DIY litter box help -

[MsTryska]

hey y'all - i need to make a high-walled litterbox out of a gigantic storage bin.


I basically want to get a deep storage bin (my cat is a stand up and pee-er) and i need to cut a hole in it or remove one side, so that he can climb in and do his business.

has anyone ever done this before?

I need to know the best way to cut the plastic, in order to make this work.


i tried this once before but the plastic cracked and has some dangerous looking edges. I think i used an electric drill with a saw bit.

[flvegan]

1. If you're concerned for the outcome and the cat possibly

getting hurt, could you try one of those that's almost enclosed with a front opening? It's likely more expensive than your plan, but that's somewhat what they're made for.

Something like this:


or this:

[MsTryska]

2. Thanks - but Closed boxes are out of the question....

those things stink, especially with the cat peeing all over the walls - it just locks all the vapors in.


That's why i've pretty much got no choice but to build my own. you would think soemone would have thought of this already.


they have them for ferrets.

I saw a couple that are "high sided" or "high-backed" but i've got to go home and measure how high the cat's ass is from the floor to figure out if they'll be tall enough. *lol*

[Kashka-Kat]

3. do you need to cut opening? cats are climbers/jumpers

depending on how high you want the sides the cat may be able to climb up and jump down in. I got one with sides about 2 feet tall, I put enough litter in to weight it down well. So then when Kitty jumps up and balances on the edge, and then jumps down inside the box, it doesn't shift or move on her. It does help keep down the amount of litter kicked out of the box (she's a maniacal digger) but she still somehow ends up tracking some of it around the house.

[MsTryska]

4. well yeah.....

mainly because of the space the box is currently located (in a vanity cubbyhole in my bathroom) and because both my cats are getting older - i don't want them to not use it because it's too much work to get in.

i'm also wondering if maybe the gray one stands to pee because his hips hurt or soemthing.

[SW FL Dem]

8. That's what I was thinking

I got tired of cleaning up the litter after my cat jumped in/out of her box. I have a cheapo plastic storage box filled with a few inches of litter, the sides are at least a foot high. My 17 1/2 yr old cat still jumps in and out of in several times a day.

[radfringe]

5. it will take some time and patience

equipment: hair dryer, box cutter razor knife

1. score the opening you've marked out

2. heat up a small area with the hair dryer and re-cut it again
it's going to take several cuts to get through the plastic depending on how thick it is

repeat process a small section at a time

alternative: drill holes at the corners of the area you've marked out, using a saber saw or hand-held keyhole saw - put the blade into one of the holes and cut down to the next hole... (connect the dots.. :) )

don't exert too much pressure because that will cause the plastic to crack

[MsTryska]

7. yeah - the cracking is pretty much

what i got the last time around.


I've been thinking about getting a dremel tool. (not jsut for this project, but in general). I've also thought about getting a specific plastic cutting bit, if i can find one, for my old drill.

[demnan]

6. Pad Thai stands up

I find that a very large litter box with a lid works fine. I've fitted mine with a gallon size freezer bag attached to the back of the pan with duct tape. The freezer bag repels the liquid back into the pan where it belongs, not through the gap in the pan. I replace the freezer bag if it starts to smell.

[MsTryska]

9. UPDATE!

well i got it together htis weekend...found my rubbermaid containers a 25 gallonn and a 35 gallon - and got me a rotary tool, which cut through them like butter. I know have two spiffy gigantic litterboxes - the really large one i have covered, but the hole is big enough that it gets decent ventilation, and the other one fits perfectly under my vanity.


both cats are very happy, and are making use of both, so i'm thrilled.