Cat Channel / Litter and Litterbox Issues / All About Cats / How to keep carpets clean of litter? / Latest Posts

RE: How to keep carpets clean of litter?

Ilovemochathecat — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:03:01 GMT

I would take a look at what kind of litter are you using too, and the brand. As somebody else mention before scoopable litter doesn't stick to their paws as much as non scoopable litter. Also, yo can try newspaper litter, there's a very good brand called yesterday's new. I used for a long time after my cat got spayed it works amazingly good and only a few pieces fell outside the littler box, it was very easy to maintain and clean, plus with children I think is definitly not a treat to their health.

RE: How to keep carpets clean of litter?

imtripodsmom — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:39:16 GMT

My cat's litterbox is in my bathroom, and I have a bath towel under her litterbox--with her food and water next to it--I know, I know, but I have no choice--as well as another bath towel on the floor, for me to stand on when getting in/out of the tub or doing hygiene in front of the sink. Of course Tripod tends to kick some litter out of the box when she uses it--she doesn't usually bury it, though--but it seems to help keep the litter tracking. down. However, I have found litter sticking to her paws and on my bed, even if it is clumping.

But what you could try is putting a carpet runner or carpeting on the basement stairs, and that could help remove litter from your cat's paws as she comes back up from box duty. It could also prove helpful when the tornado sirens go off and you have to beat it to the basement without slipping on concrete steps. (I live on the west coast, but I'm a weather freak.)Just make sure the carpet is securely fastened to the stairs to prevent slipping.

RE: How to keep carpets clean of litter?

Kenogirl — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:10:37 GMT

The domed litterbox sounds like a good idea, but just be aware that some cats do not like covered litterboxes. I don't know if its because the feel claustrophobic, or are paranoid because they can't see what's going on around them while they "do their business."

You said that you'll be moving to a house with a basement, and that's going to be the new loo for your kitties. That should help, because they'll have to climb stair, which should get rid of any litter that might be clinging to their feet.

RE: How to keep carpets clean of litter?

PeaLoki&Gabe — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:40:58 GMT

Booda dome litterbox, is round and kind of looks like an igloo, with its own stairs, and a top entry litterbox maybe good solutions for you.

The booda dome because it's round and itwill cause them to walk or leap enough to shake the litter of their paws, and the top entry litterbox, because of gravity, and the angle of entry.

RE: How to keep carpets clean of litter?

nrundle — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:05:16 GMT

All good ideas. We had been living where there were no basements, but we are moving back to the mid-west so that should help but putting some distance between the litter box and the upstairs carpets. By the way, I use Fresh Step.

RE: How to keep carpets clean of litter?

SuperCat — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:51:49 GMT

PeaLokiGabe: ROTFL -- great idea - shoes on cats, you could train them to take the shoes off before going in the litter box and then putting them back on to walk through the house! Works for me!

Come Visit me (Rusty):

http://www.catchannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=66161

RE: How to keep carpets clean of litter?

PeaLoki&Gabe — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:04:47 GMT

LOL you could do this, but I don't reccomend it

The worst thing that could happen to a baby is toxoplasmosis (which i believe is treatable), cat/human diseases do exist, but are just as easily transmitted person to person. The benefits of raising a child with pets far outweighs any dangers. Fewer allergies, more health benefits, and kids learn responsibility, love, and usually death in healthier ways with pets than without.

It's odd that your wife is saying the cats have to go, it's usually the wife who'd be more willing to give up the husband than the cat!

RE: How to keep carpets clean of litter?

Kenogirl — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:48:59 GMT

I put my litter boxes on one of the large plastic mats that they use in offices to allow the desk chair to roll more easily on carpet. This makes cleanup easier, because I can sweep instead of vaccuuming when I change the boxes, and they get the litter off of their feet before they hit the carpet.

You can buy these in office supply stores, and they come in various sizes and shapes.

I've known a number of people over the years who have raised children with cats and litterboxes, and none of them had any troubles.

RE: How to keep carpets clean of litter?

SuperCat — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:30:43 GMT

You could try putting the litterbox inside a bigger box so they would have to jump to get out - that would knock some of the litter off of their feet -- they also sell litter attracting mats in pet stores.

What kind of litter do you use? The clumping scoopable doesn't seem to stick to their feet as much.

You might end up having to work a little harder keeping the area swept up == or vacuum the area frequently.

Our litterboxes are in the basement and I use scoopable litter and have 4 cats. We don't get any litter tracked upstairs in the house but around the litter boxes I have to sweep up everyday.

I'm pretty sure litter is non-toxic -- to make sure, read the label on your box or bag of litter.

When our kids were babies and little we had 2 huge dogs and 3 cats.

Good luck!

Come Visit me (Rusty):

http://www.catchannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=66161

How to keep carpets clean of litter?

nrundle — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:14:12 GMT

I grew up with cats and have had cats around as long as I can remember. My wife grew up with a cat too, but now that we have kids (18month old and a newborn), she wants the cats to go. She likes the cats, but her concern is the litter that they drag throughout the house.

We keep the litter box in our laundry room (cement floor) which is off the kitchen. I tried one of the plastic mats right in front of the litter box to help get litter off their paws, but they still manage to get it into the carpets and other places.

What are some things I can do to try and keep the amount of litter that is tracked through the house down? And are there any articles on the health impacts of litter tracked through the house on young children that will be crawling around on the floor?

Nick