everyone with indoor cats please read...need litter help.

First, has anyone ever used Arm and Hammer cat litter deodorizer. Your susposed to sprinkle alittle in the pan and it will destroy the odors and is moisture activated. well if you've used it, what results have you had??

Spica peed on my bed today (She is almost 3 months old) I think it was because of the Arm and Hammer stuff since she stopped covering her poos once I started using this stuff. I changed her box back to her normal litter today, so hopefully she'll be happy again.
I made her a covered litterbox a few weeks ago...it helps on the smell, but when she poos it's still really strong (that's why I tried the Arm and Hammer stuff) since I am in a small space, what else can I do about the smell since I cant use the Arm and Hammer anymore? (she has to stay in my room only-Grandma's orders).

Thanks so much for your help! She's my first INSIDE kitty! I dont want to put her back outside, but I cant stand this smell...her poos wake me up!!

I use S-Wheat Scoop litter . . . it's made out of wheat! I do notice a smell occasionally right after she has done her business, but it really does a good job keeping the odor down.

Originally posted by AuroraViva
I use S-Wheat Scoop litter

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Thanks for your reply! I've heard of that...but the problem is I havnt seen it around here anywhere...plus this has to be a solution I can afford...that stuff probably isnt cheap if I've never seen it around here before.

Cats can be really picky about their litter, and usually don't like anything strongly scented - so using a scented litter or litterbox product is probably out. Your best bet is to use a litter with a charcoal additive (I use "Everfresh with Activated Charcoal") & maybe get a filter to put in the top of the box - you can find them at pet supply stores. Clean as frequently as possible - if the box gets stinky (especially if it's covered) she probably won't use it. You may even want to consider one of those self-cleaning litterboxes.

What kind of food is she eating? Sometimes diet can contribute to stinky poop.

I use the Arm & Hammer Deoderizer without an issue with my two, but it is pretty strong smelling. I make sure to cut it into the litter so it isn't just sitting on top, but they used the boxes even when I didn't do this.

Sounds like Spica doesn't like the extra smell from the Deoderizer, and I think you are very wise to stop using it.

When my two were kittens we had their litterboxes in our bedroom, so I do understand what you are talking about. I don't know if it's just because they are babies or because kitten food has so much more nutrients in it, but baby kitty poo is the worst! All I can tell you is that with my two the smell got much less as they got older.

Of course, if Spica continues to pee outside the box, it would be best to take her to the vet. I know you are really tight on money, but outside the box elimination in indoor cats is often their way of telling us they don't feel well. More than likely, though, since you did just change something about her litterbox she's telling you she doesn't like it.

I have one of those roll away litter boxes. You just roll it and you do not have to take the cover off until you are going to remove old litter and replace it. I have tried just about every brand of litter and really cannot tell much difference. I am using fresh steps now and it seems to work well. I have a hepa air filter going 24/7 in the room the litter box is in. I also have one in my bedroom as I like clean air, with this going the cat box does not smell.
I have a friend that breeds dogs and she swears by the Ionic breeze that is made by sharper image. It is silent, and tall so you can place it in a corner.

It also depends on what you are feeding your cat. I feed a high quality dry food on a self feed method, and there is very little waste.

Originally posted by tuxedokitties
using a scented litter or litterbox product is probably out.

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I was afraid of that when I tried the stuff, but I had to try something for the smell!

Originally posted by tuxedokitties
Clean as frequently as possible - if the box gets stinky (especially if it's covered) she probably won't use it. You may even want to consider one of those self-cleaning litterboxes.

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I keep the poo scooped and change the whole box weekly. The self cleaning ones are too expensive. Walmart has a litter maid (TM) that I want but its $84!!! YIKES!!

Originally posted by tuxedokitties
What kind of food is she eating? Sometimes diet can contribute to stinky poop.

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All she gets is kitten chow. I used to mix in alittle canned, but she kept wasting it and I noticed her poos were more loose when she ate canned so I stopped.

Originally posted by nighteyes
I have a hepa air filter going 24/7 in the room the litter box is in.

It also depends on what you are feeding your cat. I feed a high quality dry food on a self feed method, and there is very little waste.

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You talking about something like an air purifier?

She eats nothing but kitten chow.

I used the Arm&Hammer befor , but it was to much dust for some of my cats . They snizzed a lot , encluding me when puring the litter in the box .So I don't use it any more . I have a clumping one Tyti cat (sp) . But I started to buy the pearls ( don't know the name ) and mix it with that clumping litter . Pretty soon I will use some regulare clumping litter boxes and just plain pearl litter . I do have to say I am very impressed about the pearl litter , it don't smell so bad like the other one after the use of a cat . Mine don't care to much about the wheat , don't know why , but some off them use it and some don't . So saying all that , I will have 3 different type of litter in my house .

Is there any way you could get a bit better quality food for her? Most groceries carry Iams. I know it is more expensive for the initial outlay, but it really is cheaper over time. I fed mine Meow Mix for a long time (one of the cheapest and what hubby's mom always fed her cat ) because we were always broke and that's what hubby wanted. I finally decided to switch to a better brand for their health and because everyone kept saying it is cheaper in the long run. They were right! The same 20# bag has lasted at least twice as long as a 24# bag of Meow Mix. AND, they don't poo as much (since it has better nutrition and is easier for them to digest), and the poo doesn't smell as bad.

My two really aren't very finicky about the litterboxes. We have one covered, one open and they will use either. I can move it, doesn't bother them. Sounds like Spica just wants her litterbox *just right*.

I used it for a while but ran out quickly so I now Im using a big bottle of Natures Miracle stuff, powdered, specifically for cats. Im not sure if its as smelly, so open a bottle at your petstore and take a whiff. It might work better

Kitten chow is fine nutritionally, but it can cause REALLY stinky poop! It's what I fed Mr. & Sylvestra when they were little, but when I started keeping them indoors I couldn't handle the smell, so I switched them to Science Diet Growth formula & it really cut down on the poop odor. We have some good friends that switched from Purina to Science Diet for the same reasons & it worked for them too.

As Heidi mentioned previously, it may seem more expensive initially to feed a premium food, but the food lasts longer because they don't need to eat as much, so there really isn't too much difference in the true cost.

I've wondered if the food could be responsible for the smell. I noticed if the outside kitten's food got wet it reaaaally smelled bad..worse than the adult food even! I'll check on the price of the other kitten food. Is Iams all you guys can suggest? Remember think cheap Purina Kitten Chow is what I've always used cause I thought it was good for them.

There's nothing wrong with Purina as a kitten food - nutritionally it's fine...it's just that it makes stinky poop, and lots of it, too!

I use Science Diet. Iams is good, too, but my cats don't like it. There are several other premium brands you can get at the pet store. Iams is convenient because you can get it at most grocery stores & Wal Mart. You can get Science Diet at a pet store or at your vet.

I feed Science Diet now, and it really isn't that terribly expensive. I don't know about the availability in your area, it doesn't sound like there are many stores that carry a wide variety of cat products from what you've said. That's why I suggested Iams. Most all grocery stores in my area carry it, Wal Mart & Target have it. It's the most widely available of the "premium" cat foods.

Just be sure to switch her slowly, start off with 3/4 Old, 1/4 New, and gradually make it more of the New until you're completely switched. Switching suddenly can upset tummies, and then you have either vomiting or diahhrea, which would be much worse than the stinky poo you have now! It's generally recommended to switch over at least a 2 week period.

I can recommend a good product made by CityKitty

http://www.stores.yahoo.com/broneaton/

I can get science diet at my vet. Iams I've seen at Walmart. As for cat products...my choices are: Walmart, Kmart, grocerys, vet, etc. The nearest pet store is too far away to drive. That's why I wanted something at one of these local stores so I can always be able to get it whenever I run out.

Oh and I'm glad kitten chow is Ok(nutritionally).

Do you use eBay? I checked it out and they have LitterMaid boxes available for purchase for $50, also auctions for them starting at $1.

We use Tidy Cat for Multiple Cats, that works pretty well to keep the odors down. We scoop the boxes (all 15 of them!) twice a say and change the litter weekly.

Good luck!!!

You both had really good suggestions...but I never order onlinbecause I am paranoid about internet safety and I dont know how to order without someone finding me or robbing me of money.