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If your dog has a habit of getting into the litter box, it makes sense to be worried. Even if they aren’t consuming litter or waste, there’s the mess to consider, plus your cat’s comfort and safety. If you’re thinking it’s time to figure out how to keep your dog out of the litter box for good, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll explain why some dogs find cat litter so appealing, what you can do to keep them out of litter boxes, and how to handle it if your dog manages to eat some cat litter.
We consulted Dr. Maggie Placer, an animal behaviorist and the Veterinary Science Program Manager at EveryCat Health Foundation, to get an expert’s input.
Why Dogs Like Cat Litter
In many cases, when a dog gets into a cat’s litter box, it’s not litter they’re after but cat poop. As unappealing as it sounds, some dogs like cat poop. Dr. Placer explains, “The novel taste and smell of the cat’s waste, including any undigested cat food, are enticing to dogs.”
Simple curiosity is also a common culprit, since dogs explore the world with their noses and mouths. Dog boredom can also be a factor, as an understimulated dog will follow their nose to entertainment.
In rare cases, dogs may be driven to consume feces—a habit called coprophagia—by nutritional deficiencies or underlying health problems. If your dog gets into the litter box regularly, it’s worth consulting your vet to rule out a medical issue first.
Solutions To Keep a Dog Out of Cat Litter
There’s more than one way to keep dogs out of cat litter boxes. Your circumstances—like your litter layout and the relative size of your dog and cat—will be the biggest factors in determining which are most effective.
Physical barriers
The easiest and cheapest way to keep your dog out of the litter box is to put the box somewhere only your cat can access. For example, you can move the litter box to another room and use a dog gate your cat can jump over or walk through to block the door.
If a pet gate is too much of an inconvenience, consider a door latch that keeps the door open only enough for your cat to slip through. If you’re DIY-minded, you can even install a cat door to keep your dog out of your cat’s room.
These solutions work especially well for large dogs, but they’re less effective if your dog is as small as your kitty. To keep a small dog out of the litter box, try placing the litter box on an elevated surface, like a table. Just make sure your cat can safely jump high enough to access it.
If you aren’t able to set aside an entire room for your cat’s litter box—or if a large enough elevated surface isn’t available—you can create a designated space for it instead. Dr. Placer recommends using a top-opening dog crate or pet playpen to contain the litter box and bar your dog from entry.
High-sided litter box
If making changes to your space isn’t an option, consider switching to a less easily accessible litter box. A litter box with higher sides makes it harder for a dog to step in or reach over the sides.
Basic high-sided litter boxes tend to be economically priced, and they come in a range of sizes and shapes (including triangular boxes for use in corners). Some litter box brands even offer removable toppers that turn a standard litter box into a high-sided one.
High-sided litter boxes tend to work best against small dogs and dogs who aren’t highly motivated to get into the litter box. The downside is that litter boxes with high walls may be more difficult for some cats to access, especially senior cats and cats with limited mobility.
Enclosed litter box
If high walls aren’t enough to keep a dog out of the litter box, an enclosed design might work better. An enclosed litter box is basically a litter pan with a cover on it. In most cases, the covers are removable for easy cleaning, and many models have entry flaps or doors as an added deterrent for litter-curious dogs.
Many covered litter boxes are designed for entry in the side or front, but top-entry models are available as well. Top-entry litter boxes may be more effective against small dogs who can’t reach high enough to stick their head in. Large dogs, on the other hand, may find it difficult to reach down and into a standard enclosed litter box.
While covered litter boxes generally work pretty well in keeping dogs out, they also tend to keep odors in. Frequent cleaning and/or use of replaceable filters is recommended to keep the litter box fresh for your cat. Keep in mind, too, that some cats simply may not like the feeling of being enclosed in a small space with a single entry.
Self-cleaning litter box
If making the litter box more difficult to access doesn’t work, try making the litter box less appealing to your dog. “Regular cleaning of the litter box,” Dr. Placer says, “may limit the smells that draw the dog to the litter box.” Self-cleaning litter boxes offer an automated alternative to scooping by hand. Many can be programmed to cycle immediately after use, quickly eliminating the source of enticing odors.
The most popular self-cleaning litter boxes are fully automatic, but you can still find mechanical models. The Roll ‘n Clean from Omega Paw is a prime example. It contains an internal sifter that separates clumps and solid waste from clean litter when you roll the box on its side. Most automatic litter boxes have either a built-in litter rake (like the PetSafe ScoopFree) or a sifter integrated into a rotating housing (like the Litter Robot 4).
Fully automatic boxes like these are some of the best—and most expensive—litter boxes on the market, and some take up a lot of floor space. If you have room in your budget, however, this option can be highly effective.
Deterrents and training
Another way to make the litter box less appealing to your dog is to mix a bitter-tasting additive with the litter. You can also find supplements to give your dog that change the flavor of stool to make it less appealing—though it’s important to talk to your dog’s vet first.
Dr. Placer notes that deterrents like these have demonstrated limited success. “It is important to remember,” she adds, “that the litter box area needs to remain appealing to the cat when trying to deter [stool-eating] behavior in the dog.”
As an alternative to using deterrents, Dr. Placer recommends positive reinforcement training. “When the dog is going toward the litter,” she explains, “lure them away toward you with a high-value treat so they begin seeking the high-value treat over the litter box.” Training your dog to respond to a “leave it” cue may also be helpful.
Is Cat Litter Toxic to Dogs?
Cat litter itself doesn’t hold much appeal for dogs, but a dog who eats cat poop might ingest some cat litter along with it. The dangers for a dog consuming cat litter largely depend on the type of litter and the amount consumed. The health status of both your dog and your cat may also come into play.
According to Dr. Placer, the most serious risks for a dog eating cat litter and feces include the following:
- Highly absorbent litter (like clay cat litter) may swell in the dog’s digestive tract and cause an intestinal obstruction.
- Dogs with allergies may have a reaction to ingredients in the litter or the proteins in the undigested remains of cat food.
- Scented cat litter containing synthetic fragrances could lead to toxic accumulation in the dog’s bloodstream if ingested in large quantities.
- Cat feces may contain harmful pathogens like salmonella and E. coli or parasites like ringworm, tapeworm, giardia, and Toxoplasma gondii.
The risks associated with consuming cat litter and feces may be higher for puppies than adult dogs and for small breeds versus large breeds.
What to do if your dog ingests cat litter
If your dog ingests cat litter—especially a significant amount of it, here’s what to do:
- Move your dog to a safe space well away from the litter box.
- Check your dog for symptoms of a toxic or allergic reaction: vomiting, lethargy, difficulty breathing, pale gums, seizures, or unusual behaviors or abnormal movements.
- If your dog is having difficulty breathing, has collapsed, or had a seizure, take them to the nearest emergency vet.
- If your dog appears stable, consult your veterinarian to determine whether you should bring your dog in.
- Monitor your dog over the next 24-48 hours for signs of a reaction and make sure they’re still eating, drinking, and passing stool normally.
In many cases, a dog that consumes a small amount of cat litter won’t require treatment. It’s essential to monitor your dog, however, because complications related to litter consumption may take time to develop. Illnesses caused by pathogens in the litter can often be treated with medicine, but more serious issues like intestinal blockages may require surgical intervention.