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| Author | Topic: Cat Litters |
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catwoman Member  Posts: 43 |
posted 01-16-2004 07:09 PM
 
This has probably been discussed before, but what is a good cat litter? And what is best, clumping or non-clumping. I have nine cats and need to get an economical brand. Right now, I'm using Walmart kitty litter. I don't know if I like it all that much, but it's the only thing my cats have ever used. Would it freak them out if I change? Or should I stay with it? It's the cheapest I've found, but I'm wondering if I should use something else... IP: Logged |
nern Moderator Posts: 1591 |
posted 01-16-2004 07:24 PM
I use Tidy cat scoop most of the time...once in a while I grab a different brand but they don't seem to mind at all. I tried Feline Pine on them and I was really happy with it but they did'nt like it at all. I may try it again but this time mix some of their regular litter in to see if they will accept it better. If you think yours might not like a different litter you could always try mixing the new with the old to try and get them used to it. IP: Logged |
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fleafly Member Posts: 996 |
posted 01-16-2004 10:58 PM
With nine cats you need scoopable litter. The clay stuff turns into a solid mass in the pan with more than a couple of cats. Arm & Hammer and Tidy cat scoopable are the best I have found. My mom really likes the Petco brand, but I don't have one here so I haven't tried it. IP: Logged |
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elizavixen Member Posts: 160 |
posted 01-17-2004 07:01 AM
I prefer the Arm & Hammer. It reduces the smell. IP: Logged |
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Chessmind Member Posts: 701 |
posted 01-17-2004 10:14 AM
Hello. How about doing an experiment with different litters? I'm not sure how many litter boxes you have, but being as you have nine cats you ideally should have nine litter boxes. If for instance you only have four litter boxes you can still do the experiment. Try getting two to three more brands of litter that is in your price budget. Then use the old litter in one box and replace the other litter boxes with one of the new litters. You may have to label the boxes to remember what litter you placed in them. Then see which litter box your cats like the best and also if you like it. You'll just have to keep each box clean, otherwise a cat that may have wanted to use a particular box may avoid it if it's not clean. It could be kind of interesting. I would like to know the results if you do try this. [This message has been edited by Chessmind (edited 01-17-2004).] IP: Logged |
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fleafly Member Posts: 996 |
posted 01-17-2004 11:13 AM
I have never had a box for each cat. When you get to a certain number of cats, it just isn't possible. My cats share the boxes just fine, they have never had any problems. IP: Logged |
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Chessmind Member Posts: 701 |
posted 01-17-2004 11:20 AM
Lol. Yes, 18 litter boxes would be a lot Fleafly. I've just read that one litter box per cat is ideal. It doesn't mean that fewer than is will not work out for the cats. At the shelter I help out at, they keep some of the cats together (that get along and are in good health). So, we may have 10-15 cats all in one room with only two litter boxes. As long as we keep the boxes clean it works out just fine. IP: Logged |
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catwoman Member Posts: 43 |
posted 01-18-2004 04:30 PM
Well, about 2 years ago, I had a black persian mix cat named Raven. I had her for 13 years. But during her last year, she developed diabetes. I started noticing that her litter was being used up really fast, mainly from urinating. I kept watch, and I literally went thru a whole box, or jug of cat litter a day! And this was just for one cat. I was using the Arm and Hammer and it didn't seem to keep up with the urine smell very well. I took her in and she had diabetes. She had a diabetic siezure, where she couldn't get up. We took her to the vet and that is when I knew for sure she had diabetes. They tried everything but could not stablize her blood sugar. I would have had to give her insuline shots and check her sugar daily. She was the type of cat where you could be petting her and then all of the sudden she'd try to bite you or hiss at you. She was that way even when she was a kitten. Anyway, I watched how they did it and she went crazy crying and screaming and trying to claw at them. I just couldn't see her quality of life being good, so, I had to have her put to sleep. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Even though she was temperamental, I loved her dearly. Although I have these nine cats now, I still miss her! But anyway, back to the cat litter, I don't know if it was because she was urinating so much and the Arm and Hammer couldn't keep up with her or it just didn't cover the odor that well. But I could give it another try. I have 7 cat boxes and they are really hard to keep up with. I do them every day though. And yes, I know, 9 cats are a lot, but I wouldn't trade them for all the tea in China. I love each one, they are all special. The reason for the nine? Well, Java (the seal point Balanese mix) was not fixed, nor the big orange tabby, Freddy. I thought I had time and could get Freddy fixed a little later. WRONG! He was only 6 months old but old enough to get the job done. Joila! 4 kitties were born! 3 are what I would call black torties and one grey tortie. The kittens (which are 18 months old now) names are, Patches, Bucky, Ginger and Spike. All of course, are female. Spike is the grey one. She had white around her eye liner around her eyes and had a white chin. Made her look just like the evil gremmlin, Spike :-) Sorry to be so long in my writing. I'm gonna have to post some pics of the darlings :-) Oh, btw, they are all fixed now :-) IP: Logged |
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footsie Member Posts: 123 |
posted 01-18-2004 05:54 PM
If both you and your cats are happy with your current litter then I don't see any reason to switch. Do you have any complaints with your current litter? I use Arm & Hammer, but I do cringe at the price when I see it next to some of the store brands. I only have one cat. I don't think I could afford to use it in 7 boxes! IP: Logged |
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catwoman Member Posts: 43 |
posted 01-18-2004 06:50 PM
I guess if it aint broke, don't fix it. My cats seem to like the Walmart brand. I was just trying to think of a different litter because this is so messy for me to clean. A lot of times while covering up their mess in the box, they kick the litter out of the box. I probably should try those kind of boxes with the lids over them, but they've never used those and I'm afraid that would totally freak them out. I suppose I should just leave it the way it is. What I would love to try is that Pine brand, I can't think of what it's called. But I am sure that would be totally out of my price range. Not only do I have 9 cats, I've got 6 dogs, (two are wolf hybrids) and 10 tropical birds, and one rabbit :-o! I know, I'm looney tunes (LOL) IP: Logged |
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Chessmind Member Posts: 701 |
posted 01-19-2004 10:10 PM
Hello. I think you should get one hooded cat box and see if any of your cats like it. I know that cats are rather private when it comes to them going to the 'litter room.' Even if one cat is happy with it, that's great. At least you managed to please one of your kitties. I would be very surprised if all the cats avoided a hooded cat box. Although there are always exceptions, most cats like hooded boxes. As for the pine litter. I wish cats liked it! Lol. Handsome (my cat), my friends cats and my parents cats all don't like it. It looks like rabbit pellets and I can see why cats may not like it, but it sure smells good. If anyone on this site has a cat that likes the pine litter, you are lucky! Oh well. I suppose you could mix part pine litter with your regular litter. IP: Logged |
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Bastet1066 Member Posts: 30 |
posted 01-20-2004 08:20 AM
Hey...I don't know if this will help or not. I used to have 4 cats (I just recently got divorced and my ex took two of the guys while I kept the other two. Still emotional about that.) But when I did have them all together we used Tidy Cats Crystals. The crystals' ability to prevent odor is quite amazing and my guys really didn't have a problem with how it felt on their paws. Also...there is a brand of cat litter that has charcoal in it. I think it's called Everclear, but I could be wrong. And that's good stuff, too. Good luck! IP: Logged |
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fleafly Member Posts: 996 |
posted 01-20-2004 12:36 PM
They have a crysals scoopable blend that is pretty good. My cats don't mind the hooded ones at all. I actually have one hooded one with the hood and one that doesn't have the hood on it. The walls are higher on it, so they can't kick as much litter out even without the hood. IP: Logged |
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