Cat owners-

[bicker]

2 indoor cats
Litter box scooped once a day
One litter box, on the second floor, that they use regularly, and another covered one right next to it that they don't use much.
We also have two litter boxes in the basement which get very infrequently used, and very infrequently scooped (like once every few weeks).
We "overhaul" the main box two or three times a year.
We will leave the cats alone for one or two nights max.

 

[Youarehere]

How many cats do you have? 3

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor? Indoor

How often do you scoop the litter? Every other day

How often do you totally overhaul your box? Not as often as I should. Not really sure. Thanks for the reminder.

How many litter boxes do you have? 2

How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended? Overnight- any longer and I would have someone check in.

Any advice on keeping the litter mess to a minimum? We bought an area rug..maybe 2 1/2 x 4' that we use right outside the boxes- it is a woven one for $5 from Ocean state- It is much better than any of the assorted things that I bought that were made for litter boxes. Just roll it up and shake it out outside.

 

[lspst8]

How many cats? Just one.

Indoor or outdoor? Indoor only. He did fall out of third story window once (he pushed the screen out!) but that is the only time he has touched grass since I got him as a kitten.

Scoop? I try to do it every day. I end up doing it about 3 times a week.

Overhaul? I admit, I have never done this. And I will have had him for 3 years in August. I just add new litter when it gets low. I use the clumping kind.

Leave unattended? I leave him alone for one night all the time. Anything more than 2 nights, I have my parents come over to check on him and feed him.

Advice? I keep my litter box in the kitchen, and I have one of those cat litter mats infront of it. I keep a DustBuster handy and use it on an almost daily basis.

 

[minniecarousel]

We have 2 indoor cats, use two litter boxes and scoop daily. They haven't been left alone yet, but I'd be comfortable leaving them for two nights/3 days.

I overhaul their box about every 6 weeks. Since I scoop daily, it doesn't get too bad, but I can tell when I need to do the complete overhaul!

 

[eeyore65]

I am surprised no one mentioned the new Breeze litter system. This has changed my life!!! We have one cat and no basement, so litter was everywhere on my tiled floors. This system is amazing! It is large pellets - that can't be kicked out and then a "pee pad" under the pellets. The solid waste stays on top to be easily scooped and the liquid goes to the pad and is changed once a week. There is NO litter tracked and it is completely odorless if you scoop regularly. I scoop daily as it is right by my back door. I will leave my kitty alone for a week with a self feeder and self waterer. He is also happier being king of his kingdom with no intruders.

Please try the breeze system by Tidy cats as I don't want it discontinued!!!!

 

[Katieinwonderland]

I see the word 'cat' in a thread title and HAVE to join in!

We have three kitties, two boys and a girl, all under 3 years old. They are all indoor but we have a big, screened in wrap around balcony and let them out about once a day - only when we're home though, one of them likes to claw at the screening!

We have one large, self cleaning litter tray that the three of them share. It has a motion sensor, so a couple of minutes after the cat gets out, it cleans itself and dumps anything into a disposable container, which we throw away when full (about twice a week). We do a complete overhaul about twice a month but it depends on how it looks (or smells! )

I know people say 'one litter tray per cat' but ours are all happy to share, and I'm happy to only have one litter tray in the apartment!!! The boys are messy and kick litter everywhere, we just sweep up once a day and it seems to be OK. Magic (the girl cat) is very neat and tidy!

We have left them for two or three nights alone, but with a self cleaning litter tray it's easier to trust they won't have pooped on the carpet in our absence! We also have a water fountain for them. Any longer, we have someone look in on them. When we went to Hawaii for three weeks, we paid a friend to stop by daily and check the litter, put out fresh food and top up the water fountain. She also spent a little time just playing with them.

I think it all depends on the cats! Our cats are happy to be left alone for a while since they play with each other, but if we just had the one cat I think I'd worry more leaving him alone incase he was lonely!

 

[Stitchfans]

Please solve a few family debates for us!


How many cats do you have? 3

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor? indoor

How often do you scoop the litter? twice a day

How often do you totally overhaul your box? every other week

HOw many litter boxes do you have? 2

How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended? a day

Any advice on keeping the litter mess to a minimum? My kitty enjoys kicking the litter onto the cellar floor and rolling in it (ick) and we got one of those litter mats to put in front of it, and now hes just turned into a SUPER litter kicker to get it out. He could be in the kitty litter kicking olympics, you should see the distance he gets.

We have two indoor kitties and we totally disagree on all of the above. I tend to scoop the litter every 2-3 days. When its DF turn, he waits MUCH longer. I like to overhaul the boxes every 2 weeks or so, sooner if it needs it. He thinks we shouold let it last longer, and spend less on litter. Our cats do not go outdoors at all, we ave 2 litter boxes. I think its ok to leave the kittes unattended for a weekend only, no more than that, Df thinks the cats will be ok up 5 days with a few big bowls of dry food and water, I think they need to be looked in on at the third day alone minimum. Don;t want them to feel so sad and all alone.

I put some paper bags into plastic bags and put that under the litter boxes.
I bought the kitty place mats at Disney World- the one with the Disney cats on it and I have their food and water bowls on those.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

How many cats do you have? 3

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor? indoor

How often do you scoop the litter? wednesday and sunday

How often do you totally overhaul your box? every three weeks

HOw many litter boxes do you have? 4

How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended? a long weekend

Any advice on keeping the litter mess to a minimum? we keep a push broom, a wisk broom and litter pan, and a dustbuster in the kitty lounge area

 

[PollyannaMom]

We have 2 indoor cats (still kittens really - not quite a year old yet.)

They share 1 box - but I scoop it every day, and change it once a week.

The longest we've spent away without having someone take care of them is one night.

Our litter box is the covered kind, so I think that helps keep things neat.

 

[puffkin]

How many cats do you have? 2

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor? Indoor only

How often do you scoop the litter? Once a day usually

How often do you totally overhaul your box? Once a month or so...but the boxes are in the basement. I would do more often if in our main living areas. I try to add a little fresh litter every week though and then completely change once a month or so.

HOw many litter boxes do you have? 2 both in the basement.

How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended? My girls are on premium wet food now so I would need to have someone stop by at least once a day to feed them. When they were on dry, we could do a weekend. In a pinch we could leave dry down for them, but I hate to do it because the wet is so much better for them!

We have domed boxes that help with the litter kicking. They do track some out, which we sweep up daily with a little dust pan and brush. A mat would work as well. I would hate to see the basement if we didn't have the domes on!

 

[Maridw]

How many cats do you have? 4

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor? All indoors

How often do you scoop the litter?everyday - we use the Wal-Mart Breeze system, where the pee is caught in a pad under the litter. The litter is pellets not sand and we scoop this everyday

How often do you totally overhaul your box? Every couple weeks - we change the pads at least once a week

HOw many litter boxes do you have?two - I know they recommend more, but ours do fine with the two we have.

How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended? We have someone take care of our cats even if we go away for a weekend. We feed them once a day and if we left more food out, our oldest would put on even more pounds than she already has. When we go away for longer than a weekend we have the person come over every other day to check on them.

Any advice on keeping the litter mess to a minimum? We had one of those Olympic litter kickers too. When we got the pellets, she stopped doing that. We get some out, but not like with the sand type litter.

 

[Angelhalo]

How many cats do you have? One

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor? Indoor

How often do you scoop the litter? Never. I don't use clumping litter because she doesn't like it. I just change the whole box every 2 weeks.

How often do you totally overhaul your box? See above

HOw many litter boxes do you have? One

How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended? She has been alone before for Max 7 days. During that time I have some one come over and check her food and water every two days. I wouldn't do more than that.

Any advice on keeping the litter mess to a minimum? I picked out a small useless closet in the house and devoted it to her. DH put a kitty door in the bottom of the closet door. Her litter box is in there as well as her food dish so the doggie won't eat her food. Keeps everything nice and neat and contained behind a closed door, and she loves that the dog can't get to her stuff, as she no longer has to growl and swipe to guard her territory.

 

[Alyssa88]

I have one kitty- Demitri, he is all indoor.

I scoop every other day and do an overhaul every other week.

He is very clean (OCD almost). If he knocks litter out of the box he will gather it in piles. It's hilarious. He does this with his food as well.

I would leave him for 2 nights at most without a sitter, leaving plenty of extra food and water. My cat sitter lives right around the corner and comes often. I was away for 9 nights recently, my friend came every other day.

Unfortunately, my cat hates everybody but me and my roommate. He is very affectionate and craves attention but while we are away he hides

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

How many cats do you have? One (an 18 year old female) but we've had as many as three at one time

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor? Indoor

How often do you scoop the litter? Several times a day - her litter box is in the laundry room and everytime I walk by or in it I check the box and scoop it if needed

How often do you totally overhaul your box? Usually once a month - I wait until the scoopable litter level is getting low and I dump the remaining litter, wash & disinfect the box, then add fresh new scoopable litter

HOw many litter boxes do you have? One

How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended? We leave her no more than 2 days without family or friends checking on her. Any longer than that we have someone check on her every 2 days

Any advice on keeping the litter mess to a minimum? I like the scoopable litter instead of regular litter. The regular litter seems to track through the house more than the scoopable - but I know some kitties don't like the scoopable

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I have two cast, both indoors as I think it is irresponsible to allow your cats outdoors.

I have one litterbox. It is that new Tidy Cats Breeze System and I love it. I got it because I was so sick of walking on litter. The pellets are hard for them to kick out and they last a long time. I scoop it every night or my little cat will poop on the floor, I change the pee pad about every 4 or 5 days (when it starts getting full). I do a total overhaul about once a month and it works well for me. But, this isn't a traditinal litterbox. When I had a traditional litter box I would have to refresh the litter at leat once a week and overhaul every other week.

 

[DMRick]

Please solve a few family debates for us!


How many cats do you have?
I foster, so I have anywhere from a mama and 7 kittens down to 3 kittens usually.

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor?

These are always indoors and when I had my own (since deceased) they were indoors. I couldn't deal with fleas or take a chance on a hit by car (we are in a city suburb)

How often do you scoop the litter?

2 times a day.

How often do you totally overhaul your box?
At least weekly, more if needed.

HOw many litter boxes do you have?
two per three kittens.
How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended?

Three days at the very most,for cats, if they eat dry food and have another cat. I also have a radio that comes on during the day for company. I can't leave the kittens because they are too young and too mischievious. They can crash quickly if they go on a hunger strike.

Any advice on keeping the litter mess to a minimum? My kitty enjoys kicking the litter onto the cellar floor and rolling in it (ick) and we got one of those litter mats to put in front of it, and now hes just turned into a SUPER litter kicker to get it out. He could be in the kitty litter kicking olympics, you should see the distance he gets.

We use both a closed box and a semi closed box once they get big enough to climb in.

We have two indoor kitties and we totally disagree on all of the above. I tend to scoop the litter every 2-3 days. When its DF turn, he waits MUCH longer. I like to overhaul the boxes every 2 weeks or so, sooner if it needs it. He thinks we shouold let it last longer, and spend less on litter. Our cats do not go outdoors at all, we ave 2 litter boxes. I think its ok to leave the kittes unattended for a weekend only, no more than that, Df thinks the cats will be ok up 5 days with a few big bowls of dry food and water, I think they need to be looked in on at the third day alone minimum. Don;t want them to feel so sad and all alone.

 

[Nancy]

Please solve a few family debates for us!


How many cats do you have? we have 2

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor? indoor only

How often do you scoop the litter? DH does it every other day

How often do you totally overhaul your box? when I can smell it even after scooping...usually once a month

HOw many litter boxes do you have? 2

How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended? Not sure. I will have family come over and check on them. So they are never along more than 1 full day

Any advice on keeping the litter mess to a minimum? My kitty enjoys kicking the litter onto the cellar floor and rolling in it (ick) and we got one of those litter mats to put in front of it, and now hes just turned into a SUPER litter kicker to get it out. He could be in the kitty litter kicking olympics, you should see the distance he gets.


Nope, sorry...mine are kickers too, somedays are worse than others. I just have the biggest size boxes with higher sides. Tried the smaller boxes and it was a disaster.

We have two indoor kitties and we totally disagree on all of the above. I tend to scoop the litter every 2-3 days. When its DF turn, he waits MUCH longer. I like to overhaul the boxes every 2 weeks or so, sooner if it needs it. He thinks we shouold let it last longer, and spend less on litter. Our cats do not go outdoors at all, we ave 2 litter boxes. I think its ok to leave the kittes unattended for a weekend only, no more than that, Df thinks the cats will be ok up 5 days with a few big bowls of dry food and water, I think they need to be looked in on at the third day alone minimum. Don;t want them to feel so sad and all alone.

If I left my cats with big bowls of food one of them would eat it all and then be pucking all over the place. I tried the water dishes that fill themselves and my younger cat thought the bubbles in the water reservoir were fun when it was refiling the bowl that she would "play" with them and knock it over...water everywhere.

 

[disbridemimi]

Thank you all! I won the argument. And now I want the breeze system!

 

[flying_babyb]

Ok anyone got a suggestion on how to train a formally abused scardy cat to use a covered box? I need all the help I can get with this girl, shes a litter FLINGER! She was a stray we caught in a box trap. Vet told us she was abused in the past, and many of her manerisms say so too. Is there a way to get her into using a coverd box? My box has to live on my only tiled floor so its in my kitchen

 

[Cool-Beans]

How many cats do you have? One. I do admit that she's my cat (in a way) but don't actually call myself her owner, but that's another story.

Are they indoor or indoor outdoor? Both, I guess. She goes outside a LOT. And brings back dead animals - that's my big reward for taking care of her, dontcha know. She gets pretty pissed that I don't let her bring them into the house where she feels they belong.

How often do you scoop the litter? I don't. I did, but it was no fun. She got this huge litter box. I pour 2 bottles of the crystals in there once a week and let her bury that crap. On the evening of Garbage Festival, I dump the whole mess out and pour 2 more bottles in.

How often do you totally overhaul your box? I used to wash it weekly. But since I started with the crystals, most everything dumps on out - nothing stuck and left behind. If anything at all is left in there, the whole thing gets washed. If not, I wash the thing once a month.

HOw many litter boxes do you have? One.

How long do you think it is appropriate to go away and leave your kitties unattended? As long as she has food and water, I'd figure she was okay. I might go a week with nobody in the house. But she'd yell at us. Any time she's left alone, she yells at whoever shows up.

Any advice on keeping the litter mess to a minimum? My kitty enjoys kicking the litter onto the cellar floor and rolling in it (ick) and we got one of those litter mats to put in front of it, and now hes just turned into a SUPER litter kicker to get it out. He could be in the kitty litter kicking olympics, you should see the distance he gets.

I got a big litter box with a dome. Has little "steps" for the cat to walk down as she exits. It's very rare that any littler gets carried out. I went through several boxes before I got this one, though. They pretty much sucked.

Good luck with your Kitty. Enjoy the dead birds, chipmunks, etc.