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  1. #11
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    Great read Dallas. Glad you decided against litter any place near the toilet. Someplace on here is a post about opening up the space under the steps going up to the bedroom to create a cat bathroom of sorts. Accessable from the basement for quick litter maintanance.

    A few other things come to mind....
    Hard to believe that only one cat was adopted


    Have you ever considered CBD oil for the neurotic pup. Everyone is always amazed at the difference CBD has made in our Aussie, Koda.
    It took his fear aggression down about 50 notches and he now even walks up to strangers on his own to get pet .
    Marcy & Gary
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    Michigan
    We're in trouble now, the dog are bloggin'!
    https://3dogsandatrailer.wordpress.com/


  2. #12
    Rolling Along
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    I'm a veterinary pathologist, but earlier in my career, I was a feline specialist. Of course, that does not make me an expert in cat litter. Or black tank maintenance. And although I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn last night, I can say I have researched numerous types of cat litter over the years, especially as it pertained to litter box behavior and litter preference. And I mean, researched: There was a litter that purportedly signaled a urinary tract infection in your cat by changing color (red). Being a professor at a veterinary school at the time that product was released, I felt I owed it to my students (and science) to purchase this super miracle lightweight pee-trapping magic and test it, uh, myself. Our own cats "volunteered", too. And, yep, it changed color alright. Unbeknownst to me, apparently I and all 7 of our cats all had UTIs. Interestingly, when I tested our tap water (municipal), it also had a UTI. Who knew? Come to find out the magical color change was a pH indicator. Problem was it eventually turned red regardless of the actual pH or the presence of urinary tract bacteria. My ground-breaking research revealed that urine eventually became alkaline (causing the red color change) due to all of the bacteria that are, wait for it... normally in a litter box. (Please remember, it was for science! Oh, and my students.) Anyway, I don't know if that stuff is still around, but it did have vermiculite in it which tends to float and break apart in water (and turn red), so maybe it would work in a black tank. See? I brought it back to the topic at hand. Sort of.

    Now to the real purpose of my response - Even though you have made a decision not to use the toilet/black tank as the litter box, I thought I might share my experience as a former feline practitioner for anyone else considering toilet training a kitty at home or for on the road. Many cats can be toilet trained. The most consistently successful are those cats that have no issues using a litter box, especially an open box, and are very comfortable in their environment. A shy or fearful kitty will be a bit more of a challenge. Cats with a strong instinct to bury their waste are also more of a challenge. Some clients have reported that their cats will scratch at the toilet seat first, eliminate, then scratch again, and be done. Others just hop on the toilet and conduct their business and are off to find the laser mouse pointer.

    For those that do attempt to toilet train their cats, note the litter is only used during the training process. After that, it's just a regular toilet - just remember to leave the lid up and seat down. (Hmmm, where have I heard that before?) Oh and flush occasionally as I have heard of some cats not using the toilet if there is already waste in it. Because some cats have such a strong instinct for sand-like substrates, they cannot be toilet trained. Some will not even use the coarser litters like newspaper, corn cobs or pine pellets, but are fine with fine clays. And vice-versa. Others will use an empty box. Any empty box. Even a plastic laundry basket. Sitting in the middle of the bedroom floor (speaking from experience, and uh, science!).

    Last thoughts: Although I'm not in practice anymore (I do drug research these days), I have heard from colleagues and former clients that the ThunderShirt has worked well for many dogs with separation anxiety. Clomicalm (clomipramine, prescription only) was specifically developed for separation anxiety in dogs and seems to be quite efficacious. Generic prozac is inexpensive and usually well-tolerated, but with variable efficacy. YMMV.
    2022 Solitude 378MBS-R
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  3. #13
    Long Hauler D2Reid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by avf100 View Post
    I reread my post here & I was out of line. I want to apologize to D2Reid.
    No apology necessary as I was not offended. That was my initial reaction when Barb told me she wanted to get a kitty. But having lived with cats most of my married life I can't put up too much of a fuss.
    Dallas
    2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
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  4. #14
    Long Hauler D2Reid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Second Chance View Post
    Dallas,
    You had my wife rolling on the floor laughing
    Rob

    I am glad that my little story had the desired effect. The one thing that I have learned about adversity is that you have to keep a sense of humor about things.
    Dallas
    2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
    2015 Harley-Davidson Street, XG750

  5. #15
    Long Hauler D2Reid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WhittleBurner View Post
    Hard to believe that only one cat was adopted ... Have you ever considered CBD oil for the neurotic pup.
    I think if we still had sticks and bricks it would need to be a farm house. Barb loves her furry babies.... CBD oil had no effect.


    Quote Originally Posted by Fsalmy View Post
    I'
    Last thoughts: Although I'm not in practice anymore (I do drug research these days), I have heard from colleagues and former clients that the ThunderShirt has worked well for many dogs with separation anxiety. Clomicalm (clomipramine, prescription only) was specifically developed for separation anxiety in dogs and seems to be quite efficacious. Generic prozac is inexpensive and usually well-tolerated, but with variable efficacy. YMMV.
    Thank you for the excellent write up.

    Having had cats before we are too familiar with UTI's. I can find nothing humorous about them, just something that has to be endured till fixed. It's interesting about the color changing litter, sounds like something to avoid. Most important thing I think is just to keep the litter clean and changed weekly, Barb's job.

    KC (Kitty Cat), the new kitty comes home this afternoon. We have decided on an Iris top litter pan. We will experiment with different litters to see which one works best for KC. It arrives on Monday. In the mean time an aluminum turkey pan will have to do.

    We are off to wally world shortly to get supplies. This is going to be a very interesting weekend.
    Dallas
    2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
    2015 Harley-Davidson Street, XG750

  6. #16
    Setting Up Camp DuffMan's Avatar
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    I just stumbled on this thread and wanted to share our experience in case it helps anyone else.

    As for littler choice... we are still researching what seems to work best, smell the least and doesn’t track. No luck yet, but I have found a source for Unicorn Poop.

    With regard to litter boxes, here is my tip: Go buy a tote/storage bin. We have tried many styles of litter box and found that a fully enclosed litter box has the least amount of “fling”. In addition, a top-entry litter box removes more litter from the cat’s feet as they leave the litter box. Have you priced a top-entry litter box? They are proud of them and the size choices are limited. What isn’t limited or expensive is the choices of storage containers you can get from any Walmart or like-store. That allows easy (and cheap) purchase of a litter box that fits the space you have decided to hide it in. Get a lid, cut a hole and spring for the contact adhesive and gray, short-nap “carpet”/felt in the sewing section. Adhere that to the lid and you have something that aids in removing litter from paws and is easy to clean. Another idea (I haven’t tried yet) is to purchase a litter mat and put it on top with the hole in it.

    I have “built” 6 litter boxes so far and they work great. Two were for the house (we have two cats), two were for the motorhome when we had it, and two were replacements after the first two began to look rough from the one cat scratching the sides and not the litter for 3 years. Total investment: Less than $50 for everything needed for all 6.

    Hopefully this idea will help others who don’t want to spend the money on a commercially built top-entry litter box, or are having a hard time finding the correct size.

    Now if I could just find that magical litter...

  7. #17
    Seasoned Camper
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    Quote Originally Posted by DuffMan View Post
    I just stumbled on this thread and wanted to share our experience in case it helps anyone else.

    As for littler choice... we are still researching what seems to work best, smell the least and doesn’t track. No luck yet, but I have found a source for Unicorn Poop.

    With regard to litter boxes, here is my tip: Go buy a tote/storage bin. We have tried many styles of litter box and found that a fully enclosed litter box has the least amount of “fling”. In addition, a top-entry litter box removes more litter from the cat’s feet as they leave the litter box. Have you priced a top-entry litter box? They are proud of them and the size choices are limited. What isn’t limited or expensive is the choices of storage containers you can get from any Walmart or like-store. That allows easy (and cheap) purchase of a litter box that fits the space you have decided to hide it in. Get a lid, cut a hole and spring for the contact adhesive and gray, short-nap “carpet”/felt in the sewing section. Adhere that to the lid and you have something that aids in removing litter from paws and is easy to clean. Another idea (I haven’t tried yet) is to purchase a litter mat and put it on top with the hole in it.

    I have “built” 6 litter boxes so far and they work great. Two were for the house (we have two cats), two were for the motorhome when we had it, and two were replacements after the first two began to look rough from the one cat scratching the sides and not the litter for 3 years. Total investment: Less than $50 for everything needed for all 6.

    Hopefully this idea will help others who don’t want to spend the money on a commercially built top-entry litter box, or are having a hard time finding the correct size.

    Now if I could just find that magical litter...
    I built a cabinet for our three and modified a Litter Robot. The bottom compartment contains the bucket with a liner on a sliding tray to catch the poop. The Litter Robot is in the second compartment and the tray has been removed and a plastic flower pot with the bottom removed is the chute to get the poop to the bucket. The top will lift up, front to back for adding litter or removing the dome, and when down that is where the food bowl is. In the window is a dual fan set up with a plexiglass cover with a dryer vent tube connected to the cabinet. The cabinet is always at negative pressure, so we never smell anything.
    Now if only I could find a space to make this work in the 390.
    Jerry & Kelly Powell
    Zebulon, NC
    2020 Solitude 390RK-R :target:

  8. #18
    Setting Up Camp
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    The only thing I can offer is that I wouldn't have gotten a cat, but another dog instead. Neither will help much for the dog's anxiety problem. The dog needs YOU and not a kitty and not another dog. Dogs are dogs and no primates. Dogs need family, and a cat is not family although tolerated. Yes, there are examples where it works well, but most often not. Or not to what we humans hope it will transpire to. In truth, you're wife wanted a cat, and she found an excuse to get one, right? (We are 36 years married as well).

    Your dog's anxiety is best treated by lots of TLC, making him tired, before you leave, and do the slow approach, you know, five minutes away, then 10... and consider a crate. Especially adopted anxious dogs appreciate a safe haven.

    Good luck with the litter training. Our cat uses a litter box unless she expresses anger for something wrong only she knows. Cats do as cats do.

  9. #19
    Long Hauler D2Reid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BeenGone View Post
    The dog needs YOU and not a kitty and not another dog. ... Dogs need family, and a cat is not family although tolerated. .
    You are pretty spot on with your assessment. Fortunately Kota (the dog) is outgrowing her anxiety. Could be a lot of factors as we have worked the problem to death. But she now can go about 5 hours without a melt down.

    As far as dogs, cats, primates, and relationships. I have seen many strange relationships working over the years, take me and my wife for instance. But the underlying thing I always see is tolerance and acceptance. Barbara works with the animals a lot to get them to accept each other and us, far more effort than I would put into it. But from what I can tell we are family and get along ok.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Dallas
    2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
    2015 Harley-Davidson Street, XG750

  10. #20
    Site Sponsor SolarPoweredRV's Avatar
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    Informative thread. We travel with 2 adult cats that are transitioning from sticks and bricks to full time. We were going to do the passthrough under the stairs to hold, but ended up putting batteries there instead. So, we what worked for us was to get the dome cat box and keep it in the shower. We just move it out when we need to use the appshower, then put it back when we're finished. We keep a bath rug on the floor of the shower to prevent any stray litter from going down the drain. In addition, we hand- vac any loose litter. We definitely agree that litter in the black tank is a no-go. We found Feline Pine litter pellets worked well for our kitties. Sweet picture. Looks like they might become best buds.
    David and Peggy
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    Powering all this fun with 1200 Watts of Solar, two Tesla, Model S, battery modules, 24 volt Victron Inverter.
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