Litterheads- Cats matter!

[carreauchompeur]

Folks,

I have acquired a lovely house cat. Doesn't go out at all so is a full-time litter user. Let's be frank, I am struggling with the litter though... Doesn't smell too badly in the tray as it's hooded but the "movements" don't seem to be clumping very well, and I am using a lot of litter, changing it about every 5 days... Which absolutely reeks of piss!

Any ideas on decent brands? I know it's never going to be pleasant but would like something a bit more efficient...

Ta.

[doug1e1972]

catsan get a big bag from tescos for £10. you really should be changing the litter more often tbh. i have 2 cats and use 2 litter trays and change them every 2 days(sometimes get away with 3 days)

[MarsellusWallace]

A few people I have spoken to recently including breeders seem to favour 'Yesterdays News'.Ive bought a few bags of it to try but we dont get our kitten for another week so I cant comment myself as to how good it is yet.

[thetapeworm]

I buy the Lemongrass variant of this from Costco:

http://litterpurrfect.com

Clumps really well and is great for dealing with the smell, scoop it out daily and change it once a week.

[carreauchompeur]

Great stuff, how much is that Costco stuff? I scoop every day or two, changing the litter every 2 days seems overkill.

[thetapeworm]

carreauchompeur said:

Great stuff, how much is that Costco stuff? I scoop every day or two, changing the litter every 2 days seems overkill.

I think it works out to be about £6.00 once you add the VAT on.

[matt28]

Just the cheap tesco value one, about £1/bag, which does 2-3 trays, and I change it every few days... my cats go outside during the day and are only shut in overnight. I put it in a large full litter tray (the kind with the roof and the catflap on the front) which helps massively with the smell. I also mix in a small amount of litter freshener, and leave the litter tray in an otherwise unused room with a plug-in air freshener nearby.

[bexVN]

carreauchompeur said:

Great stuff, how much is that Costco stuff? I scoop every day or two, changing the litter every 2 days seems overkill.

Not overkill, a cat may eventually get put off using it otherwise, you have been lucky so far, try every 3 days as a compromise.

Just be careful not to chop and change too much, some cats can get a bit fussy about litter type. I've used wood based pellets for yrs which doesn't track too much, though just in the last month for the first time ever (in 15yrs) I've added a bit of fullers earth just to try and keep cost down a bit. Thought one of the cats was going to refuse to use it but she seems to have come around (either that or she is going outside instead!)

[paulmurr]

We use Catsan, scoop up the turds as we notice them and change it and wash the box once a week. Doesn't seem to reek too bad.

[-C-]

We have tried most of whats available out there. Experience with our cats seems to show that clumping litter is a waste of time, and the super cheap stuff is equally crap (like gravel!)

The best for us seems to be a Pets at Home one, think it's a non clumping clay & antibacterial - can buy about 20kg of it for £8 or so.

Fresh tray twice a week & daily scooping - never smells, unless you are unlucky enough to be around when when of them is crimping one off.

[dmitsi]

Change the litter more frequently, or you'll end up with a cat who won't st in their and little surprises left over the house.

[Desiato]

I use the non-scented Ever Track for my cat, clumps really well and as long as you scoop the clumps out every couple of days lasts for ages between changes. In the hooded tray we never get any odours.

http://www.rlpetproducts.co.uk/store/cats/brands/e...

[Marf]

I use this for my two - they are allowed out during the day but not at night, so its just in case they get caught short.



Works very well. Clumps very very well and covers wee smells well. I tend to clean out number two straightaway though.

[-C-]

Yep even with a lid & a flap, we still get an extraodinary amount of cat litter all over the floor.

Along with the patting the door game in an attemt to cover up the deposit/dig to Australia.

[thetapeworm]

I bought mine one of those little mats that sits at the entrance to the poo cave - she steps over it so she can deposit the litter at strategic locations around the house.

Thanks.

[parakitaMol.]

I would suggest Catsan too, aslo there is a very similar Sainsburys own brand one which I am convinced is manufactured by them as Own Brand label.

I know there were some concerns a few years ago about the clumping litter, a vet friend colleague said that the clumping chemical is dangerous when ingested (by cats licking themselves).... this was some time ago when I worked in the sector so it may not be valid but I have always avoided it since then - Bex may have some thoughts on that...?

[bexVN]

parakitaMol. said:

I would suggest Catsan too, aslo there is a very similar Sainsburys own brand one which I am convinced is manufactured by them as Own Brand label.

I know there were some concerns a few years ago about the clumping litter, a vet friend colleague said that the clumping chemical is dangerous when ingested (by cats licking themselves).... this was some time ago when I worked in the sector so it may not be valid but I have always avoided it since then - Bex may have some thoughts on that...?

Afraid not, wasn't aware of this as being an issue. I've always used wood based just because it breaks down quickly so better for landfill than tonnes of clay but not because I thought it was dangerous to the cats.

[Roop]

I recommend the silica crystal litter rather than the clay-like ones. Works much better IME.

[mrs singlecoil]

We have always used wood based litter. The solids can be scooped out and put down the loo and if you invest in a garden seive the litter can be shaken through that into a bag leaving the dry stuff behind to be reused. Very economical and the used litter can be composted.

[dudleybloke]

wilkinsons do a decent own brand lightweight clumping litter that is quite cheap and does the job.

Edited by dudleybloke on Tuesday 1st February 20:27