What cat litter do you use and why?

17113 Views 40 Replies 22 Participants Last post by 3furbabies, Feb 23, 2012

Meredith

Discussion Starter · Feb 19, 2012

I've seen so many threads and sites and reviews about a variety of cat litters... pros, cons... my head is literally swimming with kitty litter and opinions.

My 2.5 year old Maine **** boy has never used a litter box and its a long story why we are going to have him start using a litterbox... but basically, I have no idea what is good, what is bad, etc as I've never had to look!

I don't like the idea of clay, I don't want anything overly smelly (potty smells OR strong fragrances!) and something reasonably priced as we have a Jumbo sized litter box! :roll:

I like the idea of a natural litter... I was looking into the Arm and Hammer Essentials and when I went to grab a bag at the store... the smell was TERRIBLY similar to that of a wallplug in a truck stop bathroom. Eurgh.

So... what cat litter do YOU use and why?? Thanks

21 - 40 of 41 Posts

CindyG

· #21 · Feb 20, 2012

I use Fresh Step crystals. Just stir them up once or twice a day, and no smell. Have to check on them, though, didn't know they were bad for the cat!

Meredith

Discussion Starter · #22 · Feb 20, 2012

CindyG said:
I use Fresh Step crystals. Just stir them up once or twice a day, and no smell. Have to check on them, though, didn't know they were bad for the cat!

Is Fresh Step® Cat Litter Harmful to a Cat? | eHow.com

Dave_ph

· #23 · Feb 20, 2012

Not so much about Clay as about Clumping

doodlebug

· #24 · Feb 20, 2012

I think you just need to use common sense when it comes to litter. Never use a clay clumping litter with a kitten until you're sure they're past the stage of sticking their nose in it or walking in it with wet paws etc. If your cat has respiratory issues then use something dust free. If your dog treats the litter box as an appetizer tray then don't use clumping litter.

In addition to being on this forum for 6 years, I have many friends and acquaintances with cats, as well as the customers that come in my store...I have never heard of a blockage caused by an adult cat licking clay litter dust off their paws. In general there are very few cats with respiratory issues, if the litter was a major contributing factor there would have been a sharp increase in the number of cats experiencing problems since these litters have been introduced.

You'll have much more impact on your cat's health if you spend your time and money on a good food (referencing your thread on Kroger's food) and not being overly concerned about litter.

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GhostTown

· #25 · Feb 20, 2012

Tidy Cat

We mix different scents.

Something could be said about the safety of any single cat litter. Any of them. *shrug*

kwarendorf

· #26 · Feb 20, 2012

I use Fresh Step non-clumping clay. I have one box and 2 cats. I scoop at least twice a day and stir as often. I dump it completely every 4 or 5 days. I have no odor problems at all. (My apartment is on the market. When I told the realtor that I had two cats she was concerned. On her first visit she was amazed at how cat free the air in my apt. was

)

The thought of accumulating clumps of cat pee sodden litter skeeves me. Yes it's a bit dusty. It comes in 7 LB bags which do the work of regular 10 LB bags. I like the "single serving" convenience of the small bags. My cats seem to like it OK.

Kyle

MowMow

· #27 · Feb 20, 2012

doodlebug said:
I think you just need to use common sense when it comes to litter. Never use a clay clumping litter with a kitten until you're sure they're past the stage of sticking their nose in it or walking in it with wet paws etc. If your cat has respiratory issues then use something dust free. If your dog treats the litter box as an appetizer tray then don't use clumping litter.

In addition to being on this forum for 6 years, I have many friends and acquaintances with cats, as well as the customers that come in my store...I have never heard of a blockage caused by an adult cat licking clay litter dust off their paws. In general there are very few cats with respiratory issues, if the litter was a major contributing factor there would have been a sharp increase in the number of cats experiencing problems since these litters have been introduced.

You'll have much more impact on your cat's health if you spend your time and money on a good food (referencing your thread on Kroger's food) and not being overly concerned about litter.

All that she said.
*clicks on a lighter and holds it up*

Meredith

Discussion Starter · #28 · Feb 20, 2012

doodlebug said:
I think you just need to use common sense when it comes to litter. Never use a clay clumping litter with a kitten until you're sure they're past the stage of sticking their nose in it or walking in it with wet paws etc. If your cat has respiratory issues then use something dust free. If your dog treats the litter box as an appetizer tray then don't use clumping litter.

In addition to being on this forum for 6 years, I have many friends and acquaintances with cats, as well as the customers that come in my store...I have never heard of a blockage caused by an adult cat licking clay litter dust off their paws. In general there are very few cats with respiratory issues, if the litter was a major contributing factor there would have been a sharp increase in the number of cats experiencing problems since these litters have been introduced.

You'll have much more impact on your cat's health if you spend your time and money on a good food (referencing your thread on Kroger's food) and not being overly concerned about litter.

Thanks for your advice

I appreciate it.

Yes, I understand your comment about cat food. I've always fed Enzo the best that I can find/afford. My interest in Kroger cat food/Fancy Feast was mostly a misunderstanding of the quality of the ingredients. I have chosen By Nature and hoping he likes it!!

My hesitation in just going to WalMart and buying a bag of their kitty litter is all of the mixed reviews I've read about various litters... and I'm trying to prevent the trial and error stage by asking around! Not to mention I dont have a clue about cat litter AT ALL because I've never had a cat that had to use it 8O Haha.

Anyone tried the Fresh Step Natural?

Tidy Cats Breathe Easy?

Cat's Pride?

Dave_ph

· #29 · Feb 20, 2012

I think the clumping litter can introduce more than just blockages. Think of all the lovely bacteria that's attached to it and which our kitties will ingest. you know, the stuff in the urine and feces that's now clumped to their little toes.

Not that I want to override anectdotal evidence with the opinion of my Cat Vet former clinical micro bioligist.

doodlebug

· #30 · Feb 20, 2012

Meredith said:
I'm trying to prevent the trial and error stage by asking around!

The thing is....no matter how many opinions you get, you're going to go through the trial and error. For example...I have a friend with 7 cats. She loves World's Best. I can't stand the stuff. What you find to be a pleasant odor, I may hate. What I like, makes you sick to your stomach. I may tolerate dust, but you don't. You may tolerate tracking and I don't. And then there's also what your cat thinks about it....which is most important.

Meredith

Discussion Starter · #31 · Feb 20, 2012

doodlebug said:
The thing is....no matter how many opinions you get, you're going to go through the trial and error. For example...I have a friend with 7 cats. She loves World's Best. I can't stand the stuff. What you find to be a pleasant odor, I may hate. What I like, makes you sick to your stomach. I may tolerate dust, but you don't. You may tolerate tracking and I don't. And then there's also what your cat thinks about it....which is most important.

Okay, thanks for your help

love.my.cats

· #32 · Feb 20, 2012

Samson went through a stage where he wouldn't use a litter tray more than once. I had 6 litter trays for him when he was an only cat. Each had a piece of newspaper and a handful of litter and I'd change whichever ones he'd used twice a day. Very annoying.
When I got Meeka, I started out using the same litter that the pound she came from used - it was cheap and dusty and horrible. Luckily Sammy got less fussy and in time, I was able to cut down to two trays for them. I've tried many different types. While i just had the two cats, I used the crystal litter with no problems.
Once Jett came along, the crystals weren't lasting anywhere near as long and it was going to be expensive. I went searching for a more economical litter and found this stuff: Oz-Pet Animal Litter and Bedding I started out with just one of the trays as a trial and after a few weeks when all went well, we got a second tray. The cats have taken to it really well and I'm very happy with it - no smell at all and buying the bulk bags saves me so much money. A little messier to clean each week than the normal trays but I'm okay with that for the money that I'm saving.

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LilyC

· #33 · Feb 20, 2012

I don't know if this this okay to post but if just a heads up that if anyone wants to try Dr. Elsey's Precious cat litter, on the website, there is a $5 off coupon and Petsmart has it on sale.

Muzby

· #34 · Feb 20, 2012

We use a mix of Swheat Scoop and Clump N Flush (corn litter). 75/25.

We traded great odour control, minimal dust, wonderful clumping for the fact that it tracks (like most litters). We just vaccuum around the boxes more.

We also love that we can flush and no longer have to worry about garbage bags.

jmstarlight

· #35 · Feb 20, 2012

I use Feline Pine clumping for our 3. I switched originally because I couldn't stand the ammonia build up smell of clay. For some reason we always had that problem, no matter the clay. The pine absorbs that particular smell, but I know instantly when someone decides on other business and I scoop out nightly. I've also realized after adding kitty 3 that I cannot stand the perfume smell of clay. It makes me gag and almost vomit while scooping. I could smell a used box upstairs behind a closed from downstairs. Yuck.

Meredith

Discussion Starter · #36 · Feb 22, 2012

I'm going to try a mixture of corn cob litter from TSC ( LM Animal Farms Premium Corn Cob for Bedding and Litter, 615 cu. in. - 2180961 | Tractor Supply Company ) and Arm and Hammer Essentials...

OctoberinMaine

· #37 · Feb 22, 2012

Muzby said:
We also love that we can flush and no longer have to worry about garbage bags.

I heard that. I've never scooped and put in bags because we use S*Wheat Scoop too, so I don't know the fun I'm missing.

shan841

· #38 · Feb 22, 2012

i've heard that "flushable litters" sometimes don't break down and actually cause clogs. Anyone ever had a problem?

marie73

· #39 · Feb 22, 2012

There are lots of cases where flushable litter caused problems. Probably the reason why my lease specifically says I cannot use it.

SpiralHorn

· #40 · Feb 23, 2012

I use Swheat Scoop Multicat, even though I only have one. I have the box in my bedroom closet, so even though the litter's technically overpowered, I scoop twice a day. I only flush the poo though, the clumps are supposed to be flushable, but I don't want to risk anything.

I never notice a smell, but the tracking is kind of annoying. I have a little sweeper that I run by the front of the box a couple of times a day.

I've used plain corn litter and Arm and Hammer corn litter before. She didn't like the corn, and I couldn't stand the smell of the A&H. It was too chemical.

So we're happy with this.

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