What do do about a cat with "litter paws?"

[CheshireVal]

We have two cats and two litterboxes, which we clean twice a day.

Our 4 year old siamese, Sebastian, CONSTANTLY has litter caked on his back legs/paws. Sometimes it's so bad that it's all clumped between his claws and pads and we have to submerge the foot in a bowl of warm water just to get it off, which I'm sure you can imagine he just loves.

We've tried several brands of litter, we've tried scooping more often (we used to only do it once a day), but to no avail. We can clean his foot one day and the next it's caked in litter again.

Our other cat never seems to have any problems. Any ideas on why this is happening to Sebastian? He's a big boy (19 pounds) so maybe he's sinking down into the litter farther than our other cat?

Are they just drinking and peeing too dang much? (They have a kitty water fountain, which they love).

I'm getting pretty fed up-- it's gross!!!

 

[nuke]

Does he clean himself before he goes in there? I'm thinking his paws must be wet to have the litter caked up on them.

 

[Imzadi]

Have you tried a bigger box? 19 lbs is a big cat. Sebastian may be accidentally stepping in his own mess because of lack of space to maneuver. My cat does this when I don't clean often enough. it becomes like the game Twister for her as she tries to avoid the old poo & then ends up accidentally stepping in the fresh stuff.

Also, are you using a good clumping litter? If he tends to try to lick off the litter, make sure you do NOT use the kind with crystals. They are very toxic for cats to ingest.

Third, maybe he's got a kidney infection which makes him go more than ordinary?

 

[CheshireVal]

Hmmmm he does like to hang out in the bathtub and sinks in the bathroom, so maybe his paws are sometimes wet from that...

We are using the biggest box we can find-- it's hard to get one that is suitable for cat his size (he's really not *fat* but he's a BIG kitty). He had a complete urinary tract blockage last year, so the goal now is to get him to pee as much as possible. Hadn't thought of a kidney infection, but I haven't noticed him going any more than usual.

He doesn't try to lick the litter off his paws-- he seems content to be dirty.

Maybe we should try more expensive litter.

 

[jobhunter]

Get a dog litter box. No lie, they make them! And they are a lot bigger than the cat litter boxes, with a cut out to make it easier for them to get in.
I would say he is probably stepping in his own pee. Does he make huge pee clumps?

 

[CheshireVal]

Get a dog litter box. No lie, they make them! And they are a lot bigger than the cat litter boxes, with a cut out to make it easier for them to get in.
I would say he is probably stepping in his own pee. Does he make huge pee clumps?

Yeah, his pee clumps are pretty big (according to my disgruntled husband-- the litter is his job ).


I've never heard of a dog litter box! But that is worth looking into!!!

 

[Imzadi]

It might be the wet paws from the bathtub. My cat loves to play in the bathroom sink. I never understood that. She hates if I accidentally splash her, but doesn't mind her feet & face getting splashed on when she's drinking from the faucet.

You might have to try getting a long, plastic storage tub from Target & cutting the height down so Sebastian can use it as a litter box. Line it with a trash bag.

 

[CheshireVal]

Thanks for the tips!!

Here's the kitty in question, by the way:

 

[jobhunter]

I believe Purina makes them. We get them for our 17-pound cat with the big caboose. They're great--just a little more expensive.

Just FYI, might be worth taking him to the vet to get checked out. If the pee clump is large, like apple sized, he might have an infection. Cats should not really be peeing more than 2 times a day, small clumps. This is one way we found out my cat has diabetes. Not that your cat does, but if he has an infection or something he might be peeing more, and therefore having trouble avoiding it. When my cat is having a bad time with her sugar, she pees a small lake and we have to clean the "cement boots" as well.

He's gorgeous!

 

[nuke]

He's very handsome! I love your sig pic also.

 

[chyam]

If you can't find a dog little box, you can also use one of those storage containers that are made to fit under beds and they come in several sizes....they may also be cheaper just to try one of those and see if that solves the problem. I ended up getting one of the Boda boxes that has a ribbed tray in front of the opening........I swear it's a piece of furniture it's so big!

 

[Imzadi]

If you can't find a dog little box, you can also use one of those storage containers that are made to fit under beds and they come in several sizes....

That's even better than trying to cut down a storage tub.

OP, both your kitties are so cute.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I really like the ideas of a dog litter box or an under-bed storage box for a big cat. Tigger's a big boy, too-about 20 pounds and yesterday he pooped in his box, then stepped in it because he couldn't manuever very well. Boy, you learn all kinds of interesting things here on the DIS-not just WDW stuff! Off to look for a new box!

 

[simpilotswife]

What about switching to clay litter vs scoopable?