Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yesterday, we adopted our new love Hooper (around a year old). His right rear leg was amputated after he was dropped off with a broken leg at his shelter (I believe around January). He is very active, happy, and friendly- quite possibly the friendliest cat I have ever known! So far he has had no issues transitioning and is making himself at home. The missing limb does not seem to bother him much at all (unless he has an itch on the right side lol).
I was wondering if any tripawd parents have experience with using top entry litter boxes. He has been kicking litter around a lot. We might have over filled it so we removed some litter to make sure it was only 1-2 inches high. We have kept it very clean as well and it is the same brand litter as he had in foster home. The box is quite large and has tall sides but he still kicks the litter all over. I do not want to use a hooded box since cats prefer open boxes. I'm thinking about using a top entry, but I'm skeptical how he will take to it without his rear leg.
Please let me know if you have any positive or negative experience with these litter boxes! 
Welcome and best wishes for Hooper! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
You will find plenty of advice about litterboxes for tri-kitties here in the forums, the Tripawds News blog , and the Tripawds cat blogs.
Don't miss this post:
Three Legged Cat Litterbox Tips for New Tripawd Cats
A low-profile litterbox is most helpful for new tri-kitties. Many members use a shallow roasting pan, cut down the sides of a low litter box, or craft one from a cardboard box. Over time, once healed and strength is regained, you may be able to work your way up to a high-entry box. Yes, this can get messy, but again, cat members have provided plenty of helpful tips. Find many more in Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats .
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Meanwhile, start here for help finding all the helpful Tripawds resources and assistance programs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Hooper! He sounds like a wonderful addition to your home.
My tripawd Mona lost her front leg in 2014 and we've struggled with the ideal litter box for her. In the summer when the soil is warm she prefers to go outside. She wouldn't use a litter box in the garage so I ended up moving one to inside the house and left one in the garage. That didn't go too well. So as you see in the photo I have two set up side by side:
Still not perfect because Mona is usually using the one on the right with the high sides. I cut out the front so she can easily walk in but she walks in only as far as her rear legs enter the box, she jumps up and down digging a hole, then she pees - not in the hole which is in front of her, but pees at the opening with some or most going out of the front of the box where I have a boot tray and pet pee pad. Mona then jumps up and down shooting litter out of the front of the box. 
She also scratches on the high sides of the box.
So, there you go. Mona is successful doing her job in the box about 75% of the time and successfully shoots litter 100% of the time. My other cat Eli, who is much larger than Mona, uses these boxes without any problem so they are large enough for a big cat.
I've come to accept the mess. The tray in front gathers most of the mess and I vacuum up the rest.
Good luck finding the box that works best for you and Hooper.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Just want to add my welcome and say thank you for giving Hopper such a loving home.❤
You have great links from our Admin Guy full of lots of tips.
And kitty expert Kerren has often you vast amounts of first hand experience as a result of her beloved tri-kitty Mona, "training" her so well. As you can see, tri-kitties, or at least Mona kitty, have their own unique style when it comes to potty!
Good luck and lett is know how Hopper is doing !
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thank you so much! We might end up customizing his litter box. He does not seem to have a problem covering up, but definitely enjoys playing with the litter itself. He sees me looking at him and stops when I tell him too. Higher edges like yours might be the way to go! His current litter box has like 6-8 inch sides but one end low enough for him to hop in. I think I'll just add an extra large mat & wait a couple weeks before making any changes.
Thank you so much! We loved him at first site and are more than happy to dive head first into the world/community of Tripawd animals. It's only been two months since the amputation and he already seems so strong and confident! Being a black cat and three-legged seemed like he had cards stacked against him in terms of adoption- so we are very grateful to have found him!
Hopper sounds like a super smart kitty! And gorgeous too. We are so glad you joined us, and thank you for giving him a great home!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Je's abs adorable!! And those eyes are just beautiful! Pretty sure I can see a glint of some mischief twinkling in those pretty eyes😎
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thank you! We so appreciate knowing there's a whole community of pet parents like us out there. This is a great & resourceful site!
jessmueller said
Thank you! We so appreciate knowing there's a whole community of pet parents like us out there. This is a great & resourceful site!
I'm so glad you feel that way. We try hard to be here for Tripawd kitty parents (we started out as dog-centric years ago) and appreciate every single story that gets shared in the community. Thanks for adding to the magic!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Hooper and Jessica!
My story is similar to yours - I adopted Jet a couple of months after his amputation, and he is also a rear-leg amputee. And he's also a litter kicker!
I have another cat as well, and I keep two litter boxes in my guest bathroom bathtub, and another one on the floor with a mat underneath. Jet has no problem getting up into the bathtub, and the one on the floor has high lips and he has no problem getting in or out of it.
I've never had a top entry box, but I don't think it would be a problem.
Check out the e-book, it has some good tips on litterboxes.
Also, FYI,I use World's Best cat litter.
Congrats on adopting an awesome cat!
Brad
I think we'd just started a "Tripawd Litter Kicking Team"! Maube we can have a video thread going! Hint......
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
He's a cutie!! He has fur, eyes and ears like my male and he has Mona's nose. My cats are also black beauties like yours. I also have two other black cats coming over to visit so I'm in a black cat neighbourhood. I love it!!
Getting a mat might be an easy solution.
He looks so comfy in his new home.
Kerren
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