What type of litter box do you use?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-23-2002
What type of litter box do you use?
33
Fri, 07-16-2004 - 12:36am
I was just curious what kind of litter boxes everyone prefers. Do you use the standard kind, the high sided kind, one with a cover, or one of those automatic cleaning kinds?

We had a high sided one (with the lid removed) for Misha. I wanted to see if her blood was still in the urine, which is hard to do with clumping litter, and yet she obliged me by urinating standing up....and it going over the side of the box tonight. I can't be upset (it got on some of her toy mice....darn!), and I'm actually glad because when I cleaned it up I could see normal urine....NO BLOOD! I am so happy the antibiotics seem to be working! YIPPEE!!!

Dh is bugging me to put the lid on the box now so she can't go over the side. I'm not real thrilled with lids....sigh.

I look forward to hearing your litter box stories...(.giggle! ) and why you use a particular type of box and you can even mention the litter you prefer. I love suggestions.

Off to sleep at last....

Suzy


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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Sun, 07-18-2004 - 9:31am
glad she feels well enough to run around all the time! Busy,party today! You should pop over to pet homepages,it is so fun there and it is all people from diff. boards and someone can make you a neat siggy if you post!!Just click pet message board at the top here and then click homepage from the list that will come up or I will email the link

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2004
Sun, 07-18-2004 - 5:32pm
Oh boy, I could write an essay on this probably :)

We use mostly underbed storage containers that are slightly higher than normal ones. Keeps the litter in pretty well when some cats want to dig to China, and they are large enough for Mina who MUST have a big box. Plus, they are pretty cheap (esp after Christmas) and I believe in replacing the litterboxes every 6-9 months - plastic scratches and holds germs and scents even with good cleaning.

My CH cats use the same type of storage bins, but we cut one end down low on all the boxes, so they can easily get in. They don't have the typical problems with always getting in a box, but they can't get in over high sides. One reason we've considered on why they don't have the box problem is they always have options on a box to get into, instead of just one. The only problem with the low side is that our cats who dig to China do knock more litter out of the box - but oh well. Weebie will only pee in a small round litter box that has a cover, don't know why. No one else will go near the box, it's too small to them.

Foster kittens here, under the age of 8 weeks old, use a small pan from a restraurant supply store with standard clay litter. The RH foster semi-feral kittens are still using that box, since they've not figured out a proper box yet.

Ok, and now for my opinions on litter boxes :)

Standard boxes tend to be too small for most cats. My cats would be offended by anything smaller than the "jumbo" size - and Mina would probably be offended anyways. Cats who don't like their litter box will pee outside of the box...

High sided boxes get my approval for the ability to keep litter in - BUT once again, most are too small and elderly cats or cats with mobility problems may not be able to get into the box.

Covers are horrid. Most cats don't like them. I've not yet figured out why Weeble does like a covered box, but with 9 other cats in full run of the house, no other cat will even go in that box. Covers keep the odor in the box and make it too easy to not properly clean the box. If you won't stick your head in a covered box, don't expect your cat to use one.

Automatic cleaning boxes - if your cat will use them, they are ok. The only thing then is you can't monitor urine output or how the cats feces are, both of which are sometimes early clues to illness. Some cats won't use those boxes. I also think they are too small, at least for my cats, and I can't see spending that kind of money to replace it in 6 months.

Litter type :)

I use a corncob type clumping litter. I like it, it doesn't get as gummy as clay clumping when the cats with CRF here decide to all pee in one corner of a box. Otherwise, any plain basic clay clumping litter is fine here also. My cats won't go near pelleted litters (and I can't think of any cat who does actually) and the crystals a) get goocky with urine, b) are incredibly light weight - as in a 12 lb cat hitting the edge of the box to get in or out can tip the box over, and c) they have a funky texture. If your cat is picky on texture, that's not a good thing. Oh yeah, and from what I've heard, they don't have great odor control.

Standard basic clay litter is for the kittens who still may eat litter. Otherwise, it's too expensive to completely dump the box every day. Kittens can and will use a small box - my adults wouldn't fit their butts in the box :)

So, there ya go :) It's an essay :)

Breena

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-23-2002
Sun, 07-18-2004 - 11:31pm
Breena, you get a gold star for this very helpful, informative essay! Giggle. I really, really appreciated your feedback. I agree (and from what I've read tonight from Pam's Think Like a Cat book, she does too) it isn't a good idea to put covers on boxes. I will have to tell my dh this info to convince him. I think it's important to make the boxes large enough for the cat(s) using it to be comfortable. It's no big deal to me if I have to pick up litter that falls over the sides. I love your expression of cat's "digging to China"! That's well put! ;-)

Your kitties are very lucky to have a furmom as thoughtful as you!

Have a good night,

Suzy


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