Modified Litter Box

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This topic has 15sd replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 9 months ago by jerseygirl.

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- 11/08/2008 at 3:26 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Thought I’d share my experimenting! I’ve had some success with a new litter box that is cutting down use of litter greatly. In fact, you could use it litter free.
  
  I purchased a tub that has higher sides than previous one. I also got a plastic basket same shape and size. i.e. it can fit into litter box. I only wanted to use the bottom grate part and 1 inch border of solid plastic around that, so I cut off all sides. I inverted this part and put it into the litter box with some pages from phone book underneath. Idea is, pee goes straight thru plastic grate and is soaked up by paper. Poop remains on top. They’re easily enough to sweep to side or take out grate and dispose of them. I do sprinkle a bit of litter in back corner where she pees but it’s like a tablespoons worth! Odour does not seem to be problem either – at least I don’t notice it!
  
  I thought Jersey would reject the new box but she had no troubles and knew what to do. I took care to get similar colour and shape box to old one just in case. And I still put hay on top of the grate at the front to help orientate her. In case my description has left you confused, here’s some poor quality pics that should explain better.
  
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- 11/08/2008 at 8:17 AM
  BunnyMuffin
  Participant
  350 posts
  Wow! What a neat idea! I might have to try something like that myself. I just upgraded Noelle and Wally to a bigger box that’s big enough for both of them and have been trying to devise ways to cut down on the litter usage. Thanks for sharing!
- 11/08/2008 at 8:29 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  very neat idea! good job!
  
  like with any litterbox without litter you want to keep an eye out for urine scald or the beginning of sore hocks, but i think with her breed she’s not prone to them anyways, so you’re probably safe.
- 11/08/2008 at 10:52 AM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  WOW You’re so creative!!!
  
  It’s funny how we can build or buy things not meant for rabbits (and sometimes not meant for pets at all!) and they do such a better job then the products that were meant for them!!
  
  That looks like it’s working great!
- 11/08/2008 at 1:08 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  It’s actually just a cheapo modified version of those cat litter boxes. With them, you use wood pellet litter on top and as it gets wet, it breaks down. Then you shake it so the wet stuff falls through to the bottom.
  
  Sometimes with the other box there would be pee flicked up the sides but rarely. I don’t really know how. I haven’t has this trouble yet with new box. I’ve flipped her over straight after she has jumped out of the box, to check pee is draining away and not being absorbed by her fur. So far so good.
  
  If I want to spend some $$ I might have given this a go. DELUXE! http://www.thepetloo.com/au/
- 11/09/2008 at 7:00 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  Where did you find the basket? I’m looking for something to cover the litter for one of my bunny’s boxes because she loves to *DIG* – especially in her litter *ew* – so I’m trying to cover up the litter. I haven’t seen a basket like that before, did you find it at somewhere like Wal-Mart? And what section was it in?
- 11/09/2008 at 8:19 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Picture below is what basket looked like before I cut it up.
  
  You should be able to find something similar in walmart. Try storage section, then kitchen, then laundry. It’ss one of those multi purpose things that doesn’t belong to one group. Sometimes called a draining basket. I got mine in a variety store ($2 shop). Another option is to use those document trays you see in office departments. They come in plastic or metal. I’ve considered getting one of the metal mesh ones but thought it might rust. Pics also below.
  
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- 11/10/2008 at 6:35 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  we have some of those baskets for storing cleaning supplies, but all of ours have solid bottoms and then the grid sides… not sure i’ve seen one with holes all over but i might have to keep a look out.
- 11/10/2008 at 9:54 AM
  bunnytowne
  Participant
  7537 posts
  Thats an excellent idea. I have been trying to think up what I could cover 2 literbox bottoms with. I should take measurements of their litterboxes and be on the lookout for something that fits.
  
  HB’s litterbox needs one of those real bad. Cotton not so bad but I want one there for him and Ruby anyways. OH gosh I have to measure 4 litterboxes. HB’s gona get his first. He needs it the most. Cotton and Ruby are fine the way theirs are. But still…. It would be more hygenic for them all to have screens on top like that.
- 11/10/2008 at 7:11 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Another thing you can try is get two solid boxes that stack together. Sometimes when they stack there’s a 1 inch gap between the bases. Then you can just drill holes in the bottom of the inner box. Unsure how well urine would drain away though.
  
  Just be sure to get rigid enough plastic that won’t weaken too much once you put holes in it. The basket I used flexes a little when you put pressure on it, but not so it touches the bottom of the box. This is something you’ll need to test when buying baskets/boxes. Whether it will stand up to the rabbits weight – and teeth! If anyone makes up a litter box, I’d be interested to see it, and any useful improvements!
  
  Others have used cake racks and wire mesh i think, to cover litter. Cannot think of other things suggested……
- 11/11/2008 at 12:55 PM
  JamieM
  Participant
  321 posts
  Jerseygirl, I’m now calling you McGuyver Great idea.
- 11/11/2008 at 8:03 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  OK – I’m off to hunt around WalMart tomorrow I live a bit in the sticks now so the closest thing to me is only a Walmart so I hope they have one! I came home today and my kitchen smelled like bunny pee because Amelia decided to fling her pee soaked litter out of her litter box so that she could sleep in it She would have been in trouble if she wasn’t so cute when she sleeps!
- 11/13/2008 at 1:47 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Moobunny, how did the shopping endeavour go?
- 11/14/2008 at 8:45 PM
  clop
  Participant
  51 posts
  Hi jerseygirl – that’s a great idea! It’s tidy, and saves litter; what a neat contraption. Thanks for sharing!
  
  lol hopefully one day I will be able to use it, but I think I should wait until Buns is trained, otherwise it’s too many sources of confusion for him.
- 11/14/2008 at 9:29 PM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  I am a big fan of litterboxes with grates- eliminates urine stained feet.
  
  One thing I would mention is that if you are using a metal grate that is not intended for pet use/ and or frequent washing, make sure to always inspect it closely. I have noticed on my bunnies cage that the area that she uses for the litter box (grate with pan underneath) the metal has paint flaking away from the effects of corosive urine. So just make sure you do not get to the point with rusty metal screen or grate that could scratch or poke your bunnies feet.
  
  I am currently looking for the best option of grated litterbox to use when my buns are bonded and I build a new condo for them. But either way- 1 one uncovered litterbox has got to go! It is not as “clean” in my opinion.
- 12/04/2008 at 6:48 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I’ve revived this thread to share some pics that BunnyMuffin posted in Behavior. She’s kindly allowed me to re post them here. This is her version of grated litter box. I’m told the grate is egg crate or light diffuser plastic that you can get at home depot etc.
  
  The leg things on the bottom are held on with zipties. Also, the litter box has rounded corners, so we cut the corners off the one end to make it sit flat. Hope it helps! ~BunnyMuffin
  
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