How To Keep the Dog Out of the Litter Box
Sometimes dogs do really disgusting things. Eating cat poop from your cat’s litter box is one of those things.
The idea of your dog licking your face after he has raided the cat’s box is downright disgusting.
Dogs raid the cat’s litter box because it smells of cat food. And apparently, cat food can be a delicacy for dogs (We will learn more about this later).
By dog-proofing your cat’s litter box is the best way to keep the dog out of the litter box. They can be quite messy when they’re trying to reach their “desserts.”
We’ve found several ways for you to keep your pet from using the litter box, and they’re all pretty simple to put into practice.
Why Do Dogs Like to Eat Cat Poop?
Before we figure out how to keep the dog out of the litter box, let us understand why dogs eat cat poop.
Cat poop has a high protein content. Because of the high protein content of cat food, some dogs are attracted to cat poop. They will most likely have a lot of protein in their poop as well.
Dogs are considered to be natural scavengers. When you find them looking for poop inside your cat’s litter box, they are only exercising what their instincts are directing them to do.
The Dog is Bored and Seeks Attention
Another reason your dog eats cat poop is that the dog gets bored. It is one way of seeking your attention.
Certain breeds suffer from social anxiety when you do not give them enough attention.
Terriers are heavily affected when you do not offer them the attention they seek. They will do everything within their power (including gross things such as eating cat poop) to attract your attention.
They may be Sick
It might be a medical condition.
Maybe they are suffering from some sort of ailment and the cat poop seems like a perfect solution to them.
If so, talk to your vet about this issue.
Stress or Hunger
They may be stressed out or simply hungry.
Feeding your dog a high protein diet from time to time is good for him.
It keeps them happy for the better portion of the day and keeps them out of their cat’s litter box.
Can a Dog get Sick from Eating Cat Poop?
If the cat has an intestinal parasite or worm problem, then the chances are high that the dogs will be affected by them too.
Fecal matter from cats can contain bacteria, hookworms, and worms that can be transmitted to dogs if they eat the fecal matter.
The cat litter may cause the dog’s digestive tract to become blocked. This may cause the dog to bloat.
Bloat is an unpleasant condition that may lead to nausea, loss of appetite, or gas. It would take a great deal of litter for this to happen and it is not a common occurrence.
If you see any signs of diarrhea, be sure to take the dog to the vet immediately.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we take part in). As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
How to Keep your Dog out of the Cat’s Litter Box
To prevent health complications from arising because your dog has eaten cat poop, here are some suggestions on how to keep the dog out of the litter box;
Keep the Box on an Elevated Surface
While your cat can nimbly climb onto elevated surfaces, your dog may not have similar prowess.
This will keep the litter box away from the dog and in a place where your cat can access it easily.
Make sure there are other surfaces close to the litter box to help the cat climb (such as drawers and chairs).
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we take part in). As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Install a Cat Door
If you want to give your cat access to the outside of the house without letting the dog out, you can consider installing a cat door.
If you have the cat’s litter box in a certain room in the house, you can consider installing the cat door there as well.
The door allows the cat to move as freely as it wishes while restricting the dog’s movement and access to the litter box.
Keep the Litter Box Clean all the time
When the litter stays in the box for a long time, it becomes more appealing to the dog. It’s important that you scoop and clean the cat’s box every day.
To get the best results, always use scoops regularly and keep the container clean.
Cats dislike staying in dirty places.
If you want to keep the odor away, you can buy special litter for dogs to help prevent them from sniffing at the boxes.
Elsey’s Precious Cat Unscented cat litter from Amazon would be a good example.
If you’re not able to clean out the litter tray often enough, buy an electronic cat litter tray. This box has a sensor that detects when your cat has finished using the litter box.
Purchase a Dog-Proof Litter Box
There are several dog proof litter box options available for purchase.
Some of them have small openings for cats to get through. A dog cannot fit. If you have a small dog, this may not be very effective.
Find out which strategy works best for you. It may be difficult to choose from among the many dog-proof litter box options available for purchase.
Here we’ve listed some of the best dog proof litter boxes you can buy online.
PETMATE Dome Clean Step Cat Litter box
Material: Plastic
Weight: 3 pounds
Review: You’ll keep your cat safe by enclosing her from all sides. The charcoal filter in the cat’s bedding keeps odors from spreading throughout the house. The design makes it easier for cats to get into and out of their litter boxes spilling no litter.
It is large enough to fit any size cat and easy to clean after your cat has used it. They grooved the steps to help remove stubborn litter that may have stuck on the cat’s paws. It provides easy access for your cat, but it isn’t big enough for your dog.
IRIS Top entry cat litter box
Material: Plastic
Weight: 4.6 pounds
Reviews: This product comes with a scooper that keeps the box clean after the kitty has done its business. The top-entrance design keeps cats from scattering their feces while making it easier for them to enter and leave the house. The grooved lid at the top helps to keep litter from sticking to the cats’ paws. Although the entrance is large enough for the cat, your dog will not fit through the entrance.
PETSAFE Scoopfree self-cleaning cat litter box system
Material: Plastic
Weight: 18 pounds
Review: This is one of the best litter boxes for people who don’t enjoy scooping after their cat, or who are too tired to clean up after their cat. The box is connected to Wi-Fi and comes with a mobile application that allows simple control from wherever you may be. After your cat has left its litter box, the litter is cleaned up by a filter system.
You can also keep an eye on your pet’ s health by checking its weight and tracking its progress from the comfort of a smartphone. There are no odors or cat waste in this container. You will be required to change the litter tray depending on how frequently your cat uses the box - probably once a month. You’ll receive notification messages regarding this usage and reminders for changing the cat box.
Teach your Dog to leave the Cat’s Litter Box alone
Teaching your dog to understand commands so he won’t go into the bathroom is probably the best way to keep him from going into the bathroom.
The major goal here is to distract the dog from raiding the cat's litter box by giving him/her some tasty snacks when he/she obeys.
It may take some time for your puppy to learn everything he needs to know. Be patient with him.
You can try the following process;
- Hold your treat inside of your hand as you say, “Leave it.” Letting the dog sniff around your hands lets him know he has something good waiting for him if he obeys your commands.
- Once it gets distracted and gives up trying to get to the litter box, show it how happy you are.
- Give the dog a treat. Use the other hand while keeping the original treat inside the fist you had originally.
- Repeat this process until your dog understands they get a treat if they obey the ‘leave it’ command
Change the Taste of your Cat’s Food
You can make your cats’ meals less appealing by including other minerals and foods. Your cat might not like that at first, but it will be fine.
Some people add monosodium glutamate (MSG) to their cat's food. Using MSG in small amounts poses no health risks for cats.
A litter with MSG is very unpleasant to dogs and they will mostly refrain from an eating litter that contains this chemical component if they can help it.
Baby Gates can Help
Baby gate can keep the dogs out. Using a gate to keep the dog out litter box that the cat can easily get through the gaps between the bars of the crib.
You could alternatively lift the baby gate a few feet off the floor so that the cat can climb underneath.
If you have a small pet, you may place an object near the door so that your cat can jump over it and go outside. Dogs may not jump as adeptly as cats do.
Baby gates come in different sizes, forms, and qualities. We have reviewed some of the best baby gates you can get from Amazon below.
Balance From Easy Walkthrough safety gate for doorways and stairways
Material: Steel
Weight: 15 pounds
What we like about this baby gate: Lightweight and very versatile
Pros: The Baby Gate from Balance is a lightweight gate weighing only 15 lbs. It has gaps that your cat can pass through easily. Large breeds of dog cannot go through this gate. It’s also easy to install and has an automatic closing feature that automatically shuts the gate behind you when you leave. It is also safe for children and very sturdy.
Cons: One drawback to this gate is that it allows for dogs smaller than 12 inches tall to pass through. It would be pointless to install a gate if there was no way for people to get through it. It works just fine when deterring large dogs. If you have a smaller dog, buy a different type of baby gate.
Carlson extra tall and wide Walkthrough pet gate
Material: Steel
Weight: 9.95 pounds
What we like about this baby gate: Extra tall and Wide, plus it has a small pet door
Pros: The Carlson Pet Gate is wide enough to accommodate many walkways. It expands easily and weighs just ten (10) lbs., so it’s perfect for people who love portable dog gates. It has a small window that lets your cat come and go letting no one else in.
Cons: Small puppies may still squeeze through somehow. As the puppies grow older, the gate will become invaluable.
Buy a Dog Muzzle
If all else fails, you might buy a dog muzzling device to prevent your dog from chewing up things inside the house.
Look for a dog muzzles with adjustable straps so that they fit comfortably.
It might not be the best way to keep your pet from using the litter box, but it works.
It could also be a great protective measure if you have kids in the house and if the dog is not well trained.
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