My newest main coon thinks the box is a play place. I use a spray bottle to keep them off the counters and table but I am afraid if I spray her for playing in the box she will think that it is someplace that is off limits. Not only does this play make a huge mess I find it difficult to let her love me when she has just spent the last few minutes rolling in the litterbox. Please Help.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 1999

Answers

My MC type, (has many characteristics of breed but no papers) used to do this. He would get half out of the box and then fling litter out with his front feet. It made a terrible mess! I moved his litter box first thinking that a new location would make him reassociate bathroom only behaviour with the box. That didn't work so I invested in a covered litter box. Now most of the litter stays in the box. I think that the natural oils heavily present in the coat of the main coon kind of help to repell litter dust and such cuz Grendel never emerges dirty. Aside from spritzing your kitty with lysol I don't know what would help to get rid of the germs though.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 1999