4 cats-smelly house.

driven · Feb 3, 2006

We just recently got our 2 new kitties to total 4. We've had them 3 days now and the house has started to smell TERRIBLE like cat poo. We have only 2 boxes that are in the cat room but will be adding a 3rd. We are using Arm & Hammer litter from Wal Mart but I am thinking about changing that also. Has anybody had any good experiences with litter that keeps the smell down to a minimum? I know I will have to start scooping a lot more, probably atleast twice a day. I just want to do everything I can to keep our house smelling good since we've promised ourselves that we wouldn't have a house that smells like cats. Please give me your suggestions on litter that works for you or anything else that might work. Thanks!

eilcon · Feb 3, 2006

When I adopted a fourth cat in Nov. I switched from Arm & Hammer litter to Tidy Cats and have found it does a much better job with odor control. I have three boxes and scoop once or twice daily and use Arm & Hammer litterbox deoderizer to keep the litter fresher longer. I also use Oust Scented Oil Fans in the two areas where I keep the litter boxes. This seems to be working because I've had people tell me how amazed they are that my house smells so good when they walk in. They don't believe I have four cats! Good luck with yours.

laureen227 · Feb 3, 2006

i have 2 automated litterboxes, & i've found that they cut down on order very well. i've used the hooded ones, as well, & i think they help [especially the ones with charcoal filters] but not as well as the automated ones. they scoop for me after each deposit, liquid or solid, so the mess doesn't build up while i'm at work.

blueyedgirl5946 · Feb 3, 2006

Originally Posted by DRIVEN

We just recently got our 2 new kitties to total 4. We've had them 3 days now and the house has started to smell TERRIBLE like cat poo. We have only 2 boxes that are in the cat room but will be adding a 3rd. We are using Arm & Hammer litter from Wal Mart but I am thinking about changing that also. Has anybody had any good experiences with litter that keeps the smell down to a minimum? I know I will have to start scooping a lot more, probably atleast twice a day. I just want to do everything I can to keep our house smelling good since we've promised ourselves that we wouldn't have a house that smells like cats. Please give me your suggestions on litter that works for you or anything else that might work. Thanks!

The best thing is to use the flushable litter and scoop whenever you see that it needs it.

momofmany · Feb 3, 2006

I have 11 cats and use Littermate.

It is expensive the first time you buy it but over time, I figured out that I save close to $1000 a year in litter alone.

lisasha3 · Feb 3, 2006

I also like Tidy cat a lot. I've got 5 cats and it works well (clumps well, controls smell).
If you have the room, I set up a separate room for them in the cellar (not that big, but seperate). It's closed off with a small cat door to go in and only their cat boxes are in there. I also hooked up a small fan blowing through a cellar window to the outside to keep odor out of the room. Some cats are picky about being in the same area to do their business though, mine don't mind at all, but yours might not like being in the same area.

luvmysphynx · Feb 3, 2006

I just ordered two Litter-Robots http://www.litter-robot.com/default.aspx?ac=1 They are a little pricey, but I have read great reviews about them! Currently we have 5 litter boxes and clean them 4 times per day, I hate the smell too! I will be so happy to get rid of the litter boxes!

jennyr · Feb 4, 2006

You certainly need more boxes. I have 6 for five cats, two of them hooded. I use Catsan litter crystals, which I have found creates the least problems, mixed with Canouille litter freshener (basically scented baking soda). I scoop at least twice a day and throw everything out once a week. I also use electric air fresheners in all rooms. Apart from occasionally if one of them does an exceptionally smelly poop, you can't smell them at all, and I have been paranoid about giving my landlord an excuse to make a fuss.

goldenkitty45 · Feb 4, 2006

Has the new cats been seen by a vet? Very smelly poop can mean worms, giardia, etc. Also what kind of food are you feeding? The cheaper food usually produces strong smelling poop.

I would have 3 boxes for 4 cats.

lisasha3 · Feb 4, 2006

Originally Posted by Luvmysphynx

I just ordered two Litter-Robots http://www.litter-robot.com/default.aspx?ac=1 They are a little pricey, but I have read great reviews about them! Currently we have 5 litter boxes and clean them 4 times per day, I hate the smell too! I will be so happy to get rid of the litter boxes!

Have you had any experience with these or do you know someone who has? They look wonderful! I just read through the website and it sounds great. They are a little pricey, but if they work, then I'm all for it.

hissy · Feb 4, 2006

www.citypet.com has always worked for us upstairs. In the enclosure we don't have the odor problem. The litter pans are small kiddy pools and they get scooped several times a day. The air outside takes care of any lingering odors.

white cat lover · Feb 4, 2006

I have 3 boxes for 2 cats. I made my own top entry litter boxes out of 18 gal. Rubbermaid tubs after reading about doing it here. They help contain the smell. I have odorless Oust by the litter box upstairs to spray & Oust fans by the other two boxes. I use Feline Pine(not the scoopable stuff) in all three boxes. I love it! It cuts down on smell a ton. I scoop once a day & more often if needed. Some cats don't like the texture, though. Some people hate the smell, too.

Have you tried filling every litter box with a different litter? Then you can see which litter the cats like best & which one you think helps with smell the most.

zak&rocky · Feb 4, 2006

You need more boxes! Trust me, it will make a huge difference. The only way you could get away with two with four cats is if you scoop twice a day. I have four and have 5 boxes in 4 different spots. If you get a hooded box, try one with a charcoal filter, like the boodadome or a petmate. I also like the tidy cat boxes, available at target and petsmart, they are easy to clean, although there is no filter. I like arm & hammer but I also like tidycats too. freshstep works well but is a bit dusty.

luvmysphynx · Feb 4, 2006

Originally Posted by lisasha3

Have you had any experience with these or do you know someone who has? They look wonderful! I just read through the website and it sounds great. They are a little pricey, but if they work, then I'm all for it.

I know one person personally that has one and she loves it! She has two cats and only has to empty the trash bag once a week. I think the biggest thing is getting your cat use to using it. There is a forum about electric litter boxes and they discuss all the electric litter box options. http://www.litterbox-central.com/for...wforum.php?f=3 The Litter-Robot has a 30 day money back in case your cats do not take to it and a 18 month warranty.

commonoddity042 · Feb 4, 2006

i use arm & hammer with a layer of baking soda underneath. i think the cats themselves arent sure that other cats live here...

eupnea · Feb 4, 2006

Certain foods can cause stinkier poop.
I think someone already mentioned that illness can cause it too, so you might want to get everyone checked out.

Maybe an air purifier? They can be a little pricey, but I've used one for years and it keeps the air in my apartment smelling fresh (its nice, seeing as I can't open the windows in the winter.) and also helps me with my allergy issues.

driven · Feb 5, 2006

Have since purchased one of those LitterMaid Plus boxes for about $90.00 at Wal-Mart. Seems to be helping so far with the smell and with me having to scoop. We will be getting another one of these but are wondering if anybody prefers a different kind? I've seen a few different ones at the pet stores. The LitterMaid is not hooded but I think I can buy a hood for it. Any suggestions with the self cleaning boxes?

And are any of them any quieter? The LitterMaid just kicked in and scared the heck out of myself and the kittens. I hope they don't get afraid of it because of the noise!

jnnfr · Feb 5, 2006

I have 6 cats and we don't have an odor problem at all. I too, use homemade top entry boxes (aka rubbermaid tote with a hole cut in the lid). The only brand of liiter that I like is Tidy Cat.....multible cat immediate odor control. I have tried the continuous odor control formula but found that it didn't work as well as the immediate. We only have 2 boxes (1 upstairs and 1 down), but they get scooped atleast twice a day and we have had no issues with "out of the box" problems. I know they say that you are supposed to have one more box than you have cats, but our house is rather small and 7 boxes seem kind of rediculous.

menagerie mama · Feb 5, 2006

Originally Posted by jnnfr

I have 6 cats and we don't have an odor problem at all. I too, use homemade top entry boxes (aka rubbermaid tote with a hole cut in the lid). The only brand of liiter that I like is Tidy Cat.....multible cat immediate odor control. I have tried the continuous odor control formula but found that it didn't work as well as the immediate. We only have 2 boxes (1 upstairs and 1 down), but they get scooped atleast twice a day and we have had no issues with "out of the box" problems. I know they say that you are supposed to have one more box than you have cats, but our house is rather small and 7 boxes seem kind of rediculous.

I went to the store today after your post and smelled that litter...it doesn't seem to be really scented much, which my cats prefer, do you think you can smell it when you have it out in the box? Cajun hates scented litter (he's shown me that the hard way

)and I wouldn't want to upset him, and I'm not sure about the others, as I had switched to unscented and never went back. I'm gonna see if I can get it cheaper through our pet supply distributer, but I think I'm going to try it in one box.

jnnfr · Feb 5, 2006

Originally Posted by menagerie mama

I went to the store today after your post and smelled that litter...it doesn't seem to be really scented much, which my cats prefer, do you think you can smell it when you have it out in the box? Cajun hates scented litter (he's shown me that the hard way

)and I wouldn't want to upset him, and I'm not sure about the others, as I had switched to unscented and never went back. I'm gonna see if I can get it cheaper through our pet supply distributer, but I think I'm going to try it in one box.

No, I can't smell any kind of scent at all once it's in the box. It's certainly nothing like some of the crazy perfumed ones, like fresh step, a brand I attempted to use in the past. To me it has little, if any odor at all.

4 cats-smelly house.

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

Darksome Duo!

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member