Which animal is better: cats or dogs? It’s a question that’s been debated since the dawn of time!
They may not like each other, but they can live together, my house is living proof of that fact.
But will they share a litter box? Now that’s a question!
Some people prefer dogs because they’re active and teachable. Others prefer cats because they’re laid-back and low-maintenance. Some people don’t like dogs because they’re higher maintenance than cats.
And then there are the few people that love both dogs and cats, like me!
They are the people that will try to have both in the household, regardless of how the animals feel about one another.
There are some cats and dogs that act like best friends. There are some cats and dogs that fight like siblings that are close in age.
One reason people prefer cats over dogs is a cat is more comfortable to take care of. The main essentials a cat needs is a food bowl and a litter box. You take the time to play with your cat, and you’ll have a happy pet living in your house.
A dog is more work. They need food and water bowl too, but they need to get out of the house to get proper exercise. You also need to take them outside, so they have enough space to go to the bathroom.
However, it’s easier to clean up the poop from a dog than it is a cat.
Because of the care that goes into a dog, some puppies end up homeless because people don’t have the time to take care of one.
These people aren’t able to take time out of their busy schedules to come home and take their dogs outside to make sure they go to the bathroom.
What if there was a way around that problem?
What if there was a way to not only have a dog in the house with a busy schedule but have a cat in the house as well?
The solution is something most people wouldn’t normally consider. What if you could train your dog to use a litter box and share it with the cat? By the end of this article, you’ll know.
Can you train a dog to use the litter box?
Believe it or not, the answer is yes!
Some dogs can be litter-trained, and they take to it quickly. Most small breeds of dogs will take to using a litter box with enough positive reinforcement in their training.
There are even dog litter boxes for sale online that are affordable.
As with a cat, if you have more than one dog in your household, it would be a good idea for you to get multiple litter boxes in your home.
That way, there are many options for your dog to use the bathroom, and some are cleaner than others.
What problems are there with dogs and cats sharing a litter box?
If you have a bigger dog or a dog that will eat anything, a litter box isn’t recommended.
Most litter boxes are designed for cats, so a bigger dog would be better off going outside instead of using one.
Dogs that like to dig shouldn’t use a litter box either, for they will make a bigger mess than what they would if they went outside.
Using a litter box doesn’t mean a dog doesn’t need to go outside anymore. For a healthy, happy dog, you will still need to take it out for walks so it can get some proper exercise.
Can a dog and a cat share a litter box?
This question is a tricky one.
If you plan on litter training your dog, you need to have multiple litter boxes in your house.
You will need to treat the situation like you have multiple cats in the house. That means you’ll need to have one litter box for every animal plus one more, according to the ASPCA.
For example, if you have one dog and one cat, you should have a minimum of three litter boxes in your home.
If your dog and cat are friends, you should have minimal problems having multiple litter boxes in the house.
However, if your pets don’t get along, there could be some problems with it.
Anticipated problems with cats sharing litter box with a dog.
Dogs and cats have different kinds of mentality.
Dogs have a pack mentality, so they wouldn’t see anything wrong with sharing a litter box if they have to.
Cats, on the other hand, are territorial. Especially about their bathrooms. Cats are insanely finicky about their toilets.
If you’re litter training your dog and have an inappropriate number of litter boxes in your home, both pets could start going to the bathroom outside of the litter box.
You could also see some territorial feuds happening in your house because of a cat and dog sharing a litter box.
When litter-training your dog, you need to use a different kind of litter. Most kitty litter is made of clay.
Clay isn’t suitable for dogs because it can stick on or between the dog’s pads. Instead, there are larger, coarser granules that are better suited for a dog.
Using a litter box isn’t second-nature to a dog as it is for a cat. You will need to take the time to train your dog with positive reinforcement.
There is a chance your dog won’t take to the training, and that’s okay. It’s worth a try if your dog is small enough for cat litter.
Conclusion.
Traditionally, we’re conditioned to see cats and dogs as enemies, too different to ever be friends.
But every once in a while, there are cat and dog pairs that show us they’re the best of friends.
The fact that both of these animals can use a littler box with the right amount of training shows that it’s possible to be a busy person and keep both pets in the house.
Working people won’t ever have to choose between a dog and a cat again if their dogs can take to litter training. It will save you a lot of headaches and vet visits in the future.