Put a Stop to Canine Litterbox Snacking

BY | June 07 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY
Put a Stop to Canine Litterbox Snacking

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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?

  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. You can also try changing the consistency of your kittyโ€™s stool to make it unappealing to your dog. Add two teaspoons of vegetable oil to your catโ€™s 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 shouldnโ€™t be hard to get them to eat it.
  1. 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 dogโ€™s mouth to keep him from snacking out of the litter box. Your cat might also prefer this.

How to Dog Proof Your Catโ€™s Litter Box?

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Did your four-legged canine friend manage to sneak into your catโ€™s 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 doesnโ€™t digest the entire nutrient in every meal. The problem is that even though it causes diarrhea or nausea, your dog canโ€™t stop itself from eating your felineโ€™s 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 catโ€™s litter box:

Clean the litter box as often as possible

It is common knowledge that you need to keep your catโ€™s litter box clean. However, if you are to stop your canine from snacking on your felineโ€™s 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 natureโ€™s 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 donโ€™t 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 catโ€™s 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 catโ€™s 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!

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