I live in a townhouse, and in the near future I am planning to screen in my back patio. There are two dirt plots out there, and I would like to turn the smaller one of them into a "litterbox" for my 4 cats.
My cats are strictly indoor and right now they are using the Breeze litter system. Before that I had regular clay litter. The main reason I want to have an outdoor litter box is because I find store-bought litter to be extremely wasteful and expensive. Clay litter is bad for the environment, creates dust and makes a mess. The Breeze pellets and lining are also super expensive for four cats and wasteful. Plus, it sucks at covering any poop smell.
I would like a natural solution, but I am worried about the smell. What sort of material could I use for this outdoor litterbox that would neutralize odors? I plan to remove their poop on a daily basis but even that can get stinky if they drop a ripe one (lol...sorry, but I'm sure you know what I mean), and I am worried about the ammonia from urine building up. Mind you, although my patio will be screened, the plot where they would go to the bathroom would still be exposed to sun and rain. A lot of it, too, since I live in Florida. I live in a townhouse so I am also concerned about smells for the sake of my neighbors.
I've read about people using gravel instead of dirt, mulch or whatever. Does anyone have any input or experience?
Thanks!
My cats are strictly indoor and right now they are using the Breeze litter system. Before that I had regular clay litter. The main reason I want to have an outdoor litter box is because I find store-bought litter to be extremely wasteful and expensive. Clay litter is bad for the environment, creates dust and makes a mess. The Breeze pellets and lining are also super expensive for four cats and wasteful. Plus, it sucks at covering any poop smell.
I would like a natural solution, but I am worried about the smell. What sort of material could I use for this outdoor litterbox that would neutralize odors? I plan to remove their poop on a daily basis but even that can get stinky if they drop a ripe one (lol...sorry, but I'm sure you know what I mean), and I am worried about the ammonia from urine building up. Mind you, although my patio will be screened, the plot where they would go to the bathroom would still be exposed to sun and rain. A lot of it, too, since I live in Florida. I live in a townhouse so I am also concerned about smells for the sake of my neighbors.
I've read about people using gravel instead of dirt, mulch or whatever. Does anyone have any input or experience?
Thanks!