Does anyone use grey clay clumping litter? aka Cats Best is doing my head in!

[Cheesecat]

Okay give me a sec i'll make a thread so I don't hog yours 

[Tiggy's Mum]

  Dawn

Now before you answer any more litter Q's there is something much more pressing that needs to be explained, preferably with photographic evidence 

With four cats (yes four now!)

[Cheesecat]

As if we'd let you get away with that. Welcome back honey. xx

  Hi Ruth xx

I feel a bit ashamed for being a purrs-deserter to be honest!



(sorry Helen  another thing about the clean 'n' tidy is that there is about 3 different types, I have no idea why as I really can't tell any difference between the three  )

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

I wasn't sure about making a big 'HI ITS ME' thread so I snuck back in quietly  

As if we'd let you get away with that. Welcome back honey. xx

[Cheesecat]

I wasn't sure about making a big 'HI ITS ME' thread so I snuck back in quietly  

I've missed you all too and I hope you're feeling much better than you were last time I visited Teresa   Hugs for Helen too!


Helen I can answer those
Tracking is nowhere near as bad as cat's best if you've used that, but it is quite small grains so it still *does* track though, i'd say less than half as much as CB though....

With four cats (yes four now!) we go through about 1 bag a week and do a full change at least every week but it does depend on how they leave the tray - some days are messier than others...(!) Considering we have four cats in the trays the odour control is pretty good, although Gerti has ridiculously 'smelly' days 

[Tiggy's Mum]

  back Dawn! 

For all you clean 'n' tidy users, a few questions please...

How is the tracking on a scale of 1-10, how often do you have to do a full change, how is the odour control and lastly how long does it last?

 

[Teresa Pawcats]

Cheesecat you cant just sneak back in a litter tray  we`ve missed you 

[Cheesecat]

We use clean and tidy, I think its really good - I used to love Cats best okoplus but it went up a ridiculous amount and it tracks everywhere!

[Desley (booktigger)]

I think I will go back to Clean and Tidy when I go to PAH at weekend, this lightweight stuff is no good with one cat with CRF and one on steroids!!

[Daisymac]

I have used Breeders Celect in the past which I think is very similar to Yesterdays News. I couldn't stand it. Had to do a complete change every day as it doesn't clump. The cats weren't thrilled with the feel of it under foot, very tentative and it smells weirdly sweet and sickly when soiled The pellets kind of puff and disintegrate when weed on. No, couldn't get on with at all!

The Yesterdays News and the Biolatolet dont disintegrate when wet,  they just expand and it doesnt smell at all strange.  I have to do a full tray change every day anyway as JO Ripley is a fussy little thing and wont use it otherwise.

[Feline Costumier]

I have used Breeders Celect in the past which I think is very similar to Yesterdays News. I couldn't stand it. Had to do a complete change every day as it doesn't clump. The cats weren't thrilled with the feel of it under foot, very tentative and it smells weirdly sweet and sickly when soiled The pellets kind of puff and disintegrate when weed on. No, couldn't get on with at all!

[Daisymac]

I use Yesterdays News or Biocatolet,   both are recycled newspaper formed into pellets,   no tracking at all and no smell after it has been used,  especially if you get the Lemon Scented Yesterday's News.  Really is the best litter I have ever ever used and I verging on OCD with litter tracking 

[Mark]

I tried it once but found it had a sickly smell - especially when it got wet 

[Dawn F]

Which one is it you use? I notice the price per bag isn't too significant a difference but no idea how 5kg translates in comparison to 10l? They're all on the website but there's about 5 different varieties of organic crumb. I wouldn't be averse to giving it a go if it tracks less and is about the same price point.
[/quote]


http://www.petsathome.com/shop/organic-chick-starter-crumble-for-chickens-5kg-by-organic-poultry-feeds-16197

[Leanne]

We use Catsan clumping, I find it doesn't track that badly, we have 2 open Ferplast trays, there is usually some around the tray and utility cupboard but thats about it.

[Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's)]

TRACKING IS EVEN WORSE THAN CATS BEST

        

[Feline Costumier]

got to say I'm back on chick crumb - PAH are doing an organic one - I was finding cats best everywhere all over the house

I've tried a couple of the grey clumping ones from zooplus (baby powder scent and rose scent can't remember name) but they didn't deal with smell very well and I had to change the tray after a couple of days

I'm also another who is not a crystal fan

Which one is it you use? I notice the price per bag isn't too significant a difference but no idea how 5kg translates in comparison to 10l? They're all on the website but there's about 5 different varieties of organic crumb. I wouldn't be averse to giving it a go if it tracks less and is about the same price point.

[Mark]

Has anyone tried Swheat Scoop? - made from Wheat rather than corn and quite a bit cheaper http://www.cheappetproducts.net/SWHEAT_SCOOP_MULTI_CAT___25LB-UKP127139.html

Didnt clump well, clumps broke up, TRACKING IS EVEN WORSE THAN CATS BEST

I won't be trialling that then 

[Gillian Harvey]

Has anyone tried Swheat Scoop? - made from Wheat rather than corn and quite a bit cheaper http://www.cheappetproducts.net/SWHEAT_SCOOP_MULTI_CAT___25LB-UKP127139.html

Didnt clump well, clumps broke up, TRACKING IS EVEN WORSE THAN CATS BEST

[purrdy1]

I use lidl cat litter and they tread some of it out near their litter trays so i just keep a little bin there (to empty poos into) and a dust pan and brush....seems to work well....

[Mark]

Price-wise, it falls between cats best and worlds best. £24 for 24L, Cats best is about £24 for 40L. Worlds Best is £38.99 for 15kg but not sure how that equates to Litres 

[Dawn F]

I got some at a show once - it was good but expensive if I remember

[Mark]

After reading the health scares with Bentonite (clumping clay), I would never use it again  I am concerned about the long-term effects of cats breathing the dust in and/or ingesting it. Probably even more-so for diggers. Also, it is so heavy and a pain to clean up - it sets like concrete. I would rather the inconvenience of cleaning up cats best. I am thinking of investing in a decent mini-hoover such as the dyson one. I had a cheap one but it is as good as useless.

Has anyone tried Swheat Scoop? - made from Wheat rather than corn and quite a bit cheaper http://www.cheappetproducts.net/SWHEAT_SCOOP_MULTI_CAT___25LB-UKP127139.html

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

I did try World Best, unfortunately the dust would get onto Lexy's legs and she would get constipated from what she licked off her legs during clean up.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Isn't it funny how we all have different experiences with the same litter    Odour wise, the best I've used is golden grey scented from zooplus.  worlds best isn't as good as that with smells but it's good enough and taking everything into account it's the winner for me.  I'm yet to try chick crumbs as I'm waiting until things are more settled and Jaffa is spraying less and for when I get the second tray set up in the bathroom - that way I can try it in one tray and there will still be another tray with something familiar in it.

[Dawn F]

got to say I'm back on chick crumb - PAH are doing an organic one - I was finding cats best everywhere all over the house

I've tried a couple of the grey clumping ones from zooplus (baby powder scent and rose scent can't remember name) but they didn't deal with smell very well and I had to change the tray after a couple of days

I'm also another who is not a crystal fan

[angel-77]

I ahve to say, since moving to somewhere with nice shiny, slippy laminate flooring, the tracking has got much worse....This happened when I used clumping clay too and I found the odour control wasn't a patch on Cat's Best so I'll just persevere.

Thanks Shona - was after a direct comparison tracking wise and I think you're probably right about the odour control of Cats Best being better.

I use the crystal type, I love it, no dust and no clumping

I might look into that type - do the balls track much? Also what's the odour control like? How much do you get through with two cats and how often do you have to change it etc? Sorry, lots of questions I know!

they get a little round the edge of the tray, but the crystals dont stick to their feet so it doesnt 'track'
my two share 1 tray now so I buy 1 bag a week from PAH for £3.99, that usually lasts a week
the odour contol is good,, no wee smells and less poop smells than usual, I tend to pick the poop up as soon as they do it tho!!
I do a whole change twice a week

[zoe (tiggy + pipins mum)]

I'm currently using wilkinsons lightweight cat litter it's not too bad, doesnt track to much and the main thing is Tiggy will use it! The other 3 will use anything but Tiggy will not use wood pellets, paper based or lots of other litters i have tried, she would rather wee on the floor or Our bed!

[Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's)]

If you have a Costco near you they sell clay clumping litter in a green plastic tub that is really good (just stand back when pouring it into the tray or else you will choke). It smells rather nice though, I think it is lemon grass and baking soda to absorb odours. It clumps really well too.

We've got deep pile dark red carpets here so you can imagine how delightful they look with the Oko    It always looks like I haven't hoovered even when I have literally just finished.

Dave has recently built me a litter tray house for the litter trays to try and keep the litter from being all over the kitten room floor but it is currently in the kitchen as that's where the Boopettes are (I am hating having litter trays in the kitchen even though they get cleaned at least 5 times a day) and there is hardly any litter tracked out of the litter tray house *thumbs up* I do love having a man who is fab at diy to solve my cat related issues 

[Millys Mum]

The large grain clay that clumps is awful for sticking, and the fullers earth that doesnt clump is easily tainted if they dig alot, the wee'd on bits mix in and you have to dump it 
I mainly use golden grey (zooplus) or everclean (r&l), pah sell a fine clay but i didnt get on with it, catsan ultra fine is good but way overpriced and also the small sainsburys one is ok but too small at 5l. The fine clay does stick to the tray if you have ones that do wee patties 
I have one tray of cats best and i find it awful, so dusty! Much worse than what the clay poofs around.

Dakota uses wood pellets, i find these quite economical and i'd prefer to not use clay environment wise but the other cats hate pellets with a passion 

[Tiggy's Mum]

Thanks for all the input! There's nothing like a good litter discussion to get us all talking 

The boys have tried chick crumbs, classy cat litter (Zooplus) and Cats Best and were fine with all of them. I think I might get a small sack of the grey clay stuff (have remembered it's called fullers earth) to try unless anyone has a recommendation for a litter that;

a) tracks less
b) controls odours
c) clumps 

[Gillian Harvey]

I've gone back to chick crumbs again Helen - coz I can't stand the tracking with Cats Best either - 12 cats - might just as well make my house one big litter tray    Even chick crumbs track, but not quite as much as CB.

The fine clay litters definitely don't track as much.

I tried the silica crystals again recently - terrible!! too expensive because it needs dumping like every other day at least with all my gang

Tried the newspaper one - was ok, but again it needs the whole lot dumping too often for my liking.

Not sure whats next on the list to try LOL! 

[Desley (booktigger)]

Gail, that is the advantage with Cats Best, it is so light.

[Gail Bengal Slave]

Have you tried catsan clumping?  - I personally dont used clumping or clay type litter it is too heavey when disposing. I use yesterdays news - pellets and it made from newpaper, only tracking is the fresh pellets they throw out the tray and flick of their paws.

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Like Den, have the same Ferplast litter tray and mat. The litter only stays around the litter tray. Lexy does, however, shake her feet off when she leaves the tray, she's a bit fastidious like that so the tracking isn't an issue in this house. Admittedly when hoovering around the tray it does surprise me how much is actually outside the tray! I am happy not to change mine, took me ages to find one that was easy on Lexy's paws.

[Skiddaw]

I'm still finding litter from when we had Uncle M (The Munchkin, being young, prefers the garden 99% of the time). It always makes me sad...

[JackSpratt]

Think of cats best as the red dye you can put on your teeth. If you remove all traces of it, you are doing the housework properly 

Mark, you're like a male Anthea Turner.

[Feline Costumier]

Think of cats best as the red dye you can put on your teeth. If you remove all traces of it, you are doing the housework properly 

I'm very houseproud thank you very much  That's why Cats Best is doing my head in as it just gets everywhere so a thorough hoovering only lasts for half a day 

Half a day!? Try half an hour!

[Tiggy's Mum]

Think of cats best as the red dye you can put on your teeth. If you remove all traces of it, you are doing the housework properly 

I'm very houseproud thank you very much  That's why Cats Best is doing my head in as it just gets everywhere so a thorough hoovering only lasts for half a day 

[Desley (booktigger)]

I like the clumping of Cats Best, but if Zi uses the tray after I have swept/hoovering (I sweep the carpet at least twice a day to limit hoovering), it looks like I haven't bothered in days, and not only does she get it on the landing, but I also find it in the bathroom and bedroom - doesn't help that she can sometimes dig that vigourously it ends up embedded in her fur!! I swapped to some lightweight stuff this week, as the rescue kindly gave me some cos Ellie is using the girls tray, and there is hardly any tracking. Just dont like the odour control and having to empty the tray more often.

I used to use Sophisticat clumping, I might give it a go at weekend, even though it is really heavy - that is a clay clumping. Not good for large male cats who do really big wees though.