A new dog litterbox, the Pet Loo, is billed as a “backyard in a box” for people who, for whatever reason can’t (or won’t) take their dogs outside.
There are times when a dog litter box may be a lifesaver for a dog and his owner, but I have a bit of a problem with it. Read the very first sentence from this story, and I’m guessing you will too.
Sondra Baker purchased a puppy last spring. But the suburban Chicago resident rarely takes the canine, an 85-pound Bernese Mountain Dog named Oscar, out for a walk to the park a block away.
Instead, the beast does his business in her condo several times a day — and not on old newspapers laid out on the kitchen floor.
Rather, Oscar, like many other dogs around the country, uses a new pet toilet called the “Pet Loo.”
A veritable backyard in a box, the toilet is bigger than a kitty-litter box and contains synthetic grass and turf, simulating the outdoors.
Pet owners direct their critter to the loo, and let nature take its proper course.
No. 1 drains directly through the grass into a collection tray, and No. 2 sits on the grass to be picked up using a biodegradable plastic bag. Both are then flushed down one of the home’s toilets by the pet owner at a later, more convenient time.
I can understand if someone is disabled, or works long hours and unable to get their dog out as often as they’d like. In a situation like that a dog litter box may quite useful and appropriate. But it seems to me people may use it for the wrong reasons. Getting a dog, especially one as big as a Burnese Mountain Dog, and using a litter box as a substitute for taking the dog out to the park is a prime example.
The story goes on to talk about how much of a problem pet waste is and how the litter box can help with that problem. Personally, I think the better way to handle pet waste is to pick up after our dogs and dispose of it. Biodegradable bags are available for this purpose, and they can be flushed in the toilet.
There are more reasons to take a dog outside than just for him to relieve himself. Dogs need the sunlight, exercise, socialization…and more…just like people. Keeping a dog cooped up inside most of the time doesn’t provide him with a very healthy lifestyle. I’m afraid the doggie litter box may just give some people an out to be lazy, and their dogs will suffer because of it.
I really hope the person who wrote the story left something out about all the outside time Oscar gets! It’s sad to think of a dog not getting outside to investigate the world with his nose, roll in the grass, and do all the other wonderful things dogs do outside.
I think it’s time to take my guys out once more before bedtime…
Read the rest of the story here.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
And when the dog is in the 18 month “punk” stage and eats her furniture or worst bites a kid where do you think that puppy will end up? In a nice metal pen with a concrete base so he can poop wherever he wants. GAWD!
Walks are for mental health as well. My own kids didn’t get a walk (windchill at 10 degrees… short noses means that cold air doesnt’ get very warm before it hits their airway) and they were bonkers when I left the house… tearing it up! and they are 3 and 6 years old.
Fortunatley, Shel is walking them now that the sun is up and the air has warmed up.
So many people should just NOT have dogs…
I agree that this could be great as an emergency backup, but as a primary methods of elimination?! Poor dogs.
I can see where keeping a teeny dog without outdoor exercise might be appropriate, but a Burmese Mountain Dog NEEDS to be able to run and have exercise. How cruel to keep it constantly indoors.
I can’t blame the inventor – obviously he is meeting a market need. It is a shame that the dog owner market feels that this is necessary, especially as an every day fix. I agree dogs need fresh air and exercise and so do their owners. A trip to the park – which is only 1 block away! – seems like a small chore to do for your best friend.
I have actually used this indoor method with my dogs and it works wonders. We don’t use this particular brand, but the concept is still the same. Living in a condo, there is no where for the dogs to run free, so the litter box is great for that 4am need.
However, this doesn’t replace their daily walks. They are still taken on long walks on a daily basis, and they do their business outside too, if needed. In fact, I prefer they go outside on their walks because it’s easier to clean up after.
But, the indoor box does serve its purpose for those of us who don’t have a park nearby and who can’t just open the back door for the dogs to run free.
Look I walk my dog when I get home but sometimes my buddy is left alone from 8AM until 9PM. The litter box is a life saver. He knows that that is where he needs to go when he is left alone and we are happy about it.
The author of the article mentioned above “forgot” to mention that, at the time of the interview, Oscar had just undergone two elbow surgeries. It was the doctor’s orders that he not go to the park. He was in so much pain he could barely walk around the house for over a month! The pet loo was crucial in his recovery and because of it Oscar now goes on 3-4 walks a day, one of which is always a walk to the park.
Hi Sondra, I wish the author would have mentioned that! It would have put a whole different spin on the story. It sounds like the pet loo was ideal for your situation. I’m glad to hear Oscar’s doing well and getting out and about. Thanks for posting the rest of the story!