Any advice welcome

The problem: the cats have started to use the enclosure as their
litterbox. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, and on the island, I hope
they will use the big Out for their business. But the enclosure isn't

jmcquown...

Here's a novel idea. Yes, use a large covered litterbox. Can you buy sod?
The squares of grass they use to start new lawn growth when they build
houses? I have no idea how you'd maintain it other than to remove the
clumps from the grass and periodically remove and change the sod, but if
they really like the grassy lawn feeling it might be a solution.

very big, and I don't think they can use it very long before it starts
to smell. If it starts to smell, the neighbours can insist that I take
down the enclosure.

Susan M...

yikes Marina - I don't have any more brilliant ideas than have been stated
here. All I can think is that I hope you're pleasantly surprised by a
covered litterbox. I know that chicken wire definitely prevents the digging
issues too. Could you consider digging up some of the sod and allowing them
to pee in some dirt back there? Maybe you could switch out the dirt and
pick up solids quickly? I know I know - not great ideas.

Susan M
Otis and Chester

I thought about putting a litterbox outside, but it's winter and below
freezing, so I guess the litter would freeze. It could also get full of
snow that would clump the litter. I've carried the cats inside to the

Victor Martinez...

What about a covered litter box facing south? That should minimize any
snow in it.

litterbox every time I've caught them using the enclosure. LOL! The only
effect it's had is that every time he comes inside from the enclosure,
Caliban rushes into the litterbox and sits there looking at me with a
'what a good boy I am' look on his face.

wafflycat...

Try a covered litterbox??

Cheers, helen s

Jo Firey...

I'd put litter out in the enclosure. We kept the litter box on the entry
porch when we lived in Alaska and it was below freezing out there all
winter. Maybe try to find a covered box so it won't get too much moisture
inside. It would be a real shame to have to take the enclosure down.

Caroline S....

There are products sold as "pet repellant" to sprinkle in your
flowerbeds and such, presumably to keep cats from using them as potties.
No idea how effective they are though, and how it would affect the rest
of the enclosure.

EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)...

I can only vouch for one of those, and unfortunately I don't
remember the brand name. One place I lived, my landlord
complained about finding cat feces in his flower beds, so I
bought him some cat repellant. IIRC, it was dry pellets, in
a carton resembling a milk-carton. He said they worked just
fine. (Of course, my cats were indoor/outdoor, there, and
often came in just to use the litterbox - I suspected that
it might have been neighbors' cats creating the problem, but
in any case, the repellant apparently did the trick.)

MaryL...

The problem with a cat repellent in this case is that Marina's cats might
want to avoid the entire enclosure.

EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)...

Well, of course she'd only sprinkle it where she did not
want them to eliminate - but I haven't seen her enclosure,
so you may be right.

jmcquown...

I suggested SOD; squares of grass inside a covered litterbox - a big covered
litterbox. Since they prefer grass, this might be a solution. I've since
come up with the idea to be able to rake out the cat solids in the meantime.
Then change the sod as needed when it becomes urine-soaked.

There are also physical barriers you could put in place to prevent the
digging portion: pebbles, pinecones, netting or wire mesh, etc.

Other than that, a covered litter box sounds like the best plan.

Caroline S.

badwilson...

When we lived in Vancouver, Vino's litterbox was outside on the balcony.
But of course it never got much below freezing there. It did rain a
lot, but the box was hooded and no rain ever got in.
I think if you put a big hooded litterbox out in the enclosure, it would
be ok. Or else get a little dog house and put the box in there. Rain
wouldn't get in and only the clumps of pee would freeze. The dry litter
would maybe stiffen, but not turn solid. If you scooped it often, I
think it could work.

dnr...

I second Britta's great advice about covered litterbox for enclosure:
place it on inside wall, not outside wall, with opening facing inward.
People in this frozen wasteland where we live now (well, not
that bad but close) use this solution. I have just gotten used to
what clothes hung outside look like when it hard freezes here
(I think it's creepy looking to see them all stiff like that).
Try a large covered litterbox. I have no idea what'd freeze
in it but maybe better than what's going on now.

Christina Websell...

You may have to pave it all over. My cats prefer to go outside for toilet
duties. It seems your two feel the same now they have the choice.