Okay, folks, let’s dive into my little project of making a litter box for my disabled cat.
The Problem
My sweet old kitty, Whiskers, has some mobility issues. Getting in and out of a regular litter box became a real struggle for her. I felt terrible watching her try, and sometimes she wouldn’t even make it in time. So, I knew I had to do something.
Brainstorming and Gathering
First, I spent some time just observing Whiskers. I needed to see exactly where she was having the most trouble. It was clear the high sides of the box were the main culprit.
Then, I started looking around the house for materials. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money, so I was hoping to repurpose something. I found a large, shallow plastic storage bin – the kind you might use for under-bed storage. It seemed like it might work!
The Build (aka, Making it Happen)
The plastic bin was a good start, but the edges were still a bit too high for easy access. So, I grabbed a pair of sturdy scissors (a box cutter would probably work better, but I couldn’t find mine!). I carefully cut down one side of the bin, creating a low ramp. I made sure to smooth out the cut edges with some sandpaper so Whiskers wouldn’t scratch herself.
- Used: Large, shallow plastic storage bin
- Used: Scissors (or box cutter)
- Used:Sandpaper
Testing and Tweaks
I placed the modified bin where her old litter box had been and added her usual litter. Then, I watched. Whiskers approached it cautiously at first, but then she easily stepped right in! Success!
Over the next few days, I kept an eye on things. I noticed she sometimes tracked a bit more litter out because of the lower sides. To fix this, I simply placed a larger mat underneath the bin to catch any stray litter.
The Result!
Whiskers is now using her new, accessible litter box with no problems! It’s such a relief to see her comfortable and able to do her business without struggling. This was a super simple project, but it made a huge difference in her quality of life. Plus, I feel pretty good about being able to create something helpful for my furry friend!
If you have a senior or disabled cat, I definitely recommend trying something like this. It’s easy, cheap, and can really improve your cat’s life.
