[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/keep-your-dog-out-of-the-litter-box\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/keep-your-dog-out-of-the-litter-box\/","headline":"Eww, Fido Did What? How to Keep Your Dog Out of the Litter Box","name":"Eww, Fido Did What? How to Keep Your Dog Out of the Litter Box","description":"There are few things more disgusting than receiving a big slobbery kiss from your dog only to realize they recently helped themselves to a litter box snack. It\u2019s likely this common but annoying habit has had you Googling answers furiously looking for help. So, what\u2019s up with this unsavory behavior and how can you keep […]","datePublished":"2018-03-14","dateModified":"2024-11-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/author\/ceastwayadvance360-com\/#Person","name":"chris","url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/author\/ceastwayadvance360-com\/","identifier":3,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"West Park Animal Hospital","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/westhospitallogo.png","url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/westhospitallogo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/WestPArk_iStock-921026464-1024x683-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/WestPArk_iStock-921026464-1024x683-1.jpg","height":683,"width":1024},"url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/keep-your-dog-out-of-the-litter-box\/","about":["Blog","Cat Health","Dog Health"],"wordCount":648,"articleBody":"There are few things more disgusting than receiving a big slobbery kiss from your dog only to realize they recently helped themselves to a litter box snack. It\u2019s likely this common but annoying habit has had you Googling answers furiously looking for help. So, what\u2019s up with this unsavory behavior and how can you keep your dog out of the litter box?You\u2019re in luck! The team at West Park Animal Hospital is here to help.Dogs and Litter Box BehaviorWhen your dog raids the litter box, they\u2019re exhibiting normal dog behavior. This can be a relief (there\u2019s probably nothing wrong medically) but also a disappointment (can\u2019t a simple pill fix this?).Dogs are omnivores and amazing scavengers in the wild. They gobble up anything they can get their, er, paws on. So the short answer as to why your dog raids the litter box is simply because it\u2019s there and they can.Most likely, the situation began as a simple investigation. However, as soon as they realize there\u2019s the potential for a yummy snack in there, this behavior quickly becomes routine. When you think about it, if one of your dog\u2019s favorite treats is cat food, then it stands to reason that a cat box delicacy comes in at a very close second.Is This Bad for My Dog?For the most part, litter box snacking doesn\u2019t pose much of a health risk to most dogs. Some vomit or have diarrhea while others are fine. Keep in mind, however, that cats may have parasites in their stool that may be transferable to dogs (and humans). Lastly, if your dog ingests a large amount of litter along with their snack, it could cause gastrointestinal upset or blockage (this doesn\u2019t happen often but it bears mentioning).Ways to Keep Your Dog Out of the Litter BoxIt\u2019s nearly impossible to train your dog out of this bad habit since every time they score a snack from the litter box, the behavior is strongly reinforced. You could try scooping the box immediately after a deposit is made, but unless you\u2019re superhuman, this probably isn\u2019t a realistic goal. Instead, let\u2019s look at more attainable ways to keep your dog out of the litter box.Cat door \u2014 Keep the litter box in a cat-only room, and install either a cat door or a cathole.Baby gate \u2014 Many people use baby gates to separate their dog from the litter box. Most cats have no trouble navigating it, but then again, neither do some dogs, so you may need to look for specific models. Another option is to install the gate a few inches off the floor so it\u2019s high enough for your cat to get underneath, but low enough to prevent your dog from going under.Door chain \u2014 Some owners install a door chain that offers a narrow opening to the litter box room that\u2019s big enough for your cat to squeeze through but not your dog.Covered litter box \u2014 There are some good options on the market for top entry covered litter boxes, but make sure to introduce this slowly to your cat. Some cats reject them, as they may be too small and cause your cat to feel claustrophobic. If your cat has asthma, they\u2019re not recommended.Hopefully this has provided some helpful information to keep your dog out of the litter box. If you know of other effective ideas or if you have any questions, please give us a call. We\u2019d love to hear from you!So, what\u2019s up with this unsavory behavior and how can you keep your dog out of the litter box?The post Eww, Fido Did What? How to Keep Your Dog Out of the Litter Box appeared first on West Park Animal Hospital Blog."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Pet Resources","item":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Eww, Fido Did What? 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