Clumping cat litter recommendations

[judas]

We've been using Pettex superfine clumping litter for many years (at least ten). It was great - sensibly priced, and did what it was supposed to do: clumped and reduced odours. Over the past couple of years we've used it in the three Petkit self-cleaning litter trays scattered the house. It still did what it was supposed to. But recently they changed the formula and it is now, quite frankly, fking useless - it no longer clumps, but just sits there in a saturated soggy mess, stinking away.

So, I'd appreciate recommendations for a good quality, fine grained (if possible) cat litter that doesn't cost a fortune. For reference, the Pettex stuff is ~£12 for 15kg from Amazon.

Thanks!

[Simpo Two]

After putting out the same request a year or two ago someone mentioned this, and it works very well. It used to be called 'Lifelong' but Amazon seem to have taken it on as an own-brand:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Brand-Lifelong-Cor...

[judas]

Thanks for the suggestion

We're giving EverClean a go to see if it's any good - reviews say it is, but they also say the Pettex stuff is as well...

[Deep Thought]

judas said:

We've been using Pettex superfine clumping litter for many years (at least ten). It was great - sensibly priced, and did what it was supposed to do: clumped and reduced odours. Over the past couple of years we've used it in the three Petkit self-cleaning litter trays scattered the house. It still did what it was supposed to. But recently they changed the formula and it is now, quite frankly, fking useless - it no longer clumps, but just sits there in a saturated soggy mess, stinking away.

So, I'd appreciate recommendations for a good quality, fine grained (if possible) cat litter that doesn't cost a fortune. For reference, the Pettex stuff is ~£12 for 15kg from Amazon.

Thanks!

We've two PetKit auto cleaners for our four cats (and two other trays).

We'd endless hassle getting a litter that didnt do exactly what you say - clumps and sticks in a mess in the tray.

Did a lot of googling and found this -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D4M3SLLG?ref_=ppx_hz...

Really solves the problem.

[Deep Thought]

judas said:

Thanks for the suggestion

We're giving EverClean a go to see if it's any good - reviews say it is, but they also say the Pettex stuff is as well...

D'oh!

I see you've posted as i was typing.

Yes, its EverClean we use, as per my link.

Excellent stuff.

We've been using it for about a year and a half now.

How are you finding your Petkits otherwise?

We've two of the PuraMax

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B3CP2R5L?ref_=ppx_hz...

[judas]

Deep Thought said:

D'oh!

I see you've posted as i was typing.

Yes, its EverClean we use, as per my link.

Excellent stuff.

We've been using it for about a year and a half now.

How are you finding your Petkits otherwise?

We've two of the PuraMax

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B3CP2R5L?ref_=ppx_hz...

Thanks!

We have four cats too (was five until May last year )The automated litter trays are an absolute godsend! First world problems and all that, but I'd hate to use anything else again. Before we got them we had some Omega roll-over trays, which were still better than a conventional litter tray, but not on the same level as the Petkit ones.

Petkit do some great stuff, but their consumables are hideously overpriced. Guess they figure anyone who will drop £400+ on a litter tray won't bat an eyelid at the other costs.

Then there's this: https://www.theverge.com/news/850992/petkit-ai-cam... - dread to think how much this will be.

[Deep Thought]

judas said:

Thanks!

We have four cats too (was five until May last year )The automated litter trays are an absolute godsend! First world problems and all that, but I'd hate to use anything else again. Before we got them we had some Omega roll-over trays, which were still better than a conventional litter tray, but not on the same level as the Petkit ones.

Petkit do some great stuff, but their consumables are hideously overpriced. Guess they figure anyone who will drop £400+ on a litter tray won't bat an eyelid at the other costs.

Then there's this: https://www.theverge.com/news/850992/petkit-ai-cam... - dread to think how much this will be.

Yeah before we got them it was a constant round robin of checking litter trays pretty much constantly.

We did away with the perfume sprayer thing. It was problematic to keep working and pricey for refills. We just use the bags. I bulk order those off amazon. I see the parts supply is pretty good. I worry the cloth base underneath the litter will split but it seems easy to get replacements.

We had issues with ours "stopping" half way found, but it turned out that there was litter trapped under the cylinder and taking it about and off and cleaning everything solved that. They are surprisingly easy to take apart.

Our two boy cats are fond of their food. we've auto feeders of dry food (and they get wet food too) but we think the boys are overeating. Really need to find a way to resolve that. I'm sure Petkit have an (expensive!) solution

We've water fountains which are good but they need cleaned out very frequently to keep the water pure. I might look at the Petkit one which doesnt seem to reuse water which would be good.

Sorry for your loss RE: cat no 5. We'd be gutted if something happened one of ours.

We've really got 3+1 cats. Theres a little pose of the three of them that are very sociable and get on great with each other and then an older female cat who suffers from anxiety and has the longest memory of anyone or anything that has annoyed her, so she actively avoids the other three and is quite grumpy towards them. I dont think she even thinks she is a cat

[judas]

Thanks for the sympathy - we were devastated

Bag-wise, we use these from Sainsbury's - couple of quid a roll. Perfect fit.

[judas]

Ok, after trying the Ever Clean litter, it's really great. Properly clumps and keeps the smell right down - polar opposite to the Pettex crap. 40 litres bought and now on subscribe and save with Amazon.

[Deep Thought]

judas said:

Ok, after trying the Ever Clean litter, it's really great. Properly clumps and keeps the smell right down - polar opposite to the Pettex crap. 40 litres bought and now on subscribe and save with Amazon.

Oh good job.

We really like it too. Funny, i hadnt thought about the smell aspect, but you're right, definitely much better than others we had been trying.

Meant to say - thanks for the tip about the bags. We'll be using those going forward

[Soft Top]

Deep Thought said:

judas said:

Ok, after trying the Ever Clean litter, it's really great. Properly clumps and keeps the smell right down - polar opposite to the Pettex crap. 40 litres bought and now on subscribe and save with Amazon.

Oh good job.

We really like it too. Funny, i hadnt thought about the smell aspect, but you're right, definitely much better than others we had been trying.

Meant to say - thanks for the tip about the bags. We'll be using those going forward

Thread hijack! “Deep Thought” and “Judas” - you’ve both mentioned the Petkit self cleaning litter trays. I have a question if I may.

Our ageing cat is now only using litter trays, (always outdoor until recent back injury but did always prefer a litter tray), and now won’t use an enclosed one. Do enough use the “tray version rather than the fully enclosed super duper ones? If so do they work well - they mention 30 days but in reality if they clean and deal with everything themselves for a day or two with minimal bagging fuss that would be nice

[Tim Cognito]

We have used this for years. Smells faintly of baby powder and clumps well.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_litter/tig...

[Ace-T]

Soft Top said:

Deep Thought said:

judas said:

Ok, after trying the Ever Clean litter, it's really great. Properly clumps and keeps the smell right down - polar opposite to the Pettex crap. 40 litres bought and now on subscribe and save with Amazon.

Oh good job.

We really like it too. Funny, i hadnt thought about the smell aspect, but you're right, definitely much better than others we had been trying.

Meant to say - thanks for the tip about the bags. We'll be using those going forward

Thread hijack! Deep Thought and Judas - you ve both mentioned the Petkit self cleaning litter trays. I have a question if I may.

Our ageing cat is now only using litter trays, (always outdoor until recent back injury but did always prefer a litter tray), and now won t use an enclosed one. Do enough use the tray version rather than the fully enclosed super duper ones? If so do they work well - they mention 30 days but in reality if they clean and deal with everything themselves for a day or two with minimal bagging fuss that would be nice

(Judas OH here) Not quite sure what you are asking here, but I hope your kitty is ok.

Is the enclosed tray your kitty is not using open at top or side, if top, it could be it is too awkward/painful for them to get in. Also if you are not cleaning the trays daily the cat just may not like using dirty trays.

We don't have any tray versions, we have 3 of the Petkit for the 4 cats. As the 'output' is dealt with after 5/10 mins (you can set the timer to let the wee clump) the litter tray remains clean for most of the time. On a daily basis we change the bags, which is super easy, minimal fuss (and also we feel relieved that the neigbour can come sort the cats when we are away with very little litter tray interaction! )

It really is a first world problem solved, but one that I am very glad we did, especially now we have solved the poor quality litter issue. Thanks DT!

[Deep Thought]

Ace-T said:

Soft Top said:

Deep Thought said:

judas said:

Ok, after trying the Ever Clean litter, it's really great. Properly clumps and keeps the smell right down - polar opposite to the Pettex crap. 40 litres bought and now on subscribe and save with Amazon.

Oh good job.

We really like it too. Funny, i hadnt thought about the smell aspect, but you're right, definitely much better than others we had been trying.

Meant to say - thanks for the tip about the bags. We'll be using those going forward

Thread hijack! Deep Thought and Judas - you ve both mentioned the Petkit self cleaning litter trays. I have a question if I may.

Our ageing cat is now only using litter trays, (always outdoor until recent back injury but did always prefer a litter tray), and now won t use an enclosed one. Do enough use the tray version rather than the fully enclosed super duper ones? If so do they work well - they mention 30 days but in reality if they clean and deal with everything themselves for a day or two with minimal bagging fuss that would be nice

(Judas OH here) Not quite sure what you are asking here, but I hope your kitty is ok.

Is the enclosed tray your kitty is not using open at top or side, if top, it could be it is too awkward/painful for them to get in. Also if you are not cleaning the trays daily the cat just may not like using dirty trays.

We don't have any tray versions, we have 3 of the Petkit for the 4 cats. As the 'output' is dealt with after 5/10 mins (you can set the timer to let the wee clump) the litter tray remains clean for most of the time. On a daily basis we change the bags, which is super easy, minimal fuss (and also we feel relieved that the neigbour can come sort the cats when we are away with very little litter tray interaction! )

It really is a first world problem solved, but one that I am very glad we did, especially now we have solved the poor quality litter issue. Thanks DT!

Same for us, we've the enclosed PetKits for our 4 cats. We change the bags when the full notification comes up. Thats maybe every 4-5 days. No issues with smell, particularly since moving to the Ever Clean.

[Deep Thought]

Tim Cognito said:

We have used this for years. Smells faintly of baby powder and clumps well.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_litter/tig...

Do you have a self cleaning litter tray?

[jmn]

Tim Cognito said:

We have used this for years. Smells faintly of baby powder and clumps well.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_litter/tig...

Same here. Works well.

[Soft Top]

Deep Thought said:

Ace-T said:

Soft Top said:

Deep Thought said:

judas said:

Ok, after trying the Ever Clean litter, it's really great. Properly clumps and keeps the smell right down - polar opposite to the Pettex crap. 40 litres bought and now on subscribe and save with Amazon.

Oh good job.

We really like it too. Funny, i hadnt thought about the smell aspect, but you're right, definitely much better than others we had been trying.

Meant to say - thanks for the tip about the bags. We'll be using those going forward

Thread hijack! Deep Thought and Judas - you ve both mentioned the Petkit self cleaning litter trays. I have a question if I may.

Our ageing cat is now only using litter trays, (always outdoor until recent back injury but did always prefer a litter tray), and now won t use an enclosed one. Do enough use the tray version rather than the fully enclosed super duper ones? If so do they work well - they mention 30 days but in reality if they clean and deal with everything themselves for a day or two with minimal bagging fuss that would be nice

(Judas OH here) Not quite sure what you are asking here, but I hope your kitty is ok.

Is the enclosed tray your kitty is not using open at top or side, if top, it could be it is too awkward/painful for them to get in. Also if you are not cleaning the trays daily the cat just may not like using dirty trays.

We don't have any tray versions, we have 3 of the Petkit for the 4 cats. As the 'output' is dealt with after 5/10 mins (you can set the timer to let the wee clump) the litter tray remains clean for most of the time. On a daily basis we change the bags, which is super easy, minimal fuss (and also we feel relieved that the neigbour can come sort the cats when we are away with very little litter tray interaction! )

It really is a first world problem solved, but one that I am very glad we did, especially now we have solved the poor quality litter issue. Thanks DT!

Same for us, we've the enclosed PetKits for our 4 cats. We change the bags when the full notification comes up. Thats maybe every 4-5 days. No issues with smell, particularly since moving to the Ever Clean.

Thanks for the replies. She is “OK” but will never be back to how she was - she likely hyperextended on a jump and bruised her spine - cue MRI’s and weeks of cage rest. We have ramps for her beds and our bed which help a lot. Small typo in my question which probably didn’t help but I also made an assumption that everyone knew the different versions.:



Sounds like everyone has the right hand version. I don’t think she would use that nowadays so I was wondering how the left hand version worked but I don’t believe either of you have such. We’re not looking for anything that we can leave for weeks but we need to check and clean regularly since, (as suggested), she won’t re-use the tray until cleaned so self cleaning would be very useful as she is often making 5/6 visits a day.

Thanks for the responses.

[Deep Thought]

Soft Top said:

Thanks for the replies. She is OK but will never be back to how she was - she likely hyperextended on a jump and bruised her spine - cue MRI s and weeks of cage rest. We have ramps for her beds and our bed which help a lot. Small typo in my question which probably didn t help but I also made an assumption that everyone knew the different versions.:



Sounds like everyone has the right hand version. I don t think she would use that nowadays so I was wondering how the left hand version worked but I don t believe either of you have such. We re not looking for anything that we can leave for weeks but we need to check and clean regularly since, (as suggested), she won t re-use the tray until cleaned so self cleaning would be very useful as she is often making 5/6 visits a day.

Thanks for the responses.

Sorry, no. Mine are Pura Max. (library pic, not our cats)



Your proposed one looks like a good solution for your cat though.