Housemates cat smells and breached contract

TBagpuss

Oh, and think about having a mat for the litter tray to sit on, so the cat isn't tracking litter into the rest of the flat.

Finally, what the cat eats can make a huge difference to the smell and volume of what ends up in the litter tray. Cheap food usually contains lots of filler which just goes straight through and out the other end. Feeding a better quality feed which is all (or mostly) meat means you feed smaller amounts, more of it is actually digested so you end up with smaller and less smelly !!!!!! in the box.
Obviously it isn't your cat so you may not have much control over what it eats, but it may be worth having a conversation with your flat mate. I've found that the more expensive food isn't actually more expensive in the long run, as while it costs a lot more per kilo, you feed much smaller portions s it isn't full of useless bulk, so as long as you feed the correct amount, the actual cost-per-meal isn't much different, and it is better for the cat!

quantumlobster

OP: get a lurcher. Cat problem: solved!

In all seriousness, though, I sympathise. For people who are not used to it, the smell of cats and litter trays can be pretty eye-watering, and not at all nice in the kitchen. And no, you should not have to manage your flatmate's pet's dung.

Plenty of good advice upthread about how to manage the situation with respect to your tenancy.

hazyjo

Ask her to buy Catsan litter, or buy it for her if it's that much of a problem. Makes a big difference. I find the cheap stuff just makes the tray smell awful.

Murphybear

TBagpuss wrote: »

You would not normally bathe a cat unless there were special circumstances - for instance the cat has been ill has has suffered diarrhoea, in which case they need some help, of if the cat is long haired and has not been groomed, or is elderly and unable to clean itself properly.

The key is that your flatmate need to be cleaning out her cats tray regularly - which means scooping any solids a minimum of once a day, and cleaning out the whole tray regularly. How often depends on circumstances, and the type of litter.

I would agree that the bathroom is a better option than the kitchen, alternatively, you could ask that your housemate keep the tray in her room, that way she would have a strong incentive to clean it frequently as she would be the one living with the consequences!

Hooded litter trays with filters can reduce mess and smell, but the key is to use sufficient litter (most reduce smells by dehydrating the mess, it's more effective if the litter is deep enough to allow the cat to completely cover the mess, which most cats will do if they can) and to change it frequently enough (it's no use scooping the solids if there is a thick layer of wet litter underneath because the tray hasn't been cleaned enough.

DON'T flush the waste unless using litter which is designed to be flush-able, and even then, be cautious as it could cause blockages.

The problem with hooded litter trays is that unless the cats servant, sorry owner, is really scrupulous about emptying and cleaning you will find the cat will not use it. Cats are fastidious beasts .

Skippy13

We use clumping litter. Solids are removed immediately and wee scooped twice a day into doggy bags and put in the bin. It never smells and we've got a male cat.

eamon

Cats are self cleaning (mostly). The OP is sharing with an inept Cat slave.

eilidhcatriona

hazyjo wrote: »

Ask her to buy Catsan litter, or buy it for her if it's that much of a problem. Makes a big difference. I find the cheap stuff just makes the tray smell awful.

I disagree completely with this - I find Catsan to be one of the worst for smells. I agree that cheap stuff isn’t good, but I’ve never known such eye watering smells as from Catsan. But it must work for others to be such a big name.

fwor

Peaches05x wrote: »

and a hedgehog.

Are you sure it's not the 'hog? They are (according to a friend who looked after several) typically a bit stinky.

martindow

Are there legal restrictions on keeping hedgehogs as pets?

Bossypants

martindow wrote: »

Are there legal restrictions on keeping hedgehogs as pets?

You can't keep native hedgehogs, but African pygmy ones are allowed and relatively common for exotic pets these days.

I agree with above, if there is a strong smell in the flat but the litterbox is being cleaned regularly, my money is on the hog.