DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have two cats, a siamese and an orange tabby, both about 2 years old. When the orange tabby uses her litter box, well, it’s just pungent and disgustingly smelly.
My husband just sits there and says, “When you have pets, they come with smells.” I beg to differ, and think we should eliminate the smells as much as possible. What if we had company over?
What’s the proper etiquette in these matters? I think even one use with fresh litter is one too many. I think he’s trying to gaslight me and he’s just being lazy!
GENTLE READER: Without questioning the motive behind your hypothetical addition of guests, Miss Manners cannot help noticing that it decides the issue in your favor.
Yes, if guests are present, smelly cat boxes should not be. This does not, however, settle the question you pose.
Household questions should be decided by mutual agreement, with both sides giving greater weight to situations that cause greater discomfort. It would seem that your husband would, if he considered it, concede that the discomfort of having to get up is less than the discomfort of smelling ... cats. And this can be further offset by relocating the cat box or by taking turns changing the litter.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)