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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sarah T. on November 26, 2005, at 3:46:34
Hi. What kind of kitty litter do you use? Lately, I've been having to change the entire box at least twice a week, even more than this past summer. I find Trader Joe's kitty litter crystals pretty effective at odor control, but the crystals are so much more expensive than the clay litter. Which brand do you use? Which do you think is best for odor control?
Posted by happyflower on November 26, 2005, at 6:38:19
In reply to If you have cats. . ., posted by Sarah T. on November 26, 2005, at 3:46:34
I mix the expensive cystals with the clay stuff about 50/50. It works great on the smell and is a little cheaper. Plus it helps putting the box in the most remote area of the house! :)
Posted by Racer on November 26, 2005, at 12:26:35
In reply to Re: If you have cats. . ., posted by happyflower on November 26, 2005, at 6:38:19
I've used the crystals, which are great and expensive, but switched to the Costco litter, which is a mix of clumping and crystals. It's pretty dang good stuff, overall. I do change the whole litter box periodically, and it's not totally odor-free, but considering I have a cat with chronic renal failure, who pees out about a quart a day, it's going above and beyond the call of duty. Clumps well, cheap, and the crystals help a lot. (It's not the whole crystal, by the way -- they're kinda ground up, so they stick in the clumps and get thrown out. That's part of why I change the whole thing now and again.)
I hope that helps.
Posted by KaraS on November 26, 2005, at 16:32:14
In reply to If you have cats. . ., posted by Sarah T. on November 26, 2005, at 3:46:34
> Hi. What kind of kitty litter do you use? Lately, I've been having to change the entire box at least twice a week, even more than this past summer. I find Trader Joe's kitty litter crystals pretty effective at odor control, but the crystals are so much more expensive than the clay litter. Which brand do you use? Which do you think is best for odor control?
Hi Sarah,My favorite is corn litter but several friends have complained about the smell from it so it may not be what you're looking for. I think the clay litter smells worse but I seem to be in the minority. I think that corn is probably safer than the clay litter in many ways. It's expensive but it lasts longer and I used to buy it in large bags at a discount store near me.
Lately I've been using the Costco clay litter because it works really well and it's so cheap. Unfortunately I reinjured my back trying to pour the litter out of the heavy container so now I will have to start trying other brands.
K
Posted by Shortelise on November 26, 2005, at 20:31:07
In reply to If you have cats. . ., posted by Sarah T. on November 26, 2005, at 3:46:34
I have three cats and two cats boxes. I change them once a week and fish the poop out daily. It's the only way I've found of controlling odor. One box is crystals and the other is non-clumping litter. I buy what's on sale.
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2005, at 23:11:39
In reply to Re: If you have cats. . . » Sarah T., posted by Shortelise on November 26, 2005, at 20:31:07
How do all of you keep the cats from tracking the litter all over the floors? Vacuum cleaner only throws them around. And it's a pain to use a dustpan. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 28, 2005, at 13:57:21
In reply to If you have cats. . ., posted by Sarah T. on November 26, 2005, at 3:46:34
Try Arm and Hammer brand multicat formula. It works very well. It is $$, but you get your money's worth. I would never switch b/c this stuff is just so good. I live in a small apt and only have room for the litter box in the living room, so I need something that really works. I usually only need to scoop the box every other day (I have 2 cats). Depression does not help with keeping up with household chores, so sometimes I go longer than that even. (I guess it is good that I have understanding cats!!)
I also have a covered litterbox with a charcoal filter on the top. That helps too, but some cats and feline behavior specialists think that they are a bad thing.
Best,
EE
Posted by Poet on November 29, 2005, at 21:45:22
In reply to If you have cats. . ., posted by Sarah T. on November 26, 2005, at 3:46:34
Tidy Cat Multiple Scooping. Non-scented. I try to scoop everything out of both boxes every other day. I put the dirty litter into plastic grocery bags and then throw them out.
I experimented using Fresh Step in one of the boxes and none of the kitties would use it. It was scented, so that might be what they didn't like. Anyway, back to Tidy Cat for us.
Poet
Posted by Poet on November 29, 2005, at 21:49:42
In reply to Re: If you have cats. . ., posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2005, at 23:11:39
Hi Phillipa,
If you have a covered litter box, you can get a plastic mat at the pet store that you put on the floor in front of the opening. It helps keep most of the litter from going onto the floor and you just shake the mat back into the box or trash can.
Poet
Posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2005, at 22:04:17
In reply to Re: If you have cats. . . » Phillipa, posted by Poet on November 29, 2005, at 21:49:42
Poet is there a name for this plastic mat? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sarah T. on December 2, 2005, at 2:37:21
In reply to If you have cats. . ., posted by Sarah T. on November 26, 2005, at 3:46:34
Thanks to all of you for your replies. Over the next month or so, I'll try all of your suggestions, and I'll see what works best with my two kitties.
Posted by Poet on December 2, 2005, at 8:32:58
In reply to Re: If you have cats. . . » Poet, posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2005, at 22:04:17
Hi Phillipa,
I'm not sure what the actual name is. I've got to go to the pet store (for litter, of course and crickets for my gecko) this weekend. I'll take a look at the mats and see what they're actually called and post it to you.
Poet
Posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2005, at 19:17:11
In reply to Re: If you have cats. . . » Phillipa, posted by Poet on December 2, 2005, at 8:32:58
Poet thanks! I bought him a platform to climb and scratch on today. Forgot all about looking for mats. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by cablegirl on December 3, 2005, at 4:25:12
In reply to Re: If you have cats. . . » Poet, posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2005, at 19:17:11
"Tidy Cats" Immediate odor control ROCKS!!!!! My big fat indoor cat will settle for nothing else!!! YOU GOTTA TRY IT!!!!
Posted by Poet on December 6, 2005, at 18:59:25
In reply to Re: If you have cats. . . » Poet, posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2005, at 19:17:11
Hi Phillipa,
Litter Catcher Mats by Stylette or Rubbermaid's Pet Litter Mat. Hope you can find one.
Hope your cat likes the new scratching platform. Mine love theirs. It used to have furry mice hanging off of it to encourage scratching, but those have mysteriously disappeared.
Poet
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