Question:
> Would a cat hesitate to use the > litter box if I were sitting my desk or working at my computer? Or should I put > litter boxes in both the downstairs closet and the 2nd bedroom and see what > happens?
I think it depends on how picky the cat is, and you probably won’t know that until you get him/her. I’ve often placed litter boxes in closets with no problem. Some cats enjoy the privacy of a dark, out of the way place. However, you could also try the laundry room. Whether or not the washer/dryer startle him would also depend on the cat. We have one litter box in our basement near the washer and dryer and our cats are used to the sounds made by the machines so they pay no attention to them. Our other litter box is at the back of what we call our sun room (an enclosed, heated porch) and that is the one they use most often. It is right next to our home office and our cats are certainly not shy about using the litter box even if you are staring right at them. My recommendation is to put a litter box in two different locations and see what he/she prefers. I would not hesitate to put one in the laundry room if that’s most convenient. I personally don’t like litter boxes in bathrooms (even the cleanest one gets a bit objectionable with so much humidity) but that’s just me. -yngver (to reply, change initial "i" to "y")
Response:
Gail, Thanks for the litterbox advice. Laura
Response:
Carol, Thanks for the litter box advice.
Response:
>You should have two litter boxes for one cat (the rule of thumb is one more than >you have cats).
jmo, but i’ve had two different pairs of cats who were able to share a single litterbox. i’m in a tiny apartment (two humans, two rooms, two cats, forty fish), so no matter where you are, you are never far from the box. >The box should be very accessible and open, not in a closed space >where the cat may feel trapped.
the box itself is in the pseudo-hallway, but it is a covered box. the biggest covered box i could find, but still, it is a closed space. >you use unscented litter and clean often (twice daily).
we use johnny cat litter – a mildly scented litter w/antibacterials and deodorants. and no one has complained yet (except me, faithful scooper of poop – the dust seems to get into my mouth – which is, if you think about it, kind of disgusting). btw, i don’t scoop 2x daily, either. only two accidents since we got them (in sept. i think) – and one was probably b/c the bedroom door swung shut during the night and the cat wasn’t able to get to the box. >You will love haivng a cat. >We all do!
i love my boys. i loved the girls we had before that. you too will love your cat(s). and i just want to say somewhere that i’m not trying to contradict what gail was saying – it’s just that different systems will work for different cats. what works for me may not work for gail. etc. -j. — "Wherever you are living… don’t move. Sounds like some sort of fuzz paradise." – Paula Sorensen
Response:
I think two boxes for one cat is a smart choice. You cat may end up preferring one…or may use them equally, like mine does. I have two (covered) boxes for my 18-month old. (They’re covered because I have a dog, and we all know how dogs love certain "treats!") One’s in a small bathroom, the other in my office–under the desk. Both places are very quiet, which may be important. BTW, this is my first cat, too. I’ve always had dogs, but was always highly allergic to cats. After continued exposure to a friend’s cat, I realized I would probably build up natural resistance. Which, of course, I have. Being owned by a cat is very different from owning a dog. (They’re both wonderful!) You’re going to love it! Good luck, and have fun! Carol
Response:
You should have two litter boxes for one cat (the rule of thumb is one more than you have cats). The box should be very accessible and open, not in a closed space where the cat may feel trapped. I would not place it in the closet. I would try the laundry room if it is open and accessible and maybe the second bedroom. Make sure you use unscented litter and clean often (twice daily). You will love haivng a cat. We all do! Gail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m seriously considering adopting a cat from a rescue group, and I’ve never > owned a cat before, so I have many things to consider. I’m trying to decide > where to place the litter box. At first I thought of the laundry room, but > some people have told me that the cat may become startled by the washer and > dryer if he/she trys to use the litter box while the washer and/or dryer are > on. I only have one bathroom, and it’s not very large, but I could get a > litter box in there as a last resort. I have two other possible locations: I > have a large coat closet with a vinyl floor that is next to my front door on > the lower level of my townhouse (the front door does not get used much, but > this closet is near the access door to the garage which does get used when I > leave the house). I could keep the closet doors open at all times so that the > cat could have access. The other alternative would be my second bedroom on the > upper level of my townhouse. I use the second bedroom as my "office" — my > desk and computer are in this room. I’m not in this room constantly, but do > use it approx. 45 mins. to 1 hour each day. Would a cat hesitate to use the > litter box if I were sitting my desk or working at my computer? Or should I put > litter boxes in both the downstairs closet and the 2nd bedroom and see what > happens? > Laura
Response:
I’m seriously considering adopting a cat from a rescue group, and I’ve never owned a cat before, so I have many things to consider. I’m trying to decide where to place the litter box. At first I thought of the laundry room, but some people have told me that the cat may become startled by the washer and dryer if he/she trys to use the litter box while the washer and/or dryer are on. I only have one bathroom, and it’s not very large, but I could get a litter box in there as a last resort. I have two other possible locations: I have a large coat closet with a vinyl floor that is next to my front door on the lower level of my townhouse (the front door does not get used much, but this closet is near the access door to the garage which does get used when I leave the house). I could keep the closet doors open at all times so that the cat could have access. The other alternative would be my second bedroom on the upper level of my townhouse. I use the second bedroom as my "office" — my desk and computer are in this room. I’m not in this room constantly, but do use it approx. 45 mins. to 1 hour each day. Would a cat hesitate to use the litter box if I were sitting my desk or working at my computer? Or should I put litter boxes in both the downstairs closet and the 2nd bedroom and see what happens? Laura
Response:
> Would a cat hesitate to use the > litter box if I were sitting my desk or working at my computer? Or should I put > litter boxes in both the downstairs closet and the 2nd bedroom and see what > happens?
I think it depends on how picky the cat is, and you probably won’t know that until you get him/her. I’ve often placed litter boxes in closets with no problem. Some cats enjoy the privacy of a dark, out of the way place. However, you could also try the laundry room. Whether or not the washer/dryer startle him would also depend on the cat. We have one litter box in our basement near the washer and dryer and our cats are used to the sounds made by the machines so they pay no attention to them. Our other litter box is at the back of what we call our sun room (an enclosed, heated porch) and that is the one they use most often. It is right next to our home office and our cats are certainly not shy about using the litter box even if you are staring right at them. My recommendation is to put a litter box in two different locations and see what he/she prefers. I would not hesitate to put one in the laundry room if that’s most convenient. I personally don’t like litter boxes in bathrooms (even the cleanest one gets a bit objectionable with so much humidity) but that’s just me. -yngver (to reply, change initial "i" to "y")
Response:
Gail, Thanks for the litterbox advice. Laura
Response:
Carol, Thanks for the litter box advice.
Response:
>You should have two litter boxes for one cat (the rule of thumb is one more than >you have cats).
jmo, but i’ve had two different pairs of cats who were able to share a single litterbox. i’m in a tiny apartment (two humans, two rooms, two cats, forty fish), so no matter where you are, you are never far from the box. >The box should be very accessible and open, not in a closed space >where the cat may feel trapped.
the box itself is in the pseudo-hallway, but it is a covered box. the biggest covered box i could find, but still, it is a closed space. >you use unscented litter and clean often (twice daily).
we use johnny cat litter – a mildly scented litter w/antibacterials and deodorants. and no one has complained yet (except me, faithful scooper of poop – the dust seems to get into my mouth – which is, if you think about it, kind of disgusting). btw, i don’t scoop 2x daily, either. only two accidents since we got them (in sept. i think) – and one was probably b/c the bedroom door swung shut during the night and the cat wasn’t able to get to the box. >You will love haivng a cat. >We all do!
i love my boys. i loved the girls we had before that. you too will love your cat(s). and i just want to say somewhere that i’m not trying to contradict what gail was saying – it’s just that different systems will work for different cats. what works for me may not work for gail. etc. -j. — "Wherever you are living… don’t move. Sounds like some sort of fuzz paradise." – Paula Sorensen
Response:
I think two boxes for one cat is a smart choice. You cat may end up preferring one…or may use them equally, like mine does. I have two (covered) boxes for my 18-month old. (They’re covered because I have a dog, and we all know how dogs love certain "treats!") One’s in a small bathroom, the other in my office–under the desk. Both places are very quiet, which may be important. BTW, this is my first cat, too. I’ve always had dogs, but was always highly allergic to cats. After continued exposure to a friend’s cat, I realized I would probably build up natural resistance. Which, of course, I have. Being owned by a cat is very different from owning a dog. (They’re both wonderful!) You’re going to love it! Good luck, and have fun! Carol
Response:
You should have two litter boxes for one cat (the rule of thumb is one more than you have cats). The box should be very accessible and open, not in a closed space where the cat may feel trapped. I would not place it in the closet. I would try the laundry room if it is open and accessible and maybe the second bedroom. Make sure you use unscented litter and clean often (twice daily). You will love haivng a cat. We all do! Gail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m seriously considering adopting a cat from a rescue group, and I’ve never > owned a cat before, so I have many things to consider. I’m trying to decide > where to place the litter box. At first I thought of the laundry room, but > some people have told me that the cat may become startled by the washer and > dryer if he/she trys to use the litter box while the washer and/or dryer are > on. I only have one bathroom, and it’s not very large, but I could get a > litter box in there as a last resort. I have two other possible locations: I > have a large coat closet with a vinyl floor that is next to my front door on > the lower level of my townhouse (the front door does not get used much, but > this closet is near the access door to the garage which does get used when I > leave the house). I could keep the closet doors open at all times so that the > cat could have access. The other alternative would be my second bedroom on the > upper level of my townhouse. I use the second bedroom as my "office" — my > desk and computer are in this room. I’m not in this room constantly, but do > use it approx. 45 mins. to 1 hour each day. Would a cat hesitate to use the > litter box if I were sitting my desk or working at my computer? Or should I put > litter boxes in both the downstairs closet and the 2nd bedroom and see what > happens? > Laura
Response:
I’m seriously considering adopting a cat from a rescue group, and I’ve never owned a cat before, so I have many things to consider. I’m trying to decide where to place the litter box. At first I thought of the laundry room, but some people have told me that the cat may become startled by the washer and dryer if he/she trys to use the litter box while the washer and/or dryer are on. I only have one bathroom, and it’s not very large, but I could get a litter box in there as a last resort. I have two other possible locations: I have a large coat closet with a vinyl floor that is next to my front door on the lower level of my townhouse (the front door does not get used much, but this closet is near the access door to the garage which does get used when I leave the house). I could keep the closet doors open at all times so that the cat could have access. The other alternative would be my second bedroom on the upper level of my townhouse. I use the second bedroom as my "office" — my desk and computer are in this room. I’m not in this room constantly, but do use it approx. 45 mins. to 1 hour each day. Would a cat hesitate to use the litter box if I were sitting my desk or working at my computer? Or should I put litter boxes in both the downstairs closet and the 2nd bedroom and see what happens? Laura
Response:
> Would a cat hesitate to use the > litter box if I were sitting my desk or working at my computer? Or should I put > litter boxes in both the downstairs closet and the 2nd bedroom and see what > happens?
I think it depends on how picky the cat is, and you probably won’t know that until you get him/her. I’ve often placed litter boxes in closets with no problem. Some cats enjoy the privacy of a dark, out of the way place. However, you could also try the laundry room. Whether or not the washer/dryer startle him would also depend on the cat. We have one litter box in our basement near the washer and dryer and our cats are used to the sounds made by the machines so they pay no attention to them. Our other litter box is at the back of what we call our sun room (an enclosed, heated porch) and that is the one they use most often. It is right next to our home office and our cats are certainly not shy about using the litter box even if you are staring right at them. My recommendation is to put a litter box in two different locations and see what he/she prefers. I would not hesitate to put one in the laundry room if that’s most convenient. I personally don’t like litter boxes in bathrooms (even the cleanest one gets a bit objectionable with so much humidity) but that’s just me. -yngver (to reply, change initial "i" to "y")
Response:
Gail, Thanks for the litterbox advice. Laura
Response:
Carol, Thanks for the litter box advice.
Response:
>You should have two litter boxes for one cat (the rule of thumb is one more than >you have cats).
jmo, but i’ve had two different pairs of cats who were able to share a single litterbox. i’m in a tiny apartment (two humans, two rooms, two cats, forty fish), so no matter where you are, you are never far from the box. >The box should be very accessible and open, not in a closed space >where the cat may feel trapped.
the box itself is in the pseudo-hallway, but it is a covered box. the biggest covered box i could find, but still, it is a closed space. >you use unscented litter and clean often (twice daily).
we use johnny cat litter – a mildly scented litter w/antibacterials and deodorants. and no one has complained yet (except me, faithful scooper of poop – the dust seems to get into my mouth – which is, if you think about it, kind of disgusting). btw, i don’t scoop 2x daily, either. only two accidents since we got them (in sept. i think) – and one was probably b/c the bedroom door swung shut during the night and the cat wasn’t able to get to the box. >You will love haivng a cat. >We all do!
i love my boys. i loved the girls we had before that. you too will love your cat(s). and i just want to say somewhere that i’m not trying to contradict what gail was saying – it’s just that different systems will work for different cats. what works for me may not work for gail. etc. -j. — "Wherever you are living… don’t move. Sounds like some sort of fuzz paradise." – Paula Sorensen
Response:
I think two boxes for one cat is a smart choice. You cat may end up preferring one…or may use them equally, like mine does. I have two (covered) boxes for my 18-month old. (They’re covered because I have a dog, and we all know how dogs love certain "treats!") One’s in a small bathroom, the other in my office–under the desk. Both places are very quiet, which may be important. BTW, this is my first cat, too. I’ve always had dogs, but was always highly allergic to cats. After continued exposure to a friend’s cat, I realized I would probably build up natural resistance. Which, of course, I have. Being owned by a cat is very different from owning a dog. (They’re both wonderful!) You’re going to love it! Good luck, and have fun! Carol
Response:
You should have two litter boxes for one cat (the rule of thumb is one more than you have cats). The box should be very accessible and open, not in a closed space where the cat may feel trapped. I would not place it in the closet. I would try the laundry room if it is open and accessible and maybe the second bedroom. Make sure you use unscented litter and clean often (twice daily). You will love haivng a cat. We all do! Gail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m seriously considering adopting a cat from a rescue group, and I’ve never > owned a cat before, so I have many things to consider. I’m trying to decide > where to place the litter box. At first I thought of the laundry room, but > some people have told me that the cat may become startled by the washer and > dryer if he/she trys to use the litter box while the washer and/or dryer are > on. I only have one bathroom, and it’s not very large, but I could get a > litter box in there as a last resort. I have two other possible locations: I > have a large coat closet with a vinyl floor that is next to my front door on > the lower level of my townhouse (the front door does not get used much, but > this closet is near the access door to the garage which does get used when I > leave the house). I could keep the closet doors open at all times so that the > cat could have access. The other alternative would be my second bedroom on the > upper level of my townhouse. I use the second bedroom as my "office" — my > desk and computer are in this room. I’m not in this room constantly, but do > use it approx. 45 mins. to 1 hour each day. Would a cat hesitate to use the > litter box if I were sitting my desk or working at my computer? Or should I put > litter boxes in both the downstairs closet and the 2nd bedroom and see what > happens? > Laura
Response:
I’m seriously considering adopting a cat from a rescue group, and I’ve never owned a cat before, so I have many things to consider. I’m trying to decide where to place the litter box. At first I thought of the laundry room, but some people have told me that the cat may become startled by the washer and dryer if he/she trys to use the litter box while the washer and/or dryer are on. I only have one bathroom, and it’s not very large, but I could get a litter box in there as a last resort. I have two other possible locations: I have a large coat closet with a vinyl floor that is next to my front door on the lower level of my townhouse (the front door does not get used much, but this closet is near the access door to the garage which does get used when I leave the house). I could keep the closet doors open at all times so that the cat could have access. The other alternative would be my second bedroom on the upper level of my townhouse. I use the second bedroom as my "office" — my desk and computer are in this room. I’m not in this room constantly, but do use it approx. 45 mins. to 1 hour each day. Would a cat hesitate to use the litter box if I were sitting my desk or working at my computer? Or should I put litter boxes in both the downstairs closet and the 2nd bedroom and see what happens? Laura
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