Clumping vs. non-clumping litter

kitty2014

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(I hope this is the right place to post)

I have one cat named Kitty. I have always used non-clumping litter. No special reason really. Our vet said not to use the clumping kind when she was a kitten and I just never switched when she got older.

I'm thinking about switching because right now I scoop everyday and dump the box 1-2 times a week. I feel like I'm wasting a lot of litter.

So what kind do you use and why?
 

shadowsrescue

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I like Dr. Elsey's Precious cat litter.  It clumps very well, is low dust and does a good job of odor control without any perfume scent.  I scoop 3 boxes at least once a day and dump the entire box once a month. 

I loved The World's Best Cat Litter made from corn.  It was flushable and that made it so easy.  Yet my cats hated it.  One of my cats likes to pee on the sides of the box making it difficult to clean.  With the World's Best the light weight corn made it impossible to do so.  Yet, I had to switch back to Precious.

I have also tried Nature's Miracle. It too was flushable, but the clumps were always breaking apart and odor control was not good. 
 

burkey

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We were using Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat clumping litter in the blue bag, but switched several weeks ago to Blue Buffalo Naturally Fresh multi-cat clumping. We weren't unhappy with the Dr Elsey's in the least, but made the switch while trying to identify allergens with one of our cats with skin issues. (The Dr Elsey's is clay based, the Blue Buffalo is walnut based.)

Having made the switch, we were pleasantly surprised to find we MUCH prefer the Blue Buffalo! It doesn't clump quite as rock-hard as the Dr Elsey's, but definitely clumps well enough. You do have to wait a good 15-20 minutes since the last time the box was used, to give fresh urine time to solidify a bit. The biggest plus is the amount of dust... with the Blue Buffalo, it's almost non-existent...the difference in the amount of dust between the two brands is incredible.  It does track a little, like most litters, but with a mat at the entrance to the boxes and a quick sweep every so often, it is definitely manageable! The Dr Elsey's didn't have a scent (except for the dust, which is minimal compared to other clay based litters), but the Blue Buffalo has a natural, sort of earthy/mulchy scent but it is mild and not unpleasant.  If you do decide to try the blue buffalo, make certain to get the mulit-cat variety, as the regular clumping variety is much finer in texture, and hence creates a lot more dust.

If you do make the switch to something different, I do recommend that you temporarily set up another box. One with the old litter, and a second one right next to it with the new litter. Put a thin layer of the old brand of litter on the surface of the box with the new. And then wait until you see the new type is being used, before taking away the old completely. Many cats will make the switch without so much as a flinch, but some have strict preferences. You don't want to leave your cat without a box it wants to use, if she doesn't care for the new brand.

With any type of litter it is recommended you scoop at least once per day. But if you maintain a good depth in the box, with clumping litter you should not have to do a complete break-down and scrub of the box nearly as often. With the Dr. Elsey's we could go months. We haven't been using the blue buffalo long, but at 3 weeks or so, we still don't have the need for a full clean-out, yet. The goal is to keep it deep enough so the clumps don't hit the bottom, and as long as you spot clean wherever a clump hits the side of the box, you are good to go for quite a while!
 

Kat0121

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I use World's Best. I don't know what the Humane Society used but I put WB in the box from the first night Lilith & Sophie came home and they have used it without issue. I like it because it's flushable. I tried the lavender (wouldn't use again. it stinks) and both the standard variety in the green bag and multi cat variety in the red bag. All 3 work equally well. It's kinda pricey. I pay $8.49 USD for a 7 pound bag and $15.79 for a 15 pound bag at Target. Another reason I went with WB is that the reviews I read said that it's the brand that works best with the Omega Paw litter box. They do work very well together. 
 

laralove

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I use Dr. Eisley's Precious Cat as well. The multi-cat version in the blue bag. I don't have a problem with dust, and I love how awesomely it clumps and that it has no scent. The only bugger is that it tracks really badly. 

I recently used Tidy Cat clumping, but never again. Nothing on the container anywhere says anything about scented, but it's LOADED with perfume. Absolutely overwhelming smell. It also doesn't clump even remotely as well as Precious Cat. There was a fair bit more dust, and it tracked about the same. My cat didn't seem to care, but no... not doing that again.
 
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kitty2014

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Thanks for the tip about the second box! I actually want to get her a new box that's covered because it's in the laundry room and I don't like it lol. So the second box will probably help her get used to that too.
 

tiggs2012

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Here in the UK I use Smart Cat 100% Organic Wood Cat Litter. It's amazing. It keeps it's fresh pine smell for upto 10 days and it's easy to scoop the poop. Also when cats pee on it, it turns to dust which is pretty good. However it can get messy when they kick it out everywhere lol
 
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nightowl007

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MUST READ >>>>I used plain clay litter for years. I only had two cats and one was allergic to scented litter. Now I have six cats. I recently found Dr. Elsey's  precious ultra clumping non-scented  cat litter. I love it. 40lb bag  $ 11.99. now at Chewy.com orders over $49.00 shipped to your door for FREE. My local pet store suggested a reptile sand scoop to clean out the litter. I use one normal scoop first and the reptile sand scoop last. (Also my cats are not dusty like they were with other cat litters.)You can get the litter spotless with out wasting lot. I also use the Van Ness Extra-Giant enclosed cat litter box. they are $13.00 on line from Walmart. The 40lb  DR.Elsey's litter fills it perfectly. I have many cat friends who I have recommended 

this litter box to because cats have lots of room on the inside. And large cats are not so cramped. I remove the door. I have also found that putting a washable bathroom rug just in front of and slightly under the front of the litter box catches most of the litter.The can be tossed in the washing machine for cleaning.
 

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I, too, am a fan of Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat litter. I also love their herbal additive. Works great for attracting feral cats when socializing indoors to the litter box. Dr. Elsey also just came out with a new type called "Touch of the Outdoors". http://www.chewy.com/cat/dr-elseys-precious-cat-touch/dp/102653 I have just bought my first bag and am waiting to try it !!! It is a bit more pricey than the Precious but if you order from Chewy.com it is much less than the stores and shipping is free over $49.00.
 

keith b reed

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I've just changed to the new Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal! We were using Dr Kelsey's litter and it was great but this new litter is like fine sand, tracks very little and smells good. The clumps stay together and it's so easy to scoop! I love it. I can't imagine using the old fashioned litter and having to change the litter a couple times a week. You're right on wasting money!:wavey:
Good luck!
 

shadowsrescue

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I, too, am a fan of Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat litter. I also love their herbal additive. Works great for attracting feral cats when socializing indoors to the litter box. Dr. Elsey also just came out with a new type called "Touch of the Outdoors". http://www.chewy.com/cat/dr-elseys-precious-cat-touch/dp/102653 I have just bought my first bag and am waiting to try it !!! It is a bit more pricey than the Precious but if you order from Chewy.com it is much less than the stores and shipping is free over $49.00.
I am really intrigued by this new litter.  Please update after the kitties have tried it out.  I think the claims on the product are a bit over the top, but I am still interested.  Of course I just had 4, 40lb bags of Precious litter delivered last week!!  I just love Chewy.com!!!
 

feralvr

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I, too, am a fan of Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat litter. I also love their herbal additive. Works great for attracting feral cats when socializing indoors to the litter box. Dr. Elsey also just came out with a new type called "Touch of the Outdoors". http://www.chewy.com/cat/dr-elseys-precious-cat-touch/dp/102653 I have just bought my first bag and am waiting to try it !!! It is a bit more pricey than the Precious but if you order from Chewy.com it is much less than the stores and shipping is free over $49.00.

I am really intrigued by this new litter.  Please update after the kitties have tried it out.  I think the claims on the product are a bit over the top, but I am still interested.  Of course I just had 4, 40lb bags of Precious litter delivered last week!!  I just love Chewy.com!!!
For sure, I will update!

I wanted to mention that I had also tried the Blue Walnut litter - Multi Cat clumping liitter and someone mentioned this above. I had the opposite experience as the user above. I thought it was terribly dusty and the dust all settled on the bottom of the pan. My cats paws were always covered with brown dust and I had little brown kitty paw prints all over the floors leading away from the pans. I ended up dumping the whole lot out (outside of course) and would not use it again. Always on the lookout for a dust free litter and Dr. Elsey's is the only one that comes close. I just wish it were lighter!
 
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burkey

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Wow Feralvr, we really have had two vastly different experiences with the Blue Buffalo multi-cat clumping litter! I would have stopped using it too, if I'd had your experience!

We've bought a total of three bags now, over the last month or so (switched one box, then the second box, and a recent bag for top-offs) and have had zero issues with it. Almost zero dust, and between our two cats we have 7 1/2 white paws...all of which are still white. Also no dusty paw prints on the floor, but we do get a little tracking on the mat in front of the box, as we did with Dr. Elsey's too. I wonder if they've changed it in some way since you tried it out? Or maybe there is more than one manufacturing plant?  We do keep our high-sided boxes at a depth of 4", so maybe there is dust but it all settles to the bottom (haven't noticed that though, when scooping)? Just seems so strange that the differences in our experiences would be so drastic.

We are definitely also fans of the Dr. Elsey's, and would not have made the switch to the Blue Buffalo if we weren't looking for potential allergens with one of our cats. But now that we have made the switch, I can't fathom going back to the Dr. Elsey's. For a clay litter I did feel it was very low in dust... but still dusty. The difference with the Blue Buffalo really surprised me. We have no dust on the floor around the boxes or on the bookshelf behind it, where with the Dr. Elsey's dust would appear on both within 24 hours of cleaning...and across the room on our desks after several days. (But other brands of clay litter the entire room would get covered in dust, just by filing the litter box).
 

lamiatron

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... Dr. Elsey's is the only one that comes close. I just wish it were lighter!
it sure is HEAVY!

to the OP, I wanted to give my recommendation. 

I will be GOING BACK to Nature's Miracle Intense Defense clumping Clay litter soon. I'm waiting for my Dr. Elsey to run out. I was not a fan of that litter. The clumps always broke up when scooping, tracking is the same if not more than all other litters I've used, and its not so good with odor control. It also sticks to the very bottom of the litter box, which i HATE. and i always maintain 4-5 inches of litter in my box. I know there are a lot of recommendation for Dr. Elsey's litter on this thread, and honestly it was because of TCS that i decided to try dr. elsey's, and now i regret it. lol. Well actually no, I don't, at least i tried it, and found out for myself, and now i know : )

A lot of people agree that the dust is very low with Dr. Elsey's, and so do i, however, i get the same amount of low dust from Nature's Miracle, except Nature's Miracle has very low tracking, super fast clumping, great odor control, and i never NEVER had issues with the clumps breaking up, or litter/urine sticking to the bottom  or the sides of the box. They're both the same price too. So if I had to choose between the two i'd choose Nature's Miracle. Which i will! and that's my recommendation to you too!
 

keith b reed

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Ok

I'm telling you, try the new A&H Clump &Seal! I've tried everything on the market including the new clay free products. They all smell like the zoo to me! I love Dr. Elseys and have been using it for a couple years until this new Clump & Seal. Give it a shot!laughing02.gif
 
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Whatever you choose, be aware your cat may not like it! Swap over between the 2gradually so kitty can get used to it. You should still clean all waste asap, as any trace of urine has a strong odour to cats and can put them off using the box. Use bicarb to clean the tray at least weekly, or when it is obviously dirty - this does not contain chemicals like ammonia that may cause litter box aversion in your kitty, but it will clean the litter tray well without leaving an odour (works on floors for cats prone to allergies too!) Good luck!
I use breeders choice recycled paper litter and all vet clinics I have worked in use this as well. Excellent litter. But sometimes your cat will decide what they like!! :-)
 

feralvr

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Wow Feralvr, we really have had two vastly different experiences with the Blue Buffalo multi-cat clumping litter! I would have stopped using it too, if I'd had your experience!

We've bought a total of three bags now, over the last month or so (switched one box, then the second box, and a recent bag for top-offs) and have had zero issues with it. Almost zero dust, and between our two cats we have 7 1/2 white paws...all of which are still white. Also no dusty paw prints on the floor, but we do get a little tracking on the mat in front of the box, as we did with Dr. Elsey's too. I wonder if they've changed it in some way since you tried it out? Or maybe there is more than one manufacturing plant?  We do keep our high-sided boxes at a depth of 4", so maybe there is dust but it all settles to the bottom (haven't noticed that though, when scooping)? Just seems so strange that the differences in our experiences would be so drastic.

We are definitely also fans of the Dr. Elsey's, and would not have made the switch to the Blue Buffalo if we weren't looking for potential allergens with one of our cats. But now that we have made the switch, I can't fathom going back to the Dr. Elsey's. For a clay litter I did feel it was very low in dust... but still dusty. The difference with the Blue Buffalo really surprised me. We have no dust on the floor around the boxes or on the bookshelf behind it, where with the Dr. Elsey's dust would appear on both within 24 hours of cleaning...and across the room on our desks after several days. (But other brands of clay litter the entire room would get covered in dust, just by filing the litter box).
HMMMM - You have me intrigued to try another bag. Your experience with the Walnut litter is completely the opposite of mine. I tried it last summer when it first came out. I think I may pick another bag, add another litter box in the laundry and fill it. Do another test. :nod: Why not!!!

... Dr. Elsey's is the only one that comes close. I just wish it were lighter!
it sure is HEAVY!


to the OP, I wanted to give my recommendation. 
I will be GOING BACK to Nature's Miracle Intense Defense clumping Clay litter soon. I'm waiting for my Dr. Elsey to run out. I was not a fan of that litter. The clumps always broke up when scooping, tracking is the same if not more than all other litters I've used, and its not so good with odor control. It also sticks to the very bottom of the litter box, which i HATE. and i always maintain 4-5 inches of litter in my box. I know there are a lot of recommendation for Dr. Elsey's litter on this thread, and honestly it was because of TCS that i decided to try dr. elsey's, and now i regret it. lol. Well actually no, I don't, at least i tried it, and found out for myself, and now i know : )

A lot of people agree that the dust is very low with Dr. Elsey's, and so do i, however, i get the same amount of low dust from Nature's Miracle, except Nature's Miracle has very low tracking, super fast clumping, great odor control, and i never NEVER had issues with the clumps breaking up, or litter/urine sticking to the bottom  or the sides of the box. They're both the same price too. So if I had to choose between the two i'd choose Nature's Miracle. Which i will! and that's my recommendation to you too!
I do agree that the litter clumps can stick to the sides an bottom and become gooey. :( But I think that may be a sign that the litter needs dumping - getting old? I just don't know. :lol3: There are so many options.

I don't have a problem adding more litter boxes to try new litters. In fact, I may do this with the Nature's Miracle along with the Blue Walnut based litter. As DrCat mentioned above, always add a new litter box when introducing a new litter. Do not take away the other litter boxes with the old litter.

I love this thread because I am always open to trying new litters that have been recommended. My BIGGEST issue is dust though. Of course, tracking is second but I would deal with that any day over dust.
 

feralvr

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I, too, am a fan of Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat litter. I also love their herbal additive. Works great for attracting feral cats when socializing indoors to the litter box. Dr. Elsey also just came out with a new type called "Touch of the Outdoors". http://www.chewy.com/cat/dr-elseys-precious-cat-touch/dp/102653 I have just bought my first bag and am waiting to try it !!! It is a bit more pricey than the Precious but if you order from Chewy.com it is much less than the stores and shipping is free over $49.00.

I am really intrigued by this new litter.  Please update after the kitties have tried it out.  I think the claims on the product are a bit over the top, but I am still interested.  Of course I just had 4, 40lb bags of Precious litter delivered last week!!  I just love Chewy.com!!!
So - I opened up the new bag. Poured some into a litter box that needed adding to. Absolutely no dust whatsoever. None - while pouring. The real test will be when I use it solely in a box. I am letting a couple of the boxes become quite low. Will dump/clean and fill with the Outdoor brand litter. But, thought I would mention about the no dust when pouring.

I have to make an order from Chewy's for more bags. Their price is the best for this litter. At Petsmart, I think I paid almost $27.00 per 40 lb. bag. :nothappy: On Chewy's - I think it is $19.99. Plus no shipping. :bigthumb:
 
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lamiatron

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....

I love this thread because I am always open to trying new litters that have been recommended. My BIGGEST issue is dust though. Of course, tracking is second but I would deal with that any day over dust.
YES! this is what i love about litter/litter box threads!

so many new ideas and recommendations!!!!

As i mentioned before, it was because of TCS that i decided to give Dr. Elsey's a try.

I was using Nature's Miracle already, and i decided that when i was running low, i will try Dr. Elsey's. The litter God's must have been thinking of me because Dr. Elsey's was actually on sale when i needed to buy litter, and i scooped it up. 

Nature's Miracle for me was already low dust, low tracking, great clumping and odor control, and no litter ever sticking to the sides or bottom. i expected Dr. Elsey's to be way better, based on TCS threads, posts and comments, and reviews, but in my opinion, they were the same. even when it came to the dust factor. Both litters are VERY low on dust.  however, the Nature's Miracle was better at clumping, and odor control for me, and i never had pieces left behind. So i will go back to it once this bag of Elsey's finishes. also, Elsey's tracks waaayy more than Nature's Miracle..that's for sure.

And i dump & clean the box every 3 weeks to once a month... so i know its not an issue with old litter as opposed to it being an issue with Precious Cat litter....Dr. Elsey's just did not work out for me. lol
 

burkey

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In reading this thread, I think there are a lot of variables that don't cross our minds that can "make or break" a cat litter... and these are the things that likely make one type work for one household, but fail miserably for someone else.  Stuff like the design/shape of the box being used, or the material it's made from (not all plastics are created equal), the material & design of the scoop being used and the method each individual uses when scooping, etc. Even the local climate and the level of humidity in a home probably plays a bigger role than we realize, too.  Not to mention the difference in litter box behavior from one cat to the next... some don't cover at all, while others dig in the hopes of burrowing right down to the other side of the earth.
 
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