Cat Litter, time for a change

[irisblue]

We've had multiple cats and used Tidy Cat clumping litter for at least 6 years. Currently 3 cats, 5 pans in the basement, scraped daily,( more if I'm doing something downstairs while they visit) 1 to 2 rotating boxes gets washed weekly. I've noticed that over the last months, tidy cat has broken when I scoop 'a biscuit' and it falls into the cleaned pan, or it's putty like texture in the corners. Does anyone have recommendations for a new litter? I likely won't change while my 11 & 12 year old cats are still here, but I'm planning for the future. Thanks in advance

[ginnyinWI]

1. I like Cat's Pride

It comes in several varieties; I like the green cap one. My main gripe with cat litter is the dust, and this one is almost dust free. Your older cats might like it; wouldn't hurt to try. It's fine textured and easy to dig in, but doesn't create a cloud of dust.

I also like to get unscented, because neither I nor the cats appreciate the perfumes. Cat's Pride has some sort of odor-blocker, but it isn't a perfume.

http://www.gatzies.com/p-37326-cats-pride-20-lb-scoop-cat-litter.aspx?zmam=94292956&zmas=1&zmac=26&zmap=TRV134313&gclid=CLvt8KfnuLUCFYs7MgodIQUAEQ

Edited to add! I got that site so I could show you a picture, but that price is simply insane! At my local grocery store it is currently $6.69 for a jug!!

[CountAllVotes]

2. forget "The World's Best Cat Litter"

I got a free bag of this stuff not knowing what to expect.

Poor kitty Jules kept running in/out of the garage to her litter box ... in/out, in/out.

She did not like this stuff (made out of corn) and would not use her box.

She was really suffering badly and I figured it out and threw the bag of this stuff away along with the contents of her litter box as well!

It is costly stuff too, like almost $10.00+ a bag!

[glinda]

3. I use Yesterday's News and SWheat. The reason is becasue

when I used an organic corn-based litter a few years ago one of my cats became infected from mold spores that the Vet had found in the litter and ended up in an oxygen tent for three days. The other reason is that Yesterday's News, even though not an ideal litter, seems to be dust free and does not contain small particles that hurt my kidney damaged cats from licking their fur. It is not hard to scoop for me either and the SWheat litter comes out of box easily if I scoop the same day. Which I do every day. I am afraid of the clumping chems, the dust factors and oils from some "green" litters. We have four cats.

[CountAllVotes]

4. wow that is scary!

Poor poor cats!!!

I buy either Johnny Cat (unscented) or Tidy Cat if I can't get a deal on Johnny Cat.

Since my other 2 cats died, the remaining one has taken to the backyard and rarely uses the litter box anymore. What a stroke of luck eh?

[rox63]

5. My cats get pissed off if I use anything other than Cat's Pride clumping litter

I've tried switching to less expensive brands, more expensive brands, and more environmentally-friendly brands. They always let me know in no uncertain terms that they want their regular litter back. I think they like it because it is soft like sand, and doesn't rough up their paw pads.

[ginnyinWI]

8. Did you know that they have a Facebook page?

https://www.facebook.com/catspride

They post cute pictures of cats, plus coupon offers and stuff.

[rox63]

9. I'll have to check that out

Thanks for the link.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. I use Premium Choice litter

from Carefree Kitty, and I like it....and my Sammy likes it. It seems like a store brand for the pet store I use, Pet Supplies Plus.

http://www.carefreekitty.com/PRODUCTS/tabid/3686/language/en-US/Default.aspx

I remember a post from kestrel91316 where she said that she prefers (I hope I am right here) the store brand from PetSmart, and second choice is the store brand at Petco. She did say the ones with the most problems are some of the most popular, like Tidy Cat. Since kestrel is a cat specialty vet, I took her word for it.

[ginnyinWI]

7. I like PetSmart, but not their litter

It is extremely dusty! My whole basement got coated with dust. It's the one called, "Scoop Away".

[Curmudgeoness]

11. That isn't the one.

I have tried Scoop Away before, and I have never seen a PetSmart. So that is a brand that is sold elsewhere too. I know that some litters are really too dusty, and I worry about all that dust at "cat nose level" when they use the box more than I worry about my dusting problems.

I did find the suggested litter name.....PetSmart's Exquisicat. That is helpful if you have a PetSmart in your area.

[ginnyinWI]

12. oh, okay

I just assumed it was their store brand for some reason.

[City Lights]

10. I recently switched back to Tidy Cat from Nature's Miracle.

Nature's Miracle doesn't clump the way it used to, and I found myself trying to fish out little balls of pee that fell through my scoop. It was very frustrating because they'd stink up the whole box. Tidy Cat definitely clumps better than Nature's Miracle, but it is extremely dusty. I'd like a litter that clumps well and isn't dusty.

[TexasBushwhacker]

13. Tidy Cat has several types

Some are harder clumping than others.

[TygrBright]

14. I switched to Swheat Scoop, and wouldn't go back...

For one thing, clay litter isn't great for the environment, and it's HEAVY to schlepp around. Swheat Scoop is much easier on the back and it's degradable.

That said, it's not quite as "clumpy" as clay. The clumps will break apart if you're not careful scooping them. I use a larger scoop, and scrape along the bottom of the pan to get it all. It tracks as much, maybe a bit more than, clay litter, but not much dust, and it doesn't "crunch." It seems a lot easier to hoover up.

I keep the box next to the dryer in the laundry room. In the morning I pick it up, set it atop the dryer, scoop into a used bag- (paper or plastic, whatever, I keep 'em all. Sometimes need to use a biobag if I'm running low)- and take the scoopings to the bin. Then I come back and hoover around with a stick vac before putting the box back on the floor and adding a little more from the bucket.

It does just as well as unscented clay litter for odor control, maybe even a tad better.

And even if kitteh has damp paws, it doesn't stick and clump in his toes.

helpfully,
Bright

[sad-cafe]

15. years ago when we had kittens we used the breeze (I think that was the name) system

they were bigger pellet type things and there was a "pee pad" in the bottom. You changed the pad every couple days and scooped daily. The smell was not nearly as bad with that system.