Should I Have Left My Job Early Today To Clean Out The Litter Tray?

[Treacle71]

I live with my 79 year old mum. I work 4 days a week so I can do more around the home. My mum has an injured shoulder at the moment and I always empty the litter tray for our cat anyway. I emptied his tray out this morning twice, but he took a dump in it two hours after I arrived at work (mum texted to tell me from home). I told her to wait till I get home and not to empty it so she doesn't hurt herself. I came home and got an ear full from her yelling at me, " Why didn't you leave your job early today to come home to empty it? He's your cat and he stunk all day and you know I can't do it". I've cut back my hours already so she's not alone for long, but now mum wants me to cut my hours back even more to 'look after the cat'. We only got him as we had mice. I told her I have to work of course. What can I do? She also says I'm a disappointment as I haven't given her grand kids.

[lankeela]

Yes of course you should. And on the way home snatched a couple of kids to keep her quiet on that front.

[bhg481]

Your mum is being completely unreasonable; just ignore her rants.

[Hopkirk]

Buy her a pooper scooper and some poop bags. She can do it herself.

[bobbinwales]

If she cant cope with the cat though maybe you need to decide whether teh cat should be rehomed (or you or your mum should)

[calmck]

Empty the entire tray or just the poop. Your mum could have used a poop scoop and flushed it down the loo or into a small plastic bag. No need to empty the entire tray of litter

[calmck]

Or get a tray with a lid. Plenty on Amazon

[burlyshirley1]

I feel sorry for the cat alone all day with your Mum ! That was mean about the grand kids, she should thank her lucky stars she has you. Can you afford to cut back your hours even more ?

[Treacle71]

It's just the position of the tray, calmck, as it's in an old unused doorless pantry. She can't get in properly due to her shoulder problem.

[wolf63]

Don't even consider cutting back the hours. Maybe you and the cat can find somewhere else to stay. Living with my mum would have driven me nuts.

It's your life and it is up to you what way you live it. Your mum sounds unreasonable.

[cashier]

Don't cut your hours down, you'll be at home longer getting more and more abuse. Why don't you tell her she's a disappointment as a mother?

[pastafreak]

Invest in a covered tray if you think your cat will use it. Then, invest in the best cat litter you can afford.
I use a clumping litter that covers odours so well...you'd be able to scoop out the poo/wet stuff (which forms a very easy to remove lump)in the morning...with very little smell when you return from work.
As for your mother, please dont let her control your life. She will just become more demanding if allowed to.

[DarceyK123]

I really dont think this about the cat, its more about your Mothers selfishness and wanting control over you, do what suits you, not her, shes lucky to have you and you should tell her that.

If it wasnt about it would be something else judgi g from your previous posts

[Zacs-Master]

You do all know this is a wind-up, right?

[bobbinwales]

No zacs....but best just to report it if your sure and can back it up??

[Zacs-Master]

I have. It’s pretty flipping obvious.

[archibaldy]

Sounds pawsible to me Zacs.

[Treacle71]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ANSWERS, THEY HAVE HELPED SO MUCH. x

[roadman]

can she not bend over and pick up the poo rather than change the whole tray or get some better litter that absorbs the moisture and stops the smell then all you need to do is cover it up if you cant just pick it up with a scooper and put it in a bag

[Impatiens]

Before you next go to work move the litter tray out of the pantry to somewhere she can reach it.