Can dogs use the litter box?
A practical solution for pee and poop, but is it recommended for dogs?
IS IT POSSIBLE TO TEACH A DOG TO DO ITS NEEDS IN A BOX?
Approximate reading time: 7 minutes
Unlike cats, who use a litter box to pee and poop, dogs need to go outside several times a day for this purpose. Some owners, with problems reconciling these outings with their work schedule, wonder if it is possible to train a dog to relieve itself in a litter box.
Training your dog to do his things in a box is possible. Like any other learning, it requires time, patience and positive reinforcement until your pet understands what you are asking them to do and associates the desired behavior with the reward. However, is it good for a dog to use the litter box to pee and poop? There are some aspects that we must take into account before opting for this alternative.
Table of contents
1. The dog litter box must be of an appropriate size
2. What type of litter to use in a dog box?
3. Where to put the dog litter box?
4. How to teach my dog to relieve itself in a box?
5. The sandbox is not a substitute for walks
6. How to clean the dog litter box?
1. The dog litter box must be of an appropriate size
Most pet litter boxes are usually focused on cats, so it can be difficult for you to find a litter box on the market large enough to house a large dog. Furthermore, if your furry friend is large, they will have more strength in their paws and will surely dig so vigorously that the sand will end up all over the floor. Therefore, this system is not highly recommended for large pets, although it can be useful for small and medium-sized dogs. If this is your case, choose a design of appropriate size in which your furry friend can easily turn around. It is best to opt for trays that are not too deep, since in this case you would have to use a lot of sand and it will be easier for your dog to push it outside with his paws and dirty the house. And, of course, prioritize quality, with resistant and antibacterial materials if possible.
2. What type of litter to use in a dog box?
If you are going to install a litter box for your dog at home, we do not recommend using cat litter, as it is too fine and its smell could upset your dog. Dogs are generally larger than most cats, so their bowel movements are too. Choose a special litter for dogs with coarse grains and greater absorption power. There are different types of dog litter, such as paper pellets or clay litter. To avoid bad odours, some products incorporate activated charcoal, although you can solve this by placing a layer of baking soda under the sand so that it absorbs any unpleasant aroma.
3. Where to put the dog litter box?
You should place your dog's litter box in an intimate place, since dogs feel vulnerable when they relieve themselves and prefer to enjoy some privacy. If you place the box in a space that is too exposed, your dog will not want to use it as a bathroom. However, it is not advisable to place it in an area that is too hidden, since the dog needs to have it accessible so that it is easy for them to use it, especially during training. It is best to place it in a somewhat secluded corner but where your pet is accustomed to passing. Of course, avoid putting the litter box near their food and water bowls.
4. How to teach my dog to do his needs in a box?
Like any training, the ideal thing is that you teach your dog to pee and poop in the litter box from puppyhood, but if this is not possible, you can undertake this learning process at any time in their life. It may take longer, but you can achieve it with patience and love. The first thing you should do is establish a simple command, like “bath”, for example. If you always feed your dog at the same time, something highly recommended for his health, he will surely also “go to the bathroom” at the same times. Furthermore, as a good connoisseur of your furry friend's gestures and attitudes, you will surely know how to detect when they want to do their things.
It is at this moment that you must say the signal you have chosen. The first few times, you will have to take your dog to the litter box yourself so that they associate the word with this space. When they relieve themself and come out of the tray, give praise and offer a treat to reward them for their success. If they fail or leak outside, don't scold, just take to the sandbox and use the pee to attract them to the box. Collect a few droplets with a pipette and spread them over the sand to encourage your furry friend to use the sandbox.
5. The litter box is not a substitute for walks
If you think that having a litter box for your dog at home will prevent you from going for walks so much, don't get ahead of yourself. You have to know that, for your pet, the walk not only fulfills the objective of relieving its sphincters, but is also an opportunity to socialize with other people and dogs, exercise, receive olfactory, visual and auditory stimuli, relax, experience freedom... Going outside for a walk is essential for your dog's mental and physical health, so having a litter box should not translate into less time outdoors for them. What this system can help you with is time flexibility. That your dog has a safe space at home to go to if they feel the urge to "relieve themself" will allow you to relax a little more in terms of walk schedules, since you will not be conditioned by their physiological needs. This way, you can distribute the walks throughout the day in the way you prefer, with the peace of mind that your dog will be able to pee or poop whenever they want in the litter box.
How to clean the dog litter box?
Unlike cats, dogs do not have the natural instinct to bury their waste. Therefore, their poop and pee will remain on the surface of the sand. To prevent your furry friend from getting stained every time they enter the sandbox and from proliferating bacteria and bad odour, the ideal thing is that you clean the sand every time your dog uses it, but if this is not possible, do it at least once every day. For a deeper clean, change all the litter and disinfect the tray with natural products, such as lemon or vinegar, or ecological detergents that do not contain chemicals that are harmful to your pet.
Dog litter box: yes or no?
In short, if you have a small or medium-sized dog and you suffer daily from taking it outside to do their business, it may be a good solution to teach it to use the litter box. In any case, keep in mind that the ideal thing will always be for your dog to do so outside the home, so do not reduce the frequency or duration of walks. The function of the litter box has to be that of a support or specific solution that your dog can resort to whenever he needs to evacuate and cannot go outside. Additionally, avoid sharing the litter box with multiple dogs or other pets, as this could lead to territory-marking behavior. And if your dog spills a lot of sand from the box and leaves it everywhere, another alternative is dog litter trays, which are halfway between puppy pads and litter boxes. Some have artificial grass or other absorbent components.
If you have any questions about this issue or your dog does not adapt to urinating and pooping in the litter box, consult a veterinarian or ethologist. Forcing your pet is never a good idea. Having a dog requires great responsibility, and taking them outside frequently is one of them. Be that as it may, choose the system that best suits your furry friend and that is also comfortable and sustainable over time for you.