Okay, I've been hearing about this a lot lately and it both intrigues and disturbs me. Has anyone tried it? Does it clump? How are the clumps (actually scoopable or just a big mushy mess)? How is the odor control?
I've been searching for litter alternatives for awhile now, since the dust of normal litter (even "dust free" ones) is really bothering my allergies and making my cats sneeze, a lot. Plus the fragrances in some of these litters are worse than the dust even. And having 2 cats that really like to pee a lot, the amount of money we spend on litter is ridiculous.
Chicken feed would be a much cheaper and healthier alternative, but with the way my cats pee, good clumping is imperative. I'm just afraid to go buy a bag of chicken feed then have to throw it all away if it doesn't work well. Especially since there isn't a big chicken farming business here in LA that I could even donate to.
Thank you for any help you all can offer, it is GREATLY appreciated!
2007-02-18 14:25:44 · 10 answers · asked by jpiglet86 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Tidy Cat Scoop Crystal Blend.
its virtually dust free.
it clumps HARD.
Its a bit more expensive than any other litter I have found, but It scoops so well that it cut my litter replacement rate by over 50%.
If any cat litter will work to avoid your allergies, that's it.
If that fails, try playground grade sand. It won't clump, but it won't have the stuff in it that is causing the allergic reaction. Use the plastic kitty pan liners and line that with heavy "Kraft paper" (to cut down on the holes scraped through the plastic pan liner) then put the sand in. don't scoop, just toss sand, liner, paper and all.
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The electric sort-of-automatic litter boxes are a waste of time and money. They are a trap. you have to buy the disposal trays to go with them. They still have to be manually cleaned because the litter gets stuck to the bottom and the motor won't dislodge it. (the Tidy Cats Crystal Blend sticks to the bottom less than any other litter I have tried...)
When the disposal tray is full, if you haven't been watching for it, the thing just scoops the poo and clumps right onto the floor. With 2 cats... that's appx every day and a half that the tray has to be changed out.
2007-02-25 23:58:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chicken feed would not work --Trust me, I have both chickens and cats. It would not clump right and would soon become a mushy mess -- because that's what happens when I moisten it to feed to baby chicks. It would also get mouldy (not good for allergies), probably become a breeding ground for bugs. And your cat would want to eat it!
I use a cheap clumping litter I get at the feed store -- a generic kind that's cheaper than what is in the grocery and is fragrance-free (my wife is allergic to perfumes). I have also used sawdust from the local sawmill, although the cats tend to track it around and it needs changing often (but it does compost well.) Plain old dirt will also work.
2007-02-21 05:06:25 · answer #2 · answered by not_mn_nice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a litter maid, litter box. They are automatic. A few minutes after the cat leaves the box a scoop is drawn through the litter and the waste is deposited in a receptacle. It's hands free, the litter box is always clean and you don't have the worry about the dust. Last time I saw one was at Wal Mart. They are also available on line. They are a little pricey but well worth it.
OR you could teach your cat to use the toilet, that eliminates everything.
2007-02-24 11:03:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you know i never tried that ,, and this isn't right on for the question you asked but i found that cedar chips work amazingly and my cat loves it as litter and made a world of difference on the odor of cat pans, and u can but a large block of it for 5.00 and it only takes a lil and it last longer in between changes with less odor,,, amazing stuff try it i believe you will find its much better then those expense can auto dump pans or expensive litter that really only smells good the first day .
2007-02-25 11:18:58 · answer #4 · answered by mala 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think chicken feed is your answer. I personally use a scoopable litter because I prefer it to one I have to change all the time. If your looking for something to save money, you can use newspapers torn in strips and put in a litter box. As a Vet Tech we used newspaper in all of our cat boxes.
2007-02-23 12:53:43 · answer #5 · answered by kattsmeow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
id just try using different clump litters til you find the right one. They are usually dusty but if your cat burys thier stuff and there isnt any dust then thats great! good luck
2007-02-20 16:42:55 · answer #6 · answered by Tabbitatt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If dust is an issue, maybe you could try potting soil. I know cats love to dig in my flower pots, so potting soil could be a good alternative. I guess it probably doesn't clump, unfortunately. Or how about sand?
2007-02-19 01:37:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the Tidy Cats Crystal Blend. There are no perfumes and it tends to soak up the urine fairly well. Good luck!
2007-02-26 00:31:19 · answer #8 · answered by Janet M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't use chicken feed, and if you have heard of using recyclable cat litter that you can flush down the toilet... DONT its a disaster.
2007-02-23 22:32:55 · answer #9 · answered by Gabbagirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
kitty pearls you buy at bilo there is NO DUST OR DIRT
AND WORKS BETTER THAN ANYTHING
2007-02-25 04:29:45 · answer #10 · answered by just wandering 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋