Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   Am I crazy to prefer good old cheap non-clumping to the premium clumping litter we're trying right now? Emily and Eko used non-clumping Tidy Cats at the vet, so that is what we have used 'til recently. The cats liked it fine. I was curious about clumping...couldn't resist seeing what it would be like to remove the urine...so I tried Dr. Elsey's Ultra Precious Cat Muti-Cat, Scoopable (highly recommended over at catster.) Here's what I found...

   Tidy Cats non-clumping:

   Pros - Cheap, controlled odor well, boxes (we have 3) only needed dumping and cleaning every 10 days....pretty good for non-clumping.

   Cons - Dustier than the Dr. Elseys but nothing overwhelming, a slight perfume (which the cats didn't seem to mind) that smelled strongest on the cats after they used the box...yuck. Urine stays in the box...but that never really caused us any problems, I guess. Seems like the clay absorbs it and it dries up eventually (not sure how it works.)

   Dr. Elsey's

   Pros - less dust and no perfume...coolness factor of removing urine clumps...cats love it but they liked Tidy Cats too.

   Cons - expensive...even if we only dump out and change the litter once a month (which, supposedly you can do with clumping...but yuck) it still costs twice as much as Tidy Cats. Takes longer to scoop, occasional sticking to sides or bottom. More Odor!...doesn't seem like there should be since the urine is being removed...but there is that whiff of circus/barn around the boxes.

   We might go back to Tidy Cats. I'm just having trouble giving up on the Dr. Elseys but the odor is getting worse. Anyone else out there prefer non-clumping? It seems silly to go back to what many would consider an inferior product. I've thought about adding baking soda to the Dr. Elseys...but even that little added expense sends it over the top expense wise.

   Maybe I'll try clumping again some day...a different brand.

   Oh, and do you think the perfume is harmful to the cats...they never seemed to mind it.

   Posted 1 year ago by ecbrown #

2. 

   Of course not ECB! You want the absolute best for your kitties and if they like non clumping that's fine, not all cats need clumping. I use clumping because Duchess LOVES LOVES LOVES peeing in the same corner over and over in the same day and if I didn't use clumping, she'd flood the pan.

   ~

   I personally use Arm & Hammer Double Duty [Pee and Poop]

   Pros:
   * Not expensive to me at all, it can be $9 for a 20 lbs, or $11 for a 28-32 lbs? I forget the prices because it is different in the store than it is online. It also changes if you have a pet perks card.

   * Really covers up the poop and pee smell Duchess and Gabriel make.

   * It is cheap compared to some litters, not all, more expensive than some Tidy Cats or Scoop Away sizes.

   * It clumps very well, no matter how many times Duchess pees on the same spot over and over. [loves to pee in the corner]

   * Even if a cat digs to China in the litter pan, it clumps very well to help you pick it back up even if it's on the floor of the pan.

   * Masks the smell of poop, if covered well. Sometimes Duchess and Gabriel forget or do not cover too well and you smell the poop after 15 minutes later.

   * It really lasts. I make each box last for at least 3 weeks to 4 weeks. I have two large litter pans that I fill half way to three fourths full.

   * It has a nice subtle scent, nothing perfume, but nothing like the smell of grass, it's almost like clean breeze [I don't think it uses baking soda?]

   * It is not dusty in anyway, except when you get to the bottom of the box.

   * Does not give way easily, meaning if Duchess steps into the litter, she doesn't sink right in.

   * It can hold a lot of pee and poop and not have a harsh scent, meaning in case someone forgets the litter pans you don't smell it first. Sometimes Mr. DG gets confused on which days are his [T,TH,S] and their litter is changed for one, two days. Duchess and Gabriel are very understanding though, because then I clean it as soon as I found it it hasn't been cleaned.

   Cons:

   * It can be a little pricey if you change the litter in the pan completely often.

   * It can be spread around easily, we do not use full top covers because Duchess gets spooked in them and if she hears a noise, because she cannot see all around her anymore, so we have the half covers with the scooped front.

   I don't have many cons on litter because Duchess and Gabriel have both taken to using this very well, and this is all that Duchess knows of clumping. Gabriel had another type of litter when he was at the shelter.

   Overall, I personally love this litter because of the nice subtle scent it produces. It is not expensive to me, I do not buy more than 2 boxs a month, if that. It clumps very well, and masks the scent.

   Our litter pans:
   http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4217933&keepsr=0&clickid=prod_cs

   note: I don't use the bowls that came with the litter pan.

   Our litter:
   http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3399911

   ~

   I'm so sorry on the long post....got a little carried away.

   The link to what I'm currently describing.

   Posted 1 year ago by Duchess&&Gabriel #

3. 

   Oh gee... thanks, ECB - now I have that song stuck in my head!!!! ;-)

   Posted 1 year ago by WillowandWindismom #

4. 

   I appreciate all the details, DG. I think you hit on something when you said yours covers up the smell that Duchess and Gabriel make. Different litters must work differently for different cats....so many wildly varying reviews out there. If I decide to try clumping again maybe I'll give arm & hammer a try. (And I'm even more torn now because I'm noticing the smell wanes about 1 hour after the boxes are scooped. But I scoop 2-3 times a day so I shouldn't really have to endure smells at all, I think....I rarely did with Tidy Cats.)

   Oh, and me too, WWM...but I couldn't resist.

   Posted 1 year ago by ecbrown #

5. 

   My kits like all natural, dust free scoopable. I ususally get what is on sale or an off brand from Big Lots that works as well!

   Posted 1 year ago by jeankit #

6. 

   We've been getting Members Mark clumping litter at Sam's Club but it is awfully dusty. Is the Arm and Hammer not dusty?

   Posted 1 year ago by WillowandWindismom #

7. 

   Looks like DG says its only dusty when you get to the bottom of the box.

   Posted 1 year ago by ecbrown #

8. 

   If you and the cats like the non-clumping litter, I don't see a reason to change. My picky cat didn't like the Tidy Cat non-clumping, so I still have a mostly-full box in my closet. My favorite litter is the one that the cats actually use!

   Unfortunately, for many of us who aren't independently wealthy, cost is an issue. Most of us would not say that the non-clumping clay is actually harming your cat; I thought that the perfume issue was that the cats may refuse to use smelly perfumed litter. Certainly there is reason to extrapolate from humans and say prolonged exposure to dust is not good for the lungs, but the cats are using a litter box, not working in a poorly ventilated coal mine! So if you can save money on litter and use it to buy better food or pay for their vet checkups, it seems perfectly reasonable to me.

   Posted 1 year ago by Kiplings_cat #

9. 

   ECB: Yes I think it does work differently for each cat. My mom swears by the scoop away but I didn't find it worked that much.

   WWM: Not at all! It works like a charm except when it's at the bottom of the box. Other than that I have no dust and I change the litter maybe once a month and I add litter every week [not anymore Mr. DG does because I cannot lift the box]

   I personally love Arm and Hammer now because of this litter, I used to not use it at all.

   Posted 1 year ago by Duchess&&Gabriel #

10. 

    DG, hopefully you can still lift your kittehs! After my surgery, I had a 10-lb weight restriction, which meant no scooping up 2 of my (then) 3 cats.

    Posted 1 year ago by Kiplings_cat #

11. 

    KC, at first I could only pick up Gabriel he was under 5 pounds, now I can pick up both, Duchess is 8 pounds and Gabriel is over 5 pounds now.

    Posted 1 year ago by Duchess&&Gabriel #

12. 

    I use the Precious cat an like it a lot. Need to cut expenses though so may soon try something different.

    Posted 1 year ago by pucca #

13. 

    I started Roxy on Precious Cats Kitten litter and I still use it for her! She loves it and I like that is 99% dust-free (I've got allergies like whoa). I've never had problems scooping it and I guess I'm fine with paying $13 for a 20lb bag. I never have any problems with smell either. I did try Tidy Cats clumping litter once and she still did her business in the box like normal but I could tell she wasn't happy with it. Roxy spent more time licking her paws and digging the litter from between her toenails and she was very tip-toey in the box like the litter hurt her paws. And we have to keep the ornery princess happy LOL

    Posted 1 year ago by roxysmommy #

14. 

    I am not sure how to use non clumping litter. I was under the impression that you basicaly tossed the litter every few days. I think I will start up a thread to ask about how to use the non clumping. I have 3 cats though and find clumping seems to work better with my low vision.
    .
    Chey

    Posted 1 year ago by Chey #

15. 

    I use the Arch & Hammer clumping and we both like it. A friend gave me some non clumping once and I tried it, but Molly kicked most of it out of the box in frenzied digging, without ever going. I got the message.

    Posted 1 year ago by paulajeanne #

16. 

    Chey, with the non-clumping you scoop out the poop, but the urine is absorbed by the clay and doesn't get scooped. You would think the box would get pretty nasty with the urine staying in there...but ours never did.

    Right now there's no odor at all coming from the boxes. I do like the Precious Cat at times like this...that's why I'm "torn."

    I like your thought, KC, about the saved money going towards their food if we switch back to non-clumping. Their food is sort of expensive right now, so it would be a nice balance to cut back on the expense of the litter.

    Posted 1 year ago by ecbrown #

17. 

    My cats prefer non-clumping litter. In recent years I've tried just about every variety of clumping and non-clumping litter.

    Cats and I both come back to preferring non-clumping. Right now, what seems to work well is a combination of 90% Fresh Step and 10% Dr. Eisley's crystals for long-haired cats. (I have one fat girl who sits her butt down in the litter, so the one for long-haired cats works best in her case.) I've just tried a jug of the Dr. Eisley's respriratory crystals mixed in with generic cheapest non-scented clay litter and have had great results! May switch over to that permanently.

    Since I have to empty, scrub out and refill every week anyway, what with having mulitple medical special needs cats, the non-clumping not only seems what the cats prefer but is far less expensive.

    Posted 1 year ago by Marnet #

18. 

    Marnet, I too use a combo of regular clay non-clump litter (75%), and crystals 25% (for odor control)..... it's cheap, and the girls have always used it!..... I scoop everyday, change & wash the boxes every weekend, and each girl has their own box, without access to the others....... mine are happy and no one ever knows I have cats (unless they happen to see them)

    Posted 1 year ago by AV #

19. 

    Interesting discussion! We use Fresh Step multi-cat which is a clumping litter, and I like it pretty well. It really masks the odor, except for immediately after one of the boys poops. But it is pretty dusty. We are now using one large and one jumbo covered litter boxes, but the tops are translucent so the cats can still see out. That has cut down on the dust and the mess a lot! We scoop once a day, and then I completely clean and refresh litter every two weeks. That all seems to work pretty well. I am intrigued though by Dr. Eisley's litter... especially the one for long haired cats. But I'm not sure how the boys would take to crystals. When we first got Ozzie, we tried some natural litter that was made of large pieces and he didn't like it all, so we switched back to Fresh Step which is what the breeder used.

    Posted 1 year ago by Rubia in CA, 4/28 #

20. 

    Rubia, Fresh Step (non-clumping) is what I use, mixed with a little of the Pearl cryatals........ both girls love it, and I also have covered boxes - my girls like their privacy! LOL

    Posted 1 year ago by AV #

21. 

    Mine haven't liked the larger size crystals like the ones in Petsmarts own version. I like the way the crystals help absorb odor without any perfumes but don't like the amount of dust. That is why I was intrigued to try the new Respiratory Respite version of Dr. Eisley's crystals. It truly is virtually dustless compared to other litters. But it is too expensive to use by itself, on my budget. It does seem to work well mixed in with regular clay litter though.

    I don't think there is any one "best" litter. Different cats have different preferences in what they do or don't like. And each owner has preferences also in just what pros and cons are most important to them. I like that there is such a variety of litter products available to choose from and find what works for each.

    Posted 1 year ago by Marnet #

22. 

    I use special kitty clumping for my kitten and my ferret. Works wonders. It lasts awhile too and I just "freshen" it up with a couple scoops of litter every couple days. :) definitely a clumping fan.

    Posted 1 year ago by Kiki #

23. 

    I had to come back here and thank DG for making me think. Your comment about A&H and a cat that digs down to the box made me try A&H again. I stopped buying it only because it wasn't convenient to find when my Target started only carry the 40lb boxes. (I can't lift those)

    But for others with the problem and non-picky cats I can say that Arm & Hammer greatly exceeds Tidy Cat in the area of not sticking to the box. This has resulted in a much cleaner box. Tidy Cat had to be chipped away from the box and left crumbles behind, Arm & Hamer comes away clean leaving fewer small clumps behind. On most other counts TC and A&H seem comparable, price, dust and scent.

    Posted 1 year ago by TrufflesMom #

24. 

    I also decided to try A&H after DG said she liked it. I tried the multi-cat scoopable because the Double Duty wasn't available at Wal-mart on that day. (I've seen it there since, though.) I love everything about it but I did find it dusty. The perfume smelled strong to me at first (because I was coming straight from unscented) but my cats didn't seem to mind. The A&H has a great texture and makes perfect clumps that pull right away from the side of the box and rarely fall apart. I also tried Tidy Cat scoopable (since I had liked their non-clumping.) The clumps will fall apart sometimes, but less if I'm careful. They also pull away from the side of the box easier than the Dr. Elsey's did (that was like cement.) I find the Tidy Cats much less dusty so I think I'm going with it for now....but I did really like most things about the A&H. I noticed it comes in unscented too (which I'm afraid to try after the odor problems I had with my last unscented.) Nice that I have two options I like...good to get recommendations from others.

    Posted 1 year ago by ecbrown #

25. 

    I'll just chime in to say I use SWheat Scoop litter. It doesn't smell, no dust and easy to clean. Silly Comet still kicks it all over though!

    Posted 1 year ago by JoanfromNewJersey #

26. 

    I reduced the litter kicking and tracking some what with a high-sided box and a mat to catch the litter from their paws. Still get it thrown about some but nothing else ever gets out of the box adn most stays in the mat and the immediate vicinty of the box.

    Posted 1 year ago by TrufflesMom #

27. 

    Personally, I had a great experience with Swheat Scoop...It's just that my kitten didn't like it!

    I really really like the principles of clumping, biodegradable, chemical free flushable litter. I don't fill up my garbage very fast, so I prefer to flush it right away as opposed to letting it sit in my garbage for a couple days until i take it out to the curb.

    I've never used crystals before, with my current cat, or any of our previous family cats. Do they come in biodegradable, flushable formulas?

    Posted 8 months ago by Lady Hockenberry #

28. 

    Update on the litter I use: I've discovered that Petsmart's house brand, ExquisiCat, basic fragrance free non-clumping litter works great and is the cheapest litter out there. It has as good or better odor control than Fresh Step, has no fragrance (although there is also a perfumed version) and the cats seem to prefer it to more expensive litters. I do still mix in a small amount of the Dr. Eisley's Respiratory Relief crystals for odor control sometimes but have found it really isn't needed unless there is a tray the cats don't use as much and therefore doesn't get changed once a week but goes two weeks between changing.

    Posted 8 months ago by Marnet #

29. 

    I have been using a variety of clumping litters for a while now, but ever since I got the kitten I have been reading that kittens HAVE to have non-clumping as sometimes they can eat the litter and it can expand and clump in their tummies, sometimes getting stuck and causing intestinal issues. Soo now I only use non-clumping which I find to have a weird odor but slightly less messy as it doesn't stick to the bottom as much.

    When is an okay time to switch back? I bought 80lbs of non clumping but I still have like 50lbs of clumping left that I wanna start using as soon as she gets older (but question is, how old?)

    Posted 8 months ago by Ulichka4 #

30. 

    I'd suggest you consult your veterinarian.

    Posted 8 months ago by Marnet #

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