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The litter tray

Does such a thing as an odour-destroying litter tray exist?

25 replies

countdowntoxmas · 10/08/2012 14:33

We have a fairly small house so will have to put the litter tray downstairs somewhere. Are there tips for where to put it, and also, what is the best litter for destroying odours? Apparently you can get a covered litter tray. Has anyone used such a thing? Basically, we want to eliminate the odour as much as possible as it will probably be in our main room

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NatashaBee · 10/08/2012 14:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Samvet · 10/08/2012 14:42

Lots of people use covered trays, some cats like them, some don't unfortunately so beware. Avoid scented litters - cats generally don't like them (smell very strong and horrid to them). An remove poo as soon as produced with a scoop!

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Samvet · 10/08/2012 14:43

PS locations needs to be somewhere quiet and out of general view/people traffic. Away from cat's water and food. Not in view of cat flap or windows.

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cozietoesie · 10/08/2012 15:06

Litter trays don't need to smell much if at all. I use clumping fuller's earth litter (my cats have all preferred/required/made it clear that they wanted that) and that is straightforward. No liner needed - just straight on to the plastic tray; but you need a fairly good depth and it should be cleaned and disinfected (and then very thoroughly rinsed with plain water) very regularly.

Remove pee clumps or poo with scoop as soon as you see it's been used, putting on to newspaper for rolling up into a parcel for disposal. (One double sheet of broadsheet or two sheets of tabloid size. Free local papers are very useful for it and neighbours/friends etc will usually be happy to offload old newspapers to you.)

Cats tend to scatter surplus litter a bit when they're covering so keep a dustpan and brush nearby and put the tray on some newspaper. (A friend of mine very successfully used a large, shallow cardboard box - the sort that bananas come in - to place the litter tray in and contain the stray litter. See if you can find one of those.)

Smile

PS - the flattish plastic scoops they generally supply in pet stores/supermarket shelves are often absolutely hopeless. Your better bet is to find a flour scoop, plastic or aluminium, from a local store or ebay. They work much better.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 10/08/2012 17:33

[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/CatGenie-120-Self-Washing-Self-Flushing-Cat/dp/B002KRAQXM?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 If money were no object I would have this.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 10/08/2012 17:34
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cozietoesie · 10/08/2012 17:40

Oh my - and add on the cost of the consumables.

I'm still sorely envious - and look at the customer reviews! When I win the Lottery, I guess.

Grin

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Fluffycloudland77 · 10/08/2012 17:53

The litter is reuseable. I spend £120 a year on litter so I guess it pays for itself.....

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cozietoesie · 10/08/2012 18:02

Not quite all reuseable - there's some loss. And there appears to be a rather expensive cleaning solution involved.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 10/08/2012 18:09

If you factor in time taken to empty litter, clean tray, petrol transporting the litter and actually making the litter then it's even more worthwhile.

I'm building a solid case here.

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RedwingS · 10/08/2012 19:10

Haha, I never thought I would be engaging in litter tray envy ...

I use a covered litter tray with a clumping litter. I scoop it twice a day, change it when it needs it, and it doesn't really smell. Experiment with different litters until you find one that you like (and that the cat likes too - some can be fussy). Cats tend not to like the scented litters and tbh nor do I because they stink of the deoderizing stuff.

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cozietoesie · 10/08/2012 19:19

fluffy

I've now watched the videos on youtube and checked the website. It's really noisy, a nightmare to plumb, eats electricity and takes a long time to clean. You can relax!

Grin

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Fluffycloudland77 · 10/08/2012 19:43

Well that's that idea out the window then!.

You can get litter kwitters and teach them to use the loo.

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cozietoesie · 10/08/2012 22:36

Getting them to flush should be challenging!

Grin

Love that notion of 'litter tray envy' RedwingS. I'm gently musing as to how Hyacinth would have handled the litter tray issue ?

Grin

(Sorry countdown. You did post on the 'Litter Tray' after all!)

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Fluffycloudland77 · 10/08/2012 22:40

Some cats on youtube do flush. I read something on bengals that said dont teach them to flush, they do it for entertainment (mines very interested in the loo) and it sends your bill up.

I really wanted to train ours to go on our loo but Dh's mate said "you've got to be really sad to do that" so I didnt because I felt stupid. However, when DH is gagging cos the cats done a massive poo I do say it would be so much easier if he went to the loo.

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cozietoesie · 10/08/2012 22:48

They do indeed go on the loo. I've seen the videos in the past - although, if I recall, they tend to be Siamese and other bright cats.

Mine would fall off. He's too old to change so I'm stuck with litter. I'm just happy if he uses it !

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maybeIwillmaybeIwont · 11/08/2012 11:52

Ok, you need to try Cat's Best OKOplus clumping litter. Honestly, my sister has 2 cats and so do I and this is the best cat litter we have found.Not cheap but in the long run it is because you only remove the 'dirtied' litter. Apparenly you can flush it down the loo but we just put it in the bin.

My sister's litter tray has to be in the hall at the bottom of the stairs and this has been a godsend.Doeen't eliminate the smell if you are there 'when they do it' but otherwise it is whiff free. Of my monsters angels, only one uses it and she is prolific, naughty thing, but it is MUCH better with this litter, only wish I got some commission for recommending it!

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maybeIwillmaybeIwont · 11/08/2012 11:54

*apparently and doesn't, doh!

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RedwingS · 11/08/2012 16:45

I've seen videos of them going to the loo and flushing too. I don't know how they manage as they get older - presumably the balancing act would get more difficult. It wouldn't work in my house - DH would always forget what position the lid was meant to be in and the cats would sometimes find themselves shut out.

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Iamnotamindreader · 11/08/2012 20:44

Yuo can get crystals which absorb all moisture but it does get a little snap, crackle and poppy when your cat wees on it. Or you could try wood pellets, slight pine scent and deodorising.

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cozietoesie · 12/08/2012 04:37

I was given some wood pellets and decided to use them when I picked up cat before last. (Kitten.) He took one look at them and went immediately to pee copiously over the (new) duvet where I was sleeping. I went down to the local supermarket the next morning and got some Fuller's Earth. No more problems.

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BlackCatsAndPurpleDogs · 12/08/2012 13:04

the best cat litter for no smells is this one :



Can also buy at pets at home and sainsburys.

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putthehamsterbackinitscage · 12/08/2012 18:08

The other factor is what you feed your cat.... A high meat content wet or raw diet tends to produce less waste and less offensive odours Grin

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wonderingwendy · 12/08/2012 19:40

catsan is the best ,remove anything with scoop and disinfect weekly
we have 2 for our 2 kittens who need to separated at night as they chase each other up and down all night

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countdowntoxmas · 17/08/2012 13:53

Do you use the CityCat Crystals in addition to litter, or instead of it?

Thanks for all the great recommendations

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