Thank You for Dog Eatting Cat Poop Advise.. Had an Idea Would It Work? Hurt?

Updated on January 12, 2010
J.K. asks from Mansfield, OH
6 answers

Ok- thanks to all who answered about my puppy eatting cat poop. I can not move it or block it with a gate- our house is a completely open floor plan and the only place with doors that baby gate would fit are bedrooms (noway) and bathrooms (not big enough to not step in it when trying to get out of shower or go to bathroom). Puppy is a mastiff, lab mix. So big! I'll try using a cover maybe she can't get in but putting it on a table or something will not work (atleast not for long)
So my idea came as I observed her sniff the trash then walk away...she used to love getting things out of the trash but I sprayed that bitter spray on the top of the outside of the can and she tried a few times, realized it tasted bad and stayed away. So can I spray down the litter box with that stuff? Or will the smell (not unpleasant to us) make the cat not go there? Anyone know? The bitter spray has worked great on keeping her from chewing on kids toys,shoes, slippers, etc as well as keeping her out of the trash so........... what do you think? Anyone know about how the cat will take it? Otherwise I will probably have to extra supervise her...because I can't keep her out of the area totally! Thanks moms....

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A.P.

answers from Toledo on

I am a vet and would really not recommend spraying the litterbox with a bitter spray. Those sprays do leave behind an odor and a cat has a much stronger sense of smell than any of us. You do not want to use anything that would make using the box unpleasant or you will be in for many worse outcomes. The cat may decide to forgo the litterbox completely and urinate/defecate in other locations around the house. You might be able to try For-bid in the cat's food (I can't remember right now if you can feed it to a cat) to make the stool taste bad for the puppy, but PLEASE do not spray the litter box with anything noxious. Cats need to feel that their litterbox is welcoming. You are right in trying to minimize the dog's access to the box. Having a dog stalking the cat's bathroom could also make the cat turn to other locations.
If putting the box in a corner of a bedroom, bathroom, etc is out of the question you will have to supervise your puppy, training her away from the box. Puppies can be trained but they have to be supervised closely and not allowed the opportunity to eat the stool. I would call your vet for ideas. They or the staff should be able to help you. Good luck!

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A.C.

answers from San Francisco on

This will vary by cat. Some cats won't go in a box sprayed with that stuff, some will. Some dogs will still eat cat poo even if the box is sprayed. All you can do it try. It won't hurt.

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K.P.

answers from Columbus on

you might be able to try putting something like For-bid on the cats food. Your vet probably carries it or you can get it online. I would NOT recommend doing anything that may risk making the litterbox less attractive to the cat. Once a cat starts going outside the box your stress level increases exponentially.

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T.G.

answers from Cleveland on

Another idea, maybe more complicated but good long term. I don't know where you are currently keeping your litter box, if it's in the laundry room or what. But if you have it in a place where you can install a cat door, then only the cat can get to the litter box. This worked especially well when we had the box in the basement and were definitely keeping the door closed to keep the kids away from the basement stairs anyway. Actually my husband, who is handy, made a cat hole in the drywall and trimmed it out with molding, accomplishing the same as a cat door.

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D.F.

answers from Cleveland on

I don't know if that would work, but cats are very particular about where they go. Since my dog started eating my cat's poop, the cat started spraying. But it doesn't hurt to try. I'm sorry if I don't have a good answer for you.

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M.K.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

If you can try putting Tabasco sauce on the cat poop before the dog gets to it. He probably won't try it again. We did this with our Lab when she was a puppy, it worked like a charm.

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