Yes, I know, yet another thread asking about cat litter brands. :rolleyes: And from me, no less, a staunch A&H advocate. Until now. :blush:

Well, things are a changing.

A&H is most definitely being made differently - the dust factor is unreal, and has irritated Ginger's eyes (she jumped into a cloud of it in her haste to use the fresh litter before I was even finished POURING it:rolleyes:) and I'm getting really tired of not being able to breathe at all while changing litter.

And it seems to clump less and crumble more, causing a smellier box - the dust doesn't clump. :onfire:

And it is relatively expensive, $10 for 30 pounds - on sale. That lasts me about a week and a half.

And I need to cut costs somewhere, and it sure as heck isn't going to be on cat food.

So, please, especially those of you that have switched FROM A&H, what are the very best INEXPENSIVE clumping litters out there? I'm in the northeast US, and we don't have all brands available.

I need to cut my monthly litter costs by 25-50% if at all possible. Please, help? What should I switch to???

We use and recommend PetGold clumping litter -- $11.99 + tax for 30 pounds and it truly does clump and is low-dust. You can get it for $9.99 on sale -- at Petco.

I mix Target brand/Wal Mart brand, with Tidy Cats(got it on sale for $8 for 30 lbs). I also sometimes get Hy-Vee(grocery store chain) brand litter.

I go to Sam's Club and get "their brand" litter... it's a 35 or 40 pound bucket for 8 or 9 dollars... it clumps well and I don't have a problem with dust

And Oliver often hops in the box to contribute when I'm scooping or changing it out :rolleyes: goofy cat... at least I know he's not alone haha

I get my litter at Costco.
Back to Nature's Purrfect litter.
All natural clay clumping, low dust and deodorized with baking soda and natural lemon grass.

I've used Sam's Club litter and liked it a lot, I use Scoop Away mixed with Tidy cats.
Scoop Away for the clumping (amazing) and odor control, TC to reduce the dust and tamp down the perfumey smell Scoop Away has- they have an unscented version though, but not in multi-cats, which I have :rolleyes: I have heard good things about Target litter, really thinking about trying it myself as it would be nice to cut my litter bill too :bawling:

My local Walmart quit carrying the Tidy cats multi cat with crystals in the big bucket, so I have been using only the Special Kitty multicat with crystals (comes in a bag, but is clumping- I saved an old bucket and put it in that ;) ) that I used to mix with the Tidy Cats. So far, so good- I'm still pleased. I think it is less than $7 for 27 lbs (or so), and convienent for me to get.

I would say if you have costco try that...


I cut my bills by switching to the clumping feline poine... 3 for 10 at target on sale ... one box lasts about a month

i use special kitty. a green box from walmart. haven't had any trouble with it, as long as you keep up with the scooping. it's like 5.47 for the box. i get one every other week for 5 cats and 2 litter boxes

I recently discovered Premium Choice at my local feed store. It's $7 for a 40lb bag. I'm happy with it and it's by far the most inexpensive scoopable litter I've found. I don't know if it's available in your area but if you want to you could probably contact the manufacturer and ask. http://accpetproducts.com/scoopable.aspx

At Walmart they have their Special Kitty Clumping Litter. You get 28 pounds for around $5.48. There is still a little dust that comes from when you pour it but its not too bad...Hope you find a good clumping litter for your fuzzies Gingersmom, you'll have to update us on if you found a better litter :cross:

i use special kitty. a green box from walmart. haven't had any trouble with it, as long as you keep up with the scooping. it's like 5.47 for the box. i get one every other week for 5 cats and 2 litter boxes

:yeah: Thats what we use too! :clap: I love it and there's no dust problems at all & for us, it clumps really well! Cheap & works well! :)

I used A&H clumping for years but as others have said, it became really dusty.
I have asthma and it was really bothering my ability to remain wheeze free.

I now use only Worlds Best Original.:clap:
It took about a month to transition over to a corn based litter from clay but it was worth the trouble.
That horrible clay dust is gone from our home forever. :)
One 17lb bag last one month for 2 cats. :nod:

I do have a Costco in my area, but I don't want to pay the membership costs just to shop there for only one item - it makes no sense to me.

Sam's Club is 40 miles away, and again, don't want to have to pay to save money.

I did see the Special Kitty in Walmart, but as it is in a giant bag, I would have no way to store what isn't being used in the litter boxes.

Hmm...I guess I'll go check out Target at lunch time...

I don't want to pay the same, I want to pay less for more - I know, I'm asking a lot. :lol3:

I mix Target brand/Wal Mart brand, with Tidy Cats(got it on sale for $8 for 30 lbs). I also sometimes get Hy-Vee(grocery store chain) brand litter.
:yeah: That's pretty much what I've been doing. Tidy Cats is the only brand name my crew really likes. Target's store brand is the same texture as tidy cats scoop, so the guys like it. Most recently I bought a regular box of Special Kitty scoop and mixed it with Tidy Cats (Raven has been demanding FF Medleys and it's cutting into other things moneywise--so cheap litter it is!:lol3:).

Special Kitty Scoop with crystals is pretty good too. I like that it doesn't really smell like anything. I always have a plastic litter bucket to store leftover litter, so we have a place to store it.

If the budget is an issue--Special Kitty litter is usually cheaper than Target brand litter.

I do have a Costco in my area, but I don't want to pay the membership costs just to shop there for only one item - it makes no sense to me.


If you know someone with a membership, go with them or get them to pick it up for you, that's what we used to do.

If you know someone with a membership, go with them or get them to pick it up for you, that's what we used to do.

I don't, because no one I know has the kind of $$ to buy in bulk like that.

I used to have a membership there when my daughter was small, but would only shop there once a year when I got my tax refund. :lol3:

Now I'm thinking, maybe I will buy Tidy Cats or similar to get the bucket so that I can buy the bags of cheaper stuff after that, and I will be able to store it in the bucket.

I only started using A&H because I like the baking soda, and because it was what was recommended at the pet store when I was bringing Ginger home that first night. :blush:

Target brand comes in a 15# jug or a 28# bucket.:)

Well, I just got back from Target, and wound up buying (on sale) a 28# jug of Tidy Cat Small Spaces (multiple cat) at $ .34 cents per pound, a 28# jug of Tidy Cat crystals something-or-other (multiple cat) at $ .34 cents per pound, and a 38# bucket of regular Tidy Cats (multiple cat) at $ .36 per pound.

The bag refills are only $ .19 cents per pound! This is DEFINITELY a better way to go, and the litter looks just like the A&H, from what I can tell.

I looked at the Target brand, but the cost savings didn't seem to make much difference, and it had smaller pieces in the litter which makes me think: dusty.

So, tonight we try the new stuff - I've got my fingers crossed that no one notices the difference! :cross:

I looked at the Target brand, but the cost savings didn't seem to make much difference, and it had smaller pieces in the litter which makes me think: dusty.

Yeah, they raised the price of it significantly this summer. We lean more towards Special Kitty or the grocery store brand now.

I buy the finer textured litter because the guys are front declawed and need the finer sand.:(

If you're worried about storing the excess from a big bag and don't have a bucket, why not pick up a rubbermaid container while you're at walmart? They're not all that expensive... I buy Oliver's kibble in the giant like 40 pound bag and I just keep it in the bag and put the bag inside a rubbermaid container.... my parents keep a giant container for the dog's kibble too.... they're both kept in an unfinished basement (that often gets water in it with heavy rain) and we have NO problems with either soggyness or bugs... anyway, just a suggestion!

If you're worried about storing the excess from a big bag and don't have a bucket, why not pick up a rubbermaid container while you're at walmart? They're not all that expensive... I buy Oliver's kibble in the giant like 40 pound bag and I just keep it in the bag and put the bag inside a rubbermaid container.... my parents keep a giant container for the dog's kibble too.... they're both kept in an unfinished basement (that often gets water in it with heavy rain) and we have NO problems with either soggyness or bugs... anyway, just a suggestion!

EXCELLENT suggestion, but unfortunately, I don't have a place for a giant rubbermaid container in my tiny kitchen, and I'm on the 2nd floor, so keeping in in the unfinished basement isn't an option - too heavy for running up and down all those stairs.

That's why I bought a 38 pound bucket of Tidy Cats today - now I will always have THAT bucket to use. :bigthumb:

Nice idea, though!

I use the Tidy Cat multiple cat clumping (blue and yellow label) and Riley seems to like it. I have noticed that the clumps don't seem to be holding together as well lately which makes for a smellier box after scooping.

I have not tried anything with crystals, not sure what the difference is. I may try the Target brand next time. Wal-Mart isn't close enough for me to shop.

The crystals are supposed to help dry it out/reduce urine smell. I think (JMHO, of course ;) ) that the scoopables with crystals last a bit longer and clump harder (at least of the ones I've tried ;) ).

Well, after scooping last night, I mixed in some of the Tidy Cats "small Spaces" with the old A&H and it smelled a bit like oranges - kind of weird, considering citrus usually repels cats. :dk:

They all gave it careful sniffing, but then went in and used it ok, so we'll see what happens!

Well, after scooping last night, I mixed in some of the Tidy Cats "small Spaces" with the old A&H and it smelled a bit like oranges - kind of weird, considering citrus usually repels cats. :dk:

They all gave it careful sniffing, but then went in and used it ok, so we'll see what happens!
My cats won't touch TC Small Spaces.:nono: They hate the citrus smell & texture. I had it in one box shortly after it came out. That box was untouched until I changed the litter.:rolleyes: I only buy the tidy cats in the red bucket when I buy tidy cats (my cats demand a very find sand litter).

One of the jugs I bought is the kind with the crystals in it, so I'm going to add some of that to the other box when I scoop tonight and see how that goes. :)

The crystals are supposed to help dry it out/reduce urine smell. I think (JMHO, of course ;) ) that the scoopables with crystals last a bit longer and clump harder (at least of the ones I've tried ;) ).

I will try the one mixed with crystals next time and see how that goes!

My cats won't touch TC Small Spaces.:nono: They hate the citrus smell & texture. I had it in one box shortly after it came out. That box was untouched until I changed the litter.:rolleyes: I only buy the tidy cats in the red bucket when I buy tidy cats (my cats demand a very find sand litter).

I buy the blue bucket, do you know what the difference is between that and the red? Which clumps better? The clumps don't seem to be holding together as well lately with the blue bucket.

I buy the blue bucket, do you know what the difference is between that and the red? Which clumps better? The clumps don't seem to be holding together as well lately with the blue bucket.
The blue one has a floral perfume. The red one is the only one that is still the original formula. My cats won't use the new "Tidy Lock" formula. The texture is far too different. The red bucket is a nice fine sandy litter and I think it clumps very well. It has less dust than the store brands, but is the same texture.

The blue one has a floral perfume. The red one is the only one that is still the original formula. My cats won't use the new "Tidy Lock" formula. The texture is far too different. The red bucket is a nice fine sandy litter and I think it clumps very well. It has less dust than the store brands, but is the same texture.

Ok, maybe I will try the red one next time. What about the one with crystals mixed?

Ok, maybe I will try the red one next time. What about the one with crystals mixed?
The one with crystals has the Tidy Lock formula.

http://www.tidycats.com/GetPage.aspx?ContentID=93

The red one is the only one that's original formula.:( For a crystal blend my cats like Special Kitty scoop with crystals. But like I said, my cats are front declawed (not my doing) and very picky about litter texture. So if your cats have their claws, they may be ok with the Tidy Lock formula.

The blue one has a floral perfume. The red one is the only one that is still the original formula. My cats won't use the new "Tidy Lock" formula. The texture is far too different. The red bucket is a nice fine sandy litter and I think it clumps very well. It has less dust than the store brands, but is the same texture.

maybe that's why I don't like Tidy Cats that much, I always buy the blue cause that's the multi-cat formula, I'll have to try the red :nod:

Now I am confused...the buckets were all yellow. I bought one with a red cover, would that mean it is original?

The one with crystals has the Tidy Lock formula.

http://www.tidycats.com/GetPage.aspx?ContentID=93

The red one is the only one that's original formula.:( For a crystal blend my cats like Special Kitty scoop with crystals. But like I said, my cats are front declawed (not my doing) and very picky about litter texture. So if your cats have their claws, they may be ok with the Tidy Lock formula.

You could probably also try Cats Pride (from walmart), one of their formulas is very very sandy soft and white. I saw it by unscrewing the top of the jug and looking at the texture inside. :)

Now I am confused...the buckets were all yellow. I bought one with a red cover, would that mean it is original?
They have a color coordinated top usually.:blush:

Tidy Cats "Long Lasting Odor Control" (http://www.tidycats.com/GetPage.aspx?ContentID=95) has a red top/cap and is the original formula. All of the others (http://www.tidycats.com/GetPage.aspx?ContentID=93) are Tidy Lock formula.

They changed all of the litters to Tidy Lock a year or more ago ,and I think they got inundated with angry letters. I sent a few myself. My cats won't use the "Tidy Lock" formulas at all. I have spent a crazy amount of time trying about every kind of litter out there because of it. My cats really only like the fine sandy texture, so we've tried it all. I would have stayed with Dr Elsey's litter, but after we started using it there were a couple price hikes.

I just about did a happy dance when I discovered by accident a few months ago that Tidy Cats finally listened at some point after the big change. There was no warning for customers about the Tidy Lock change, so people with cats like mine were left in quite a pinch when one week we bought the same old litter, the next time it was a completely different texture and scent.:hmm: When I found out Red Bucket went back to original formula, the Anti-bacterial formula (Green Bucket) was also original formula--but now I see they've changed it back to Tidy Lock again.:onfire:

I'm probably going to stay with Special Kitty at this point 'cause I'm more than a little ticked that they keep changing the litter. My cats don't want their litter changing in texture and scent. :nono: That and I don't mind buying cheap litter, and spending the money on their food instead.:)

Thank you! I am not nuts! :lol3: I thought it was changing, but then I thought "Nah, they couldn't be changing it that many times in such a short period" but, ah ha! They are! My cats don't seem to mind the texture differences between the two (but they did hate the feline pine pellets ;) ), but I liked the Tidy Lock. It didn't seem as dusty to me and I thought it clumped the best. I dunno. I guess that's why they make so many different kinds! :blush: ;)

The one with crystals has the Tidy Lock formula.

http://www.tidycats.com/GetPage.aspx?ContentID=93

The red one is the only one that's original formula.:( For a crystal blend my cats like Special Kitty scoop with crystals. But like I said, my cats are front declawed (not my doing) and very picky about litter texture. So if your cats have their claws, they may be ok with the Tidy Lock formula.

Thanks. Riley has no problem with the tidy lock formula but I do! :lol3: Whenever I scoop, the clumps are crumbling which of course makes for a smelly box unless I change the litter more often. I will definitely try the red lid next time.

I am not close enough to walmart to be able to use any of their brands regularly, so my choices are things sold at Petsmart, Target and grocery.

I am not close enough to walmart to be able to use any of their brands regularly, so my choices are things sold at Petsmart, Target and grocery.
Target's litter is pretty good. It's still less expensive than Tidy Cats. My guys have also used Hy-vee and Schnuck's scooping litters with no problems. Dust level all seemed about the same.:bigthumb: I don't like the petsmart brand very much.

Well, when I got home last night, and walked into the kitchen, it STUNK of rotten, urine covered oranges. :barf: That "small spaces" stuff is horrid, and the clumps crumbled completely when I scooped. I will NEVER buy that type again. :uuh:

I tried the Tidy Cat with the crystals (tidy lock) in the litter box in my bedroom last night and I'll scoop it tonight, so we'll see about the clump factor. I liked the look of it, and at first couldn't really smell anything, so I thought, good! This might be the one!

But when I went to go to sleep, there was a flowery smell in the room that I thought at first was my imagination, but I woke up this morning with a KILLER sinus headache, which means it has something in it that I'm allergic to.

So there goes THAT one, regardless of how it clumps. :rolleyes:

I have not yet tried the regular Tidy Cat in the bucket with the red lid, but I will this weekend, as I set up a new litter box in my office. We'll see...

I know that the Target brand is scented and flowery, so that's out, does the Walmart Special Kitty come in UNscented? If not, I may just have to go back to the A&H and deal with the dust. :(

I know that the Target brand is scented and flowery, so that's out, does the Walmart Special Kitty come in UNscented? If not, I may just have to go back to the A&H and deal with the dust. :(
It's not unscented, but the Special Kitty scoop with crystals has a very mild scent. Not like the regular special kitty scoop at all.

Tidy Cats red has a different scent than all of the other cat litters. I don't know what it is, but it's not floral. It also clumps way better than the tidy lock kind.

I liked Target brand's old formula better--when it was "boots n barkley" it smelled like cloves. Now it's just "standard kitty litter floral" scent.:nausea:

I agree about the very mild scent in the Special Kitty Scoop with crystals. It is tolerable to me- I don't smell it at all when I go in the bathroom with the litterbox. The Target brand had a very strong, flowery smell that I couldn't tolerate with my allergies and respiratory problems, but the Special Kitty is fine. I do say that the Tidy Cats with Crystals didn't bother me either though, but that may be a "what is in it" issue vs. a "how much" too.

I wish we could order free samples of cat litter to try (at least to do the "sniff test" with! :blush: ).

I agree about the very mild scent in the Special Kitty Scoop with crystals. It is tolerable to me- I don't smell it at all when I go in the bathroom with the litterbox. The Target brand had a very strong, flowery smell that I couldn't tolerate with my allergies and respiratory problems, but the Special Kitty is fine. I do say that the Tidy Cats with Crystals didn't bother me either though, but that may be a "what is in it" issue vs. a "how much" too.

I wish we could order free samples of cat litter to try (at least to do the "sniff test" with! :blush: ).

Well, it seems that the plain regular Tidy Cat seems ok as far as not bothering my sinuses. But the box that I used just the Tidy Cat crystals in hasn't been used since. :rolleyes:

Or maybe it's the novelty of the new box setup in my office - that seems pretty popular over the last 24 hours since I set it up. ;)

I'll give that Special Kitty a try next time around, once the Tidy Cats bucket is empty. :)

I really think the Special Kitty comes in unscented? :dk: I think thats what my box says? I dont have the box anymore so I don't remember :confused:

But I HIGHLY suggest Special Kitty. We we gone a few weekends a go & no one scooped for us for a day and a half and I came home and had NO awful smell! :clap:

It clumps really well too. :nod:

Ginger's Mom,

I don't know if Burlington or Medford is too far out of your way, but Pet Supplies Plus sells 25 lb. bags of Premium Choice Unscented with Baking Soda for 5.98 a bag. Dust and perfume is a real concern (Mom has COPD), and this is the least dusty brand we've tried.

I can't vouch for odor control with multiple cats, but with the one, there is no smell in a very small apartment.

Ginger's Mom,

I don't know if Burlington or Medford is too far out of your way, but Pet Supplies Plus sells 25 lb. bags of Premium Choice Unscented with Baking Soda for 5.98 a bag. Dust and perfume is a real concern (Mom has COPD), and this is the least dusty brand we've tried.

I can't vouch for odor control with multiple cats, but with the one, there is no smell in a very small apartment.

I used to have a Pet Supplies Plus in my town, but they closed when they lost their lease. Those other towns are too far away to justify and savings I'd get on the litter - with gas the way it is, any savings would go into the gas tank!

But I do go to Chelmsford on occasion, so I'll look up their Burlington location, and if I happen to be on my way by, I'll stop in and buy some. Thanks! :)

I use Fresh Step multi cat formula clumping litter for my girls, and buy it from wherever I see it on special.

I find it clumps so well that I only actually change the entire thing every couple of months. I just scoop really well and top it up as needed. Doing that we don't need to buy new litter very often.

Oh - the dust is pretty bad when I pour it in. I have to cover my nose otherwise I sneeze like mad. It seems fine for just scooping and refilling if I do it slowly though.

Yes, I know, yet another thread asking about cat litter brands. :rolleyes: And from me, no less, a staunch A&H advocate. Until now. :blush:

Well, things are a changing.

It seems to clump less and crumble more, causing a smellier box - the dust doesn't clump.
Regarding A&H..you know I hadn't been able to put my finger on it, but have noticed that I've been needing to change out the box completely more frequently the past few months. One box used to last indefinitely, adding a bit of litter here and there and then I'd change it out completely about once a month just because I felt like a should :blush: Now, though, as you said, it crumples to pieces more often than not instead of the perfect clumps that used to scoop right out, messing the whole box up more often and requiring changing. Now that you've pointed it out, I'm feeling disappointed. Ever since "discovering" it, I had recommended the unscented SuperScoop with great flair. Yet, even with this, I feel in comparison, it's one of the best around...what to do... :slant:

I read on another forum that corn based chicken feed is almost exactly like World's Best except it's much cheaper, like $12 for 50lbs. I tried purchasing some in my area but couldn't find it.

Well, so far, the Tidy Cats Multiple Cat REGULAR formula is the winner, of the three Tidy Cat "flavors" I bought. Less dusty than A&H, seems to clump really well and the newest litter box with the regular Tidy Cat in it is now the box of choice for all three.

So I will definitely consider this one, and I'll never buy those "special" formulas again. I'm still REALLY hating the "Small Spaces" one - the orange smell is disgusting.

Once I get to where I need to buy some more, I'll try Special Kitty from Walmart and see how the kits go for it.

Being able to now just buy the bag refills alone, keeping the big bucket with the cover to store it in, will cut my costs almost in half over the long term, so I'm happy about that. :)

I use chicken feed. It's nonmedicated layer crumbles that work. It's similar to world's best but much cheaper. I get mine for $5/50lb bag from the feedstore. Only difference besides price is it doesn't clump as well so you have to throw a bit more litter out while cleaning but at that price I don't really care. It only becomes a problem if your using an automatic litterbox cleaner that needs good clumping litter to work. No dust, only a slight grain smell, completely harmless if eaten, and I can just throw it in a pile out in the corner of the yard. It breaks down with the first rain we have or gets eaten by birds and other wildlife.

The only 2 brands of clay clumping litter I've used are the Safeway brand (I think they call it Precious cat? It starts with a P) and PetCo's store brand. Petco's is much better clumping-wise than the Safeway stuff. I've mixed crystal cat litter into both and I liked the combination.

I am switching (gradually) to the Nature's Miracle clumping litter that is corn-based.

I use Tidy Cats and when it goes on sale I stock up.


Petsmart recently had an amazing sale (which was like 8.49 for 30 pounds, usually 12something for 27 pounds) and I bought 180 pounds of cat litter. :lol3:

DH was not thrilled but I tried to get him to look at the big picture.

I love the stuff, best I've ever used.

i'm also trying to cut costs... recently switched from tidy cats to scoop away (http://www.scoopaway.com/). i really like it - clumps really hard & quickly. it's not dust free [had to hold my breath while putting it into the litter storage container] but it's not any worse than any litter i've used.

Fresh Step Free (unscented). It's not the cheapest but it clumps really well so it lasts for a long time. I change the box every three weeks. It's $11.50 for a 28lb bucket.

Fresh Step Free (unscented). It's not the cheapest but it clumps really well so it lasts for a long time. I change the box every three weeks. It's $11.50 for a 28lb bucket.

Yeah, but see, the thing is I need to SAVE money, not spend MORE. ;)

It's a darned shame I can't lift a 40lb. bag anymore, let alone carry it up two flights - I wish I could buy the great big bags, 'cause that's the best deal. Oh well! :lol3:

Yup! Tidy Cats "Multiple cat" formula is the best we've found.
Minimal dust, solid clumping, and it's really cheap at the supermarket.
It seems to track a bit more outside the box, but it's great stuff otherwise.
Another bonus... My cat "approves" of it.:lol3:

Mike - TurningColorz

Well this just is awful. I'm cleaning the apartment, because we're going to be moving. And I'm finding a layer of kitty litter dust on EVERYTHING.:sigh: My sinuses are killing me today. Thank goodness it's nice out--I have the windows open.

I'm thinking of just biting the bullet and trying Swheat Scoop again or World's Best after we move.:nothappy:

And Raven's been sneezing like crazy lately. Finding all of this dust explains why.:(

Tidy Cats will have to be the cheapest we go. Bye-bye money....:bawling:

I have a grocery store that sell 40# box of Tidy cat for a really great price so I use that plus I have for over a year been using the "poultry crumbles" type of chicken feed. I bought it at Tractor Supply. Not much difference in the order. Bakker seems to like it and the bag seems to last forever!!

Well this just is awful. I'm cleaning the apartment, because we're going to be moving. And I'm finding a layer of kitty litter dust on EVERYTHING.:sigh: My sinuses are killing me today. Thank goodness it's nice out--I have the windows open.


Off topic, but to help yourself buy a cheap dust mask and wear it while cleaning. It will give your sinuses a bit of a break. :)

Off topic, but to help yourself buy a cheap dust mask and wear it while cleaning. It will give your sinuses a bit of a break. :)
Thanks! I'm going to scrounge around in the cupboard...I think we might have one that Mike bought for himself a long time ago. I hope so anyway.

Off topic, but to help yourself buy a cheap dust mask and wear it while cleaning. It will give your sinuses a bit of a break. :)

Do they make them in little kitty sizes? We could ask the kits to don one before entering the litter box, so breathing in the dust won't bother their little lungs. :tongue2:

Actually, that's a good idea, Karen. :)

Do they make them in little kitty sizes? We could ask the kits to don one before entering the litter box, so breathing in the dust won't bother their little lungs. :tongue2:
Raven would probably appreciate that.:) Poor guy.

I'm going to give Feline Pine Scoop another try, it had no dust and is cheap (plus target sent me a coupon). And we're going to try World's Best Cat Litter. I've heard nothing but good things about it.:clap:

I just bought a 40 lb bag of Tidy Cats (regular multi-cat, the red label) today at PetsMart for just $7. :) That is definitely going to save me money - I was buying the A&H at $10-12 for 30-35 lbs depending on sales and the store I went to.

That's close to a 50% savings - which will go toward the additional cat food I'll need to buy to feed Max. At 8 months old, he is already 10.5 lbs and growing - his grandsire was a 25 lb boy! :eek: :rolleyes: :lol3:

I'm a happy camper now. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions, folks! :bigthumb:

Betsy, is the stuff in the bag clumping? cause I have looked and looked and I have never been able to find clumping in a bag!

Betsy, is the stuff in the bag clumping? cause I have looked and looked and I have never been able to find clumping in a bag!

OMG!!! It is so NOT clumping! :argh:

Man...now I gotta go return it...well, Walmart is next door to PetsMart, so I guess I'll return it and go buy a bag of Special Kitty instead.

Phooey! :mad:

Katie, I'm REALLY glad you said something!!! :hugs:

I was just going to mention something, I'm glad you caught it. The best prices I've seen on Tidy Cats are at Target, for the 38 lb bonus bucket-usually about $11.99 It goes on sale in a cycle, usually once a month.

The way Mike's apartment hunting has been going I might be stuck with cheaper litter.:( Apparently the city we're moving back to bulldozed a lot of older rentals and put up high price new complexes.

I'm not going below Tidy Cats level though. The dust on our ceiling fan (what I'm cleaning this afternoon) is gross & smiles like "kitty litter floral" scent.:nausea: I only used Tidy Cats a couple times this year, so I know it wasn't TC causing the dust. I used a lot of whatever was cheapest in the last year.:sigh:

OMG!!! It is so NOT clumping! :argh:

Man...now I gotta go return it...well, Walmart is next door to PetsMart, so I guess I'll return it and go buy a bag of Special Kitty instead.

Phooey! :mad:

Katie, I'm REALLY glad you said something!!! :hugs:

glad I could help! I really don't understand why they don't have clumping in bags- maybe cause any moisture will cause it to clump like a rock?

On the subject of clumping in bags, I found this Soft Paw stuff at Marc's (a discount store) that's clumping in a bag- anybody ever use that?

glad I could help! I really don't understand why they don't have clumping in bags- maybe cause any moisture will cause it to clump like a rock?

On the subject of clumping in bags, I found this Soft Paw stuff at Marc's (a discount store) that's clumping in a bag- anybody ever use that?

I have a Marc's near me and will pick up Soft Paw tonight. I currently use Tidy Cats Blue and Special Kitty. I scoop twice daily but the litter seems to hold a urine smell. I hope that Soft Paw's is better.

glad I could help! I really don't understand why they don't have clumping in bags- maybe cause any moisture will cause it to clump like a rock?

I bought a bag of Special Kitty with crystals after returning the Tidy Cats bag, it is scoopable, so I hope it clumps well. :cross:

I think your question above makes sense. :nod:

I have a Marc's near me and will pick up Soft Paw tonight. I currently use Tidy Cats Blue and Special Kitty. I scoop twice daily but the litter seems to hold a urine smell. I hope that Soft Paw's is better.
I was really tempted, but was nervous :lol3: please let me know! it wasn't that expensive
I bought a bag of Special Kitty with crystals after returning the Tidy Cats bag, it is scoopable, so I hope it clumps well. :cross:

I think your question above makes sense. :nod:

let us know how that is too, Betsy :nod: I usually mix Scoop Away with TC, but if I can get away with cheaper stuff I would love it! I used to use the Premium Choice from Pet Supplies Plus and might go back to that.

But then why are some clumping ones available in bags?? :scratch: like that Soft Paw and Special Kittty and Premium Choice? I hate throwing those thick plastic buckets away all the time :( not too mention that I'm sure that jacks the price up a little :rolleyes:

I hate throwing those thick plastic buckets away all the time :( not too mention that I'm sure that jacks the price up a little :rolleyes:

Yeah - I am a recycler, big time, and it REALLY irks me to have to pay extra for a product simply because of the way it is packaged, knowing that we pay extra for the items to be recycled and reformed/reused. (We pay it in increased product costs.)

Yeah - I am a recycler, big time, and it REALLY irks me to have to pay extra for a product simply because of the way it is packaged, knowing that we pay extra for the items to be recycled and reformed/reused. (We pay it in increased product costs.)
exactly! there's no need for us to have to buy that thick plastic bucket all the time. and with the amount of litter I go thru, that's A LOT of plastic buckets :sigh: and the cardboard box packages are smaller, maybe 15 to 20 lbs, and therefore not as price efficicent as the 28 to 35 lbs buckets (at least with the Scoop Away)

I hope the Special Kitty works for your crew, Betsy! :cross:

You'll probably like the Special Kitty. It's pretty decent,especially for a budget litter.

It bugs me that when I buy Tidy Cats and several others it comes in a giant plastic bucket. I also feel bad throwing them out.:( I'm pretty torn on what to do litter-wise right now.:sigh: I can't take the dust and Raven seems to have gotten more sensitive to the dust from scooping clay litter. My hubby is concerned about what it's done to our lungs.:eek:

OMG!!! It is so NOT clumping! :argh:

Man...now I gotta go return it...well, Walmart is next door to PetsMart, so I guess I'll return it and go buy a bag of Special Kitty instead.

Phooey! :mad:

Katie, I'm REALLY glad you said something!!! :hugs:

I'm glad you found out before you opened it! I wish they did sell it in the bags, then I could just refill the bucket from that.

So far, the tidy cat with the red lid is working better than the blue one I was using before :bigthumb:

Both my dad and my husband use the empty 27 lb plastic buckets for storage (extra sandbox sand will be going in the next one, instead of the big ol' leaking bag it is currently in ;) ), building supplies, grass seed, fertilizer, etc. They would probably be good for Leggos and that kind of stuff too ;) .