Cat Litter

Hey Everyone,

I went to my vet this past week for worm problems (which is now fixed)... but she mentioned that the litter cats use should be odorless and basically "plain" (no odor-control or anything like that, I guess almost like regular sand.) She said that when it's odor controlled, all the smell is contained in the litter and it makes it unappealing for cats to use it because instead of the smell being naturally aired out, it's being trapped... so everytime they use the litter with detergents or anything like that, it's irritating and uncomfortable to them.
Has anyone else heard this? Does it seem to be a problem? And what cat litter do you use/recommend? Right now I'm using Tidy Cats Multi-Cat Odor Control.

Thank you,
JB

I also use Tidy Cat scoopable odor control. I've used it for 11 years now and have 9 cats. I have never had a problem.

I use World's Best Cat Litter which has no scent and it keeps the odour down amazingly. I don't think scented litter will bother all cats, but it may bother some and they may refuse to use it. IMO, it's a trial and error sort of thing. I personally do not like any clay litters and won't use them.

My cat Dusty has started spraying within the past year, and lately I notice he doesn't seem to like his boxes. I started using Arm & Hammer unscented; he seems to prefer that. He still pees indiscriminately, but I think the boxes themselves may need replaced, because he sniffs at the actual box after scrubbed and walks away. He used to wait for a clean box and immediately christen it.

So yeah, there might be something to that unscented litter idea... (along with replacing ten-year-old plastic boxes)

I use Dr Elsey's ultra cat litter. This brand had the least dust. They also have a classic litter that has larger pieces that are supposed to cut down tracking and a white pine litter that is in pellet form. This brand has been the cats choice over all brands and types. I like if for the low dust and no scent.

I have tried many brands and types but the cats seem to go for this brand the best. I recently tried to add a very small amount of a different brand litter and they avoided that box completely.

I have not heard anything about the scent of litter other than those with allergies, asthma or breathing problems do better in low dust unscented.

Interesting point.

I know it's not good to wash the litter box in bleach because of the residual ammonia smell will discourage cats from using it. Plus, it's not good for cats let alone humans. The clinic where I work uses stuff that resembles gravel. It doesn't clump but it's not very good at controlling odour or absorbing. I use Feline Fresh - it's clumping pine litter but I don't know if it contains scent or if it's the natural pine scent. It does a great job of controlling odour, absorbs well and lasts a long time. The clay litters isn't good for a cat's nor your lungs so that's why I chose the pine. So I think it depends on the individual cat. Some cats may not like the pine scent

Mine dont seem to like the new Tidy Cats formulas at all. So we've been using Exquisicat Scoop, Special Kitty scoop, Sam's Club scooping litter and sometimes Dr. Elsey's. Dr Elsey's got a little too expensive so that's why we switched or mix it with something else.

Originally Posted by Skimble

I use Dr Elsey's ultra cat litter. This brand had the least dust. They also have a classic litter that has larger pieces that are supposed to cut down tracking and a white pine litter that is in pellet form. This brand has been the cats choice over all brands and types. I like if for the low dust and no scent.

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For me this is by far the best litter out there... It controls odor very well, yet it doesn't have that overpowering soap odor the other odor control have - the scent bothers me more than the cats, actually. It is also very low dusting and tracking. I love it.

Hi, JB!

I use alfalfa pellets sold as rabbit food for cat litter. This is the closest I've found to the old Litter Green cat litter I used to buy years ago, and clerks at the store where I buy it have told me they sell a lot of it for cat litter.

Here's a link to a topic I posted about it a couple of years ago:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=116894

It clumps so it can be scooped out, it's completely flushable (breaks up in water), it deodorizes naturally thanks to the chlorophyll in the alfalfa, and it's inexpensive.

Cindy

As long as it's unscented and non-clumping, I have no problem with any cat litter. They probably spent maybe ten minutes a week in there, so why bother buying an expensive litter? As I haven't gotten my cats yet, I don't know what they use, however.