How Do you Keep Your Cat Litter Box ...

[puffkin]

We have a hooded box and use the BJ's brand clumping litter. It gets scooped every day. Full litter change about every 4-6 weeks, but a little fresh litter is added weekly. We don't have any problems with smell unless she has just gone.

We would probably use the arm and hammer litter and scoop more often if her box was in a more accessible place, but we have a basement luckily so we don't have to worry quite as much about the smell since nothing is down there.

 

[Dis_Tink_13]

Try the new Breeze system. I love it!!!!! My husband has even stopped complaining about the smell.

 

[disneymarie]

when was the last time you actually washed it out? That might help, empty it out completely and then rinse it with soap and water, and maybe even vinegar. Then put all new litter in.

I never had time with five cats to really so wash jobs, so I bought liners. What a difference, the mddle girl was sleeping in them the first day

I bought a littermaid and am not at all happy. I had one years ago with plastic prongs and it burned up. This one from Target was a real nice one but never dumped properly, lifted up the catch box and dumped under the catch tray.

So Walmart box with a liner hold down rim and scoop daily and dump the liners.
I did not buy or desire cats. The older two were my daughters when she was in high school and at home. THe younger three were hers at her home. She passed away last year at 29 and the kats are the only children she had, I could not get rid of them.

Worse then the litter is the marking the younger males are doing, no problem with her two girls.

I have to tear up two carpets.
I used Natural Kitty from Walmart with some crystles, and also Natures something from the local pet supply, 40 lb for $10.00.

di

 

[Imzadi]

Could the problem be the source? What do you feed your cat....it makes a difference with what ends up in the litterbox. You might want to try some new food. Just a thought.

I agree. It could also be the brand of cat food. I had heard this before but hadn't changed it. My cat doesn't cover her poo, so within 2 minutes I can smell it over the house and I have to go cover it.

Then I found out my cat is allergic to fish (or to wheat) as she seems to have a chronic, low grade yeast infection to her ears and one eye that gets mucousy (sp?) on & off. Right now, I'm eliminating fish first.

The fact is, most cats are allergic to fish, as it is not indigenous to their diets. Cats don't go into the water to fish for a meal. Yet many cat food companies add fish, fish by-products, fish oil or fish meal into cat foods (even to the beef & chicken flavored products) as it is a cheap & plentiful source of protein.

I used to feed her Purina cat chow & the Friskees cans (also made by Purina.) I switched to Science Diet and the change in the lessening of poo smell is incredible!!! Not only does she eat less, because the food has less filler, the size of the poo is smaller. It's been a win all around.

 

[brunette8706]

Science Diet

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I have to try that!! Where do you purchase it? Walmart, Target, Pet Smart?

Thanks!
brunette

 

[gudrench3]

We use S'Wheet mixed with a little Feline Pine clumping. They smell much better than clay clumping litter and are better for your cats (natural.) Some cats clean their paws and the clay clumping litter gets in their stomachs and stays there. I scoop right after the cats go. I empty the old litter out every week and clean the boxes (2) with soap and hot water. Then I spray down with Lysol or Clorox anywhere. They rarely smell. Good quality wet food like Wellness or Merrick will digest better and not stink. If you have to feed dry, Innova Evo is the best. No grains/filler.

Okay, I have tried the Feline Pine, and really liked it except that the "pellets" just seem to expand and then crumble into small pieces. So, using the normal "scoop" didn't work because I'd pull out the unused pellets instead of the "used" ones. Did I get a bad bag or a bad type...or am I doing something wrong? Any ideas?
Thanks so much!

 

[Imzadi]

Science Diet

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I have to try that!! Where do you purchase it? Walmart, Target, Pet Smart?

Thanks!
brunette

Right now, I'm getting it from Pet smart. But if I find a cheaper place, I'm headed there!

BTW, not all the flavors of Science diet are fish free, if that is a concern. My vet told me to get the Hairball Light formula. I still read the backs of all labels though. Sometimes they slip in fish where you least expect it. Like why would "chicken flavor" need fish oil?

 

[pixiewings71]

I've tried Swheat and Feline Pine. My cats hated it and wouldn't use the litter boxes at all. My neighbors hated it too.....and I didn't like scooping their gardens so I went back to standard scoopable stuff.

DisTink what is the Breeze system?

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I prefer Fresh Step but if I have a coupon or another quality brand is on-sale I will buy that. I scoop twice a day, but we have 4 cats using 2 boxes. Don't have an odor problem.

 

[MyGoofy26]

Our litter box is scooped daily and totally scrubbed out once a week. No smells (unless one of the beasts just hopped out, LOL) and people who come into our house say that it doesn't smell like cat so I guess it works. Yes, we've asked people. You get used to the smells you live in, it's nice to have a new nose be the judge.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Science Diet

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I have to try that!! Where do you purchase it? Walmart, Target, Pet Smart?

Thanks!
brunette

Where are you in MD? I have a bunch of the Science Diet left that my picky little butthead decided he didnt' want to eat anymore and I can't return without a receipt. I'd give you a few cans to see if your cat(s) like it first if you were close!

Like another poster said, I also use litter box liners. Since I got the second cat a few months ago, he's got claws (first one was declawed when I got him, so no flames), so he digs at the liner, so I have to double line the box. it's not perfect, but it really helps.

I also buy dollar store shower curtain liners and cut them into rectangles and put them under the litter box in case we have any misses. It's saved SO MUCH cleanup time. I can just fold it up and toss instead of having to sop it up and clean up the floor.

Kimya

 

[Teacher510]

A sprinkle of baking soda!

I don't use clumping-the vet said that it was bad for the cats if they licked and ingested it. I use a plastic disposable liner, sprinkle Arm and Hammer cat litter baking soda "stuff" at the bottom and then put 10 lbs of litter (we have a giant sized box) either Stop and Shop store brand or Tidy Cat (used to use Johnny Cat but my store doesn't carry it anymore) and I scoop once a day for 2 cats. Once a year I throw out the box and get a new one.

 

[brunette8706]

Where are you in MD? I have a bunch of the Science Diet left that my picky little butthead decided he didnt' want to eat anymore and I can't return without a receipt. I'd give you a few cans to see if your cat(s) like it first if you were close!


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Hi!

That's very nice of you! Shall I PM you so I can give you my address?

thanks!
Brunette

 

[LadyyRedd]

Where are you in MD? I have a bunch of the Science Diet left that my picky little butthead decided he didnt' want to eat anymore and I can't return without a receipt. I'd give you a few cans to see if your cat(s) like it first if you were close!


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Hi!

That's very nice of you! Shall I PM you so I can give you my address?

thanks!
Brunette

I was just thinking you could say which city so that I could see if I was nearby, but you're welcome to PM me it as well! Unfortunately, mailing cat food is super expensive. But if you're not nearby and are ever in my area, you're welcome to stop by and pick up what I have! It's only a few cans, so it's not worth a long trip to get it, but if you're out this way, you're welcome to it! I'm in Frederick.

Kimya

 

[katieandallycat]

I have 3 cats and use Tidy cat clumping. I clean it daily and then clean and rise out the entire boxes about every 6 weeks (we have 2 boxes). When we used clay the smell was terrible, even when changed ever other day. Not to mention it hurt my back to change.
My favorite is actual using the pine based (Feline Pine, Noah's animal bedding, or even wood pellets work great), but I have one rebel cat, and it's easier to just do 1 kind of litter.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I use the crystals (I think it's also by tidy cat and rarely notice a smell), it's like tiny tiny ice chips.

 

[brunette8706]

was just thinking you could say which city so that I could see if I was nearby, but you're welcome to PM me it as well! Unfortunately, mailing cat food is super expensive. But if you're not nearby and are ever in my area, you're welcome to stop by and pick up what I have! It's only a few cans, so it's not worth a long trip to get it, but if you're out this way, you're welcome to it! I'm in Frederick.

Kimya

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Sure. Yes, it is very expensive to mail. I'm in the Baltimore/Ellicott City area.

thank you.
brunette

 

[LadyyRedd]

was just thinking you could say which city so that I could see if I was nearby, but you're welcome to PM me it as well! Unfortunately, mailing cat food is super expensive. But if you're not nearby and are ever in my area, you're welcome to stop by and pick up what I have! It's only a few cans, so it's not worth a long trip to get it, but if you're out this way, you're welcome to it! I'm in Frederick.

Kimya

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Sure. Yes, it is very expensive to mail. I'm in the Baltimore/Ellicott City area.

thank you.
brunette

About 45 minutes from me! But if I am ever going to be out your way or vice versa, I'll let you know and we can arrange a dropoff or pickup.

Kimya

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I use extra-thick litter box liners (brand name is Johnny Cat) so the box itself never gets dirty. I use cheap store-brand, unscented litter and change the box every day. It's so easy because I don't have to scrub out the box--just lift the liner out and tie it shut (it has a drawstring), put in a new liner, and pour in some more cheap litter. I do wash out the box every couple of weeks but it stays very clean--my cat has never scratched through the Johnny Cat liners. They are expensive (about 50 cents each).

I personally don't think any litter stops odor. You just need to get it out of the house and put new litter in the box.

Poo gets flushed down the toilet immediately (my cat doesn't cover it either).

 

[PatriciaH]

Okay, I have tried the Feline Pine, and really liked it except that the "pellets" just seem to expand and then crumble into small pieces. So, using the normal "scoop" didn't work because I'd pull out the unused pellets instead of the "used" ones. Did I get a bad bag or a bad type...or am I doing something wrong? Any ideas?
Thanks so much!

We use the soft clumping Feline Pine-not the pellets one. It is good!

Be careful of Science Diet and Purina. They are rated 1 star foods out of 6.