Cats (Felines)

[maureen beltram]

Looking for any suggesting on where to keep a litter box on a 41 ft. sail boat with only a V-Berth. Not much room down below as its and older boat. Its a S&S design. HELP Maureen

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by maureen beltram

Looking for any suggesting on where to keep a litter box on a 41 ft. sail boat with only a V-Berth. Not much room down below as its and older boat. Its a S&S design. HELP Maureen

Don't know, but something like this might help with the smell:
Sail Delmarva: "A Bathroom Fan": or "No Blog Could be Complete Without a Tale of Head Repairs"

When I had cats in an apartment, the bathroom seemed like the right place, but boats are different.

[sarafina]

I spotted this recently and made a mental note for when the time comes... it could open up the opportunities for locating a litter box with the top load entry...

Alternatively a locker that could be fitted with a box and a door cut in the side for cat access, with cleaning access from the locker board above?

Sort of this idea only a locker?

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by maureen beltram

Looking for any suggesting on where to keep a litter box on a 41 ft. sail boat with only a V-Berth. Not much room down below as its and older boat. Its a S&S design. HELP Maureen

Mine is in the space under the V-Berth. I use the "Breeze" kitty litter system (get it at PetSmart) and it's pretty much odor free.

[sailorchic34]

Mr. Timmys Box is under the salon table, not idea. I'm going to enclose it I think one day. I use fresh step crystals as they don't track at all and no smell for about 3-4 weeks (then its time to change!). It costs more, but I find it lasts longer too so it balances out. In a small 34' sailboat its the only thing that works for me..

[Vasco]

If it's not too late train them to go on the head. The hard part will be getting them to pump. Whatever you do, don't use the clumping litter. My cat used to walk on the wet deck and then get in the litter box. I got the clumping stuff by mistake. She'd end up with big clumps of clay on her paws.

How to Toilet Train Your Cat - YouTube

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Mine is in the space under the V-Berth. I use the "Breeze" kitty litter system (get it at PetSmart) and it's pretty much odor free.

We haven't tried that brand, but heartily endorse Worlds' Best Cat Litter.
It's ground corn and even with a 30' boat and 2 cats, it's odorless.
We use the standard version.

[zeehag]

when i am on anchor, bubba has coach house roof, under his own tarp--he loves tents.... in storms, he is under dinette table. under way--depends on how much engine work is needed-- prolly under my bed in master stateroom

[rusky]

We use the crystal litter tray stuff and leave it in the cockpit. If it gets messy she finds other places to use.

Once we found the litter tray unused for a week and got worried. Something slid off the solar panel one morning! Whilst on passage (and a bouncy trip it was too) 'Minke' the moggy/Russian blue was perching on the solar panel. Luckily she didn't slip off and end up in the water.

[maureen beltram]

thanks on your replys there a very helpful and will take your suggestions. The V-Berth will work out just fine in our boat. Will ason try the different cat litters. Thanks again.

[norsearayder]

a work in progress but here goes,tigers box is two boxes,the lower one has 4 -1 inch rocks in it, the top box i drilled about 200 1/8 in holes in it and then put in 5lb of smooth pea size rocks in ,no smell the bottom box is easily rinsed and you can rinse down the gravel and it leaks down into lower box as well. the 2 boxes are loosly hung together with sail string and also a loop in the midle for hanging overboard. solid waste is easily fished out and disposed of as soon as found .no smell at all,ever

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by rusky

We use the crystal litter tray stuff and leave it in the cockpit. If it gets messy she finds other places to use.

Once we found the litter tray unused for a week and got worried. Something slid off the solar panel one morning! Whilst on passage (and a bouncy trip it was too) 'Minke' the moggy/Russian blue was perching on the solar panel. Luckily she didn't slip off and end up in the water.

Attachment 32538

I bought some of the crystals. Turns out one of my cats does NOT like the Breeze system and has made it abundantly clear. 'Nuff said.

So I got the crystals and a new pan. Came home last night and literally HALF of it was on the cockpit floor (thank goodness it was in the cockpit!). The finicky cat LOVES IT -- loves to DIG in it. I won't be able to use it -- he's INCREDIBLY messy with it.

[zeehag]

try a deeper or larger pan. booda box is good--even has a top. bubba is 16 pound cat, as a maine coon mix, and uses a larger pan. some cats like to dig-- then a deeper or a larger one is important.

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Came home last night and literally HALF of it was on the cockpit floor (thank goodness it was in the cockpit!). The finicky cat LOVES IT -- loves to DIG in it. I won't be able to use it -- he's INCREDIBLY messy with it.

maybe that top load pan would help?

[FrankZ]

We use a small box (it fits the space) and put it in the head off to the side with clumping litter.

Jezebel likes good coverage after using it and will move the litter around until all is buried. Nikita can't be bothered (she is old and grumpy).

Neither cat is allowed on deck, for any reason. Trailing of litter has not been a problem as of yet.

I think I make more of a scattering mess scooping then they do using the box.