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Thinking inside the box: Saturday litter thoughts
By Gina Spadafori
November 22, 2008
Saturdays are the day when I do the really big pet chores — the big clean for the litter area, hen house, parrot cage and more. When Ilario arrived last spring as a kitten, it became quickly clear that I would need to follow the “one box per cat, plus one box extra” rule, since Clara wasn’t happy with sharing.
No room in the spare bathroom for multiple boxes, so the kitty bathroom moved into the garage (better for my allergies anyway). A friend came over and installed a cat door into the attached garage. I then put down some channel mats to catch the bits invariably tracked out of the box and set out three large boxes, which I kept filled with my favorite litter, World’s Best.
There are automatic litter boxes on the market, of course, but I just couldn’t justify them at the price, which is so high for the top-end automatics that one of the sales guys at a trade show insisted that I refer to the product as a “litter appliance” to make the price seem more reasonable.
It didn’t work. Every time I’d get sent one to test, I’d end up donating it to the local feline rescue for use or sale. The darn things just haven’t worked well enough for the price to my mind.
But then, the Scoop Free came in for testing last year. It’s relatively cheap — $140 or so for the basic model with a starter cartridge — has worked well from the start and has never quit on me.
The problem? The replacement litter cartridges are expensive ($15 each) and wasteful from an environmental standpoint. To add to the problem: The cardboard trays leak. Ugh.
After reading up on the problem on some feline Web sites, I quickly found the fix: A permanent PVC tray that can be cleaned and re-used, a greener option that saves money, too, because you can buy litter in bulk.
Most crystal litters won’t work with the Scoop-Free — big surprise there, since they want you to buy their brand. The Fresh Step crystals used in the refill cartridges can be hard to find in bulk — again, big surprise, since they want you to buy the overpriced refill trays.
After nosing around, though, I found I could usually find bulk Fresh Step Crystals at Target, and when I see them there, I buy three or four of the eight-pound bags just to save time. I’ve also used Precious Kitty Long-Haired and Purina’s Tidy Cat Crystals in a pinch, albeit with less than ideal results since they’re not sized exactly right for the Scoop Free’s rakes.
And what about those permanent trays, available as an after-market upgrade? They’re home made by an ingenious cat-lover as a side business. His Forever Litter Trays are usually available on eBay — just search for them by name. Buy two and rotate, so you’ll always have a clean, dry tray to trade out. (Update: According to the packing slip on mine, you can also e-mail him.)
With the permanent trays, I couldn’t be happier with the Scoop Free, and neither could the cats.
Next week I’ll be replacing two regular litter pans with the new Microban boxes from Petmate. I’ve been meaning to try these for a long time, and since my old boxes are now scratched up and retaining odor, now’s a perfect time for new product trial.
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Are the crystal type litters environmentally ok like the wheat and pellets or do they involve nasty mining like the standard clay kind? Trying to be consistent in my eco-grooviness.
Comment by Susan Fox — November 22, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
All cat litters have issues. Even corn litter like World’s Best, since the corn-based Midwest economy depends of fossil fuels.
Here’s some information on crystals:
“Silica gel litter is made from silica dioxide sand (the same material found in quartz), oxygen and water. The gel contains millions of tiny pores that can absorb up to 40 times their weight in moisture. It comes in spheres (also called “pearls”), half spheres and crystal shapes. Some manufacturers add dyes and scents, so you want to watch out for, and avoid, those.
Manufacturers claim the “pearls” to be nontoxic and bacteria resistant. While it is initially more expensive than other type of litter, it is it actually more cost-effective and labor-saving. Because the silica gel absorbs and holds moisture inside the balls, the same litter can be used odor-free up to a month for one cat without changing the material (the only maintenance needed is to remove the poop). “
There is no eco-pure cat option, not even the “natural” one, alas. In California, run-off into the sewer system from the waste of outdoor cats has been traced to toxoplasmosis kills in sea otters.
So … you’re looking at doing the best you can and avoiding the worst eco-disastrous litters. (Strip-mined clays.) And, of course, there’s the problem that if you use something like recycled paper and your cat doesn’t like it, you’re sunk.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 22, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
Geez, it seems like the “labor-saving” gadgets — aren’t.
I don’t find it that troublesome to just scoop.
Just wish the “barn kittens” would be better about burying.
Their “house box” is in the enclosed front porch, and if they’ve been using it and neglected that last step, one is greeted by an aroma when coming into the house.
And they are spending nights in the house now, as I haven’t found a heated bed for their use in the barn that I like/trust/think is reasonably priced (any suggestions? don’t wanna burn down my oak and chestnut barn), it’s bloody cold this week, and the mice have likewise moved indoors.
I’ve tried putting them downstairs with Dave the Trollcat, so maybe he can teach them to bury by example. I don’t think it’s working. I think Dave gets disgusted and buries it after them.
They are growing into good mousers.
Comment by H. Houlahan — November 22, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
I thought burying in cats was related to dominance — the ones that are the most dominent keep the poop on top so that their smell tells the others who is boss. When the Queen of the Universe was with us, you can believe that SHE never buried her poop, while her sister and Lindsey both believe(d) in trying to dig through the bottom of the tray.
None of my cats have ever liked the crystals. We tried to get Lindsey to become more “green” but he likes his clay-based litter and with his digestive issues post-pet-food-recall and his age, we’re just redoubling our efforts in other areas and vowing that the next kitties will never know what clay is.
Comment by Dorene — November 22, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
We are doing really well with the hooded litter pan. Lots of room for the Persians, and some protection against “flying” litter. And I don’t mind scooping it myself.
One of the cats doesn’t cover hers up usually though. It seems that she goes and then runs, ‘cause she can’t stand the smell. LOL!
Comment by Marcy — November 22, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
I use a plain, oval shaped litter box for my cat. My apartment’s small, though, and I didn’t have room in the bathroom, so I built a cabinet to hold the box in the living room. It also acts as a place to keep my cat’s food so the dogs don’t eat it. If you scoop the box regularly, there’s no smell. Most guests just think the cabinet is there to hold our fish tank.
If anyone is interested, I made the one on Ikea Hacker:
http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com.....0furniture
It cost me around $80 to make, like the site says, but it was definitely worth it!
Comment by Tara — November 23, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
Oops, I put the wrong link in last time! That’s the the “pet furniture” tag. The cabinet itself is here: http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com.....binet.html
Comment by Tara — November 23, 2008 @ 6:23 pm