I dont have a very good relationship with my flatmate. I have had arguments with her before and she gets defensive or makes excuses and its frustrating. Over the past few days the litterbox has completely stunk out our hall. I can no longer stand it so I had to.move it. (I asked her if she had cleaned it, and she said she had but the smell is still there meaning i dont think its been cleaned properly) My sister says it will cause frustration between us, but im willing to converse with her about it. The reason I haven’t is because I dont think she’ll take it well. An unclean litterbox can cause health issues like for me, I think it caused my eyes to become itchy and watery for a while. Any advice on how to go about the conversation?
I should also note i am ill today and the smell i just can’t take it
INFO: whose cat is the litterbox for?
Rommates boy cat, I have offered to scoop before but she said she needs to look at poop to make sure cats okay. If she needed to do that she’d scoop daily, which she doesn’t. Cleans maybe once a week
Then it should definitely be put in her room for the smell to be a reminder for her. Scooping once a week is not enough
Yeah, it was already outside her room, so I dont know how she doesn’t smell it, or isn’t bothered by it.
It probably won’t bother her to be honest. People like that are nose blind! 🤮 OP, you’re definitely NTA for moving the litter box. And as far as advice goes, I would just tell her straight up. The smell is making me sick. I’m having an allergic reaction, my eyes are itchy and watery, and I can’t take it anymore. I love the cat and don’t want him to go anywhere, but that litter box is gonna have to either stay in your room, or be cleaned out every single day. I don’t want to offend you and I don’t want you to be angry with me, but I would never jeopardize your health and I expect the same respect.
u/Fabulous-Sushi-456
you need to tell her to scoop daily. the cat can get health issues from using an unclean litterbox. if she refuses to scoop daily, tell her she should bring the cat to the shelter and give it up, clearly she can’t properly care for it
Are you sure you’re not actually allergic to the cat itself? Itchy watery eyes sounds like allergies.
No not allergic, im a catsitter too. Its the smell from the litterbox, ive never had watery eyes before.
If she’s leaving it uncleared for a week at a time then it’s probably all that ammonia irritating your eyes! That’s awful
100% NTA. Cat litter should be cleaned every other day at a minimum. If they can’t do that, they need to get a robotic litterbox or move it to a private, well-ventilated space.
NTA- If it’s their cat, the litter box can go in their room if they’re not cleaning it enough. If they are cleaning it daily and it still smells they need to figure out why.
They can find a place for it. I had a litter box in my closet for years.
EDIT: After reading the comments, ive moved it back in the hall and opened up the windows. I will have a discussion with her when she gets back today or tomorrow. I hope for at least a compromise.
Discussions are hard, and I really hope it goes well or my sleep goes away.
Thanks for the input everyone!
NTA. Their cat, litterbox goes in their room.