpkin and
it shouldnโt be hard to get them to eat it.
- If your dog is bored, give him something tastier to munch on,
like a toy that releases healthy treats. Peanut butter sticks are
great at preventing dogs from sniffing out unsavory alternatives.
If none of the above solutions work, you will have to
resort to using a muzzle over your dogโs mouth to keep him from
snacking out of the litter box. Your cat might also prefer this.
How to Dog Proof Your Catโs Litter Box?
Image Source: Pixabay.com
Did your four-legged canine friend manage to sneak into your
catโs litter box to snack on its feces? Although it is weird,
there is a reason why your dog is exhibiting this behavior. Cat
food is rich in protein, but your feline doesnโt digest the
entire nutrient in every meal. The problem is that even though it
causes diarrhea or nausea, your dog canโt stop itself from eating
your felineโs feces as it is tasty. As you want to bring an end
to this absurd behavior once and for all, here are four ways to
dog proof your catโs litter box:
Clean the litter box as often
as possible
It is common knowledge that you need to keep your catโs litter
box clean. However, if you are to stop your canine from snacking
on your felineโs excrement, you should try to clean the litter
box as often as possible. For starters, the moment your cat uses
the litter box, you should scoop up the waste immediately.You can
also change the litter and wash the box on a regular basis. If
you are unable to clean the waste as you are at work, then you
should consider purchasing an automatic cleaning cat box. The
advantage is that this device will clear out the feces when your
cat is done attending natureโs call.
Keep the litter box in an
elevated area
A simple solution to keep the litter box out of reach from the
mouth of your canine is to keep it in an elevated area. For
example, you can keep it on top of a counter top or a spare table
as dogs donโt jump on these objects. While using this technique,
make sure that your canine cannot reach the box by standing on
its legs. The only downside is that if you have a geriatric
feline, this plan may not work.
Place the litter box behind a
cat door
If these solutions are not working because your canine is smart,
then you should consider getting a cat door. For this method to
be successful, you have to keep the litter box inside a closet, a
bathroom, or spare bedroom. However, make sure that you close the
door after use, to prevent your canine from sneaking inside.
Utilize a baby gate
The last technique is to utilize a baby gate, which is a great
tool in keeping your dog out of your catโs litter box. Place the
litter box in one of the corners of the room for maximum
effectiveness. If your dog is great at jumping gates, then you
should elevate the baby gate, while giving enough space for your
cat to crawl under this deterrent.These are the four ways you can
dog prof your catโs litter box. Do you know any other way you can
stop canines from exhibiting this habit? If yes, feel free to
leave a comment below!