Favorite cat litter?

[Grace Jr]

We've been using Yesterday's News in the cat box, but I'm not loving it.  It's awesome in the rat cage, but I don't like it in the cat box.  It doesn't seem to control odor at all, and with two cats now, I need something that works.

I don't want clay or traditional clumping litter.  I want something I can dump out in the "poop pile" outside, so natural is good.

Pelleted is nice, since it's less messy, but not required.  I do prefer something that doesn't track all over the house though.

It's got to control odor!


So, what should I try?

[Heather]

I'd love to find another cat litter too. I cannot use corn or wheat in the boxes because Amos sometimes gets a turd and he is allergic to corn and wheat. I HATED the Scoopable Feline Pine as it sticks to my cat's feet and he ingested some and constipated. I wonder if they make hemp litter? I am using scoopable clay as well and hate the impact it makes on the environment.

[Grace Jr]

We're using a bag of Feline Pine right now, but I'm not loving it.  It's controlling smell a little better than the YN, but is messier.  As soon as the pellets start to break down, they're getting tracked all over the place.  I haven't noticed it sticking, but I haven't tried the clumping version.

I thought about trying Swheat Scoop or something again, after the current stuff is gone.  Thankfully the boys aren't picky, and will use any litter I put in there.  It's just a matter of finding something "safe" that doesn't make a huge mess, and actually controls odor - hugely important since the litter pans are in the living room (downstairs) and the bedroom (upstairs).

I haven't seen any hemp litters, but that certainly doesn't mean they aren't out there!  Just did a quick Google search, this is all I could find right off.  http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf_id=30649902&dept_id=22&brand_id=430&Page=

[KellyNZoo]

Grace, have you tried UNMEDICATED chick feed? Like Swheat Scoop but real cheap, never used it myself but I hear it's wonderful. *forgive me if you said somewhere you tried swheat scoop and hated it*

[flannel]

Just an FYI on that Life Mate hemp bedding...it's like the chaff off the hemp.  It's like miniature hay and it's slick, unabsorbent and gets stuck on everything and flies all over the house.  Used it for the rats once when we had them.  It might be just fine for gerbils or something living in a tank where it can be contained somewhat but not even close to what you want for cats or anything in a cage.

I really liked the clumping clay stuff that they carry at Costco but they changed it and now I detest it.  I'm looking for something new too, so this is helpful.

Unmedicated chick feed....hmmm now that's an interesting idea!  With 3 litterboxes and a feed store just up the road that sounds good!  Have you got any sources with articles or stories I could read about using it?  That would be cool.

[Dearpie]

I LOVE Special Kitty from WalMart.  I have 6 cats *HUSH* and it REALLY controls odor and clumps really great!!  Or, if I'm at Costco, I pick up something else ... I already put the container in the recycle bin, but it's got a light lemon scent.  Again, it's as good as Special Kitty for clumping and odor control.   

Here is another thread on the topic.

[Grace Jr]

I've used Special Kitty in the past and liked it.  Worked pretty good, and was a good price to boot.

Kelly - I'd never heard that suggestion before!  Something to check out for sure.  On a related note, I wonder if untreated wood pellets would control odor well. 

[KellyNZoo]

I don't know, but hey, they're cheap enough that it's worth a shot, right?

We also use Special Kitty, but we mix in HALF a bag of CLUMPING pine litter too. We find this mix superior to JUST clay alone, and really really really helps with smell (we scoop daily, with four cats (all raw fed, mind you) and we only change the litter completely every 3 mths *2 under the bed storage totes, takes 2 boxes of specialkitty and 1 bag of the pine*. After about 3mths, if I stick my face RIGHT CLOSE to the litter, I can -just- smell "funk". Not pee or poo, just... funk. So we know it's time to change. (Yes, we're weird and constantly check/smell/inspect poo.)

[Tamara]

We have been using Dr. Elsey's for a while and it is the least dusty, most odor controlling litter we have ever used.