Sick and tired of dealing with cat litter, don't know what to do

We have three cats, and two large litter boxes (yes, I realize we should have additional boxes -- I'm about to give in and put out a third).

To put it mildly, I am obsessive about cleaning the litter. I clean it three times a day AT A MINIMUM (usually it's more like four to five). I have seemingly tried it all. Many different boxes, many different types of litters. I looked through this thread and have already tried a lot of the things recommended. I've tried the paper boxes, and I also tried that "Breeze" system that various stores sell (both the paper box experiment as well as the Breeze experiment were epic failures).

The crux of the problem is that we have one cat who uses the "back up and spray" technique when she pees. Due to this, we can't use a box that isn't covered, and as far as those paper boxes are concerned, even when we would put them inside a plastic box, it makes a huge smelly mess (pee getting sprayed in between the paper and plastic boxes, resulting in me having to clean up around it several times a week). She makes a big mess that gets trapped in the back and/or in the corners of the box, and it's really hard to get out.

The "best" (using that term loosely) system I've found so far is a combination of:

• Catit Hooded Cat box
• 2 MIL (thick) litter liners from PetSmart
• Precious Cat Ultra Litter (the only cat litter I've found that clumps worth a damn and seals odor without any of that perfumey awfulness)

My biggest problem is that I can't find a good combination of products do use. Is there really no company that makes a box and liners  designed specifically for that box, to resolve the problem of all the excess plastic flapping around and getting littler/pee caught up in it? I have tried using packing tape to sort of "seal up" all the excess plastic and make for a tighter, more form-fitting liner, but it just doesn't really work all that well. I shake and tip the box as needed to try to break it loose, and I get most of it out but, it just isn't as sanitary as I would like it to be.

And as far as the litter getting tracked everywhere, don't even get me started...NOTHING has worked. I've tried every mat on the planet. They get it all over the room, all down the stairs; I find it in the craziest places. I spend as much time vacuuming each day as most people probably do in a month.

What have others in my situation done? If it weren't for the "back up and spray" cat, I would even consider going without liners but, due to her it just seems like it would be a rather disgusting option right now. I really just don't get it. I know other people with cats and their lives don't revolve around cleaning up after them. It's gotten to the point where it makes me afraid to leave the house, anxious when I'm doing things like taking a vacation because all I can think about is, "what does that room look like since it's not being cleaned five times a day, and what are they tracking all over the house while I'm away?"

What am I doing wrong and what can I do better???

I don't like liners. I think they complicate matters and are a pain. Plus they always collect pee in the folds, yuck!

For litterboxes I like using 18-gallon Sterilite totes with a door cut on one side. I don't put the lid on---they're tall enough for stand-up pee-ers so it's not necessary. You could wipe the sides every day if you wanted to, easier than dealing with a liner. Whenever you change the litter, scrub the box out with dish soap and vinegar.

I like Tidy Cats with the black lid. But litter preference is individual so sometimes you have to try a few before you find the right one.

Tracking! LOL that's probably the least fixable. But I've seen some really cool contraptions some people have made up. One way is to get a BIG tote, put litter mats/towels/whatever in the bottom, and set the litterbox in that. By the time the cat gets out of the big tote there shouldn't be much litter left on their feet. I think you can find some other ideas on Youtube or Pinterest.

The reality is there is no perfect litter that doesn't track. The only thing we can control is how far they will track.

Litter type: From the various clumping litter that I have tried, Arm & Hammer Clump and Seal has the best track record (i.e. stays close to the box). Not sure if you have tried it or willing to try since It has some scent. 

Litter mat: Optimize the litter box location and mat placement in such a way that they walk on the mat as much as possible. Observe their normal exit path and figure out if there are high traffic areas that you can mat. Try a runner or a bigger mat. Make them walk the runway =)

Cat paw: The long tuft on paws is excellent at catching litter. If your cat has it, consider trimming the tuft. 

M mgudites

I have 3 cats as well and I agree with W Willowy on using a large plastic tote rather than a covered litterbox. It really does help, the larger the better with 3 cats and your "stand up and spray" problems would be no more. As for the litter mat, we have a HUGE one (3ft×4ft) its really just a large door mat. It does help tremendously with the litter tracking (and all 3 of my cats have long fur and tufted paws). Litter doesnt normally make it farther than a foot past the mat.

Thanks all, will give some of these ideas a shot!

Does she always spray in the same spot? If you use a box like Raina suggested above you could put newspaper or something around the edges and then replace it after every use. If it meets the litter theoretically you'd only need to give the side of the box a wipe when replacing the paper.

I've no ideas on the tracking. I have tiled floors and use crystal and clumping crystal litter, there's just the odd bit that gets tossed out.

Pegleg said:

Does she always spray in the same spot? If you use a box like Raina suggested above you could put newspaper or something around the edges and then replace it after every use. If it meets the litter theoretically you'd only need to give the side of the box a wipe when replacing the paper.

I've no ideas on the tracking. I have tiled floors and use crystal and clumping crystal litter, there's just the odd bit that gets tossed out.

Click to expand...

If mgudites uses a large enough tote, there would be no reason to line it with anything, as the spray would just drip down the walls into the litter. You would still need to clean the tote out every once in a while, but that is the same with any litterbox.

I use boxes like this one:

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/so-phresh-high-back-open-litter-box

I'm not sure this is the exact one we got as it was a couple years ago last time we re-boxed. Aya likes to perch on the door rim and pee, so the sterlite box tub wouldn't work for her. Lot of cats do not like hooded boxes because they trap the smell or make them feel cornered.

This is what I've been doing since I've rescued my first cat as a kitten, Sid Vicious. It's a LARGE Pet Mate Pet Porter with a litter mat inside and outside. The crate door is on since I'm raising kittens at the moment but the crate is tall enough to allow the kitties to lounge on top, look out the window and have a catnap. They LOVE it. I personally live with the vacuum attached to my hip and found that it doesn't matter what I do, the litter will inevitably go everywhere but the Arm and Hammer large brown cat litter mat seems to help tremendously with my carpeted area for the one litter box (but I think it's the crate that helps mostly) but the bathroom hooded litter box with one mat seems to do little to nothing. I definitely recommend what I and everyone else has recommended about a large bin/crate to house the litter in. Good luck! And I love Scoop Away litter along with the Arm and Hammer litter refreshing powder but I do scrub, soak and clean each pan weekly to keep the smell down and NO liners since all of my cats have their claws and it would be pointless.

I use non toixc (fireplace) Pellets its SO much cleaner than Clay especially for tracking people laugh because

the male cats pee like girls neat and tidy hugging the walls of litter box, have large boxes and smaller

ones.

If you wish to train to pellets some cats take to it right away others a little longer

less odors, less mess, less cost, less toxic- the pellets turn into fine fine sawdust from moisture.

normally 5-6.00 for 40 lb bag. Great for multicat use.

*articles posted above about litterboxes maybe useful to you...

Wow, that large doormat idea is great.

My two cats tend to use the Arm & Hammer mats for scratching posts, even though they have NUMEROUS sisal scratching posts throughout my house.  When the mats get really frayed they chew on them and I'm always afraid they will choke so I finally did away with them.

Raina21 said:

If mgudites uses a large enough tote, there would be no reason to line it with anything, as the spray would just drip down the walls into the litter. You would still need to clean the tote out every once in a while, but that is the same with any litterbox.

Click to expand...

I was thinking to avoid weey walls. Unless you're wiping them down all the time wouldn't it smell?

Do you know if they are fine with top entry boxes? I bought a clear storage tote, cut a hole in the top, added a rubber bath mat with a cut hole to grab the litter, and a rubber mat (Smartkat Littermat Clean Feet) underneath the tote. If you have the tools/ability/capability to do so, I recommend (if you end up trying this out) adding punctures to the top/top mat so the litter can drain. I'll eventually try it out with a big nail and hammer ;f For my cats, the least tracking litter was cedar pellets with this specific mat. My elder cat, Sassy, just pees on the threaded or foam-like mats. These are nice on their paws (from what I can tell) and pick up the litter as long as they don't hop out. Downside is I haven't seen a larger size for that mat (18inx32in) in stores. Also, as you can tell, I'm a lot more about how effective it is than how it looks. The suction cups on the mat don't suction well but due to material and weight it works perfectly. Irrelevant sidenote, this was made for my younger cat, Grimmy.

Sorry all but, this just doesn't work.

I went out and bought some bins, and went liner-free. Now when the cat sprays down the back of it, it's even MORE difficult than it was with the liners. At least with the liners, I was able to shake the box a bit and for the most part, these huge clumps would break off. Now I'm having to scrape it off the back each time (largely unsuccessfully), wipe down the box constantly, and soak the scoops in hot water to get all the stuck on junk off of them.  There's got to be a better way...having to deal with this each day is turning into some kind of waking nightmare.

did you try a different litter? I use precious cats--blue bag or box. It clumps extremely well..

Having a cat is a trade off. You may just have to keep the large rubbermaid tote as a litter box, get some baby wipes to wipe the back wall of the box, a small trash bin to keep the scooper in, and just deal with it....

Personally, I think a liner would be hard to work with. I prefer liner-less. My guy is a deep digger so he would shred the liner. 

Are you allowing the litter time enough to clump? 

Yes, I do get some pee with litter stuck to the scooper. I let it dry completely, or I just use a few unscented baby wipes to wipe it off. I also use an old small trash bin to store the scooper in. I can just dump whatever litter is in there, every few days. My house does not stink, neither does the litter box or area.

Stray litter is just a fact of life with some cats. It is one of the joys of having a cat. just something you have to deal with.

I honestly think the rubbermaid tote or an extra large/jumbo box will be your best bet. I have a really high one which was manufactured by Natures Miracle. 

Good Luck...

@Artiemom   I'm using the same basic setup...  Nature's Miracle high-sided corner boxes, Precious Cats blue bag litter (agreed, it's the best clumping litter I've tried). It's not that it's not clumping, it's that everything is sticking to the sides because of the "back up and spray" cat. If it weren't for her, this setup would be ideal.

I'm leaning towards trying the vegetable cooking spray idea that I've seen some recommend in a number of forums. It seems completely ridiculous but, I'm at the point where I'll try anything.

The tracked litter is actually down since I switched to this setup, as well as a 3x4 industrial floor mat.

It shouldn't be sticky if you give it enough time to clump. Maybe you're trying to scoop too soon? Before the litter has fully absorbed the liquid.

I assure you I'm waiting... most of this stuff is from overnight, and I'm cleaning in the morning after getting ready for work. In most cases it's been sitting for hours.

All,

Thanks all for the advice but, it's just not going to work; it seems I'm just going to have to suffer with this cat.

I tried some high-sided boxes and going liner-free for a week, and the "difficult" cat is getting pee all over the floor (even with the lid on due to how high she sprays), and, the huge clumps of litter are sticking like crazy  to the sides. Getting it off of there is really difficult and quite frankly, disgusting. I even tried the cooking-spray idea. It works for a day or two, and then everything just starts sticking again. Not to mention the fact that after a while, you can't tell if the litter that's sticking to the sides is doing so because it's "clean" litter that's simply sticking to the spray," or it's "dirty" litter that's glued on there by pee.

I HATE the liners but going without them is so, so much worse. At least with the liners I can just pick the whole thing up and throw it out when things become too much of a mess.

Thanks again everyone for all your advice.

Hi mgudites

How are you? Just thought I would post a picture of my cats litter boxes. I too have those Sterilite containers for my litter boxes. After trying out various types of litter boxes, I finally settled on these. I had a problem with my cat Rascal over-shooting his box. At the time I was using one of those smaller Sterilite containers and it was obviously too low for him. He kept knocking out the litter, and then missing the box when he peed. Luckily I had those plastic mats on the floor to catch the fall out. I still use those. I bought these plastic floor mats at my hardware store. They are normally used to protect hardwood floors but I taped them together and put them under my litter boxes to catch any litter that happens to fall off of their feet. They are easy to clean, and works good for me. You might want to try those.


I personally don't have any problem with my litter boxes. They are easy to keep clean and my cats use them all the time. Not to mention, I only have two boxes. But they are used to sharing. They were from the same litter, and they don't mind sharing litter boxes. I realize that you have three cats, and you're right. You should have three boxes, but personally I think you're making too much out of a simple situation. I think I could manage three cats with no problem. I keep my cats room clean too. I vacuum everyday, and keep their boxes poop and pee free. It's just a routine I have. Maybe if you got into a routine with your cats, you wouldn't have such a problem. Ever since I bought these tall boxes, Rascal hasn't gone over the box. He's fairly small anyway, so those boxes are perfect for him. And Shadow has never had any litter box problems. But that was my way of compensating for Rascal. So far they both do a good job of using their boxes.

I always read about people who are having litter box issues. They complain about what a problem they are to clean out. My response to that is if you don't want to bother with cleaning out litter boxes, then find your cat or cats a good home, and get a dog. That way you won't have to worry about cleaning out another litter box. I've had dogs before, and I can personally say that they can be just as messy as cats. The only difference is that they don't require a litter box. But since I've had my cats, I just got used to cleaning out their boxes on a daily basis. So it's all in what you're used to doing. Some animals just need more care than others, so it's up to us to make sure they get the best care that we can give them. It's like taking care of a small child. You have some children with special needs and you compensate for that. So I compensate for my cats, by doing the best I can to make sure they have all their needs met. And that includes their litter boxes. Sometimes you just have to go the extra mile for your pet. I've even gone into public women's restrooms where some women have peed all over the seat! That's pretty disgusting. You would think that they could hit a hole the size of a toilet hole. It's amazing! It could be that your cat who keeps peeing on the sides of the box, has a problem. If so, take it to a vet and see if it has any medical, or urinary problems. There may be something that you're not aware of. Once you rule out all physical, medical, or internal problems, it may be some psychological problem. Believe it or not, animals get psychological problems too. So check that out too. It could be that the cat just has not learned how to use a litter box. I was lucky. I never taught mine to use a litter box. I just put out a plastic litter box, and filled it with some litter, and they started using it right away. I was really amazed! I thought they were the smartest cats in the world! And they have been using a litter box ever since. So it could be that your cat just hasn't learned how to use a litter box. Just keep working with him(her) and hope for the best. Good luck with your cat, and your litter boxes.