Just a bit of background. We moved in together a year and a half ago and about a year ago she got a cat and I didn’t really have any say in the matter. I do not like cats, and I am slightly afraid of them. Dogs all the way.
It’s been a ongoing issue of her not cleaning the cat litter tray. The litter tray is situated between the fridge and the hob, basically right where we prepare food. For a while it wasn’t getting cleaned, perhaps only weekly or one every two weeks so she switched to an open box to ‘make her clean it more often’. It’s not worked. Currently there’s poop that’s been in there for 4 days. I can smell it every time I enter the living room/kitchen. I can see it every time I want to cook or go to the fridge. It’s got to the point where I don’t want to cook or eat in there. AITA for bringing it up again and again, or is this something I just have to accept and not mention.
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Just a bit of background. We moved in together a year and a half ago and about a year ago she got a cat and I didn’t really have any say in the matter. I do not like cats, and I am slightly afraid of them. Dogs all the way.
It’s been a ongoing issue of her not cleaning the cat litter tray. The litter tray is situated between the fridge and the hob, basically right where we prepare food. For a while it wasn’t getting cleaned, perhaps only weekly or one every two weeks so she switched to an open box to ‘make her clean it more often’. It’s not worked. Currently there’s poop that’s been in there for 4 days. I can smell it every time I enter the living room/kitchen. I can see it every time I want to cook or go to the fridge. It’s got to the point where I don’t want to cook or eat in there. AITA for bringing it up again and again, or is this something I just have to accept and not mention.
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I am constantly asking her to clean up after the cat. Almost daily. Is that too much?
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
NTA. I clean my cat box every morning and sometimes again in the evening, depending on usage. The cats appreciate it. They don’t like a full box either. If it’s too full they may find other places to go. Your roommate is just a lazy pet owner.
Put the litter box in your roommate’s bedroom.
NTA. She is disgusting imo.
YTA, but not for them not cleaning the litterbox. YTA to yourself for not drafting a contract when becoming roommates. What do you mean you had no say in the acquiring of a cat?
Start drafting a contract, or stop being roommates.
NTA at all
Cat litter should be cleaned daily. Full clean weekly. One tray per cat plus one extra. So one cat = two trays, two cats = three etc. Everyone has their litter preferences but we’ve found it’s the daily cleaning that makes the biggest difference.
For one cat she can keep a cheap roll of doggy bags with the scoop and do it easily. You have every right to not to want to have poo in a food preparation /eating area.
Can the tray at least go in the bathroom?
We’ve used clumping litter for years and never had a problem. 10kg bags from Aldi are close to top quality.
I know people who use crystals, tofu and different pellet types without issue with smells.
NTA oh my god. On so many levels this situation is really bad. 1) cat litter in the kitchen, no thanks. The dust moves through the air. I also have two cats. 2) Cleaning it once in a week?!?! You have to clean it at least once a day. We clean it twice a day. Can’t imagine the smell! And also, poor cat! I am honestly surprised that the cat still goes in there and not elsewhere. 3) There should be two toilets for the cat. 4) given how this cat seems to be cared for, I am also concerned about the cat being the only cat. There are cats that hate other cats but usually you need at least two of them – which would mean at least three litter boxes. So – Honestly I would call her out on that. Youve tried multiple times to ask her to clean it more frequently. Anything less than every other day is totally abuse in my world.
Even if she would get an electric litterbox, that needs to be emptied and cleaned as well
Does your lease even allow pets?
NTA. I admit I am biased because I’m also not a cat person and because I’ve been in many people’s homes that reek because of cats and the inhabitants clearly can’t smell it. I would freak if there were a litter box near my food prep.
I agree with the previous poster who said the litter box needs to be in the room of the person who insisted on getting a cat without discussing it with their housemate.
Also, candles! Invest in candles or a high quality diffuser and some essential oils! Yes, that’s just masking and shouldn’t replace moving the litter box (or, tbh, getting rid of the roommate) but it can help.
NTA.
NTA. I scoop poops as soon as I spot them and do a full change once a week. If need be I top up the litter of it’s getting disgusting before a week is out (if the three all use the same one to wee in all week.) Ours are not in the kitchen. Tell.ypur friend to clean the box if it for yours and her’s sake, but fir her cat, a d to do it before her cat pees or poops outside of the box. Cats are particular about box cleanliness, and her cat will go outside the box if it’s not cleaned.
Gross. NTA. You shouldn’t have to live with that. Agree with the suggestion that she should keep it in her room.