All about cats, tips, tricks and......

[Ontarkie 14,213]

Ok starting this thread for any and all cat tips. We adopted two 6 month old kittens a week ago. They are adjusting nicely, mostly confined to the Jedi's bedroom until all animals in the house adjust to each other. They get to roam the house when the dogs get crated at night and in the morning. 

 

 

 

So lets talk about cat litter for a minute  

 

It's been more than several years since I've had to deal with this. Older daughter was in charge of that herself. Her cats are now in her tiny home. 

 

Now the older daughter gave me a Scoop free automatic litter box. It used the fresh step crystals. Her munchkin cat does not like it. 

 

Now until the Jedi gets used to cleaning the box I am helping him.

 

I also want to know everyone's choice of litter and if you used it for multi cat houses. Cleaning schedules length it last and the smells. We do not have a huge house so I don't want to be smelling it. 

 

 I need to buy a lid for this one as the kitties are messy. So far just the one box as they only have access to the one room most of the day until the dogs chill out. 

 

Any other tips, from intro to the dogs? I have a gate up so they can all see each other. The kittens don't try to jump out when they know the dogs are running around. I'm letting the kittens round around when the dogs are away to get all the new kitty smells on things for the dogs. 

 

They are skittish, they have gotten better. They came from a foster who said they had a bad start. They are little purr boxes and love cuddles so I am assuming they are happy. Eating wet glop and drop kibble like crazy. We have a water fountain too and they love that. Picked up a nice cat condo in the market place for 20$. Cleaned it and they like it, also two other scratch post they use frequently. 

 

Ok picture of kitties for taxes 

 

 

[TBoneTX 45,241]

Litter for automatic boxes is an intense hunt.

 

Light-weight (LW) litter is by far preferable in auto-boxes.

 

Currently using Fresh Step with Febreze, 99.9% dust-free.  There is indeed no dust, and no stink with poop.  Does adhere to box's rake and the pan bottom.  Am using a heavy barbecue spatula to loosen and scoop the poop from the bottom.

 

Have used Cat's Pride LW, available from (?) Dollar General.  Works OK.  Dustier than Fresh Step.

 

The jug litter at Tractor Supply (name escapes me) was very good, even the unscented.

 

Avoid the "green" or paper or non-clay clumping litters.  They're too expensive and no better than those above.

[TBoneTX 45,241]

There's another jug litter called "Paws 'n' Claws" or "Paws & Claws" that I like OK.

[Ontarkie 14,213]

So you prefer the clay, I've been using the crystals from Fresh Step?

[TBoneTX 45,241]

I can't remember ever using the crystals.  The clay is probably more natural for the cats.

[Ontarkie 14,213]

How often do you need to clean it? We had some cheap clay when we first got them and it was so dusty and stinky.

[TBoneTX 45,241]

You using a manual (you-scoop-it) or an automatic electronic box?  I have the latter.  I clean it twice weekly (should be more often) when the poop-bin becomes full.  I use the BBQ spatula to dislodge the poop from the tray bottom at the same time.

 

The Fresh Step with Febreze/99.9% dust-free should be quite good, and try the others mentioned.  I have a small jug of "Forever Pals" Lightweight scoopable (from Dollar General, I think) to test in the electronic box to see if it clumps effectively.  Will report on its efficacy probably in a week.

 

Edited to add:  Look on Chewy.com for delivery orders -- stellar service.

Edited August 3, 2023 by TBoneTX

[Ontarkie 14,213]

Yes automatic 

this one to be exact

 

Do you use the clumping litter?

[Ontarkie 14,213]

The Hillbilly doesn't like the price of the crystals, but I like the fact I don't smell the clay. 

[TBoneTX 45,241]

Clumping litter.  Obey Hillbilly!   

 

Get several boxes of this (available in Dollar General & elsewhere; link provide solely as example):

https://www.amazon.com/Arm-Hammer-Litter-Deodorizer-Baking/dp/B07GSVW5C6

After changing the poop-receptacle, sprinkle a little in the bottom of it.

After stirring the litter, sprinkle some on top.

After dumping all the litter, sprinkle some on bottom before adding fresh litter.

[Ontarkie 14,213]

It's not the kitty poopie smell its the smell of the clay I don't like. Will that stuff mask that, because I can smell it everywhere?

[TBoneTX 45,241]

4 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

Will that stuff mask that

That, I can't answer.  Maybe experiment with a few clays (buy the smallest jugs/boxes possible) to see.

[Ontarkie 14,213]

1 hour ago, TBoneTX said:

That, I can't answer.  Maybe experiment with a few clays (buy the smallest jugs/boxes possible) to see.

Thanks, have you checked the one they sell at Costco?

[TBoneTX 45,241]

JUST got back from there, believe it or not.  Have never thought to look at theirs.  See if you can find reviews.

[Ontarkie 14,213]

Good idea, they have two types of clay.