Kerstin working on 1-13 until after baby!
I'm pregnant
5 months ago
So this one is on hold. Tim has to do it until after the baby gets here—doctor’s orders!
How to clean the litter box more often
It made me
regimented. 
"This is one of those "just do it already" jobs that can be improved with a little creativity, and it helps you and the kitties a lot."
How I did it: I started with a simple goal, to clean the litter box daily in July of 2009, thinking that this would help me establish the habit of sifting the litter daily. I even started on the 5th, right when I thought of the goal, to avoid limiting myself by an artificial "tomorrow" kind of start time. To keep myself motivated once I got started, I thought of all the benefits of doing this chore daily:
- it would be a daily habit rather than a chore that hangs over my head
- it would keep the bad smell in check without chemicals
- it would make the cats happy
- it's more hygenic for me and the cats
- it would allow me to budget kitty litter costs more accurately
- it would make me feel good that I was caring for my animals like I ought to
Once I got going, I realized I had a dilemma to solve: what do you do with the waste? Using siftable litter helps, but the clay won't flush very well, which leaves the garbage can as your other good option. Unfortunately, having loose waste in an open trash can is smelly, so a trash can with a lid might be an option - until you lift the lid a few times and realize it gets in your way and lets a lot of stink out. That's when I hit on the idea of using newspaper origami to make a box or envelope to contain the waste so it would sit in the trash can without stinking the place up. Problem solved, kitties happy, sense of accomplishment on the rise!
Lessons & tips: Get all the equipment you need, such as a box with a lid, a good sifter and siftable litter, baby powder or baking powder to freshen up the litter, newspaper to make disposal envelopes, and of course the cats.
Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer nearby, so you can clean your hands when you're finished if a sink isn't close.
Make your task suit your lifestyle. If you just want to relax when you get home from work, try to do the box in the morning so it will be over with for the day.
Settle on a regular time to replace the litter. I've decided to use half a box of litter at one filling, and I'll replace it on the 9th and the 25th of each month, thus making this a "9 to 5" task - easy to remember, no?
Resources: Making the envelope: instructions here and here
siftable cat litter
a cheap plastic litter sifter - replace it when it breaks
2 people found this helpful
People doing this:
|
|
|
Indianapolis
|
Entries
Kerstin working on 1-13 until after baby!
I was doing well...
12 months ago
for a while, then I got caught up and slacked on it and Zooey pissed on our down comforter, which was on the ground in our room. Tim was sooo freaking mad, he threatened to kick her out of the house (she is so timid, she would never survive). I bawled my eyes out, protesting that it was my fault for not cleaning the litter box, and he thankfully let up, making me promise to be better about it. Guess that’s one way to get motivation : (
Untitled
2 years ago
I did this Friday. Today is Monday and I have every intetion of going straight home to do it again. I’ll shoot to do it tomorrow as well. Maybe I’ll start a good habit. Or maybe I should just get rid of it and let Merlin start going outside to do his business. You don’t see dogs needing a litter box!
Untitled
2 years ago
Oh, my poor cat!! I DID do it this morning, though. But, seriously, we flush everytime we go! I could do this at least a few times a week. That’s a start.
