Do you have a really long handled scooper (I had to order mine online)? Do you have one or two boxes? What kind of litter are you using?

I have three cats and one of the electronic litter boxes that "sweeps" the litter into a plastic box at the end of it. It lifts the lid, deposits the poop and lowers the lid again. All I have to do is empty the box when it is full. If it ceased working, I would be out buying another one before this one hit the trash.

One suggestion I will make is that you buy quality dry food for your cats. I used to think it was hype put out by the catfood companies, but not anymore - if you buy good food that doesn't have all the fillers, etc., your cats don't need to consume as much to get what they need, and therefore, poop less as well.

No, I don't have a really long handled scooper. Where do I get one? I have one box. I am using Tidy Cats multiple cats scoopable litter. I also use a liner which my geniuses enjoy shredding into fascinating patterns.
thanks for the fast response!

I have tried the automatic scooper. That is awesome that it works for you donna. I found it grosser than scooping for some reason. Those liners never really worked for me either.

I used to have 4 boxes for four cats. they say that a box per cat is the way to go. I am only using two right now though. I find the largest kind with the highest sides work best so that they can't tip it over. I also buy double the amount of boxes so that if it is time to wash out and I don't have time I can make the switch and then clean them out on the weekend. I used to use the crystals. they were fabulous for smell, but not so good for the kitties to breathe in I think. Now I use the worlds best cat litter which some people like and some don't. Arm and Hammer makes a powder you can sprinkle in that makes it smell better too.

I scoop twice a day in to individual plastic bags from the grocery store, in the morning and in the evening.

the scoop with the longer handle is linked below.

Here is a link that might be useful: scooper

PS. Out of the four cats I have, one is a dainty little siamese cat. Her name is Saide, but I call her Sadiepoopsalot. It is for a reason. Phew she poops more and stinkier than any of the others and she is a little bitty thing. I cant imagine what it would be like with big ones. I think the more you scoop the less of a burden it will be, but I am out during the day so I can only do it a couple of times a day.

I was using Chicken Soup for the Kitten's Soul but it gave them the "runs" (they are now over a year old). I am told that Nutra is a good next choice? Any suggestions?

I've been using the Clevercat litterbox to keep my cat from trailing litter - it's a top entry covered box.

We have 3 male neutered cats. 2 are indoor/outdoor and potty outside most times. Just the teenage who mainly uses the box the other two may use it at night because all 3 are inside after dark. We use a large box with a lid - a little privacy from the dogs, and keeps litter from getting all over the place. I started placing a little hand towel outside the box so feet get the litter off them somewhat when exiting the box. Hand towel only used for the cat litter. I don't care for Tidy Cat litter. Also scoop all the time. Change box 2x per week (we have a major pooper as well) and the food thing is a good point. I will try the Nutro. We use the arm & hammer product under the liner and then sprinkle inside the liner, under the litter. Use two liners so they don't get ripped from the clawing. Its not my favorite thing to do but ours doesn't smell.

Hey thanks again!
I checked out the clevercat box and made one just like it myself (saved $20.00). I got a positive response immediately despite the fact that the first time the male jumped in he fell over onto his head and kind of rolled around like the goof he is. It takes some getting used to. I will get that long-handled scooper and I think I am set!

I use the Omega Paw litter boxes. I have 3 cats and 2 boxes. Never ever ever again will I have a box that I need to scoop. It's covered - be sure to get the large size. There's a drawer on the side. You roll the box, tap on the bottom, roll back and pull out the drawer and empty. I've found that the covers really help.

I read on another thread that some people put a outdoor type rug,either the rough type or one thatlooks like grass outside of the litter box to help collect the litter. I have a good friend who uses the plug-in room freshener, and scented drying sheets around her litter box to eliminate odor. Another good idea, I thought!! LOL!!

I have 4 cats and also LOVE my littermaid automatic litter box. We had one and it got ruined (water overflowed from a utility sink and shorted it out) and I immediately bought another one (about $80 from Wal-Mart).

I also have two of the kind that you roll on the side and slide the clumps out and one "regular" box with a cover on it.

All 4 cats use the 4 boxes interchangeably.

Its my daughter's responsibility to scoop/dump each one every night.

We have 10 cats and zero odor. We use the cheapest cat litter. (cats pride from walmart). All of our seven cat boxes are ventilated. We also use disposable aluminum trays instead of a cat litter tray. We mostly use rubbermaid bins turned over with a cut out. We use the LitterVent product.(litterVent.com). We change all our tays once a week. (we pay our neighbor).

Here is a link that might be useful: LitterVent

I would also say Tidy cats isnt that great. It does nothing for the smell. I have started using those CRYSTALS,which at most places can be expensive,but walmart sells a cheaper version called mimi that is like 4 bucks.

The crystals really work great for the urine odor.My cat goes pee more than poop so it is good for that.
What kind of food do you use? Because wet food definitely adds to the situation if they poop alot,and makes it stinkier.
I just have to say,it is never a fun exprience,LOL.
I even bought one of those mats that's supposed to help keep the litter from getting all over the floor,and a domed litter box~and somehow my cat still manages to get the litter everywhere! He gets in there and acts like he's digging to China!
If I were you I'd try the automatic litter cleaner.My cat is a chicken though and wouldnt go near it!

Jerrycic, Your post is spam. Advertising in these forums is prohibited. If you would like to place an ad on Gardenweb, pay for it like the other advertisers do.

Hi--just popped in from the kitchens forum!

If I can recommend a litter without anyone thinking I've any affiliation with its company--we use "Everclean" litter (ES?--the one for multiple cats, unscented). It seems to work the best in our opinion, at preventing litterbox odors (unless one of our two cats has just that moment pooped). When the first Petco opened near us years ago, we tried switching to their brand (Petgold?)--much cheaper, and you could refill your container at an even lower price. Unfortunately, it did nothing to prevent cat pee smell from emanating from the box, which we'd never experienced before. Then, a few years ago, we tried Tidy Cats Crystals Blend at a friend's recommendation, but it didn't seem to work as well at preventing odors as the Everclean, so again, we switched back to that.

FWIW, we try to stock up on it when they have those special bonus size boxes (get an extra ___lbs free).

We generally scoop the litter box (a covered Booda Dome) twice a day (or, if I'm using the room where we keep the box, and one of the cats has just pooped, I'll scoop out the poop right then and there!). We dump all the litter out, and clean the box inside and out with Clorox and water once every one to two months. Since the cats are indoor cats, and aren't exposed to worms, etc, and since we scoop out the box twice daily, it stays pretty clean between emptying out/washings (we add more litter as needed in-between as well).

I put the lid of a sterlite box on the bottom of my box and any litter kicked out goes there. Since the box is high very little is. In the basement I just have 6 regular boxes and all get scooped every day..The one big one upstairs gets scrubbed every 6 ,7 days. I use practically every kind of litter from Fresh step to Tidy cats to generic..

My two litter boxes are in a hall closet (a "coat closet" with two folding doors; one is just left open a bit), so I don't have to see the litter boxes, but they're easily accessible for cleaning.

You might want to get another litter box. Even if your cats are fine with using just one litter box, cleaning one box filled with the urine of two cats can be a pain. You often end up with one or two huge clumps of urine, instead of manageable individual clumps. It's much easier to scoop the latter.

Since mine are in the closet, I just vacuum the closet once a week. I don't care if there's a little litter tracked on the floor in there, since I don't walk on it. Maybe I'm lazy or gross, but I have bigger fish to fry. If your cats are tracking litter in an area you need to walk (or just aren't as slovenly as I am, lol), there are a number of solutions available for the DIYer or someone willing to spend a few bucks online. Most of them are trunk-like things that just contain the tracked litter inside the whole contraption, but don't actually keep it in the individual litter pan. I consider my closet a larger, built-in version of one of these. :)

There are a lot of choices in litter, but I find myself using the Arm & Hammer Multi-cat, and I have just started using Feline Fresh in one of the boxes. I really like Feline Pine for the ferret's litter box, and there is no odor. I don't want to deal with the pellets, so I bought the Feline Fresh, since my local store didn't have any of the Feline Pine Clumpable. I also add Nature's Miracle litter treatment to the box whenever I change it out. It makes a difference.

Having used several different automatic litter boxes over the past few years, I have to admit I hate the things. There is one, the Litter Robot, that I'm interested in trying, but I absolutely despised every model of Litter Maid I ever used.

You may also want to check out The Cat Site (www.thecatsite.com) for additional info on litter box management. You don't have to register to search or read the forums, and there are a ton of discussions about this. If it has to do with cats, it has been discussed ad nauseum over there. As it is a more specialized site, you will find tons of solutions/suggestions.

I used to use the silica crystals until I learned it was a health hazard for the kitties and me. Should have known it was too good to be true, what with no liquid mess and fossilized poo - cleanup was a breeze!! *sigh*

I've been using Feline Pine now for several years and love it! The kitties and I have never had any issues with the pellets and I have yet to try the clumping variety. All I know is it's relatively inexpensive, obtainable at various WalMarts and Targets around town (not just specialty pet stores), good for the kitties, good for the environment, and the pine keeps the odor away quite nicely on it's own. It says you can use the... leftovers... as mulch or compost, though I have yet to test that one out myself - mostly because I'm bad at the gardening thing. As for tracking, I get a little sawdust right outside the box, but since I used a hooded one, there's only one small area that's easily kept up. And it doesn't track more than an inch or two past the opening, so it's been good all around so far.

It doesn't look like you can use the stuff with an automatic litter box, which is something I've been looking into lately. I guess I'll have to find a new alternative litter whenever I make the switch. I really hate clay litters, that stuff tracks everywhere. Plus I'm trying to be more environmentally conscious and I like the idea of using natural byproducts and recycled products for something you're just going to have cats poop on and toss away. I've always wondered how those newspaper pellets and dried orange peels and wheat husks have been working for other people. I hear you can use some of the corncob litters in the automatic boxes, but for now the kitties are happy with the pine.

Speaking of which, anyone have any other thoughts on the automatic litterboxes? I'll need a mega/jumbo sized one for a 2 cat household complete with one overgrown kitty who likes to pee standing up with both front paws firmly planted on a side wall or doorway... tipping over any undersized litterboxes in the process. I'll try looking them up the Cat Site you recommended, but any info here would be good too!!

We have 3 males. 2 outdoor all day (usually unless laying on the bed:). Also, they do not potty in the house.

The inside male uses a litter box. He is a huge long hair tuxedo. DH set up a small plastic dog house with a really large box inside. He has sufficient room to move around without getting litter in his coat, etc. We scoop every day, twice a day if need be. It is a pain, but if you keep a box, you have to keep it clean. We just started using the scoopable Fresh Step. Jury is still out on that product for me. The box is totally changed at the very least 1 time per week. I think you have to keep the cat box in pristine condition not only in order that your house doesn't smell, but so the cat won't stop using it. I have been in people's homes where the cat box in the downstairs powder room is full, so it can't be that they just didn't scoop that day. No wonder there are cats peeing outside of their boxes. If my owner didn't keep my box clean, I'd do likewise!

I have stayed away from the automatic boxes as I am afraid to scare the inside cat - easily spooked. If he stopped using the box, I'd shoot myself.

Best advice - no matter what product or box, keep it clean all of the time. Also, I think a big mistake a lot of people make is putting the box in the basement because it is out of the way. Well, it is also far enough away for you to easily forget to scoop for a day or two since the smell isn't knocking you over...

I have found that most enjoyable way to clean the litter box is to have my husband do it!

I use Nature's Miracle clumping cat litter. I haven't found anything that comes close to it. Scoop up the clumps at least 3x a day. Really eliminates odors and lasts a long time. Litter looks like new after removing clumps. One bag, 10 lbs for 10.99, lasts a full month.

I have two cats. One has renal failure and urinates a LOT. I use Ever Clean litter and scoop the box once a day, sometimes twice. I have not had to do a complete change of litter since May. I just scoop and add more. This stuff really works!

Since May??? On Ever Clean's site, they say to totally replace the litter once a month.

Read my post. I scoop once or twice a day, and I scraope down to the bottom, as well as the sides. And I add huge amounts of Ever Clean to the box every day.It has remained clean and good-smelling ever since May.