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Barnyard Buddies:  House Cats and Litter Boxes  |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
 Posted - May 31 2008 : 3:18:59 PM
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Not having animals around has been very hard on the kids and I. I am concidering adopting a cat this summer (I don't think it would be kind to leave a dog home alone all day), but have no idea what to do with a litter box. Yes, I know the basics, but how do I keep my apartment from smelling? Everybody I know with indoor cats has a stinky house.
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing.
-Brenda Ueland
http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/
http://musingandmuttering.blogspot.com |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2008 : 04:32:24 AM
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Hi Corrine,
I have 7 cats all of them rescues. I keep 2 litter boxes in the house and everyone is amazed that I have 7 cats. My mother says she can't believe she doesn't smell the litter boxes. Now mind you my cats do use the outside more in the good weather. Mine can go outside during the day but get locked up at night for their safety.Too many predators around our farm that like to eat cats. But in the cold winter and rainy times they use them allot.
I use a very good scoopable litter made for multiple cats. It controls the odor much better. I use Arm & Hammer brand. I also scoop their boxes once a day. In the winter time sometimes I would do it twice. I also have a cat box that has a cover over it too. That also helps. A year ago I had 10 cats total so i would scoop twice a day for sure. But do to old age and one having a incurable disease she must have gotten from her mother as a kitten they had to be put to sleep. Its hard when you rescue kittens because you don't know their background. So I am down to 7.
I think its a great idea to get a cat for your dog to have as company. Thats a super idea.You will be giving your dog a buddy and helping out a cat that really needs a home. I don't think one cat will be a problem controlling the odor with todays super scoopable litters. But I really like the Arm and Hammer the best. Believe me I have tried them all.
One thing I have noticed. Boy cats pee always seems to be stronger even when they have been fixed. Something to keep in mind. Its not terrible but it is a little stronger. But they sure are big sweeties when they are fixed. I have 2 myself the rest are girls and believe me they are fixed too......lol.
good luck
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2008 : 10:16:03 AM
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linda,
thanks for you advice. btw...i don't have a dog. i would prefer one to a cat, but think believe a cat would do better in an apartment alone.
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing.
-Brenda Ueland
http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/
http://musingandmuttering.blogspot.com |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2008 : 10:26:41 AM
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Well, just to put my two cents worth in, I think 2 cats would do better in an apartment alone than one. They really need a companion. Of course this is an old idiot with eight cats talking to you. I can no longer let my cats out because traffic is so fast along our little back road and predators seem to abound in this neck of the woods. The thing about littler boxes is just to clean them every day.....really with just a couple kitties it should seem like no work at all....Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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Sagewood
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
South Carolina
106 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2008 : 12:57:32 PM
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Hmmm I think I'd get the kind of box that fits over the toilet and train the cat to use the toilet. No worries as you go along with odor at all. Just my two cents though!
Sage,
The Hedgewife
Are you a Hedgewife?
http://hedgewife.blogspot.com/
Hiding in the broom closet.
http://sagewoodfarm.blogspot.com/
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2008 : 3:47:32 PM
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the idea of the toilet box sounds great, but with 5 people sharing one bathroom the toilet is in high demand already. i don't know if i could afford the "self cleaning" litter box right now, but it does look awesome.
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing.
-Brenda Ueland
http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/
http://musingandmuttering.blogspot.com |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2008 : 5:44:52 PM
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Due to my living situation right now, I have one cat, and so I can safely say, if you want to avoid "issues", get two!! Oliver gets upset when I leave for anything, since he's alone, and I know if he had another kitty to keep him company he'd be much happier.
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2008 : 04:37:34 AM
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oops.....sorry Corrine I thought you already had a dog. I feel so stupid.......lol. I have been having severe back pain all week and I think the pain is getting to my brain. I threw my back out a week ago I think from trying to do to much gardening, yard work, Hoof trimming act.I have a bad disk and its really acting up and the advil doesn't seem to be helping much.
I thought you already had a dog and was going to get the kitty to keep him from being lonely. Now that I read it again it was my misunderstanding.
I agree with the ladies above. I would get two kitties. They will be much happier and then you will know they have each other when you are gone. Good luck in whatever you decide. One cat by itself is not good either unless you are there alot.
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
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UrbanChick
True Blue Farmgirl
331 Posts
Ayako
Atlanta
GA
USA
331 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2008 : 08:39:17 AM
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I don't know about other people and the self cleaning litter box but I've been through 3 of them so far. They don't last more than a year in my house and I've now switched back to the basic box. I have 3 litter boxes for 2 cats and they are cleaned every day and completely dumped once a week and disinfected. One of my cats is very fat and the other loves to see the bar move across the litter box so she will sit in the litter box and not even do her "business" and then get out and watch it move a few minutes later. She does this quite a bit and she has been evaluated for UTI and such. I think she just likes to watch the bar move across the box. So after a year the motor just burns out so they have not worked very well for me.
"Courage dosen't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying: I will try again tomorrow." |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2008 : 09:17:12 AM
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I have three cats (and 4 dogs). My experience has been that depending on the "domestication" of the cat (feral or no), the litterbox thing can be frustrating, as well as gender. I have 2 male tom's and one female. All of whom were neighborhood strays as small kittens when I took them in. The boys have "potty" issues, so I have 2 boxes. It's odd in that they use one box more than the other for pee and one for poo...don't know if that's just my cats, or everyone else's, too, but I clean them out everyday because if I don't, one of the males gets ticked and poos on the floor.
I use a special litter called Cat Attract because it lasts quite a while with the 3 of them and is almost dust free, which is great for my allergies. It's not cheap, but it does last longer and controls odor better than most that I've tried. Also, they will actually use the litter box with this litter.
If you get one cat, one box should be enough...but two, get two. I've read that the general rule of thumb is one box for every cat. Sounds like we all have different approaches...all I know is that my boys are super finicky and super dominant so that creates our issues.
Oh! I also stopped buying the hooded boxes. Thought that would be better for us and them, turns out my guys are rather large and feel clausterphobic and started pooing in the bathtub. I also don't EVER spend more than $5.00 on a litter pan because you should throw them out every quarter or so.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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farmgirlkate
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
kate
bryan
TX
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2008 : 09:32:08 AM
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we have several cats and my suggestion is to get a female (and make sure it's spayed soon)-they don't have the tendency to spray. They make some great cat litter now and baking soda helps too. Most of the people I know that have indoor cats that you can smell, don't clean the boxes as often as they should. Also we don't use a regular litter box, we use a clear plastic storage tub. They are a little bigger and little deeper.
Good luck!
kate
"You only have what you give..."" |
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craftychick06
True Blue Farmgirl
71 Posts
Darlene
fennville
Mi
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 03:41:52 AM
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We have 6 cats that all adopted us when kittens. Now they all go outside first thing in am and then come running to house at dark, and we have predators around our farm too so that is a good thing. We have 4 litter boxes around and yes i recommend the arm and hammer brand too!! You cant smell anything and they do need to be cleaned very regularly too, i like the arm and hammer powder you sprinkle in box before you put litter in it. * dont know if it our cats but when i tried the feline pine litter FORGET IT!! they were mad and did there job in our bathroom on a throw rug, behind a chair on our hardwood floor it was just a disgusting mess, got rid of that stuff quickly!! they didnt care for the crystals either, threw them out of box on the floor and then did their job in empty pan. CRAZY!! One thing i totally agree with everyone else get 2 they are much happier to have a companion. All our cats love our 3 dogs too so they are best buds!LOL
Good luck!!
**LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY** |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 04:40:44 AM
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i was suprised to have the arm and hammer brand recomended...the one time i did try a litter box, i bought arm and hammer litter and the stench was over bearing after the first use! i don't have space for 2 litter boxes, but if i get to spayed females will they share? i plan to get them from the local animal shelter so they will already be spayed and have all their shots. if i talk to them, i'm sure they can help me find two of thier residents who will get along.
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing.
-Brenda Ueland
http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/
http://musingandmuttering.blogspot.com |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 04:49:11 AM
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I know the Arm and Hammer brand I use now is for multiple cats so I guess its been improved over the years. Some of the other brands are so perfumey and smell like perfumed pee.....lol. You should have no problem with them sharing. I have actually had 2 cats use the litter box at the same time cause the other couldn't wait. Even tho I have 3 boxes....they are all in the basement they still wanted to use the same box. It was funny to see them both in it. Its a pretty big litter box. I think you will be fine with one.
Let us know when you get your kitties.
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 07:11:57 AM
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I've worked in animal shelters quite a bit, and most of the time, they used clay litters...whether it be non-clumping, clumping, scented, or unscented. We scooped them at least twice a day, and changed the litter out completely on a regular basis. We used different odor obsorbers in them--from those made by Arm & Hammer, to ones formulated by companies specifically making pet products.
And one thing was the same with all of it... it STINKS. It gets soggy... and the dust from the clay settles all over the room and makes everything stink. It's disgusting!!!
The same goes for litters made of newspaper, wood (including Feline Pine), etc.
The best thing I've found so far for odor is silica gel, like, the litter pearls. They don't look too pretty after they've been used, since they absorb everything, but if you use a covered litterbox, you don't really see them. I change them about every two weeks max. Some brands are good, others aren't...they're not all equal.
Of course, like the other gals have mentioned, it pretty much boils down to what kind of litter your cats will prefer. I've heard people say that if your kitty really gets into digging in the box, he likes the way it feels under his paws and will be more likely to use it consistantly. If they don't bury their 'stuff', then chances are they don't like the litter... and yeah, that can get a little smelly, lol.
It's generally recommended that you have one litter box per cat. We've had up to three cats using the same box, though, and as long as it's cleaned on a regular basis, and they get along, it should be fine. We did have a problem with one kitten who liked to sit and watch the other cats go, and they didn't appreciate it much. In that case, having a couple litterboxes so the adult cats and the kitten could space out would have been ideal.
So anyway, now that I've preached my two cents worth.... LOL 
You're on the right track by planning on having the shelter staff match up your kitties. Then it's just finding what you and the cats can live with... Good luck! And let us know when you get your furbabies!! 
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Georgia Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
212 Posts
Denise
Atlanta
GA
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 07:29:27 AM
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I have worked in cat rescue for 15 years and can tell you that 2 is definitely better than one. As for litter, they make one called S'wheat Scoop that is made from wheat, is flushable, no dust, and all natural. I don't have any problems with smell. Also, Royal Canin Indoor food keeps the box from stinking.
~Denise~
Proud Farmgirl Sister #113
http://mybigcityfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 07:45:49 AM
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That's a really good point, Denise. What you feed them dramatically affects the way things smell on the other end... lol... :P I notice the smell is far worse when I feed cheap food with lots of grains and meat by products.
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 3:36:23 PM
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thanks for all the help, girls! i knew i could count on a lot of good ideas to get this plan underway. where are the products mentioned purchased (gel litter, wheat litter, royal canin food)? i know somebody mentioned having trouble with cats not wanting to use covered boxes, is that something more than one of you as experienced? the only place i have to put a litter box is between the sink and toilet and i really do not want to see cat mess when i'm fixing myself for the day.
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing.
-Brenda Ueland
http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/
http://musingandmuttering.blogspot.com |
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vintagegrl
True Blue Farmgirl
280 Posts
Jeanette
NH
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 04:37:42 AM
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I have two kitties, and they do keep each other company. I use The World's Best Cat Litter (The multiple cat formula). It's flushable, clumps fantastically and it's safe for the cats. I have a small apartment and it never smells like I have cats.
http://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/
Good luck!
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2008 : 06:45:36 AM
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I get my silica gel/litter pearls at WalMart. They come in a small bag (the brand that sells the small bag is cheaper per pound than the larger, name brand bags)...I can't remember the name of it right now, though. Or any larger pet store usually carries them, and also the wheat litter.
Some pet stores carry Royal Canin, others don't...it's kind of hit and miss. You may just have to call around. Another brand (which I actually prefer, personally), is Natural Balance, incase you can't find Royal Canin. It's a little less expensive, too.
I haven't had any trouble with my cats using a covered litterbox (and I've had MANY kitties, lol...used to foster them). I think the main issue that they may have, is a covered box could hold odors in, which is good for you, but not so good for them. But as long as it's kept clean, it's not a huge problem. :)
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Barnyard Buddies: House Cats and Litter Boxes |
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House Cats and Litter Boxes
