Ugh, gross. Any ideas on how to deter your pup from raiding the litterbox?

[Katie and Murphy]

Murphy has a really bad habit of raiding the litterbox. I'm usually good about blocking the boxes, either with baby gates or holding onto his collar when we pass by the bathroom on the way outside. I can't always keep an eye on him, though, and he's become really sneaky about getting to the boxes when the gate is leaning against the door. I'd move the boxes to a room he can't get into, but the cats already have potty issues. I'm afraid relocating them would bring on even more trouble.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas? Any proven methods from deterring a dog from eating cat poop? (Any ideas for both inside and outside would be great, too. The neighbor's cat uses our front yard as his litterbox and Murphy absolutely loves finding those "cat truffles" when he's outside.)

I put this under health, though it could also be behavior/training. I'm just nervous about what all that litter/cat poop is going to do to his insides.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

We had a real scare when Sherlock got past the baby gate we use to block our cats’ litter box. He got a ‘cat truffle’ along with some clumping litter. He started choking and having trouble breathing. DH rolled him on the floor and did a bit of doggie Heimlich maneuver on him. Suddenly the clump popped out like a cork and Sherlock took a deep breath. After that experience I invested in the ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter box. The litter box has a built in rake and motion detector. After the cat uses the ‘facilities’ the rakes sweeps through the litter pushing the truffles into a covered compartment. I got the one with the privacy hood. Between the hood and the covered compartment the dogs have not been able to go ‘truffle hunting’.

[Katie and Murphy]

I've been seriously considering getting one of those motion sensor litterboxes. My only hesitancy is that my cat has issues using the regular box. He doesn't like it at ALL; we battle all the time, trying to get him to actually go in the box. I'm afraid that if I get a Self-Cleaning box and he doesn't like it, it's going to make everything even worse.

=/

Potty issues, all around. Cat won't get in the box, dog won't get out of it.

[Karen & Lucy]

I do not have this problem but, EWWWWWW I hope someone can help you out with this.

[Katie and Murphy]

Me too! It's the nastiest habit. The family Lab mix never raided the litterbox. I almost had a heart attack the first time I caught him doing it.

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

Ah Kitty Snacks.... I had a litter maid: I hated it,it clogged all the time.It was so loud.The cats would fling litter around.That was before I had the dogs, after the dogs I bought a covered littler box.
I hope this helps you. Oh they come in different colors.I have gold,purple and silver. (I have 3 cats)

[Katie and Murphy]

Ohh! Where can you find that litterbox? Does it have a "shelf" where the cat can stand? If so, I'm sold!

The only reason I have open litterboxes is because the cat hates stepping in the litter. He'll choose the floor over the box any day, which I can't stand and the dog absolutely loves. If I can find something that'll provide a shelf for him so he doesn't have to touch the litter, and a way to keep the dog out on top of it...that'll be a really, really good day.

Thank you for your help!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Have you thought about trying to train the cats to use the toilet? I have a friend who was able to train his to do that. Since your cat already prefers to have a ledge you might have success. My friend used a thing called Citikitty, but while I was searching for the link to post, I found a YouTube video how to train a cat to use the toilet. This solution costs a lot less than the Citikitty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKdmPYeehuU

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

Petco and Petsmart have them.There is a ledge but I am not sure if it was your looking for.

[Katie and Murphy]

Looked it up online...definitely what I'm looking for. I'm ordering it from Petsmart tomorrow morning. Hope it works! I'll let you know!

Thanks again :)

[Deirdre]

Sprinkle Adolf's Meat Tenderizer on your cat food (won't hurt kitty) but for some reason the end result stops dogs from wanting the kitty crunchies. It worked with me also on dog food to stop the "doggie doo eating" The tenderizer is not a lifetime additive just a week or so and they stop. Haven't eaten Almond Roca since a friend of mine said her kitty box is her dogs Almond Roce box!
As far as a covered litter box goes, have you ever seen a Chessie runnung around the house with a litter box stuck around his neck? What a sight that was! The tenderizer cured him.

[38kijwn0b88tn]

I've heard several times to sprinkle garlic on the dogs food if they are eating their own poop... it probably doesnt smell or taste so good when it comes out.. if the cats dont mind a garlicky dinner, maybe it will work if used that way... and instead of having to put garlic on the food every time, if the cats eat the meal and the dog doesnt "hunt" for garlic poop, just put the garlic in the cat food bag and shake shake shake! :)

good luck!! let us know if it works:)

[Katie and Murphy]

I've heard of pineapple, but never garlic. I'll have to see if that works! I'm so tired of the dog eating things he's not supposed to. =/

Thank you! I'll definitely let you know if/when anything works. I'm crossing my fingers! :)