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Post by Miisa on Sept 7, 2014 12:53:50 GMT
Does anyone have extensive experience with different types of cat litter?
I have recently tried switching from a clumping, fine-grained kitty litter to a coarser crystal non-clumping kind, and while I initially found it easier to not have to clean up the clumps, I have no idea really when to clean it all out. I had this litter now down two weeks and when I now removed it all the stench was unimaginable (plus it had dyed the bottom of the tray blue). I had smelled some faint urine smell but thought that it was either the dogs (even washed them for the first time in forever) or me (old lady smell, after all), turns out it was likely the bottom of the litter tray that didn't particularly smell when I have been sifting it for poop.
So, do I really have to clean out all the litter every week with the non-clumping one? That would mean that even though the clumping sand is more expensive per bag, the crystal non-clumping one is going to be more expensive in the long run.
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Post by JoeP on Sept 7, 2014 14:33:51 GMT
I have some experience of some kinds of cat litter ... but I bet yours is more extensive. When in South Africa, we didn't bother with such things, the cats just went out into our 1500m2 garden.
Here, I've tried 3 kinds - clumping and non-clumping sandy/gravelly ones, and wood pellet. The clumping is the best, but with our current type, the pee tends to go to the bottom and form clumps that stick to the base, which isn't that great. And if you just scoop the top ... the ammonia stench when you uncover the bottom is gaggingly foul.
The wood pellet type seems to absorb all the smell which is a major plus. But the pellets disintegrate when peed on - so basically the reverse of clumping - so it does need changing more often.
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Post by Moose on Sept 7, 2014 17:35:34 GMT
Mine refused to use the wood kind so that was moot. I prefer the clumping but my local store does not sell it annoyingly.
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Post by Alvamiga on Sept 7, 2014 17:37:34 GMT
I tried the wood stuff, but seemed to go through a huge amount. I always find it odd that they make out that both the clumping and non-clumping are better on whichever you buy, but never explain why!
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Post by Moose on Sept 7, 2014 19:18:02 GMT
The clumping reduces smells I find
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Post by Kye on Sept 8, 2014 2:31:52 GMT
I use the crystal kind and I'm happy with it. When you take out the poop though you should also stir up the litter so the pee at the bottom gets absorbed. That way it lasts longer.
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Post by ProdigalAlan on Sept 8, 2014 10:09:49 GMT
I use non-clumping odour free and change it every three days. I only use it to a very shallow depth. Mrs Slocombe likes it changed often and glares at me if she is not satisfied with the facilities provided.
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Post by Miisa on Sept 8, 2014 16:35:29 GMT
Every three days! I barely scoop that often...
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Post by JoeP on Sept 8, 2014 18:59:46 GMT
*looks around innocently*
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Post by Mari on Sept 8, 2014 20:31:55 GMT
I have the clumping clay stuff downstairs because it absorbs poop smells better and crystal upstairs because it absorbs pee and its smell better. I change the litter about once every month or so, but I do have 2 trays upstairs. Tybbe tends to pee on my clean laundry when he thinks I should clean the tray. It's a very good indicator...
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Post by Moose on Sept 8, 2014 21:41:03 GMT
My two - well it was Pip and Merry at the time - did not care much for the crystal stuff either. Pip will crap on the floor if he thinks that the litter is not fresh enough
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