| One major problem you encounter as a cat owner | | | | Hard plastics are formed in molds (forms into which |
| involves your cat's use (or non-use) of her litter box. | | | | the plastic is poured, where it hardens and takes |
| This is probably one of the most frustrating issues | | | | shape). The molds are first coated with a "mold |
| that arise in caring for your new cat. You buy a litter | | | | release" agent to enable the removal of the plastic |
| box, often an expensive one, fill it with good quality | | | | part from the mold - otherwise it would stick to it |
| litter, and then find your cat defecating or urinating | | | | and stay there. |
| somewhere else in the house. Even more frustrating | | | | Both materials - the plasticizer and the mold release |
| is when you discover that your cat "does her | | | | agent- remain as a residue on (or in) the plastic. And |
| business" near the litter box, but not in it. | | | | both materials can "outgas", that is, be released into |
| You have, of course, taken your cat to the vet who | | | | the air, immediately after your litter box has been |
| has pronounced her "healthy". So, you've ruled out | | | | manufactured, and, in the cases of flexible plastics, |
| any physical ailment. You've changed the litter; you've | | | | from then on. |
| cleaned the box. You've made sure no other cat is | | | | Even though you can't smell anything... |
| going in her box. | | | | So, if you've tried everything to induce your cat to |
| And yet, she's still doing it - you still have problems: | | | | "go" in her litter box and nothing has worked, could it |
| · your cat is going somewhere else in the house | | | | be that your cat is sensitive to the plasticizers or the |
| · your cat is going next to the litter box | | | | mold release agents used in the manufacture of her |
| · your cat is going half in and half out | | | | litter box? Even though you can't smell anything, |
| The last possibility can often be solved by getting a | | | | maybe your cat can. |
| larger box: something resembling a tub that your cat | | | | Plastic is basically an unnatural material. It wasn't |
| can still get into and out of without too much trouble | | | | found in nature before Man arrived and started |
| but will confine the scat (not the cat) to the tub. | | | | making disposable food containers and litter boxes, |
| But the first two difficulties often remain. | | | | and it wasn't a factor in the evolution of cats. |
| The Invisible Culprit | | | | Maybe your cat is sensitive to it, and is making you |
| What could be the problem? I'd like to pose a | | | | aware of that fact by defecating somewhere else, |
| possible answer in one word: plastic. | | | | far from this source of annoyance. Or maybe the |
| Most litter boxes, no matter how elaborate or | | | | plastic is triggering some unnatural behavior in your |
| expensive, are made of one plastic or another. | | | | cat, causing her to defecate half in and half out. |
| Plastics are polymers...huge molecules made by | | | | Don't tell your guests... |
| chemically "stringing together" smaller molecular units. | | | | Try changing the material of the litter box. Try a |
| Sometimes the units are all identical, sometimes they | | | | glass litter box. |
| vary in composition and recur with some regularity. | | | | But, you say, there aren't any glass litter boxes for |
| However all plastics are "organic" compounds. | | | | sale! Where can I get one? |
| In case you've forgotten your high school chemistry, | | | | I went to glass some time ago by converting a |
| organic compounds are primarily made up of Carbon | | | | shallow baking dish into a litter box. My wife used it |
| and Hydrogen, sometimes with other elements such | | | | for baking scalloped potatoes, and I unwittingly |
| as Nitrogen, Phosphorous or Sulfur thrown in. | | | | grabbed it for a different use, much to |
| The plastics used in constructing most cheap cat litter | | | | her...uh...displeasure. |
| boxes are relatively flexible - they can be easily bent. | | | | Granted, a baking dish is shallow and the litter is easily |
| When you pick yours up to clean it, you'll find it | | | | thrown out by a digging cat, but I place newspaper |
| bending as you carry it out the door. It's composed | | | | under it (not a plastic mat), to catch the thrown litter. |
| of a flexible plastic. | | | | I've owned two cats in succession now, and neither |
| Flexible plastics are made that way by the addition of | | | | has had a problem "doing their deed" somewhere |
| what's termed "plasticizers". Plasticizers are small | | | | else. |
| organic molecules, usually phthalate esters that are | | | | So try it. Of course it goes without saying that once |
| added to the polymer to increase its flexibility. | | | | you convert the baking dish into a litter box, it's the |
| Other litter boxes, particularly the self cleaning ones, | | | | end of using it to cook scalloped potatoes for your |
| are not so flexible. Since they are self cleaning, they | | | | guests when they come over for dinner. |
| are not designed to be picked up, and are generally | | | | Or, at least, it's a good idea that, after they've |
| constructed of several smaller, harder, plastic parts. | | | | eaten, to keep that fact to yourself. |