Neighborhood Cat Problems

All kinds of things like sand. Bugs, critters, etc...when you are outside take the lid off, otherwise keep it covered. Think of what child care owners go through in the sand that is on the fall zone around the playground equipment...every day they go out and clean it before the kids go out.

I would say that the sand is fine, but if you need to "air" out the sand frequently you could make a lid out of a wood frame with a chicken-wire lid.

Ahahahaha too funny, as if the cat is the only creature that deposits in your sand box.

So to answer your question the sand box is no more or less safe than before the cat started digging.

If I were you I would be more worried about fly by poopings from birds, now they carry disease.

I wouldn't worry about the sandbox really.. I do however share your troubles.. here there are tons of cats that wander around free and use our garden as their personal toilet.. very gross.. Just try to keep it covered as much as possible.. If you have any chicken wire you can cover it with that when you need to let it dry out..

I remember as a kid my brother pulling cat poop out of the sand box and flinging at it me.. yeah very nice big brother and completely gross, but the thing is that we are all completely healthy and got through our childhood just fine.. Not saying you should rub them down in it.. just that a little bit isn't going to hurt them..

I agree about talking to the neighbors first, tell them your troubles with it using your sandbox as a litter box. If that doesn't work try to spray something around your yard to keep the cats away..

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. A little bit of cat pee -especially mixed into that much sand- won't hurt anyone. As long as there are no chunks, and you have taught your kids basic hygiene (hand washing before meals, etc.) it should be perfectly safe. Heck, how many kitties do you think 'go' in public sandboxes... kids play safely in them all the time.

I'm sure it's fine, especially if you don't smell anything. Just make sure your kids wash their hands after playing outside and remind them NOT to put their hands in their mouths or touch food before they do so.

it's fine. unfortunately i wouldn't leave the lid off unless you're right there. like others have mentioned there will always be some kind of critter to watch out for. i'm not sure a neighborhood exists that doesn't have one or two cats wandering around...just kind of a fact of life, i think.

I have 3 cats ( Mine are indoor only) but I can assure you nothing smells stronger or more distinct than cat urine, if there was cat urine in the box then when you took the lid off you would smell it, it has a strong ammonia like smell...

how sad that these owners do not take the safety of their cat serious-this is what you need to do.
1)write a nice letter to the owner-explain to them what their cat is doing and that there is a leash law for both dogs an cats if they do not take care of it.
2)call your local animal control next time you see the cat-the owners will have to pay a fine to get the cat back
3)cat urine is the strongest order you can detect-if your not smelling it-chances are it didnt mess in there.
good luck

I don't know an answer to your problem, but I share your problem. We have several cats that wander the neighborhood all day. It drives me nuts. If you want to try to stop the cats from being out all day, I would talk to the neighbors before you call animal control. At least give them a chance to be responsible. Also, next time you decide to leave the cover off to let the sand dry, you could sprinkle it with some chili pepper. I have heard it is very unpleasant for a cat to do it's business when you do that.

If you dont smell or see anything, i am sure its fine!

M

If your box doesn't smell, I'm sure it's fine! As long as you haven't found any "presents", there shouldn't be a problem letting your children use the box. Just be sure to dig through it very well.

As for the people making digs about letting cats outside, you're not being very thoughtful. While I don't agree making this poor cat stay outside all day, and NO ONE knows where she belongs, (and in this case it really does sound like a neglectful owner so animal control really needs to be called or you can set up a human trap and then take her to the pound yourself) that doesn't mean all cats that are outside are horrible dirty little creatures. All of my cats come and go as they please, they stay pretty close, they're "clean" and up to date on all of their shots, everyone along our street has put out cat deterrents, etc. Everyone knows what animal belongs to who on our street, so if there's a problem with a pet, we hear about it really fast. I have never caught my cat going outside, although I'm sure they have. But there's enough "wilderness" surrounding us, that it's never been an issue. Even in the garden and big plant containers, they don't go in it. I just have lots of orange peels in the areas that I don't want them and they're good girls.

http://www.cat-repellant.info/html/diy-cat-deterrents.htm

I would say if you don't smell or see anything, you are fine - just make sure the kids wash up before eating or anything, which I am sure you would do anyway!

We have a stray cat roaming our steet, and in talking to neighbors we all claim it isnt ours. But no one knows who it belongs to. Yes its wearing a collar so we know its a pet, but no clue where it lives. 3 different neighbors have said they felt so sorry for it being lost that they would feed it now and then. One family let it come into their house for the night a few times. Sure its a sweet little thing but I say once you feed it, it might as well be yours. So, last month we saw this stray pet roaming around, sleeping in the sunshine on the driveway, and there was a weird thing hooked to its collar. Yep, a note that said, "Please dont feed me, I DO have a home." Im not sure what some pet owners are thinking. Still dont know where this kitty lives, and I think kitty doesnt know either.

You shouldn't have to go to the trouble of catching the cat. That's not your job, especially since the cat could scratch or bite you. She's the responsibility of another family but since they're not taking responsibility for her then you need to call Animal Control. They'll come get her. The owners will probably have to pay to get her out but it'll teach them a valuable lesson in keeping her in during the day where she can use her own litter box.

Just remember it's not her fault. It's the fault of her family. Not only can't she get in the house to her litter box, but she can't get in to her food either. I hope she's not declawed.

if the cat peed, sprayed, fer sher you woulda smelled it. i'd spray lysol over the sand box for any germs.