My cat has a cast. How can I make the litter box easier for her?

Prince may need a change or an addition of pain medications if he is still yowling in pain. You can try using a litter pan - you can use a cookie sheet with just a small amount of litter on it. You may also want to consider using a litter alternative while the splint is on. Yesterday's news, shredded paper, or pellet-types of litter are easier to clean off the splint and fur and to keep from getting inside the splint. It may take a few more days for Prince to figure out how to get in a comfortable position to urinate or have a bowel movement. I would call your vet about the pain medications and see if they recommend a change.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lucy. If she has mobility and vision issues, I recommend using a non-traditional litterbox. You can purchase a large storage container such as a Sterilite. Then use the lid as a litterbox. This provides a large surface area with a very low lip. It will be messy if she digs and buries, but I have had many geriatric patients prefer this to a normal litterbox. I hope this information helps!

Poor Button! Typically depending on where the fracture of the leg is and damage to the joints a basic cast might not result in complete healing. However, it is really important the cast stays dry and clean. IF the cast gets wet it can cause infection under the cast. If you feel the cast is dirty and wet I would recommend taking Buttons back to the vet to have it checked. However, if you feel it is clean and just buttons is dirty. A small sponge bath with just warm water to keep her back end clean is okay. I would let her set her own limitations. Typically in cast cat can walk a little bit and will learn over time how to get around better while it heals. I hope that helps

Best thing to do is to get a long, shallow plastic storage container (obviously just the box and not the lid) like the ones you get to store things under the bed. Seems to work the best. Cats like it because it is long. ( https://www.walmart.com/ip/Homz-60-Quart-Twin-King-Under-Bed-Clear-Latching-Storage-set-of-2/40977741 ) Other option is to take a regular large storage container and cut a hole in it on the side so he can go in/out. You can make it any size you want. Here is an example: ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JaVrsy-RgY ) Remember, the more shallow it is for him to get in effectively, the higher chance litter will be scattered everywhere..... Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Unfortunately, without performing surgery, there isn't a good way to immobilize a broken hip. Placing a cast on the leg will only add weight to the leg and further pull the fractured hip out of place. Often what we mean by staying still is the equivalent of bed rest in humans. The best way to accomplish this is to get a large dog kennel and make this your kitty's new home. You can place a litter box, food, and water inside the kennel, and he should be confined to the kennel until the hip is stable. This can be quite stressful for a cat, so make sure spend plenty of time with him, find toys that he can safely play with, and consider supplements for stress like Zylkene or Feliway feline pheromone diffuser.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Leo! Which bone is broken in the hing leg? I would try again with a splint and Leo needs to be placed in a dog crate, with an E-collar and sedatives. The only bones in the hind leg that will heal with a splint is the tibia and fibula. The femur usually need surgery to fix and can't be splinted well. So if that is what the vet is trying to splint I would stop. You can try just strict crate rest for 6-8 weeks if it is the femur. Cats are amazing at healing. But if the bone is in multiple pieces I would just amputate. Cats do well with 3 legs. I wish you the best!

Poor Gracie! She should get used to the bandage with time. The best thing to do while she’s getting upset is to try to distract her - a little canned food might work well. You could also ask your vet if a sedative might be helpful for a few days. I don’t think there would be anything specific to do to get her to sleep longer but again I think eventually she’ll get used to the bandage and it won’t bother her so much.