Frequently asked questions
Does the Biddy Cat litter box eliminate ALL pet “accidents”? That’s something no litter box manufacturer can honestly guarantee. On the one hand, the extra height of the Biddy Cat litter box should minimize/eliminate this problem with most cats. On the other hand, some male cats (we’ve heard them called “elevator butts”) will spray urine outside the box regardless of its size or depth. And cats who dig “vigorously” may still scatter litter outside of the box in spite of the high walls. For pets with these habits, the only solution is a covered litter box.
Does the Biddy Cat litter box have a cover? No, it does not. Perhaps in the future, we might provide that option. But with the current downturn in the economy, it will probably be several years before we even consider developing one. So, if your cat is an “elevator butt” (see our previous FAQ), the Biddy Box may not be the answer, and you should probably look at one of the covered litter boxes currently available on the market.
How big is BIG? The Biddy Cat litter box is approximately three inches taller than a standard jumbo litter box, and slightly wider and longer (25" long x 19" wide x 8.5" deep). Please measure your current litter box area to make sure the Biddy box will fit your space.
Does the Biddy Cat litter box require a special scoop? No, the Biddy Box does not require a special scoop. Any inexpensive plastic litter scoop will work just fine. However, some of our customers (see our testimonial page) highly recommend a litter scoop called the "Litter Lifter" or "Magic Scoop". We've tried it and it works *really* well with the Biddy Box.
How much and what kind of cat litter should I use? We recommend about three inches of clumping litter like "Scoop Away" in the deepest section of the Biddy Cat litter box. This allows for easy scooping of waste as it accumulates, and minimizes contact with the bottom of the box. Please note that in our video, we used less than an inch of litter in order to highlight the shape of the Biddy Box.
Shipping seems high ... what’s the deal? We ship at cost. While the Biddy Box is not heavy, it is large. For larger packages, commercial shippers like FedEx and UPS take account of both weight and SIZE, increasing freight charges because a large package takes up extra space on their trucks. From their perspective, that extra space could be used for a greater number of smaller packages (which is more profitable for them).
If I order 2 Biddy Boxes to the East coast, shipping is about $12. If I order 1 Biddy Box, shipping is about $11. Why isn’t shipping for 1 Biddy Box only $6 then? Because the Biddy Box is light, the shipping cost from FedEx/UPS is based primarily on the SIZE of the shipping carton, and only a little on the weight (see our previous FAQ). For the large size of our shipping carton, the base shipping charge for a single Biddy Box in this case is about $11. If you add a second Biddy Box to the shipping carton, the weight increases a little. But the size of the shipping carton, of course, remains the same. So the shipping charge only goes up by about $1 for the extra weight of the second Biddy Box. (TIP: it is effectively cheaper to order Biddy Boxes in pairs. For example, if you want to order 1 or 3 Biddy Boxes, find a friend who might like one, and then order 2 or 4. Instead of paying shipping of $11 for 1 Biddy Box, you would be paying shipping of $12 for 2 boxes, or effectively $6 per Biddy Box.)
How often should I scoop the Biddy Cat litter box? You really should scoop your litter box everyday, but at least once every two days. Doing so minimizes odor and provides a more sanitary environment for your cat and you. Never scoop immediately after your cat uses the box—the litter needs time to absorb/wick-away moisture.
How often should I wash the Biddy Cat litter box? As it does with all litter boxes, waste will eventually soil the sides and bottom of the Biddy Cat litter box. If this waste is below the litter level, there’s no problem because it remains covered. If it’s above the litter level, we recommend cleaning the surface of the box with a disinfectant wipe. At least twice per year you should empty the box completely and wash it well with soap and water. To eliminate any residual odor, we then recommend filling the box (to at least the litter line level) with a dilute solution of bleach (about 1 part in 20 to water) and letting soak for 15 minutes or so. Rinse, resoak with clean water, and then dry. There will be no chemical residue or bleach smell to bother your cat (standard practice amongst aquarists is to soak fish aquarium decorations in a dilute bleach solution to kill algae, rinse, resoak, rinse and return to the tank with absolutely no ill effects to the fish).
Will the Biddy Cat litter box tip over? The Biddy Cat litter box has a "waffle" pattern on the base for stability. When it’s filled with three inches of clumping litter—approximately 15 pounds— our box is very stable
Will my cat have difficulty getting in or out of her litter box? The Biddy Cat litter box is 8.5-inches deep. Our oldest cat is 13-years old, which is ~69 in human years. Despite her age, Maile still easily jumps from the ground to a four-foot high dresser or table. That’s like a person jumping onto the roof of their house! If your cat is at an age where climbing into a standard litter box is difficult, the Biddy Cat litter box may be too high for her.
Does the Biddy Box come in different colors? No, and here’s why: white makes it easy to see where you need to clean.
Can I pay by check? Certainly. Just proceed to checkout. Use your shipping address for both billing AND shipping addresses in the online form. Select PayPal as your "Payment Method" and press the "Continue" button. The website will generate the order and send you an e-mail confirmation. Ignore the button which says "Proceed to make payment". Rather, just send us an e-mail at orders@biddycat.com stating that you will be paying by check. Note that we must hold the order until your check clears, so it will take a bit longer. Please send your payment to: Biddy Cat Co., P.O. Box 166, Ramona, CA 92065-9998.
