Jan 12 2009
My Mom Asked for a Cat Litter Box
My mom really likes cats. Fortunately for her, we have four cats in our household. She spends a lot of time doting on them and making sure they have fresh food and water. Every night, she walks around the house to make sure they are all accounted for. If one of them is outside, she will check the door repeatedly (sometimes during the middle of the night) until they show up.
Since she moved in with us, Mom has never approved of how we care for the cats. She thinks that our cat food is too dry, so she buys her own to give to them. We also do not give the cats milk or table scraps. Mom gives them milk and tries to feed them anything she is eating (including things like pretzels, bread, or even cake). She even gives them their “treat” on the kitchen counter! But the thing that really bothers Mom is that she thinks our litter boxes are too small and we don’t scoop them enough. We have a total of four litter boxes in different areas of the house. To me, if the cats don’t like using them, then they should do their business outside!
A few days ago, Mom asked me to buy her a large litter box to keep in her room. I started to try to talk her out of it, but she was looking at me like a kid asking for a new toy. “I cleaned out a corner where I can keep it… I’ll scoop it once or even twice a day…” she said with pleading eyes. How could I say no? Besides, if they use hers, that is less for us to clean.
So, I went to our local pet supply store to find a large litter box (Mom was quite specific that it had to be LARGE). I looked around and finally I found it, a super-sized, giant litter box. Seriously, it was big enough to use to give a dog a bath. It was so big, one of the store employees had to help me take it off the stack of litter boxes and bring it down from the shelf. When the cashier commented on its size, I smiled sheepishly and let her know it was for my Mom.
I brought it home and Mom was overjoyed. She was more excited over that litter box than any present she had opened on Christmas morning. The next day, she proudly told me that one of the cats had used it. She was happily holding the bag with the scooped litter to prove it. She continued to give us more updates on the litter box traffic over the next couple of days.
Yes, I do think it is a little strange, and a bit unnecessary, but I can’t deny that she really enjoys having this responsibility. With her having Alzheimer’s, I think we should let her have some responsibilities like this so she will feel she has a purpose. If the king-sized, deluxe litter box makes her happy, so be it.
My grandmother lived with us for many years. She was pretty healthy and mobile for most of them. One of the funny things about the living arrangement, was how one of the three cats had gotten himself quite attached to her, and her to him. As she got sicker, the cat seemed to notice, and spent more and more time around her. When my grandmother was about to pass away, my mom said the cat acted so strangely - like he knew. He’s never been the same since she died.
Animals are so perceptive. They seem to know when we need companionship and affection. And they seem to have a positive impact with the elderly as well.
Sorry about your grandmother, and the cat who is sad.
You’re right, animals do have a special sense about people. The cats give my Mom a lot of enjoyment. We also have two dogs, but she’s not too crazy about them.
Hey, if she feels better scooping cat poop, let her have at it!