Divine Oub
How you ladies keep your toddler away from the cat box? My one year old seems to be fascinated by our cats using it. We have it blocked of for now but how do you guys handle this issue?
Answer
Add into this the fact that if you don't have the litterbox right then the cat may rebel and use something like the baby's toys. For me, it was the same things we do to keep the dog out of the boxes.
-put them up. Cats can jump so much better than dogs, and toddlers can be stopped from climbing up fairly easily as well. This also gives the cat a much better view around so that they won't be surprised in the box and most cats like that.
-put them in an area that is blocked off by a baby gate. For instance, we have a gate across half of the room downstairs. In one half is the cat box, cat-door/dog-door, and the food and water.
-put something around the edge that makes noise and will alert you to your toddler or dog getting into it. Like bells, crinkle paper, etc. Cats will usually jump right over it, but your toddler will almost always hit it.
-clean it OFTEN. It's best to clean a litterbox 3x a day. It's not that hard, you just get a clumping litter and keep the shovel next to the box and a covered trash-can. When you walk by, you scoop and dump. Very easy. I keep the shovel on the inside of the trash-lid so that my daughter can't see it, or in a drawer next to the box. This means even if she DOES get in the box, she's not playing with the poop or pee, it's going to be clean 90% of the time. While it's still gross, it's far better than finding they put a cat poo in their mouth.
If your cat uses a covered box already, then that is an option. Or if your cat has no problem with using it in the closet. But there are problems that can happen there. Covered boxes don't air out right and are dark and have one opening. The result is that it can still be wet when the cat steps in (and some refuse to use wet litter), or the cat can become nervous of the toddler waiting just outside to grab them and refuse to put themselves in that trapped situation. The same with a closet (though my parents use a closet and don't have any issues with their cat, every cat is an individual.) Think of it like this. If you're a cat, and you go into the bathroom and the toddler who grabs and yanks you is waiting just outside, then you're trapped until help arrives. The result is you might look for an open area where you can make sure the toddler can't corner you like that, and go quickly there (like a laundry basket, the carpet in the hallway where they can run in 3 directions if the toddler approaches, or an open toybox/crib.) And while I've never had a problem putting the litterbox in the garage, I know some cats who refuse to use it out there unless it's been out there for most of their lives. Moving litterboxes seems to be something you need to do gradually or the cat won't always use it. Blocking off that area tends to be the safest route.
Add: Oh, if your cat won't jump the gate like someone suggested, just put the gate up a bit higher than normal so they can go under but the baby cannot. They also sell gates with a small cat-door at the bottom. :)
Add into this the fact that if you don't have the litterbox right then the cat may rebel and use something like the baby's toys. For me, it was the same things we do to keep the dog out of the boxes.
-put them up. Cats can jump so much better than dogs, and toddlers can be stopped from climbing up fairly easily as well. This also gives the cat a much better view around so that they won't be surprised in the box and most cats like that.
-put them in an area that is blocked off by a baby gate. For instance, we have a gate across half of the room downstairs. In one half is the cat box, cat-door/dog-door, and the food and water.
-put something around the edge that makes noise and will alert you to your toddler or dog getting into it. Like bells, crinkle paper, etc. Cats will usually jump right over it, but your toddler will almost always hit it.
-clean it OFTEN. It's best to clean a litterbox 3x a day. It's not that hard, you just get a clumping litter and keep the shovel next to the box and a covered trash-can. When you walk by, you scoop and dump. Very easy. I keep the shovel on the inside of the trash-lid so that my daughter can't see it, or in a drawer next to the box. This means even if she DOES get in the box, she's not playing with the poop or pee, it's going to be clean 90% of the time. While it's still gross, it's far better than finding they put a cat poo in their mouth.
If your cat uses a covered box already, then that is an option. Or if your cat has no problem with using it in the closet. But there are problems that can happen there. Covered boxes don't air out right and are dark and have one opening. The result is that it can still be wet when the cat steps in (and some refuse to use wet litter), or the cat can become nervous of the toddler waiting just outside to grab them and refuse to put themselves in that trapped situation. The same with a closet (though my parents use a closet and don't have any issues with their cat, every cat is an individual.) Think of it like this. If you're a cat, and you go into the bathroom and the toddler who grabs and yanks you is waiting just outside, then you're trapped until help arrives. The result is you might look for an open area where you can make sure the toddler can't corner you like that, and go quickly there (like a laundry basket, the carpet in the hallway where they can run in 3 directions if the toddler approaches, or an open toybox/crib.) And while I've never had a problem putting the litterbox in the garage, I know some cats who refuse to use it out there unless it's been out there for most of their lives. Moving litterboxes seems to be something you need to do gradually or the cat won't always use it. Blocking off that area tends to be the safest route.
Add: Oh, if your cat won't jump the gate like someone suggested, just put the gate up a bit higher than normal so they can go under but the baby cannot. They also sell gates with a small cat-door at the bottom. :)
toddler toy help?
josh z
my girl has a dol she takes every where even to timeout or to punishment.
what would be the funest and best way to stop this?
Answer
honestly, i don't think you can. toddlers sometimes have a "lovey" that they take everywhere. it's a comfort object, and helps them to feel safe and secure. it will pass over time, but it is doubtful that you will be able to make her get rid of the doll anytime soon without an all out war.
i've read some great articles about loveys in parents magazine. you can check out their website and probably look up those articles. hope this helps!
honestly, i don't think you can. toddlers sometimes have a "lovey" that they take everywhere. it's a comfort object, and helps them to feel safe and secure. it will pass over time, but it is doubtful that you will be able to make her get rid of the doll anytime soon without an all out war.
i've read some great articles about loveys in parents magazine. you can check out their website and probably look up those articles. hope this helps!
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment