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Help me, please? Cheap clumping litter recommendations needed.

post #1 of 76
10/16/07 at 5:25pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, I know, yet another thread asking about cat litter brands. And from me, no less, a staunch A&H advocate. Until now.

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) 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.

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???
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post #2 of 76
10/16/07 at 6:58pm
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.
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post #3 of 76
10/16/07 at 7:06pm
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.
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post #4 of 76
10/16/07 at 7:41pm
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 goofy cat... at least I know he's not alone haha
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post #5 of 76
10/16/07 at 7:55pm
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.
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post #6 of 76
10/16/07 at 8:41pm
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 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
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post #7 of 76
10/16/07 at 8:43pm
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.
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post #8 of 76
10/16/07 at 9:19pm
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
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post #9 of 76
10/16/07 at 10:53pm
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
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post #10 of 76
10/17/07 at 6:09am
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
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post #11 of 76
10/17/07 at 7:07am
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
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post #12 of 76
10/17/07 at 7:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kristi812 View Post
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
Thats what we use too! I love it and there's no dust problems at all & for us, it clumps really well! Cheap & works well!
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post #13 of 76
10/17/07 at 7:39am
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.
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.
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post #14 of 76
10/17/07 at 7:40am
Thread Starter 
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.
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post #15 of 76
10/17/07 at 8:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by white cat lover View Post
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.
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!).

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.
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post #16 of 76
10/17/07 at 8:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GingersMom View Post
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.
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post #17 of 76
10/17/07 at 8:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arlyn View Post
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.

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.
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post #18 of 76
10/17/07 at 9:22am
Target brand comes in a 15# jug or a 28# bucket.
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post #19 of 76
10/17/07 at 10:44am
Thread Starter 
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!
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post #20 of 76
10/17/07 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GingersMom View Post
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.
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post #21 of 76
10/17/07 at 12:50pm
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!
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post #22 of 76
10/17/07 at 1:44pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10 View Post
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.

Nice idea, though!
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post #23 of 76
10/17/07 at 2:25pm
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.
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post #24 of 76
10/17/07 at 10:05pm
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 ).
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post #25 of 76
10/18/07 at 6:28am
Thread Starter 
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.

They all gave it careful sniffing, but then went in and used it ok, so we'll see what happens!
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post #26 of 76
10/18/07 at 7:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GingersMom View Post
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.

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. 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. I only buy the tidy cats in the red bucket when I buy tidy cats (my cats demand a very find sand litter).
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post #27 of 76
10/18/07 at 7:52am
Thread Starter 
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.
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post #28 of 76
10/18/07 at 9:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by catsallover View Post
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!

Quote:
Originally Posted by littleraven7726 View Post
My cats won't touch TC Small Spaces. 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. 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.
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post #29 of 76
10/18/07 at 10:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlleyGirl View Post
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.
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post #30 of 76
10/18/07 at 12:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by littleraven7726 View Post
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?
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