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Groves
06-02-2014, 06:18 PM
I had all manner of dogs and cats growing up.

I wasn't put in charge of them, didn't know the incredible mess they made.

fast forward to adulthood.

For my wife who has been ill for over a decade, I gladly keep a few indoor cats.

Now,

I'm not excited about the lack of progress in cat litter & litterbox technology. We can put a man on the moon...yadda yadda yadda.

I seek the vast accumulated knowledge of the planet.

We buy the clumping litter from Sam's.

Is THAT as good as it gets?! Hoochie-mamma, I might go with animatronic cat substitutes for as long as I can get away with it.


Pour forth the wisdom of the ages.

What do you buy? Where? I'd prefer magical stuff, but I'll settle for "works awesome".

Would love "no stink & easy to deal with". Dream on?

mlyonsd
06-02-2014, 06:27 PM
Go back to the clay stuff. It'll make appreciate what you currently buy.

And no, I don't have a better solution.

Deberg_1990
06-02-2014, 06:31 PM
Get rid of all pets. Problem solved
Posted via Mobile Device

Predarat
06-02-2014, 06:43 PM
Either antifreeze or feed them raw beef. After a month leave only enough for 1 cat. They will fight each other to death until there is only 1 cat to deal with. Not sure what to do with the last cat though.

DaFace
06-02-2014, 06:46 PM
You're gonna have to clarify what your complaints are if you're actually wanting someone to recommend something better.

Katipan
06-02-2014, 06:49 PM
http://www.citikitty.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/homepage-2014-cnbc-2.jpg

Groves
06-02-2014, 06:55 PM
You're gonna have to clarify what your complaints are if you're actually wanting someone to recommend something better.

It smells like cat-poop, even though we clean it every day.

seclark
06-02-2014, 07:00 PM
you completely sure it's the cats?
sec

DaFace
06-02-2014, 07:00 PM
It smells like cat-poop, even though we clean it every day.

We've used Fresh Step cat litter for years, and it seems to do a decent enough job. I only scoop ours every 3-4 days (two cats), and it never seems to be too aromatic.

If that doesn't work, you could always go with a self-cleaning litter box. LitterMaid is the name brand, but there are some others on Amazon with good reviews.

ILChief
06-02-2014, 07:09 PM
Had the same problem. Put the cat outside, problem solved

Chief Roundup
06-02-2014, 07:10 PM
If it has recently gotten worse one or more of your cats may have an infection somewhere in the urinary process that is making the urine stronger smelling than normal.

Rain Man
06-02-2014, 07:40 PM
I always considered it an honor to clean my cats' litter boxes. It was the least I could do for them.

Shogun
06-02-2014, 08:13 PM
http://www.citikitty.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/homepage-2014-cnbc-2.jpg

This can actually be done. Takes a few months and patience. Totally worth it though

hometeam
06-02-2014, 08:20 PM
http://www.citikitty.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/homepage-2014-cnbc-2.jpg

this is the real honest to god answer to your problems.

jd1020
06-02-2014, 08:45 PM
This is the stuff I use

http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Cat-Premium-Clumping-Litter/dp/B0009X29WK

That doesnt have a scent, but they make one that does have a scent. I switched to this just because I got tired of all the dust that came with Tidy Cat litter.

CoMoChief
06-02-2014, 08:47 PM
Cats are terrible pets.....take 'em out back and shoot 'em

jd1020
06-02-2014, 08:47 PM
This can actually be done. Takes a few months and patience. Totally worth it though

I had one cat that literally started using the toilet all on its own. One day I heard something going to the bathroom and there was my cat perched up on the toilet just like the cat in that picture.

Eureka
06-02-2014, 08:50 PM
http://www.citikitty.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/homepage-2014-cnbc-2.jpg

I had a Siamese cat that I trained to use the toilet using the same product, but it didn't last for long. He eventually just went outside somewhere else and the litter box problem the OP has just went away!

Litter box - toilet traing - outside! Problem solved.

Buck
06-02-2014, 08:51 PM
This is the stuff I use



http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Cat-Premium-Clumping-Litter/dp/B0009X29WK



That doesnt have a scent, but they make one that does have a scent. I switched to this just because I got tired of all the dust that came with Tidy Cat litter.


I use this too and recommend it.

DaFace
06-02-2014, 09:04 PM
I use this too and recommend it.

I'll never cease to be amazed that Amazon can ship a 40-lb bag for free, but I'll give this a try.

Just Passin' By
06-02-2014, 09:06 PM
http://www.citikitty.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/homepage-2014-cnbc-2.jpg

No way you should buy something that means you have to wait for your cat to finish using your bathroom. What if he decides he wants to read while he's in there?

gblowfish
06-02-2014, 09:08 PM
http://www.citikitty.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/homepage-2014-cnbc-2.jpg

The only problem with this system is, if the cat starts reading the paper in the morning, he'll make you late for work.

Frosty
06-02-2014, 09:54 PM
We had a problem with our cats and the litterbox. Our male liked to perch on the edge and would get pee outside the box. The cats didn't like any of the covered litterboxes (too small) so I made my own set up to contain stray cat pee and litter.

http://i61.tinypic.com/20obbq.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/of7c78.jpg

The gray tub is the largest one WalMart sells and the white tub is the largest of the 5" tall tubs they sell. It fits inside the gray tub perfectly. The screen is just made with some scrap 2x2s and some metal mesh (watch for sharp edges).

This really works to contain the mess. I've considered cutting the lid for the gray tub in two and putting half of it over the litterbox since they sometimes jump straight from the litterbox to the toilet but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

We just use the plain clay clumping litter. We buy it from the feed store for about $11 for 50 lbs.

Deberg_1990
06-02-2014, 09:56 PM
The worst litter box offenders are rabbits. If you've ever had one who was trained to use the litter box.

IratePrimate
06-02-2014, 10:11 PM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000QSK4ZM?pc_redir=1401632728&robot_redir=1

Best stuff because you can just flush it down your toilet. Its natural and won't clog your pipes, just scoop and flush.

IratePrimate
06-02-2014, 10:14 PM
If you want to get real fancy get a liter robot.http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WCoUI_21vdI

KChiefer
06-02-2014, 10:22 PM
Make them outdoor cats so they can shit in the neighbors' flower garden. They'll bring you mice and rabbits and stuff too.

88TG88
06-02-2014, 10:22 PM
Cats are terrible pets.....take 'em out back and shoot 'em

/thread

Why Not?
06-02-2014, 10:27 PM
Get a dog. House train it.

Winning

Eleazar
06-02-2014, 10:32 PM
http://www.citikitty.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/homepage-2014-cnbc-2.jpg

Yeah, but will he flush? It would really irritate me if he was always forgetting to flush.

aturnis
06-02-2014, 10:37 PM
Get this. Hooks to the toilet, flushes all your cats waste. No cleaning necessary.

http://www.robotshop.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/800x800/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/e/petnovations-catgenie-120-self-flushing-washing-cat-box-tabby.jpg

http://www.robotshop.com/en/petnovations-catgenie-120-self-flushing-washing-cat-box-tabby.html

DRU
06-02-2014, 10:41 PM
I second the Fresh Step. I've been using it for years with two cats. They both like it (which is the most important thing, and there are some litters cats don't like.)

I have an attached garage and I put a cat door on the door from from the garage into the house, so the cats can get in and out of the garage as they please. I have the litter box out there, so the smell is never in the house at all.

As for the smell, I too used to go 2 - 3 days (sometimes longer) before changing the litter. This only things makes things worse for you and the cats, though, and eventually they will start to tell you they don't like it by pissing all over the house, which you definitely do not want.

Finally, after a few years, I learned that I just need to clean the box a lot more often. As of the past year or so, I've been cleaning it out every single time I feed them. That has now just become part of the feeding routine. While they eat I clean the box so it's ready when they're done.

Not only does this keep them going to the box and using it consistently, but it also takes about 20 seconds (2 or 3 quick scoops) to have it clean and ready to go. It doesn't smell, either, because the litter does a great job of absorbing it when there isn't much in the box. When you let it sit 2 or 3 days you end up with clumped up goo that you can't easily scoop, and then it can take you 5 - 10 min or longer to get that thing back in order, and it's not pleasant of course.

So again, just commit to doing it more often. Make it part of the feeding routine or some specific time every single day (multiple times per day is even better) that you'll make sure to clean it and it'll be better for all involved.

DRU
06-02-2014, 10:44 PM
Those robo-litter boxes are pretty sweet, and some of them actually do work very well...if your cat will allow it.

I have 2 cats. One couldn't care less about that thing moving around and making noise when he hops out of it. The other one is a very skittish cat in general, and he used it once and never went near it again, which of course is not a good thing.

So that's up to the cat. If the cat is curious and open to new toys and wants to be involved with things happening in the house then one would probably work very well, but you'll still want to empty its tray every day. If the cat is scared easily then it may not work so well and you don't want to start a habit of bad experiences for the cat in the area that you have the box(es).

Jiu Jitsu Jon
06-03-2014, 03:19 AM
Yeah, but will he flush? It would really irritate me if he was always forgetting to flush.

There are a lot of people out there using public restrooms that don't flush. I think the average cat is smarter than some of the general populace.

mikeyis4dcats.
06-03-2014, 08:01 AM
when we had a cat we used the Tidy Cats Breeze system, by far the best.
http://www.petco.com/product/106008/Tidy-Cats-Breeze-Litter-Box-System.aspx?cm_mmc=CSEMGooglePLA-_-Cat-_-Tidy%20Cats-_-1152980%0A&mr:trackingCode=0AEFEB15-8381-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=52318895773&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=77171436013&gclid=CjkKEQjw5LWcBRCeh8uUlqqluN4BEiQAfr64cNtsCZbHFSYZ6q2uIJc77rtP3FNGGJknkd32LTOoYqDw_wcB

Pablo
06-03-2014, 08:27 AM
I have one cat. I use the Fresh Step Multi-Cat litter and probably clean the box out every three days or so.

Seems to do the trick. And my cat is on some prescription food that makes her shit hard as concrete, so there's never any splatter or weird poo in her box.

Iowanian
06-03-2014, 08:40 AM
I have developed the best solution.

I call it "keep the damn cats in the barn and your garage and house won't smell like cat shit" solution.

Graystoke
06-03-2014, 08:46 AM
I have developed the best solution.

I call it "keep the damn cats in the barn and your garage and house won't smell like cat shit" solution.

Ya this is the only solution. I have three cats. All outdoors. Great mousers.
Plus they love to fish. They catch Crappies all by them selves.

Iowanian
06-03-2014, 08:53 AM
I let my kids keep a few kittens in the garage for a week and it smelled like a bag of dirty assholes and they were immediately evicted. Two weeks later, with the litter box gone it still smells like cat piss. Now those ditch tigers are getting fat on cicadas and living the American cat dream with the barn obstacle course.

ptlyon
06-03-2014, 08:53 AM
Ya this is the only solution. I have three cats. All outdoors. Great mousers.
Plus they love to fish. They catch Crappies all by them selves.

Awesome. Do they clean them for you too I hope?

Graystoke
06-03-2014, 09:07 AM
Awesome. Do they clean them for you too I hope?

That would be sweet! But no. They are fishing fools! When the Crappies spawn, and are close to shore, then they hunt.
They also like hanging at the boat dock picking up a fishing rides with strangers. I will be mowing my lawn and a boat will go by with one of my cats on board and I will by like WTF these cats have the life.

sd4chiefs
06-03-2014, 09:15 AM
We had a problem with our cats and the litterbox. Our male liked to perch on the edge and would get pee outside the box. The cats didn't like any of the covered litterboxes (too small) so I made my own set up to contain stray cat pee and litter.

http://i61.tinypic.com/20obbq.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/of7c78.jpg



You are a genius. :wayne: But have you thought about putting a lid on the top to hold in the smell.

Fish
06-03-2014, 09:36 AM
You are a genius. :wayne: But have you thought about putting a lid on the top to hold in the smell.

That completely defeats the point though. You don't want to hold in the smell, as that's what makes the cat shit elsewhere. The #1 reason why a cat doesn't shit in its litterbox is because the smell is too strong. Felines have a much much better sense of smell than humans. And their urine has a high concentration of ammonia. It's why they bury their shit. If you can smell cat piss at all, then it's 50 times stronger for the cats. Litterboxes that are completely covered require even more frequent cleaning to reduce the smell enough to get the cats in there.

Frosty
06-03-2014, 09:38 AM
You are a genius. :wayne: But have you thought about putting a lid on the top to hold in the smell.

Thought about it but thought being dark and covered may deter the cats from using it. Besides, being able to see it reminds me when it's time to change it.

If kept clean, it doesn't smell except right after they've used it. You do have to pull out the white tray occasionally and clean out the litter that falls around the side (maybe 2 -3 times a year).


ETA: Fish types faster than I do.

bevischief
06-03-2014, 09:42 AM
That would be sweet! But no. They are fishing fools! When the Crappies spawn, and are close to shore, then they hunt.
They also like hanging at the boat dock picking up a fishing rides with strangers. I will be mowing my lawn and a boat will go by with one of my cats on board and I will by like WTF these cats have the life.

LMAO

ptlyon
06-03-2014, 09:47 AM
"Hey cat - git down there and fetch me some crappie for dinner. Now git!"

Fire Me Boy!
06-03-2014, 10:09 AM
That completely defeats the point though. You don't want to hold in the smell, as that's what makes the cat shit elsewhere. The #1 reason why a cat doesn't shit in its litterbox is because the smell is too strong. Felines have a much much better sense of smell than humans. And their urine has a high concentration of ammonia. It's why they bury their shit. If you can smell cat piss at all, then it's 50 times stronger for the cats. Litterboxes that are completely covered require even more frequent cleaning to reduce the smell enough to get the cats in there.


Actually, they bury to cover up their scent because you're the dominant animal, your domain (no matter how you perceive their attitude). A cat that doesn't bury is doing it to mark territory.

Fire Me Boy!
06-03-2014, 10:14 AM
Actually, they bury to cover up their scent because you're the dominant animal, your domain (no matter how you perceive their attitude). A cat that doesn't bury is doing it to mark territory.


http://m.livescience.com/33147-why-do-cats-bury-their-poop.html

The act of meticulously burying their waste stems from cats' long history of using urine and feces to mark their territory. Cat poop may all smell the same to us, but cats can tell their waste apart from another's thanks to unique chemical scent markers called pheromones, which are present in their urine and feces.

In the wild, dominant cats including those of the Panthera genus, such as lions, tigers , leopards and jaguars that are competing for territory often do not bury their excrement as a way of signaling that they want to claim a particular area. Smaller, weaker or more submissive wild cats bury their feces as a way of ensuring that dominant cats do not feel challenged.

BWillie
06-03-2014, 12:12 PM
Get a dog. House train it.

Winning

Constantly have it run your life. Can Never leave the dog alone for more than 8 hrs at a time before you have to take it outside and watch it poop.

Just Passin' By
06-03-2014, 12:13 PM
Constantly have it run your life. Can Never leave the dog alone for more than 8 hrs at a time before you have to take it outside and watch it poop.

Dog door. Problem solved.

Frosty
06-03-2014, 12:32 PM
Dog door. Problem solved.


http://www.wildlife-removal.com/images/raccoonpetdoor.jpg

Just Passin' By
06-03-2014, 12:34 PM
http://www.wildlife-removal.com/images/raccoonpetdoor.jpg

A raccoon coming into my house would be a Scooby Snack for my dogs. If you've got small dogs you don't like walking, though, you can actually train them to use a canine version of a litterbox.

Fire Me Boy!
06-03-2014, 12:34 PM
http://www.wildlife-removal.com/images/raccoonpetdoor.jpg


Yep. I also had a dog that liked to drag things outside that belonged inside.

Fire Me Boy!
06-03-2014, 12:36 PM
A raccoon coming into my house would be a Scooby Snack for my dogs. If you've got small dogs you don't like walking, though, you can actually train them to use a canine version of a litterbox.


No way. Then you have a needy, slobbery animal that's high maintenance, AND you have to clean up its poop. F that.

Frosty
06-03-2014, 12:37 PM
Yep. I also had a dog that liked to drag things outside that belonged inside.

I never wanted my dog being able to come and go at will. Otherwise, she would have taken off after every damn skunk that came around. :mad: Or tracked mud all over the house, etc.

Frosty
06-03-2014, 12:39 PM
A raccoon coming into my house would be a Scooby Snack for my dogs. If you've got small dogs you don't like walking, though, you can actually train them to use a canine version of a litterbox.

Could you imagine the mess a dog attacking a raccoon in the house would make?

Pablo
06-03-2014, 12:39 PM
Dogs are an incredible pain in the ass.

The wife insisted we get a puppy. So now we have a puppy; and while adorable and most certainly destined to be a great little buddy for a decade plus, he's annoying the ever-loving shit out of me at the moment.

The cat was so much easier. Just way, way, way easier.

Fire Me Boy!
06-03-2014, 12:40 PM
I never wanted my dog being able to come and go at will. Otherwise, she would have taken off after every damn skunk that came around. :mad: Or tracked mud all over the house, etc.


This was an outdoor dog whose "dog house" was my garage. He had free reign of the back yard and garage.

He was also 120-pound Great Pyr, so if he wanted something outside that didn't quite fit through the dog door, he was large enough and strong enough to generally make it happen.

Just Passin' By
06-03-2014, 12:40 PM
No way. Then you have a needy, slobbery animal that's high maintenance, AND you have to clean up its poop. F that.

WTF kind of dogs have you dealt with? Small dogs don't tend to slobber, and dogs are low maintenance pets if you set up a bathroom situation that works for you.

alnorth
06-03-2014, 12:43 PM
This is really not hard. If you have indoor cats, getting the clumping litter and making sure you have enough litter boxes all helps, but you MUST scoop it at least every 2 or 3 days. Every day is better, but you can not let it go past a few days unless you are on some long vacation.

There is no shortcut, if you don't want your house to smell, then you must keep that cat box clean. This goes right up there with needing to feed them every day and make sure they have water as a mandatory requirement for indoor cats. If you fail to clean the litter box often enough, then your house will smell like cat ass, and there's no way to prevent that other than just getting used to keeping it clean.

Just Passin' By
06-03-2014, 12:44 PM
Could you imagine the mess a dog attacking a raccoon in the house would make?

I can't imagine a raccoon ever being stupid enough to try entering my home. When it comes to dogs, I almost always have at least one of the giants (i.e. St. Bernard/Great Dane/Mastiff), and my dogs go out both during the day and at night, so the local animals would know better.

I'd be willing to pick up the raccoon pieces if I got to watch what happened to it if one did try coming inside, though.

Fire Me Boy!
06-03-2014, 12:44 PM
WTF kind of dogs have you dealt with? Small dogs don't tend to slobber, and dogs are low maintenance pets if you set up a bathroom situation that works for you.


I had for a few months a lab/German Shepherd, but she simply would not leave the old cat alone (had the cat for 11 years before the dog came along... We were more attached to her than the dog, so we found the dog a nice home with some friends that had a couple kids).

Dog before that was a 120-pound Great Pyrenees.

Just Passin' By
06-03-2014, 12:58 PM
I had for a few months a lab/German Shepherd, but she simply would not leave the old cat alone (had the cat for 11 years before the dog came along... We were more attached to her than the dog, so we found the dog a nice home with some friends that had a couple kids).

Dog before that was a 120-pound Great Pyrenees.

A well-trained GP and you can use a (large) dog door or a swinging door. If you don't want slobber, there are all sorts of smaller dogs available.

I get the whole cat people/dog people thing, although I happen to like both. What I don't get is people seriously thinking that the other choice is somehow a bad one. Dogs are more people oriented than cats, and they can require a little more effort if you choose the wrong type for your living circumstances. Other than that, though, both will piss and shit all over the place if you don't set up an acceptable alternative. Both will trash the house if you don't teach them not to. Both will piss you off at one point or another. There's not really a right or wrong choice.

Fire Me Boy!
06-03-2014, 01:04 PM
A well-trained GP and you can use a (large) dog door or a swinging door. If you don't want slobber, there are all sorts of smaller dogs available.

I get the whole cat people/dog people thing, although I happen to like both. What I don't get is people seriously thinking that the other choice is somehow a bad one. Dogs are more people oriented than cats, and they can require a little more effort if you choose the wrong type for your living circumstances. Other than that, though, both will piss and shit all over the place if you don't set up an acceptable alternative. Both will trash the house if you don't teach them not to. Both will piss you off at one point or another. There's not really a right or wrong choice.


I'm not against dogs, but I do prefer cats. And actually, the GP didn't slobber much, mainly right after he'd eat or drink. He didn't even lick your hand.

On topic, I don't know what litter we use - wife changed it because it tracks less, but I hate the smell of the litter even brand new. Her suggested compromise: she can continue to get that litter, but she has to clean the box. I'm taking that as a win. And she scoops daily, full change out about once a week.

Deberg_1990
06-03-2014, 01:07 PM
I'm not against dogs, but I do prefer cats.

Your Man Card please.
Posted via Mobile Device

Fire Me Boy!
06-03-2014, 01:10 PM
Your Man Card please.
Posted via Mobile Device


I'm OK with it. Cats are way closer to my personality. I don't need an animal to need me all the time. I like that cats have moods. Sometimes they're pissed off, a sometimes they want attention. Sometimes they're ornery, sometimes playful. Dogs are always happy, always want attention. I like that I have to earn a cat's trust and love.

alnorth
06-03-2014, 01:20 PM
I'm OK with it. Cats are way closer to my personality. I don't need an animal to need me all the time. I like that cats have moods. Sometimes they're pissed off, a sometimes they want attention. Sometimes they're ornery, sometimes playful. Dogs are always happy, always want attention. I like that I have to earn a cat's trust and love.

Cats are adults. Dogs are retarded children.

Halfcan
06-03-2014, 01:36 PM
jeez this off season sucks

Talking about cat shit?

Rausch
06-03-2014, 01:39 PM
jeez this off season sucks

Talking about cat shit?

I'd rather talk about cat shit than this offseason...

Graystoke
06-03-2014, 01:39 PM
jeez this off season sucks

Talking about cat shit?

Better then talking about Peyton Forehead

Halfcan
06-03-2014, 01:42 PM
I'd rather talk about cat shit than this offseason...

ROFL well when you put it that way..

MTG#10
06-03-2014, 01:56 PM
I'm OK with it. Cats are way closer to my personality. I don't need an animal to need me all the time. I like that cats have moods. Sometimes they're pissed off, a sometimes they want attention. Sometimes they're ornery, sometimes playful. Dogs are always happy, always want attention. I like that I have to earn a cat's trust and love.

This.

Cats are adults. Dogs are retarded children.

And this.

Telling someone they're not manly because they prefer a cat over a dog is ignorant. A dog and cat the exact same size and weight, 9 times out of 10 the cat would destroy the dog in a fight. My girl's pit/border collie won't **** with her Maine Coon, he learned his lesson the hard way...that was an expensive vet bill.

DaFace
06-03-2014, 03:55 PM
Your Man Card please.
Posted via Mobile Device

If it's a pissing match you want...

Cat People Are Smarter Than Dog People, New Study Shows
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/29/cat-people-dog-people-intelligence_n_5412245.html)

For me, I'd love to have a dog, but it'd have to come with a full-time dog sitter. I can leave my cats alone for 2-3 days at a time, and they're just fine. I do too many long weekends away to deal with a dog, even though I'd love to have one for the personality.

Just Passin' By
06-03-2014, 03:57 PM
If it's a pissing match you want...

Cat People Are Smarter Than Dog People, New Study Shows
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/29/cat-people-dog-people-intelligence_n_5412245.html)

For me, I'd love to have a dog, but it'd have to come with a full-time dog sitter. I can leave my cats alone for 2-3 days at a time, and they're just fine. I do too many long weekends away to deal with a dog, even though I'd love to have one for the personality.

Is that the study that has already been found to be bullshit, or did they try pimping a new one?

Nevermind..... that's the self-selected college study. It's a complete sham.