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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Indoor cats and baby - help!!

32 replies

DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 08:53

I'll start by saying please don't judge me or tell me I'm a terrible cat owner - I'm aware I probably am and never wanted to be one but now I am I need help trying to find a solution:

My now DH moved in with myself and dd7 two years ago with his 2 cats.

They are indoor cats and he won't permit them outside (and since they're 10 it probably wouldn't be safe for them now anyway)

We now have a baby and I have no idea what to do as it's a huge hygiene worry. They were living in the downstairs of the house (big house - but very open plan). I constantly have litter all over the floor despite vacuuming regularly and a box with a lid. They're long haired cats so I assume it catches on them. Also they're regularly sick on the floor (hair balls and eating too quickly) and the Persian has never attempted to groom herself and is generally disgustingly dirty.

I can't have a baby crawling around like this.

We've moved them to an upstairs room with bathroom but they're miserable and wake us scratching at their door all through the night.

Considering an outside cattery unit for the garden but are there any other suggestions?

DH is frankly useless at looking after them (I do vet trips for claws etc) and doesn't groom Persian which doesn't help - I'm not really willing to do it as I'm scared of her (she bites). He won't re-home them.

I'm miserable and I fear so are they Sad

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Toddlerteaplease · 30/11/2016 09:42

I've got long haired Persians and I know what you mean about the litter. I changed the brand and it solved the problem. (Mostly!) also get their bums trimmed to stop things sticking to it. Try them on specialist Persian food. Mine have Royal Canin Persian and have not had a furball from either of them ever. Mine are fairly low maintenance and only need a brush every couple of days. Maybe they would be happier being rehomed. They deserve a home where they are loved and wanted. There are specialist rescues for Persians. I got mine from one.

Artandco · 30/11/2016 09:46

Get a top entry box so litter can't be kicked out. And put on a rubber mat with grips so any litter should stay on there

Take cat to groomers every 6 weeks to keep hair a bit shorter and be washed or brushed

Also suggest changing food maybe. But hairballs at efrom hair so they must be licking some of it, hence need to groom

MsMims · 30/11/2016 10:09

Your DH needs to buck up his ideas and start looking after them properly. Long haired cats need to be groomed or they'll get lugs, and it will help the one who doesn't groom himself to not be dirty and smelly.

I trim the hair around my ragdolls back end so they don't get litter caught in it and trail it around the house, and it's easier for them to keep themselves clean. If you can't do it yourselves, take them to a dog groomer and ask for a hygiene trim.

For the hair balls, give them malt paste, it really does work. To stop them gulping their food you can buy special slow feeding bowls where they have to work to get their food which is also good stimulation.

We've a cordless Hoover for getting up the litter that comes off their paws around the trays. Less strenuous than using the main vacuum but keeps things tidy in between full cleans.

Hope you can get things sorted one way or another. I really don't think it's fair to lock them in one room when they're used to being in a big house with their family, so maybe rehoming would be best. It shouldn't be necessary though, your DH is opting out of the most basic parts of caring for them. If he steps up, your life would be a lot easier.

Toddlerteaplease · 30/11/2016 12:18

Forgot to say I shave a top entry litter box and it's fantastic. Persians are not renowned for third brains but mine have no problem with it. Dyson cordless is also brilliant. Make your husband get off his backside

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/11/2016 12:22

They sound very stressed being in one room.

I think the top opening litter sounds a good idea.

You can get their knicker area trimmed & a daily 5 minute go over with a zoom groom will reduce loose fur so they don't get fur balls which will be better for them too.

Zoom grooms are very gentle so you don't get bitten.

If you can afford an outdoor run it would be good for them, they get some fresh air then.

When they do pass away I would discourage him from getting another pet, he doesn't sound like he's cut out for pets.

Original poster
DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 12:30

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll look into the top box and mat.

I've called the vet and they've recommended a groomer although I'm not convinced she'll tolerate it (has to be sedated to get rid of mats at vet). The ragdoll is good at grooming herself but is the one that's sick a lot so I'll look at the suggestions for that.

An outdoor run might be nice for them in the day and also help reduce house fur etc. Then they could come in for evenings for social time.

I agree DH really has to step up or rehome - it's not fair on them or me this way.

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Original poster
DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 12:31

And don't worry - there's no way I'd allow more pets once they're no longer around

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thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 30/11/2016 12:33

Great advice from PPs, the only thing I'll add is our 1.5 year old now recognises a cat hairball/sick and will avoid it and shout "SICK, CAT SICK MAMMY!!" Not sure whether to be proud or slightly embarrassed about that, but just wanted to give you hope that babies and cats can co-exist.

Original poster
DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 12:35

As an aside - how often should he be changing the litter box? (Obviously scoops daily)

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Fluffycloudland77 · 30/11/2016 12:37

Daily. Two cats need three boxes.

Weekly washing with hot soapy water but nothing strong scented or harmful to pets.

Artandco · 30/11/2016 12:42

Should have one litter tray per cat plus a spare. So three litter trays. Change daily for indoor cats

A cat might not like groomer at first, but if they go regularly they are likely to get used to it. But combing at home in between still needed really

Original poster
DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 12:48

That's probably why I'm always moaning it smells - we have one and he changes it twice a week (if that).

Do you change whole litter daily then? That must mean several bags of litter a week?! (Always seems to use about a third of a big bag of catsan at a time)

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Original poster
DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 12:51

Although to be fair to him rspca website says weekly.

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Original poster
DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 12:51

I guess they need more as they're indoors? Do "normal" cats mainly go outside?

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Toddlerteaplease · 30/11/2016 12:53

I change my litter tray monthly. Two cats one box no problem and no smell.

hollinhurst84 · 30/11/2016 12:56

I don't change the whole litter. I use clumping so I scoop poo and wet clumps then top up if needed with fresh litter

crayfish · 30/11/2016 13:01

Three litter trays for two cats?!!! I have one litter tray for two cats, who has the space for three?!

I also have two indoor cats and a baby and it's totally fine. It depends on the set-up of your house obviously but we have the litter tray in the utility room which has a baby-gate on it so DS can't get in there. I am sure that there will be some tracking of litter beyond what I can see but I accept that that's life with pets and I try not to worry about it beyond maintaining basic hygeine. By that I mean hoovering pretty much daily (we have a dyson cordless - worth every penny) and mopping the floors. I fully change the litter in the tray twice a day but, as I said, I have got two sharing a tray.

We built an outside run in the summer for the cats and it has been a godsend. It's off the house and they can access it via a window so they get space outside and I can also shut them out for a bit (it's off the utility) if I need to. Would anything like that work for you?

My cats are shorthaired and don't really shed (bengals) so can't advise on that, but long haired cats need regular grooming.

hollinhurst84 · 30/11/2016 13:03

It should be one per cat and a spare, so I have two for one cat

Original poster
DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 13:28

Are we using too much litter then or are you telling me we need to spend £70 a week on litter?!!😭 (Assuming 3 trays taking a £10 of catsan and change every day). That seems ridiculous but then I've never had a pet.

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Toddlerteaplease · 30/11/2016 13:36

1 bag of my litter lasts me about 6 weeks. My box is very big and they like it deep. I also only have one tray for two cats and it lives in the kitchen as no other space for it. My vets will do a quick bum trim at the same time they do their nails.

Artandco · 30/11/2016 13:41

I think get three top entry boxes. Scoop out daily any poo/ wee clumps ( use a clumping type). Just add a little fresh ontop if getting low. Then tip whole lot out weekly and spray clean boxes etc to get rid of any smells or wee they might have sprayed within box and then full fresh litter. Full fresh isn't needed daily if you use enough trays.

Full indoor cats are going to use a lot more litter than outdoor cats though as they use 100% of the time. Where as outdoor cats usually only use when they can't get outside or at least do all wee outside

Feeding a high meat content food rather than one full of filler will also reduce the amount of waste they produce. Wet food will also keep them better hydrated than dry so reduce wee smell

crayfish · 30/11/2016 13:42

We use the wooden pellet cat litter as I find it smells the least and go through a big bag every week. Thats with two full changes of litter every day. The big bags (think it's 30l) are less than a fiver in home bargains/b&m and the like so we are less than £20 a month. Could you think about changing litter and then refreshing the tray more regularly? I still think more than one tray per cat is excessive unless you are out for long hours but that's my opinion.

Artandco · 30/11/2016 13:44

Also your probably better buying cat litter online like 'zooplus' much bigger bags and cheaper. They sell flushable litter also

Original poster
DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 13:45

Some great advice thanks - I'll be following up on it all with DH tonight!

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Original poster
DisneyMillie · 30/11/2016 13:47

Only thing we can't do is change food - neither will eat anything except their specific type of food - we've tried (different for each)

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