View Full Version : What Cat Litter are You Using?
faganfamily1 1st September 2006, 12:14 AM Hello everyone- I am looking for a new cat litter- we have a kitten that is just getting over worms and our house is getting smelly. can anyone reccomend a good cat litter that absorbs odor and inexpensive?
Thanks!;)
lionessrampant 1st September 2006, 12:18 AM Hmmmm...I've actually found that World's Best Cat Litter has earned it's stripes (and it's name) as far as odor control, clumping, and the amount of time it lasts goes. It's on teh pricey side, but it lasts over a month with just one kittens, it doesn't have that nasty perfumey scent and it doesn't create a mushroom cloud of dust when you pour it into the box. I've always added a coupld cups of baking soda to the box no matter which litter I use. I also have found that the litter met I use traps the WBCL better than it trapped any other litter.
Exquisicat Unscented was ok and dirt cheap. It was just extremely dusty and tracked a lot...but it was good with odor.
Also, WBCL is safe for your kitten to use. Kittens should not be using regular clumping litter because of their tendency to eat it. WBCL is just ground up corn husks.
mrspotts66 1st September 2006, 12:46 AM i was a World's Best user...loved it for a year or so.
then, i lost my job and needed something on the less $$$ end of the spectrum.
i'm now using PetSmart's house brand (Exquisicat) of unscented clumping litter, and i've found that it clumps harder and faster...which means less "crumbs" from broken clumps.:clap: it also does a really nice job of controlling odor (we have two furbabies), which is really nice, since the litterboxes are in the laundry room, in the FOYER.:rolleyes:
i haven't had any problem with dust or tracking. if anything, the dust is LESS that WBL. and for some reason, the cats seem to be kicking less of it out of the boxes. go figure.
i caught it on sale - $9.99 for a 40lb box.
i do agree, though. if your kitten is still a baby, stick with a non-clumping litter (or WBL) until he/she is older.
Natalie_ca 1st September 2006, 02:03 AM I use Jonny Cat Scoop. It's a clumping litter and it has a nice floral scent that my cats seem to like. It's a fine texture though, like sand, so it tracks. I'm forever sweeping my bathroom floor because it feels like a beach, hehe.
I buy the 8Kg bag and that lasts me almost 2 weeks (10 to 12 days depending how active my cats are in there) for 2 cats, at which time it's very low and I do a complete disinfecting and litter change.
Jaclyn4238 1st September 2006, 05:15 AM Right now I am using Feline Pine. I love that it turns to saw dust when the cats pee...and Inever smell urine. Its just that when they poop THEY STINK TO HIGH HEAVEN and it needs to be scooped out IMMEDIATLY, but this is with everyother cat litter i have tried too ( fresh step, Worlds best, Arm and hammer) I have 3 cats and one being a 7w kitten with worms and is being treated and has mooshy smelly poop right now.
Forget-Me-Not 1st September 2006, 12:10 PM I am back to WBCL after a period of trying a cheaper clay litter (Arm & Hammer Unscented). The clay litter did a good job with odor control and clumping, but it was very very dusty and I was coughing when I cleaned it, so I figured my little kitty was getting it worse when she was digging. She also had some tummy issues lately and since she has thick, longish fur I didn't like the idea of her ingesting any of the clay litter cleaning herself. WBCLcosts a lot but does a great job, it is completely safe, and lasts a long time. Kitty loves it.
angelkitty 1st September 2006, 05:10 PM I'm a newer cat mommy.. We now have 3 babies.. 1 small kitten and 2 larger kittens. We tried Tidy Cat Multi Cat Formula, we hated it.. Doesn't clump good, the beads didn't attach good to either the pee or poop. I really really like Scoop Away. The thing about it the sandy like litter,, and it absorbs quickly and doesn't allow very much break away.... I go with the smell good fresh scent, because it really smells better then poop or pee smell.
Just my thoughts,, i can see paying a ton of money on Cat Litter... All the higher brands I've bought turned out not to be soo good... As for tracking the sandy like litter through the house,, doesn't happen. I have a small rug in front of the litter box,, it was like .85 cents at Walmart or something. And it works great!!!!! Really great!!!
There's my thoughts...
Heather
faganfamily1 1st September 2006, 06:56 PM Thank you so much everyone for all of your feedback- you ladies are great!;)
icklemiss21 2nd September 2006, 01:46 AM I am sold on WBCL, even though its expensive, it clumps well, has good odour control, isn't too dusty and lasts ages so isn't as expensive as it seems as you buy less per month
gizmocat 2nd September 2006, 02:15 AM I Use Nature's MIracle and it works very well.
Shanynne 2nd September 2006, 01:01 PM Right now, I am using Fresh Step, it clumps great, but is high on dust, but odor control is very good.
Shanynne
meow meow 2nd September 2006, 03:32 PM I also use Fresh Step mainly because that what my kitten's foster home used. It is excellent as far as clumping and odor control. It does have a "carbon-y" scent and he does track it into my hallway. I buy it in the 40lb tub at Costco so it is a very good value.
sharky 2nd September 2006, 03:44 PM I use chicken feed... it the best I have used for the price :)
jaycee 5th September 2006, 04:49 AM out of the ones ive tried i like special kitty clumping the best, its also the cheapest. its not perfumey at all and keeps my apartment smelling great.
MylesAnthony 5th September 2006, 07:19 AM We have 5 fur babes and use Tidy Cat Multi Cat litter.... the odor control is great but it doesnt seem to clump we are going to try Fresh Step this month and see how that works.
.Myles-Anthony
Aussie_Dog 5th September 2006, 07:09 PM I use Swheat Scoop and I have to say that I LOVE it. But then again, it's the only thing I've used other than clay (we recently switched to Swheat Scoop a couple of months ago). But even though it's new and I'm enthralled by it, it's pretty obvious that I'm not biased. There's NO smell anywhere, either from the litter itself or the poop/pee (well, when Molly poops, it's a different story, but it has nothing to do with the litter, lol). The litter clumps great; it doesn't clump as fast or hard as clay but it gets the job done (why would you want a rock when just a semi-hard mound does just fine?). Plus, it's flushable, which is saving a lot of labour for my back. Even when I dump the old used litter in a bag and take it outside, I can notice a difference. The clay was HEAVY but this Swheat Scoop is so light in comparison, and I use the same amount as I used for clay!
People have complained that Swheat Scoop glues pee to the bottom of the box and you have to use a jackhammer to free it. I haven't found that problem unless I've let the box stay unscooped for more than a day or so. If you aren't going to be diligent about keeping the box clean, then you deserve the extra effort of freeing the poor pee! lol
FootersOwnsMe 6th September 2006, 03:04 AM I am 100% sold on Worlds Best, yet it is a bit on the expensive side. A 17 lb bag lasts me 1-2 months. It is amazing, clumps wonderfully, very low dust, and since it is made from corn you dont have to worry if they happen to eat any of it. I watched a guy(a sales employee from WBCL) at a pet show eat some of the litter. I thought he was crazy. I brought home a small bag for free and fell in love. As for tracking, just use a mat in front of the litter box and PRESTO it solves that. The only downfall is if you kitty is an excessive digger in the litterbox, they tend to come out with some yellow dust on their feet and leave nice lil footprints on anything they come in contact with. One more great thing about WBCL, if you save I think it is 9 UPC's from the litter bags, send them into the company and they will send you $28(or something close to that) in coupons. That is a free bag of cat litter right there. :)
ChrissyR 6th September 2006, 05:17 AM I use Frsh Step and Scoop Away. Really like the FS better, though. Clumps grat, doesn't smell real horrible specially if you have an unaltered male cat.
I used to love World's Best until my one girl got an allergy to it. Now she only uses the Fresh Step litter box.
Sicycat 12th September 2006, 06:10 PM I use crystals, been using it for years. I like it because the crystals absorb the pee and keep the odor inside, there is minimal tracking, and minimal dust, and also I have to check my cats' urine ph regularly and the crystals are great because it takes a few minutes for it to absorb the pee so I can get in there with a dipstick and get the ph before the crystals soaks it up.
Essayons89 12th September 2006, 06:43 PM I use either Arm & Hammer Super Scoop or Tidy Cat's Scoop- depending which is on sale.
Bryan
jaycee 12th September 2006, 08:17 PM I use crystals, been using it for years. I like it because the crystals absorb the pee and keep the odor inside, there is minimal tracking, and minimal dust, and also I have to check my cats' urine ph regularly and the crystals are great because it takes a few minutes for it to absorb the pee so I can get in there with a dipstick and get the ph before the crystals soaks it up.
what brand is that?
catsallover 12th September 2006, 08:48 PM We have 5 fur babes and use Tidy Cat Multi Cat litter.... the odor control is great but it doesnt seem to clump we are going to try Fresh Step this month and see how that works.
.Myles-Anthony
Have you tried it since they changed it recently? The particles are a little larger now, and it has the dehydrating crystals in it. I also had a problem with it clumping occasionally, especially since I have one cat who goes right in the front of the box, everytime :rolleyes: in the same spot, but the new Tidy Cats Scoop Crystals Blend (for multiple cats-we have 4;) ,down recently from 5-foster kitty is at her new home now:) ) has been doing a great job, both with clumping and odor control, and since my cats are indoor/outdoor, I don't clean my cat boxes everyday ;) .
Sicycat 12th September 2006, 09:18 PM what brand is that?
I actually like Tidy Cat the best because the crystals are smaller than other brands (the big ones hurt when you step on them barefoot lol).
jaycee 12th September 2006, 09:41 PM I actually like Tidy Cat the best because the crystals are smaller than other brands (the big ones hurt when you step on them barefoot lol).
ok i was curious because of what you said about less tracking which im my biggest problem right now.
Sicycat 12th September 2006, 09:53 PM The bigger crystals will track even less.. because when they get out of the box they are too big to stick to their paws to track.
jaycee 12th September 2006, 11:02 PM well that will be very nice. just last night miyoko used the litter box and then jumped straight into my bed and piece of litter fell off him and landed in my eye:(
catsallover 13th September 2006, 06:47 AM :cringe: :oneeye: , :nausea: (;) )
jaycee 13th September 2006, 04:39 PM The bigger crystals will track even less.. because when they get out of the box they are too big to stick to their paws to track.
ok i went to the store yesterday to buy litter and i saw the tidy cat crystals but i decided to get the tidy cat scoopable crystals blend instead because that just seemed yucky to me that the cats urine stays in the litter box and doesnt get scooped out but just mixed around for a month? yuck?? isnt that kind of yucky?? hehe. i know the crystals absorb it but that doesnt mean it isnt there! it must be ok since everyone who uses it seems to think its great but i just couldnt bring myself to buy it yesterday :( tell me why it isnt thoroughly disgusting so i will get it next time!!
Crystal211 13th September 2006, 05:03 PM We use Fresh Step Crystals and love them. Barely any odor, little tracking, great.
Sicycat 13th September 2006, 09:09 PM ok i went to the store yesterday to buy litter and i saw the tidy cat crystals but i decided to get the tidy cat scoopable crystals blend instead because that just seemed yucky to me that the cats urine stays in the litter box and doesnt get scooped out but just mixed around for a month? yuck?? isnt that kind of yucky?? hehe. i know the crystals absorb it but that doesnt mean it isnt there! it must be ok since everyone who uses it seems to think its great but i just couldnt bring myself to buy it yesterday :( tell me why it isnt thoroughly disgusting so i will get it next time!!
Once the crystals absorb the urine they are actually dry to the touch. Yes its still there but .. honestly it doesnt smell, there's less scooping, you dont have to change out the litter as often, less tracking, dust etc etc. I dont let it go a month though, that's a bit too long. I personally think clumping litter is the most disgusting thing ever. The pee sticks to the bottom of the box like cement. To each their own I guess.
Crystal211 13th September 2006, 09:10 PM I use the crystals - we have five cats and one box - and I change it once a week.
Sicycat 13th September 2006, 09:12 PM Wow only one box for 5 cats??
jaycee 13th September 2006, 09:12 PM Once the crystals absorb the urine they are actually dry to the touch. Yes its still there but .. honestly it doesnt smell, there's less scooping, you dont have to change out the litter as often, less tracking, dust etc etc. I dont let it go a month though, that's a bit too long. I personally think clumping litter is the most disgusting thing ever. The pee sticks to the bottom of the box like cement. To each their own I guess.
i think it depends on what brand you use, the kind i have been using doesnt do that at all.
the directions on the jug of tidy cats crystals says a month, how often do you change it?
Sicycat 13th September 2006, 09:47 PM Well I have two cats and one box, so I change out the litter every 2 weeks and wash the box once a month.
catsallover 14th September 2006, 02:53 AM Since mine are indoor/outdoor, I change it probably about every 1- 2 months, more often if it starts to clump poorly or if it the odor control is starting to fail. Then I know it is "used up" :rolleyes: :blush: Once a month sounds about right, though- if it's the rainy season (LOL) then it gets dumped more often, because 3 out of 4 of them turn into indoor cats;) ! One 27 lb tub does the 2 extra large litterboxes at my house, and my cats like it deep;) .
catsallover 14th September 2006, 02:57 AM i think it depends on what brand you use, the kind i have been using doesnt do that at all.
the directions on the jug of tidy cats crystals says a month, how often do you change it?
I think the sticking on the bottom also depends on how deep your litter is, and how far down your cat likes to dig :blush: ! I haven't had that problem with the Tidy Cats Scoop Crystal Blend either, even though I have a digger.:)
jaycee 14th September 2006, 04:46 AM I think the sticking on the bottom also depends on how deep your litter is, and how far down your cat likes to dig :blush: ! I haven't had that problem with the Tidy Cats Scoop Crystal Blend either, even though I have a digger.:)
oh yeah i didnt think of that, deepness definately counts.
firebirdmagic 14th September 2006, 05:22 AM Hi everyone, I'm back, anyhow, I live in an apartment and am the staff of 3 cats, 2 litter boxes. One box is next to the toilet in my bathroom, the other easily accessed in the living room. I use Arm & Hammer "FLUSHABLE" and that carpet deoderizer from the dollar store. It works for me and the bosses really like it. That's the only place they leave they're little presents for me as a thank you for "GOOD SERVICE", "EASY FLUSH" as it's called is a bit on the expensive side at around 8 bucks for 18 lb box (more if you don't have a big discount store like costco around you) But to me it's worth it not to have to take the little bags to the dipsy everyday ! Mike
firebirdmagic 14th September 2006, 06:51 AM Wow !!!! 5 cats ?? 1 Box!! It must be the size of a football field, I have 3 cats, 2 boxes, and empty the boxes everyday in the toilet because I use flushable. I also use that dollar store carpet duster stuff to make the boxes not smell the place up..a 1 bedroom apt. I'm cursed with the cleaning curse my mother left me..not a spec of dust in my place..so I can't imagine how you deal with the 5 to 1 ratio ???? My vet actually says 1 box per cat..less than that and you're asking for a piddeling problem in places other than the box ! Mike in Oregon
MyFirstRagdoll 14th September 2006, 11:31 AM I use Feline Pine.. I really like it.
adhzedan 14th September 2006, 04:01 PM We have two cats and are using Tidy Cats Multiple Cats but it doesn't seem to be working on the odor very well. I think maybe it's because they're really smelly... I know my parents use Dr Elsey's cat litter because their outdoor cat refuses to use anything else, especially if it's scented.
I really need to find something that will clump well around urine because they pee A LOT and it smells once you start to sift through the box to find other things.
jaycee 14th September 2006, 04:37 PM We have two cats and are using Tidy Cats Multiple Cats but it doesn't seem to be working on the odor very well. I think maybe it's because they're really smelly... I know my parents use Dr Elsey's cat litter because their outdoor cat refuses to use anything else, especially if it's scented.
I really need to find something that will clump well around urine because they pee A LOT and it smells once you start to sift through the box to find other things.
special kitty clumping formula clumps really really well.
firebirdmagic 14th September 2006, 05:04 PM Hey, for the odor, use that carpet dusting vacume stuff, from the dollar store, sprinkle it in, and you won't smell the bad..just the good...Mike, Medford Oregon
minniemoo 14th September 2006, 09:42 PM I use a wood based litter for my kitty, as it is 3 times more absorbent than ordinary cat litters. It works effectively longer and requires changing less often, although I change her everyday anyway. Best of all it's easy to dispose of and doesn't cling to my kitten's paws...Hence less mess around my home! It's fantastic at absorbing odours and smells constantly of a lovely fresh pine smell (unless she has a poo of course):lol3:
Also what i love about it is that is produced from recycled timber by-products that contain no harmful dust.
I've always used it for my house bunny, so naturally I've followed suit with my new kitten Poppy.
Shanynne 15th September 2006, 01:16 AM I have been happy with Fresh Step, the one with the Carbon. It clumps really really well and is great with the odor control. The only thing I don't like is that it has a fair amount of dust. Because of the dust, I wanted to experiment with other brands, but my kitties really seem to like the Fresh Step, so I have decided to stick with it. Plus you can find it at most major grocery stores.
Shanynne
Extreme Kitty Lover
catsallover 15th September 2006, 03:21 AM We have two cats and are using Tidy Cats Multiple Cats but it doesn't seem to be working on the odor very well. I think maybe it's because they're really smelly... I know my parents use Dr Elsey's cat litter because their outdoor cat refuses to use anything else, especially if it's scented.
I really need to find something that will clump well around urine because they pee A LOT and it smells once you start to sift through the box to find other things.
Are you using the regular or the Crystals Blend clumping? I had problems with the regular, but not the Crystals Blend.
I have been happy with Fresh Step, the one with the Carbon. It clumps really really well and is great with the odor control. The only thing I don't like is that it has a fair amount of dust. Because of the dust, I wanted to experiment with other brands, but my kitties really seem to like the Fresh Step, so I have decided to stick with it. Plus you can find it at most major grocery stores.
I didn't know anyone was making clumping litter with carbon in it again! I really liked one several years ago (but don't remember the brand), but then they changed their formula, and no carbon, didn't work as well. It was really good for odor control, but it was a bit dusty, too.
StarryEyedTiGeR 15th September 2006, 05:57 AM I use Swheat Scoop on my foster kittens- it's all natural, so I don't have to worry if they get curious and try to "taste" it.;)
For my girls, I love Arm & Hammer Super Scoop!
Crystal211 15th September 2006, 03:28 PM Wow only one box for 5 cats??
We just live in a two bedroom apartment and there's no place for a second one (we have two bathrooms and the second one is a small guest bathroom). I'm moving into a house in a few months and we'll have two - one on the main floor and one in the basement.
Our one gets scooped at least once a day (most times twice a day) and as I said above, I completely change it out once a week. I'm looking forward to having two so maybe I'll only have to change it out completely every two-three weeks. :)
catsallover 15th September 2006, 05:35 PM Been there, done that with 4 cats, in a 14' by 52' trailer.;) :blush: . Yes, it will be nice! Congrats!:) Now we have 1 small covered box upstairs, 2 big ones one the main level, and one in the basement, just in case - we have one who LOVES to sleep on the cab of my husband's truck, or in my van if I leave a window down:rolleyes: :lol3: .
sarathan 20th September 2006, 03:12 AM Right now I'm using a mixture of WBCL and Arm & Hammer Multi Cat. I think I'm gonna get rid of the WBCL completely.... it's sooo dusty. My cats are sneezing constantly and there's snot everywhere in my house, it's disgusting. That's why I started adding the A&H in the first place, but there's still too much dust. I'm going to try the A&H High Performance since that's also a natural corn-based litter. If that doens't work either, then I'm going to use A&H Fragrance Free exclusively. :)
DawnofSierra 20th September 2006, 03:22 AM Arm & Hammer Super Scoop Fragrance Free~the best litter ever!!!
gizmocat 20th September 2006, 11:42 AM I found WBCL dusty and ineffective at suppressing odors.
The best corncob based litter is Nature's Miracle, hands down. It's not available everywhere but you can get it at amazon.com
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