How to Keep a Dog out of a Litterbox

Dogs are commonly attracted to fecal matter and it's normal behavior to have a dog that wants to steal waste from your cat's litter box. However, it is still a behavior that you should prevent. Shouting, "No," or punishing your dog will not solve the problem, which is why it's best to troubleshoot the situation until your dog can no longer get into the litter box. The best solution is to start by maintaining your cat's litter box properly and eliminating any strong odors.

Things You'll Need

  • Scooper
  • Litter box cover
  • Pet gate
  • Cat door
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Instructions

    • 1

      Scoop out your cat's litter box at least twice a day using a litter scooper. This will keep cat waste out of the box and eliminate any odors that may attract the dog.

    • 2

      Use a litter box that has a cover. This is beneficial to your cat as they like privacy, and most covers contain an odor-freshening vent. Also, the dog may not be able to fit its head into the box, depending on your dog's size.

    • 3

      Place the litter box, if possible, in an area that the dog can't reach, such as on a storage shelf in the garage, laundry room or closet.

    • 4

      Purchase a pet gate from your local pet store and install it to prevent access to the area where you keep the litter box. These gates are like baby gates and should be tall enough to stop the dog, but short enough for the cat to jump over.

    • 5

      Purchase and install a small cat door into the door of the area where you keep the litter box if nothing else seems to work. You can purchase these online or find them at your local pet store.