So, I'm normally really vigilant when it comes to hearing either of my kittens in the litterbox. I join them as quick as I can and grab them before they bolt and possibly track bits of poo everywhere.
Pyjamas was just too fast for us last nite and managed to bolt halfway up the stairs before we could nab him.
Our carpet is dark grey and it's very difficult to see poo on it. I was wondering if a black light would identify the poo marks much like they do for pee stains?
Does he have runny poop? If he doesnt, i wouldnt really worry about it, unlikely that any of it made its way onto your carpet. I see we have a fellow clean freak on the board
That approach is not designed to have them continue to use the litterbox. What if a giant came and grabbed you every time you flushed. If they get clingons, then clip the fur a bit that gets stained.
I was thinking the same thing Jan said.. your kitties are gonna hate using the box if you try to grab them out of it every time, and then you will have more than just poo tracks to worry about on your carpet.
When Solo was young, he got messy in his box too. A combination of several things really helped us out.
#1 was keeping his hiney and leg hairs trimmed pretty short. I even went up his tail some. You can also shave off their toe tufts so less stuff will stick on the feet.
#2 was firming up the poo. I was feeding Solo a spoon of plain canned pumpkin twice a day, it really helped.
#3 was using less litter so it was more shallow.
Still, sometimes there are messes. When Solo got messy I would spray off his rear end and feet... which then caused him to lick himself dry. I also think a lot of it has to do with your babies simply just maturing. They are clumsy and don't care as much as bathing themselves and cleaning up after pottying.. I think they will get better as long as you continue to try your best to keep them clean
I also was very concerned about the "tracking" out of the litterbox. I was careful to watch and listen each time when they were kittens so I could check them coming out of the litter box. The good news is as they got older they become more careful with their litterbox routines and I no longer have to wait and watch each time I hear them digging.
Thank you for the advice everybody
Karima, sometimes his poop is runny, and even when it's not more often than not he does manage to still step in it and get it all over his paws. LOL you're right though...I'm glad I'm not the only clean freak then!
Jan, point taken. However we don't just grab them and torture them straight away ;-) When we first pick them up, we cradle them and give them lots of pats and tell them they're very good kittens to show them we're happy they used the litter box. simultaneously I'm checking their paws and then their butt to see if I need to even do anything. Generally, we often pick them up throughout the day, give them some kisses and pats, and set them down just to have them used to being held and not always associate it with getting a butt wipe. lol.
Alisha, thanks for the tips
We got Pyjamas' butt shaved at the vets and she did a comprehensive job (even got his tail) but he still manages to get it on himself every now and then. With Ruby, I trimmed her hair with scissors while she slept and she does ok but they both tend to get it on the flat backs of their feet. I will trim their tufts tonite though and look for some canned pumpkin (not sure if they sell that in Oz). Even when the poo is nice and firm they do still step in it, and since they're both still learning to cover them up it usually results in an errant paw going into poo. Why does the shallow litter make a difference? Ruby really loves to dig so I put usually about an inch deep for her.
I've also sprayed their butts and paws with water to encourage them to lick, but this seems to scare them just as much and it takes them so long to do anything about it. They'll run around, track the poo, and then eventually sit down and consider licking.I'd just rather do it myself sometimes o_o
KatLeen...LOL! TRUE! ;-) I love the detective shows on the discovery channel...hahaha. Didn't you hear about that Cat Burglar who was spraying after robbing the local concenience stores??? ;-)
Moby, I'm glad to hear it...! I hate having to stop everything each time I *THINK* I hear a kitten in a litterbox. LOL I want them to have their privacy but at the same time, I rent, so I need to respect the owner's property as well. I'm thankful they're both fairly consistent in the times they go #2 at least. hahaha
