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How long should I wait before scooping my cat's litter?

post #1 of 35
8/25/11 at 6:48am
Thread Starter 
Sometimes if I am at home all day and know she went to do her business in her litter box, I want to clean it right away. But it is clumping litter and I know it needs time to harden or else there are these tiny clumps around her urine clumps.

I know every litter is different, but in general, how long should I wait before scooping it out? And before the cat goes again.

How long do you usually wait? Is there a good rule of thumb?

Thanks.
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post #2 of 35
8/25/11 at 6:53am
I generally scoop every evening. I only scoop once a day
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post #3 of 35
8/25/11 at 7:07am
And I scoop at least twice a day because the litter box is in a small kitchen. And cause I'm a neat-freak.
I clean/wash the litter box about every two weeks.
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post #4 of 35
8/25/11 at 7:18am
I know what you mean, I like to clean the litter as soon as I hear the cats scratching when I happen to have the time. In those cases I force myself to wait for at least 10 minutes though. A bit longer seems better but I just try to scoop carefully and not break up the clump.
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post #5 of 35
8/25/11 at 8:23am
I'd say 10-15 minutes should be sufficient for most clumping litters.
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post #6 of 35
8/25/11 at 8:37am
Oh I had this question too. I thought you were suppose to clean it up every two weeks but I scoop up poop and add new litter in every week. Misa makes a lot of waste. More waster than Vinnie and Francis.
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post #7 of 35
8/25/11 at 9:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by konstargirl View Post
Oh I had this question too. I thought you were suppose to clean it up every two weeks but I scoop up poop and add new litter in every week. Misa makes a lot of waste. More waster than Vinnie and Francis.
You only scoop once a week? I scoop mine everyday, sometimes twice and I only have 1 cat. I cant stand a dirty litter box even though it never smells thankfully.
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post #8 of 35
8/25/11 at 9:53am
Waiting 10 mins is enough for Swheat Scoop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by konstargirl View Post
Oh I had this question too. I thought you were suppose to clean it up every two weeks but I scoop up poop and add new litter in every week. Misa makes a lot of waste. More waster than Vinnie and Francis.
You don't have to clean the litterbox frequently, but you certainly should be scooping the poo/pee out everyday IMO.

I sometimes do ours twice, but usually only once a day, but then again I have four large litterboxes with only two medium sized cats.
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post #9 of 35
8/25/11 at 12:08pm
I use non-clumping right now because I have a kitten, so scoop daily and completely change the litter every 5 days to a week. When I use clumping litter, I scoop daily and dump out/wash box every 2 weeks. I will add some fresh every few days to keep the level of litter constant.
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post #10 of 35
8/25/11 at 12:26pm
You might find this link helpful: http://catinfo.org/?link=litterbox

Quote:
... Do:

Scoop the litter box twice daily - at a minimum.

Use clumping litter - except for kittens younger than 7 - 8 weeks of age.

Use unscented litter.

Keep the litter deep enough.

Use large litter boxes.

Have enough litter boxes available.

Have litter boxes placed in a quiet area.

Use a litter mat that is comfortable for your cat to walk on.

Seek veterinary attention if your cat stops using the litter box.


Do NOT:

Use litters that do not clump - except for kittens younger than 7 - 8 weeks of age.

Use pelleted (pine or newspaper) or crystal/white pearl litters.

Use scented litters or any deodorizers.

Use hooded litter boxes if your intent is to prevent odors from reaching your nose.

Use plastic 'grass' mats.

Punish your cat for not using the litter box.

Put a child in charge of litter box maintenance.

...
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post #11 of 35
8/25/11 at 1:04pm
I use clumping litter. i have to scoop whenever Turtle poos because she doesn't cover it and she won't use the box again if there are any "nuggets" in the box; even though they belong to her.
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post #12 of 35
8/25/11 at 1:49pm
I scoop twice a day, morning and night. I also have to scoop outside in the enclosure for my big cats. I do the enclosure once per day.
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post #13 of 35
8/25/11 at 3:34pm
Speaking of litter box do's and don't's, one way to provide cats with the privacy / security they like is to surround the litter box with a folding screen, such as here in my library...



There is about six inches between the wall and the left end of the screen, and behind it is a 120 quart litter box containing 84 gallons of litter.

I know this won't be feasible for everyone, but it's definitely one of the tricks to keep in our "encouraging the cat to use the litter-box" arsenal. As an added benefit, it shields the box from view of my guests and keeps my library looking good.

AC
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post #14 of 35
8/25/11 at 6:06pm
I scoop twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. We use clumping litter. I change the litter & box every 3 weeks, but we have 3 boxes, so 1 is getting changed weekly.
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post #15 of 35
8/26/11 at 12:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GloriaJH View Post
You might find this link helpful: http://catinfo.org/?link=litterbox

Use pelleted (pine or newspaper) or crystal/white pearl litters.
This seems very unreasonable. Why can't you use pelleted litter?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy View Post
Speaking of litter box do's and don't's, one way to provide cats with the privacy / security they like is to surround the litter box with a folding screen, such as here in my library...



There is about six inches between the wall and the left end of the screen, and behind it is a 120 quart litter box containing 84 gallons of litter.

I know this won't be feasible for everyone, but it's definitely one of the tricks to keep in our "encouraging the cat to use the litter-box" arsenal. As an added benefit, it shields the box from view of my guests and keeps my library looking good.

AC
AC, this is an awesome idea! :O

P.s. i'm a sucker for orange cats
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post #16 of 35
8/26/11 at 11:39pm
I scoop at least twice/day, first thing in the morning and before heading to bed. On weekends I tend to(or should I say I "have to"? lol) scoop more often as Ku Ku demands me to clean it

I use Swheat scoop. Although it takes a little longer 'till clump completely, not a problem scooping it right after Ku Ku gets out from litterbox.
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post #17 of 35
8/27/11 at 12:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minka View Post
This seems very unreasonable. Why can't you use pelleted litter?
I think the doctor talks about litters that don't help in removing the feces and urine as much as possible.

Quote:
... It is critical to be able to remove both the feces and the urine each time the box is cleaned. Clumping litter is the only type of litter that allows for this to be done completely. Complete removal of the urine is not possible with the non-clumping clay litters, the white pearl litters and any type of pelleted litters such as newspaper or pine. ...
That quote follows the list of "Don'ts" from the information of the link of that I provided in my previous post. (http://catinfo.org/?link=litterbox) I only provided an excerpt from that web page.
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post #18 of 35
9/20/11 at 7:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by konstargirl View Post
Oh I had this question too. I thought you were suppose to clean it up every two weeks but I scoop up poop and add new litter in every week. Misa makes a lot of waste. More waster than Vinnie and Francis.
I don't think I could stand the smell week old urine and feces. I scoop mine just before I leave for work and after I get home and get settled in. So about 6:45 am and again at 6:30 ish PM.

I think of it this way... I wouldn't want to have to put my bare feet all over old poop and pee to get to use the toilet so I don't expect him to have to step in it either.
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post #19 of 35
9/20/11 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bellaandme View Post
I use clumping litter. i have to scoop whenever Turtle poos because she doesn't cover it and she won't use the box again if there are any "nuggets" in the box; even though they belong to her.
i lol'd @ the "nuggets" and "even tho they belong to her"...hehe.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy View Post
Speaking of litter box do's and don't's, one way to provide cats with the privacy / security they like is to surround the litter box with a folding screen, such as here in my library...



There is about six inches between the wall and the left end of the screen, and behind it is a 120 quart litter box containing 84 gallons of litter.

I know this won't be feasible for everyone, but it's definitely one of the tricks to keep in our "encouraging the cat to use the litter-box" arsenal. As an added benefit, it shields the box from view of my guests and keeps my library looking good.

AC
very cute/nifty. i also like orange cats ...and i love that chair!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Messocat View Post
I don't think I could stand the smell week old urine and feces. I scoop mine just before I leave for work and after I get home and get settled in. So about 6:45 am and again at 6:30 ish PM.

I think of it this way... I wouldn't want to have to put my bare feet all over old poop and pee to get to use the toilet so I don't expect him to have to step in it either.
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post #20 of 35
9/21/11 at 8:58am
I keep the litter box in the bathtub that we don't use. Kairi is a "Litter spreader" and it got to the point where I was getting hit in the leg when I was in there with him. (hit with litter )

I clean it first thing in the morning, and right before dinner time. I also clean it when I happen to go to the bathroom and notice a clump. It takes a minute and a plastic bag. I add fresh every other day, and clean it completely on Sundays.
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post #21 of 35
9/26/11 at 5:31am
considering my merlin is still little, this routine is subject to change...

but right now his main box is in the bathroom, so when i see a pee or poo i scoop it. but he usually poos at night when the house is sleeping so i scoop first thing in the morning. and then i always check it/scoop it right before we go to bed

i can't stand knowing there's a poo/pee in his box(es)...i always think about if it were MY box...i wouldn't want to step around poo!
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post #22 of 35
9/26/11 at 6:29am
I normally scoop once a day unless there is a real stinky poop in there. Somtimes the litter just dosn't clump to all of the pee. I find my cats like to dig to the bottom of the litter and pee on the plastic. I used to use litterbox liners but the cats claws were just tearing though them.

I normally scoop every day and change the litter compleetly once a week dependant on their toilet habbits for that week..
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post #23 of 35
10/25/11 at 12:13pm
Wow.. I hesitate to even post this, as I feel like the smelly kid in class...
I scoop about twice a week. I have two cats and two boxes, and they're in the basement. We've never had accidents anywhere other than in the spilled litter around the box.
Kitties seem fine with it, so am I missing some crucial detail? Am I a terrible parent?
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post #24 of 35
10/25/11 at 1:18pm
No, not TERRIBLE but once a day to scoop would be better hygiene for everyone. Your kitties are having to dig around their old clumps and are, therefore, touching them. Then they are touching your floors, furniture, beds, pillows, and, perhaps even countertops. Not very sanitary.

I believe best practice is to scoop at least once a day, and change out all litter, if using clumping litter, and wash the pan with soap, every couple weeks or so. If using non clumping litter, this needs to be done once a week.

Also there needs to be enough pans. Usually at least one per cat, and on all levels of a home.

It should be made aware that using clay clumping litter, even with adult cats, can cause some health problems in some cats. And organic litters can be allergens for some cats.

Robin
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post #25 of 35
10/25/11 at 1:27pm
I scoop twice a day, or more if I happen to be there when one of them goes in their tray. No point leaving it there if I am around.
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post #26 of 35
10/25/11 at 5:11pm
I'm a once per day scooper. But when we do scoop fresh, we usually wait about. 15-20min. Add litter as needed, but they get a full reload and cleaning every 2 or 3 weeks.
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post #27 of 35
10/26/11 at 11:31am
I usually scoop once a day, sometimes twice. The litter gets changed and the pan gets sprayed/washed every week. What can I say -- we all appreciate clean litter boxes!
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post #28 of 35
10/26/11 at 8:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KittehTime View Post
...

very cute/nifty. i also like orange cats ...and i love that chair!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minka View Post
...

AC, this is an awesome idea! :O

P.s. i'm a sucker for orange cats
Thanks for the compliments, you two! (Sorry it took so long to say anything - I missed your responses the first time 'round!)

AC
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post #29 of 35
10/28/11 at 3:16am
My general rule of thumb is once a day with once a month complete washings and sanitizings of the litter boxes. If I notice an abundant amount of scratches in the bottom of the litter box I replace them. I have 3 ginormous litter boxes for 5 cats (limited space to put them) and if I wanted I could get away with scooping every other day. Surprisingly all 5 cats are organized, the have one box for poo, one for pee and one that is a mix. They are weirdos but even if I miss a day they arent horrible scooping every other day. But still once a day and once a month big time clean outs.
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post #30 of 35
11/4/11 at 3:25pm
I scoop at least three to four times a day laughing02.gif My cat's like a clean box and so do I. I don't mind doing it either. But I would always advise to scoop twice daily.caticon.gif
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