Ditching the open litter pan - am I crazy?

mainerocks

I've always used covered boxes, but the kittens were used to an open box at the shelter, so I have had one open and one covered for them. The open is clearly the favorite, but there is also a little action in the covered so I think they don't hate it.

I'm considering yanking the open and replacing it with a new covered one. The open one stinks more and also makes more of a mess. (Cooper doesn't cover his poops - ew!)  BUT, the Cat vs. Cat book says closed can become the source of litterbox issues.  

WWYD? 

Otterama

I only use closed ones.

Kaiene

We have a couple open ones and a closed one. The closed one is the clever cat box. I would like to transition the second open box to the clever cat box before baby gets here. Having a LO and open boxes makes me nervous. We don't have a ton of space to put boxes, either. Hopefully, once your kittens get older the stink won't be as bad. Our boxes really don't smell.

mainerocks

Having a LO is part of my concern too ) 

I'm also hoping the smell is better once they are completely transitioned off SD. It's really just Cooper's that are so bad, since he doesn't bury them, they just seem to stink up my 2nd floor! I've never had this issue with the other two and Spencer's don't seem to be too bad.

Anyway, I'm going to give it a whirl. I'd like to mold them while they are still young and impressionable )

Next up... using the kitty doors to the basement!

LOLways

One of my cats likes to leave his business uncovered. The other one covers it up for him when it's his turn to use the box, because he finds it offensive, too. Best you can do is shake a little fresh litter over it. This isn't a habit that'll ever change. Personally, I blame the mommy cat for not teaching proper litter etiquette, but I suppose as long as he keeps it in the box, I can't be too critical.

 

When mine were babies, they couldn't climb up and into the big litter boxes that were covered, so I used the lower-edge, uncovered ones. Once they were big enough, I switched to all-covered, and they did fine. As long as you put it in a corner, where they can't be sneaked up on and they can feel comfortable doing their business there, it should be OK. The reason covered boxes make them nervous is because they are vulnerable in that they can't see if an attack is coming from any side but the front. The resulting anxiety makes the uncovered box the preferred option, but if covered is the only option, placement should eliminate the issue. 

sweetpea200

We have used both open and closed litter boxes with our cat, and he doesn't seem to have a preference, so now we are using the closed.  He is our only cat; however, perhaps this makes a difference as far as him not feeling vulnerable. 

Kaiene

mainerocks:

Having a LO is part of my concern too ) 

I'm also hoping the smell is better once they are completely transitioned off SD. It's really just Cooper's that are so bad, since he doesn't bury them, they just seem to stink up my 2nd floor! I've never had this issue with the other two and Spencer's don't seem to be too bad.

Anyway, I'm going to give it a whirl. I'd like to mold them while they are still young and impressionable )

Next up... using the kitty doors to the basement!

I am sure the SD is part of it. That's what our fosters get and their poop stinks so bad! Have you looked into the clever cat box? It is different from other closed boxes because it is open at the top, and they can poke their little heads out to see what is going on while doing their business. I think there is another pestie who uses them....chi_lyn maybe?

mainerocks

LOLways:

One of my cats likes to leave his business uncovered. The other one covers it up for him when it's his turn to use the box, because he finds it offensive, too. Best you can do is shake a little fresh litter over it. This isn't a habit that'll ever change. Personally, I blame the mommy cat for not teaching proper litter etiquette, but I suppose as long as he keeps it in the box, I can't be too critical.

 

When mine were babies, they couldn't climb up and into the big litter boxes that were covered, so I used the lower-edge, uncovered ones. Once they were big enough, I switched to all-covered, and they did fine. As long as you put it in a corner, where they can't be sneaked up on and they can feel comfortable doing their business there, it should be OK. The reason covered boxes make them nervous is because they are vulnerable in that they can't see if an attack is coming from any side but the front. The resulting anxiety makes the uncovered box the preferred option, but if covered is the only option, placement should eliminate the issue. 

The behaviorist book I read said the corner actually makes sneak attacks worse, so if you ever have issues (or to anyone else reading this thread), try moving it out of the corner. The author pointed out that frequently when cats go out of the box, it's in the middle of a room, not in a corner, because then they can see everyone coming from all sides and plenty of space to escape if necessary.  

Just thought I'd share since I only recently read the book and found it so helpful )