Alterna-Scoop That Poop!
July 9, 2010 7:26 PM Subscribe
CatFilter: I'm moving to a smaller place (that's way lovelier than my current home). The downside, there is no longer room in the bathroom for my cats' litterbox. So, it has to move into a (hidden) public space. I use feline pine + a covered box, which is pretty great (word to the pine!), so this shouldn't be a huge problem, but, one of my cats has...shall we say, strong (as in, industrial strength) bowels which no litter can sufficiently mask. She also has burying problems (sometimes the other cat does it for her because the second cat is also vaguely grossed out by her sister). Add to that my girlfriend - who works at home and doesn't want to constantly have to be bothered to deal with the litter.
My question is this - has anyone (who uses pine or otherwise) found a nice, self-cleaning, or otherwise odor-muffling litterbox that might minimize this problem?
Best answer: Ugh. I work at home - a very small home - and have two cats.
So far the only solution which has worked is to dash into the bathroom, turn on the exhaust fan, pull my shirt up over my nose for 10-15 minutes, and repeat my "Afternoon's Writing Session Interrupted By Smell Of Cat Shit" mantra:
posted by ErikaB at 7:47 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
So far the only solution which has worked is to dash into the bathroom, turn on the exhaust fan, pull my shirt up over my nose for 10-15 minutes, and repeat my "Afternoon's Writing Session Interrupted By Smell Of Cat Shit" mantra:
It's still better than working in an office.If you can't situate the boxes near an exhaust fan, maybe you could set up one of those little HEPA air filters, the kind with a charcoal filter? Your girlfriend could dash over and turn that on, while pulling her shirt up over her nose and reciting the mantra.
It's still better than working in an office.
It's still better than working in an office.
posted by ErikaB at 7:47 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
One thing I can tell you is that "self-cleaning" litter boxes do NOT work. I've tried the top o' the line one and the motor just doesn't cut it, especially if you have more than one cat.
Baking soda and odor neutralizers (not just air fresheners that cover up the smell with flowers, so then you have flower-scented poo) help. I have three cats and find that scooping once a day, as long as you have a good-sized box with enough litter.
posted by misha at 8:07 PM on July 9, 2010
Baking soda and odor neutralizers (not just air fresheners that cover up the smell with flowers, so then you have flower-scented poo) help. I have three cats and find that scooping once a day, as long as you have a good-sized box with enough litter.
posted by misha at 8:07 PM on July 9, 2010
Response by poster: @misha With this cat, it doesn't. Seriously.
posted by redbeard at 8:26 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by redbeard at 8:26 PM on July 9, 2010
Response by poster: @Greg Nog have you tried their sifting litter box? I'm also pondering that one, although, would that sift out the nice baking soda and clay?
posted by redbeard at 8:29 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by redbeard at 8:29 PM on July 9, 2010
Try disguising the litter box inside a piece of furniture to contain the smell? There have been a number of posts on this from various blogs. Here's one from Lifehacker, where they discuss a post on IKEAHacker. Interesting tips in both places.
I use Nature's Miracle Odor Control Clumping Cat Litter mixed with Cat Attract Litter. The Nature's Miracle has a VERY strong pine smell, which I actually dislike, but not nearly as much as I dislike poop smell, so it works for me.
Another option is to teach the cats to use the toilet.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:30 PM on July 9, 2010
I use Nature's Miracle Odor Control Clumping Cat Litter mixed with Cat Attract Litter. The Nature's Miracle has a VERY strong pine smell, which I actually dislike, but not nearly as much as I dislike poop smell, so it works for me.
Another option is to teach the cats to use the toilet.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:30 PM on July 9, 2010
My friend swears by this Booda Dome catbox with a charcoal filter. I've never notice cat smells in her smallish apt.
posted by agatha_magatha at 8:31 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by agatha_magatha at 8:31 PM on July 9, 2010
Best answer: I've tried a lot of electronic cat boxes. the littermaid jams (ALL the time) and the cat genie scared the living daylights out of my cats (cool concept though). The litter robot is what I finally ended up with. Its a bit more expensive than other models, but way more durable and its never jammed or broken. It cleans the box five minutes after its used, so odor stays down. I keep an air purifier by the drawer to pick up any leaking odor.
The reduction in litter cost (no gross stuff sitting in and making the "clean" litter smelly) and the fact that I have not scooped a single poop in a year and a half made it totally worth it for me. And that's on a grad school budget. And when I decide I really want the inside of the dome to get clean, I take it to a car wash place and wash it there. Way easier than trying to reach inside yourself. Just make sure it dries fully before putting it back to use.
The noise isn't bad, I don't even notice it any more, and the cats were not afraid of it. One cat likes to lay and wait for it to run so she can watch. I might suggest the extra extender, just because its kind of a tight fit in there, but my 20lb monster can use it just fine without it. I'm thinking about picking up the fence to minimize any kicking of litter but really its better than a traditional box as-is.
I know I must sound like a marketing spiel, but this invention has made owning a cat way less stinky. The one possible down side is that I think I tried feline pine and it was too light to use in the machine. You really need a traditional clumping litter.
You can also check out litter box central, a surprisingly active forum for cat toileting problems with reviews and suggestions.
posted by gilsonal at 9:11 PM on July 9, 2010 [3 favorites]
The reduction in litter cost (no gross stuff sitting in and making the "clean" litter smelly) and the fact that I have not scooped a single poop in a year and a half made it totally worth it for me. And that's on a grad school budget. And when I decide I really want the inside of the dome to get clean, I take it to a car wash place and wash it there. Way easier than trying to reach inside yourself. Just make sure it dries fully before putting it back to use.
The noise isn't bad, I don't even notice it any more, and the cats were not afraid of it. One cat likes to lay and wait for it to run so she can watch. I might suggest the extra extender, just because its kind of a tight fit in there, but my 20lb monster can use it just fine without it. I'm thinking about picking up the fence to minimize any kicking of litter but really its better than a traditional box as-is.
I know I must sound like a marketing spiel, but this invention has made owning a cat way less stinky. The one possible down side is that I think I tried feline pine and it was too light to use in the machine. You really need a traditional clumping litter.
You can also check out litter box central, a surprisingly active forum for cat toileting problems with reviews and suggestions.
posted by gilsonal at 9:11 PM on July 9, 2010 [3 favorites]
Also I should mention that by enclosing your litter box in those cabinets, you run the risk of the smell knocking you over when you open it. And cats noses are far more sensitive than ours, and they may stop using it for that reason. I keep my litterbox in a partially open closet (with no clothing to pick up odor) and a small air purifier running nearby. I had my doubts about the air purifier but it really does help.
posted by gilsonal at 9:13 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by gilsonal at 9:13 PM on July 9, 2010
What with a geriatric kitty with IBD-induced *patties* that make even this seasoned cat owner gag, I 2nd baking soda combined with daily scooping. LOTS of baking soda. I buy the large boxes, and probably use 1 a week or more. I use dr. elseys stuff (the blue bag, not the crazy-insane expensive red bag) because it clumps like the dickens and doesn't have any scent. To me, the only thing worse than stinky cat poo is stinky cat poo spiked with pine, febreze, or whatever the hell. Clearly, YMMV.
The litter mates and their ilk just get clogged with fresh poo (even with a cat who buries), but the robot intrigues me. Will surely be looking into this this weekend.
posted by East Siberian patchbelly wrangler at 9:28 PM on July 9, 2010
The litter mates and their ilk just get clogged with fresh poo (even with a cat who buries), but the robot intrigues me. Will surely be looking into this this weekend.
posted by East Siberian patchbelly wrangler at 9:28 PM on July 9, 2010
I'm going to chime in to defend the LitterMaid. I've had one for ten years; I replaced the original one about 5 years ago and the replacement is still going strong. The only time I have to clear a jam is when I've either filled the litter too full, used low-grade litter, or both cats have used it for #1 and #2 before the machine could run a cycle. It does require a decent clumping litter. Arm'n'Hammer works well; S'wheat and World's Best Litter do not work in the LitterMaid.
As for smell: I have a tent for the LitterMaid, which is arranged in my kitchen (I know: ew! but it's the only place in the house where there's room for a litterbox). I rarely smell anything coming from it, unless I've let the bin fill up too much - and then it's usually the ammonia smell that gets my attention.
I'm not insensitive to smells, either. A co-worker claims that my SuperHero power is an exceptionally powerful sense of smell. I can't figure out how that'd help me fight crime...
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 11:00 PM on July 9, 2010
As for smell: I have a tent for the LitterMaid, which is arranged in my kitchen (I know: ew! but it's the only place in the house where there's room for a litterbox). I rarely smell anything coming from it, unless I've let the bin fill up too much - and then it's usually the ammonia smell that gets my attention.
I'm not insensitive to smells, either. A co-worker claims that my SuperHero power is an exceptionally powerful sense of smell. I can't figure out how that'd help me fight crime...
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 11:00 PM on July 9, 2010
My friend taught her cats how to use the loo... I can't find the exact product she used but it didn't take that long at all and her cat was a few years old too.
http://www.litterkwitter.com/en/index.php
Doesn't really help with the smell though, sorry!
posted by ozgirlabroad at 1:44 AM on July 10, 2010
http://www.litterkwitter.com/en/index.php
Doesn't really help with the smell though, sorry!
posted by ozgirlabroad at 1:44 AM on July 10, 2010
Best answer: This is sort of going in a different direction, but is it the cat's pee or poop that is, er, industrial strength? I ask because my cat used to have the SMELLIEST POOPS KNOWN TO HUMANKIND. I tried everything, including making his diet grain free, and nothing every helped him to be less stinky, until my vet told me to put him on probiotics. I was skeptical, to say the least, but we're two months into it now and my cat's poop now only smells as bad as regular cat poop. We've been getting Proviable DC and opening the caps and sprinkling them over a bit of wet food once a day. As a bonus, his fur is softer, too. No idea if it's related, but it sure is nice!
posted by rosethorn at 3:27 AM on July 10, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by rosethorn at 3:27 AM on July 10, 2010 [2 favorites]
Can you, in any way, attach a large dog crate to your house somehow so the cats could go outside but still be protected? I have a cat door, but if I didn't want my cats to leave the yard I would push a dog crate right up next to it and keep the litter box in it, outside. Or a window would work in the right circumstances (with the dog crate pushed up next to it).
posted by cda at 7:58 AM on July 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by cda at 7:58 AM on July 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
what about a motion activated room freshener like this?
posted by lemniskate at 8:26 AM on July 10, 2010
posted by lemniskate at 8:26 AM on July 10, 2010
You sound pretty attached to the Feline Pine, but I'm going to share my setup with you in case it helps (also my two cats don't seem to have crazy-awful smelling poos). I have a dome top litterbox that I line with a plastic liner, and then I put a Wonder Box inside. These boxes are really great -- they definitely help absorb odors and they last a good amount of time if you stay on top of scooping. I don't know if you're in the US, but if you are they are sold at Petco. Then I use Ever Clean Unscented litter, because it clumps awesomely and unscented hides odor soooo much better than scented -- and you don't get that gross perfumey-poop smell. I mix in some Arm & Hammer Cat Litter Deodorizer, which at this point might even be overkill, but hey, anything to prevent poop smells.
Not sure if this will help, but when I was searching out the best solution it was nice to read all types of ideas :)
Good luck!
posted by imalaowai at 10:48 AM on July 10, 2010
Not sure if this will help, but when I was searching out the best solution it was nice to read all types of ideas :)
Good luck!
posted by imalaowai at 10:48 AM on July 10, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by MonkeySaltedNuts at 7:37 PM on July 9, 2010