A litter box for 3-legged cats doesn’t always go according to plan. In the Tripawds Discussion Forum for Three-Legged Cats, Molly’s mom @molmol shared the Goldilocks process to find the right litter box for her new Tripawd kitty.
Tripawd Molly Gives Her Litter Box Opinions
Molly handled recovery like a champ, but when it came to her litter box, her mom Jane worked hard to find out what she liked. Here’s what she wrote:
“Long story short – she preferred her old ways of doing things over new ways that I thought would benefit her. Molly used a top-entry box all her life. When we found she was going to be amputated because of an osteosarcoma on her right front leg, we switched to a regular litter box called Catit Hooded Litter Jumbo box.”
It was a good move. “She liked it – easy to step in and out, roomy, and enclosed,” they wrote.
Molly would have been hoppy with the Catit box, but her mom thought she would be more comfortable in a low-sided litter box. Here’s what happened:
“I bought So Phresh Open litter box. She hated it. She went in, sat for a minute while staring at her Catit litter box that was placed a few steps away, jumped right out of it, and hopped right in her Catit litter box. I knew right away she didn’t like the open litter box.”
Wanting to give Molly the very best, they purchased Nature’s Miracle High Sided Cat litter box. Molly let them know what she thought.
“She tolerated and used this box, but still went to the the Catit box that she was used to. She needed more space to move around since it was bigger. We also kept the same litter that she has used all her life, Precious Cat Ultra litter.”
Today, Molly’s mom has two litter boxes for her. She keeps one on each level of their home. “We keep the litter door open, and she does her business inside her box consistently,” she said.
Get More Litter Box Tips for 3-Legged Cats
Remember, amputation recovery for cats doesn’t always go according to plan. A Tripawd cat’s litter box can be one of the biggest challenges. Consider posting your experience and questions in the Tripawds Discussion Forum for Three-Legged Cats.
Also, check out Tripawds Litterbox Tips for Cats to help find the purrfect litter box for 3-legged cats too!
And don’t forget, Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats has tons of essential cat amputation advice if you’re new to the three-legged life.
You may have done this but I do wonder whether the old box was more attractive because it had familiar smells ie. wondering if she might have chosen differently if some used litter had been placed in the new trays?
Thanks for the pawesome feedback!
That all may be fine for an indoor cat that has had an amputation, depending on whether a front or rear leg had to be amputated. For those of us who adopted ferals who had to undergo amputation and have never used a litter box before, it is unreasonable. Simply getting my girl to limit herself to the bathroom rug was initially challenging. Now I am trying to transition to a senior cat litter box and hoping it works.
Hi Lily Lou’s Mom. This is good information to know so we can all learn together. Please consider posting in our Three Legged Cats Discussion Forum topic for help from feline members and suggestions to help your senior cat adjust.
Hi! I am going through the same circumstances, outside stray ( Riley) showed up at our home with a broken leg and had to have it amputated at the shoulder joint . We are struggling to find something she will use… I just ordered a box for senior cats. If you figure out something that works please follow up. We are just experimenting knowing that these are life altering changes for her and I’m sure it takes time but any advice is very appreciated
Sarah, we are sorry your cat is going through recovery. Please hop over to the Tripawds Discussion Forum for 3 Legged Cats for help and support. Litterbox talk happens all the time there!
We cannot get our tripod kitty to use a litter box. She will go on a puppy pad only. Suggestions?
A low profile box is best. Many members have provided much more helpful advice in these topics discussing litter box tips for tri-kitties in the Three Legged Cats forum.