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Old November 14th, 2007, 10:34 AM
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Transitioning a cat to a hooded litterbox?

Our cat's litterbox has always been kept in my oldest son's bedroom with a baby gate kept across the doorway so the dogs could not get to it/her. This was done because when she was first trapped, she was feral and we had to confine her to a smaller sized room (she was actually kept in a large dog crate at first and then allowed open access to the bedroom as she adjusted to domestic life).
I would like to move her litterbox now to the den (which is an open room). I would like to use a large hooded litterbox just so it isn't as visible to human eyes. I don't see an issue with the dogs anymore as we have had our cat Annie for eight months now and the baby gate is quite often left down without any issues.
What is your opinion on this? I thought to have both litterboxes set up for a week and then remove the one in the bedroom.
Is it difficult to expect your cat to go from an open litterbox to a hooded one? The hooded box I am picturing is found at PetSmart. It is really big, more of an oval shape. I haven't had any litterbox issues with Annie and do not want to cause any now so I appreciate input on this. Thanks.

Here is the now-tame housecat btw:
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Old November 14th, 2007, 10:47 AM
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I have both types with my cats, some prefer covered some like out in the open with easy escape. I got the Booda from petsmart, the one that has the stairs leading to the actual pooping area. It seems to be the roomiest of the covered boxes and I think looks nice too if it is in an area of the house where you have to see it all the time. Hopefully she will be one that prefers some privacy, and you may want to just close the bedroom off when you move it as she might continue to use the other spot, even without the box.

Good luck.
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Old November 14th, 2007, 04:05 PM
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I got my cats a hooded litterbox with no issues. That said though, they clearly prefer the uncovered ones less. When I clean them out, the uncovered ones are usually three times as full as the hooded one. They do use the hooded one though, and I am quite sure they would use it if there wasn't another one available.

It IS a good idea to close off the room where the old litter box was. My cats continued going in the spot where the old one was until I figured it out and denied them access. You know, I'd like to say my cats are smart but you'd think they'd be able to tell there's no litter there anymore!!!
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Old November 14th, 2007, 05:08 PM
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My cats did not like the covered boxes and I was a little worried that the dust I now get on the floor,would end up in their lungs if the box was covered.
I do use good litter 99'9 %dustfree,but there is still dust.
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Old November 14th, 2007, 10:50 PM
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Good points that I will definitely take into consideration. Thank you for the help!
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Old November 14th, 2007, 11:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 12Paws View Post
I would like to move her litterbox now to the den (which is an open room). I would like to use a large hooded litterbox just so it isn't as visible to human eyes.
what about putting it in the bathroom??

Quote:
Originally Posted by krdahmer View Post
some prefer covered some like out in the open with easy escape

and you may want to just close the bedroom off when you move it as she might continue to use the other spot, even without the box.
12Paws Just wanted to mention some people & cat too I would assume, find the covered boxes retain odours more than uncovered ones even though they have a "filter"

most definately close that door once you remove the box

Quote:
Originally Posted by chico2 View Post
My cats did not like the covered boxes and I was a little worried that the dust I now get on the floor,would end up in their lungs if the box was covered.
I do use good litter 99'9 %dustfree,but there is still dust.
Chico2 & 12Paws I was also using a 99.9% dust free clay litter until the last bag I bought was half dust then I found Feline Fresh http://www.planetwiseproducts.com/feline.htm - pine pellets catlitter there is no dust, & it is natural odour control (& they have a free bag promo right now )
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Last edited by growler~GateKeeper; November 14th, 2007 at 11:21 PM.
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Old November 15th, 2007, 09:38 AM
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I have this in my dining area: http://www.catsplay.com/merry_wash.php3

It's not as big as it looks in the picture, but it works very well. It's easy to assemble, and if you go on the site there are others you can look at. The good thing is they look like furniture and there is easy access for cleaning.



Growler, how is that with poop odor? I use Swheat scoop now and it's good, but tracks a lot. And did your cats transition well?
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Old November 16th, 2007, 02:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ancientgirl View Post
Growler, how is that with poop odor? I use Swheat scoop now and it's good, but tracks a lot. And did your cats transition well?
Works really well if the cat will cover it, I can't give an really objective answer cuz I switched litter & food @ the same time, since eating Wellness canned her poop does not smell!!!!!! The sawdust left after the cat pees is also odourless~mild pine scent & is great to dump in the garbage to neutralize other odours (poop, fruit/veggie peels etc). Tracking is minimal usually just a few pellets kicked out of the box when exiting, unless you don't scoop out the sawdust then it tracks alittle. Duffy had no problem transitioning to the pellets she loves it (the pine scent is really minimal & she liked the pine tree in my parents yard) after refusing to step paw in the sWheat Scoop.


12Paws Duffy's box is in the bathroom but with this litter it would work quite well in your den with minimal odour so as not to disrupt the air
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Last edited by growler~GateKeeper; November 16th, 2007 at 02:38 AM. Reason: Additional info
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Old November 16th, 2007, 09:04 AM
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Thanks for the info Growler. I'm going to give that a try.
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