Need some cat advice.

I have two cats and I went and bought one of those self-cleaning boxes. I like it better than the regular type but only because I hate to smell crap when I get home from work. I use the Arm and Hammer cat litter and I also purchase those little cans of air freshner (the ones that have the flip top cover) and keep it next to the box. I have two entrances to my house and we pretty much only use the second floor entrance. What I did was use the little vestibule between the two doors on the first floor for the litter box and I intalled a little kitty door in one of these doors so they can get in and out.

I did meet someone recently who has potty trained their cat.

Ditto what Laura said about frequency of cleaning out the box. I prefer World's Best Cat Litter. It's corn, doesn't smell like bad potpourri, clumps well and deodorizes pretty nicely.

If you like DIY projects (or even if you don't), check out the Cat Jet:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/weekend-therapy/weekend-therapy-chriss-cat-jet-006860

O.K. I am posting with fear that somehow I am going to start a fire storm of fury.

I like that recycled newspaper litter and have a litter box that is covered. I took the door off because they kind of freaked out when the door would smack them in the butt. I never have a problem with the litter box stinking with that litter, but it does kind of get everywhere ( for me, the newspaper litter is better then the Fresh Step stuff that would stick inside their toes and end up in my bed, but it does get around the house).

By the way, don't use any clumping litter with kittens--when they lick their paws it can kill them.

Good luck. (I have lots of strays over here and some with great personalities already neutered if you want an adult cat!)

I use the crystals and they're great. I have two cats and the tub of crystals from Fresh Direct lasts about two weeks. I scoop poo once a day and dump the crystals every two weeks.

there are kits online as to how to potty train your cat. it's best to start with a kitten and you should have a bathroom you don't use the toilet in for training purposes. the theory is that you stick a toilet sized, cut-away litter box on the toilet seat. the cat uses the box for awhile. after a certain period of time, you start cutting a hole in the middle. over time you make the hole bigger and bigger until there's no more litter box and the cat is doing its business in the toilet. I've heard of people doing this - my aunt did it once. but then she moved and the cat wouldn't use the "strange" toilet.

Subject: Kitty Concerns

I just want to point out that cleaning up cat poop isn't the hardest thing about owning a cat. If you're already hung up on this detail, don't get a cat. You're obviously not ready for cat ownership. Cats require affection, medical care (which means $$$) and tons of attention, and if scooping a litterbox once a day is too much of a chore, you're probably not qualified to handle the rest of it.

An unscooped litter box can discourage a cat from using the box and even contribute to bladder and urinary disfunction.

Drano's original post refers to his previous cats as "croacking," perhaps a subtle indication of the kind of care and dedication his future pets are likely to receive.

Subject: Re: Kitty Concerns

Anonymous wrote: I just want to point out that cleaning up cat poop isn't the hardest thing about owning a cat. If you're already hung up on this detail, don't get a cat. You're obviously not ready for cat ownership. Cats require affection, medical care (which means $$$) and tons of attention, and if scooping a litterbox once a day is too much of a chore, you're probably not qualified to handle the rest of it.

An unscooped litter box can discourage a cat from using the box and even contribute to bladder and urinary disfunction.

Drano's original post refers to his previous cats as "croacking," perhaps a subtle indication of the kind of care and dedication his future pets are likely to receive.

Guest, since you aren't logged in with a username, it's hard to tell whether you've been around here for a while.

If you haven't been, you probably don't recognize Drano's "way", which is why many people who have been reading his posts won't be worried about the "croaking" comment.

Yes, scooping is a part of responsible pet ownership. I'd rather see somebody ask the question of "can I handle the smell?" BEFORE getting a cat then realizing after adoption that the smell is too much and then abandoning an animal. Wouldn't you?

Of course, realistic reflection is a big part of responsible cat ownership and asking yourself such questions before ending up with a pet at home is key.

I just think asking yourself if you can handle the litter box is like a parent asking if they can handle the diapers. It's just one tiny part of the process and if a cat owner can't contextualize it in the larger picture, I fear that a cat won't receive the best care.

I've had better experiences without liners than with - cats tend to dig and poke'em full of holes and it makes an even bigger mess...

WhyFi wrote: I've had better experiences without liners than with - cats tend to dig and poke'em full of holes and it makes an even bigger mess...

yeah. I skip the liner, personally, and just get a new box every few years.

I think I've tried all the alternatives out there with varying success (except for toilet training which is a no-go since one kitty is blind).

I'd definitely recommend a covered tray and getting a doormat or something that gets the bits off their feet. Also, I've learned to avoid anything heavily scented since their noses are much more sensitive than mine and they've avoided the box if it smells too perfumed (or bleached).

Crystals - great on absorbing odor but my cats didn't cover up their stuff - possibly coz bits are too big/hard. Expensive too.

World's Best - great, cat's liked it, I hated the smell of it (before they even used it)

Yesterday's News (recycled paper) - I loved it - they didn't. Again, maybe the pellets were too big for my cat's sensitive paws, b/c one cat started peeing outside the box.

Clumping litter - at last both cats seem happy and I don't mind the smell, so long as I scoop every day or so and keep a dustpan and brush handy.

Thanks..... not mine but looks just like one of 'em (Russian blue mix)

FurryGreyBOy wrote: Thanks..... not mine but looks just like one of 'em (Russian blue mix)

Those grey cats have some of the sweetest temperaments, don't they? I'm right now fostering a little gray kitten, and she has completely charmed me!

Do they jump in and out of that thing?

I made the mistake of not sealing the top tightly on my giant Fresh Step pail and one of them jumped right in and took a big poop