Cat litter

tabbytom

Happiness is being owned by a cat
Staff Member
Mentor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
19,671
Purraise
36,867
Location
Lion City, Singa-purr
tabbytom tabbytom

I just bought unscented tofu (8lbs for $19) litter because thats all chewy had in stock. PS, they're have a special deal for national cat day.

Will I smell it since I got unscented? Worse comes to worse, I could always use baking soda or one of those scented baking sodas.
As I mentioned in my last post, I too got the unscented ones but the litter has a milky smell and I bought the Charcoal ones to see if it has a more neutral smell but it till has a scent but not as sweet smelling as the unscented ones.
I'm not sure if all brands are the same when it states unscented and there's no scent or they have scents like the ones I bought.

Not sure if baking soda will mask the scent. I bought unscented as I don't want the other scents. The charcoal ones did mask off quite a bit of the unscented ones and also the pellets are smaller in size (size comparison in post #36) and the color much closer to the clay litter.

Also take note about the size of the pellets as they expand when exposed to urine. I notice the bigger pellets (unscented) swell to a bigger size than the charcoal ones. So if you cat pees a lot, it may swell under you cat and rise and touch the cat's bottom while your cat is peeing.
 

catloverfromwayback

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 24, 2021
Messages
3,732
Purraise
8,499
Location
Victoria, Australia
How are all the litter transitions going?

I used clay litter for all my previous generations of cats, and clumping clay when that became a thing. Stopped buying it recently when the brand I was using (Woolworths, AU$2.65 for w.5kg) went from being what you’d expect of clay litter to GRAVEL. As in, rocks the size of my fingernails. No idea why, change of supplier maybe? Anyway impossible for the cats to use, never mind whether it could clump. I tried Breeder’s Choice paper litter. Not bad for a couple of days but then the urine stench was unbelievable, and permeated the whole unit. Went to Coles brand soy litter. Not bad, the girls didn’t have any trouble changing to it, but a bit pricey ($17 for 4kg). Odour control not perfect but better than the paper or clay. Then found much the same sort of stuff a bit cheaper at The Reject Shop (under $12 for 4kg). Its odour control isn quite as good as the Coles brand and once they put their price up it didn’t seem worth it. (Also the “no tracking” claim always makes me laugh). Tried pine pellets after someone visiting enthused about them. Bought a Moderna sifting tray, made the change gradually - no dice. Phoebe didn’t use it at all and by the time I had all pine pellets in it, neither did Daisy. I bet they felt very uncomfortable to stand on, they were the size of peas. So, back to the soy/tofu stuff. Read reviews of this brand, available at Woolworths and Pet Stock and so on. Pricey - $19 for 2.5kg - but since they were using the Moderna bin, which is smaller than the baby bath I used to use, I figured I would only need one bag at a time. The reviews all mention very good odour control. The makers claim it can last up to four weeks for one cat. If that breaks down to two weeks for two, that‘s $9.50 a week, which isn’t bad. I’ve had it going six days so far. It’s very light and soft, smaller and thinner pellets than the previous ones. I haven’t noticed any dust. It tracks, of course, but at least its peculiar dark grey colour blends with the carpet, lol. It clumps very quickly and is less sticky than the others. It’s also lightweight, and only needs a plastic scoop to clear it out. It has a noticeable scent straight out of the bag, but that soon dissipated, and so far its odour control is very good. There’s only the question of longevity to be answered now. If it ticks that box (and Woolworths etc keep their price gouging under control for once) then it’ll be a winner.
 

tabbytom

Happiness is being owned by a cat
Staff Member
Mentor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
19,671
Purraise
36,867
Location
Lion City, Singa-purr
How are all the litter transitions going?
There are many brands out there and as usual, all competing to be the best. I guess it only comes down to whether your cat like using it or not. And to what I see, it is definitely better than clay litter minus the tracking part but much much better in controlling tracking than clay litter as it is in the form of a bigger piece of litter and not small sand like and tracks all over the house and becomes sandy.

So far, I find my floors less dusty after mixing it with the clay litter as much less clay litter is tracking now. Also when I scoop the litter off the litterbox, I find that the litter clumps better and less breakage and fall off as it is now mix with the Tofu litter as compared with no mixture of litter.

I'm slowly transiting my boy over as he is still weary about stepping on them but at least he still pee and poo in the litterbox with some coaxing. I'm in no hurry as I'm also letting the old clay litter too get lesser and lesser as I keep topping up with the Tofu pellets and eventually, I'll make the switch.

For a more expensive litter that does not compromise with health, I think it's ok. My boy has been using clay litter for almost 7 years and each time he digs, his nose is very close to the litter and I think that's enough for him and it's time together something more healthy for him as he is getting older and I don't want too have any serious health issues for him.

So far, odour control is good.
 
Last edited:

catloverfromwayback

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 24, 2021
Messages
3,732
Purraise
8,499
Location
Victoria, Australia
There are many brands out there and as usual, all competing to be the best. I guess it only comes down to whether your cat like using it or not. And to what I see, it is definitely better than clay litter minus the tracking part but much much better in controlling tracking than clay litter as it is in the form of a bigger piece of litter and not small sand like and tracks all over the house and becomes sandy.

So far, I find my floors less dusty after mixing it with the clay litter as much less clay litter is tracking now. Also when I scoop the litter off the litterbox, I find that the litter clumps better and less breakage and fall off as it is now mix with the Tofu litter as compared with no mixture of litter.

I'm slowly transiting my boy over as he is still weary about stepping on them but at least he still pee and poo in the litterbox with some coaxing. I'm in no hurry as I'm also letting the old clay litter too get lesser and lesser as I keep topping up with the Tofu pellets and eventually, I'll make the switch.

For a more expensive litter that does not compromise with health, I think it's ok. My boy has been using clay litter for almost 7 years and each time he digs, his nose is very close to the litter and I think that's enough for him and it's time together something more healthy for him as he is getting older and I don't want too have any serious health issues for him.

So far, odour control is good.
That’s good to know. I so envy you the size of your markets in the US for, well, just about anything. It’s very limited in Australia, not surprising given our small population and the sheer distance. I’ve seen things advertised online that are quite cheap but cost hundreds of dollars to import. Not happening!
 

tabbytom

Happiness is being owned by a cat
Staff Member
Mentor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
19,671
Purraise
36,867
Location
Lion City, Singa-purr
That’s good to know. I so envy you the size of your markets in the US for, well, just about anything. It’s very limited in Australia, not surprising given our small population and the sheer distance. I’ve seen things advertised online that are quite cheap but cost hundreds of dollars to import. Not happening!
I'm not in the US. I'm in Singa-purr (Singapore)

I buy my stuffs online.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #48

Cat.mama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2018
Messages
179
Purraise
131
I use Fresh Step - unscented when I can find it. I have used it for years, and it isn't any dustier now than it was years ago. I mention that because other members who use other products have been complaining more recently about the dust being worse than it used to be. I always keep the container as close as I can to the bottom of the box when adding/replacing litter in order to reduce the possibility of dust. I don't seem to have dust when scooping either. The dustiest time is probably when I empty the entire litter box for a thorough cleaning, so I generally do that outside or scoop most of it out into a paper bag before dumping the last bit.

Feeby is not a digger, nor does she cover anything up, so that probably helps keep the dust down too. But, even so, there is no odor emanating from the box either. May be different for others with more than one cat. Since I only have one cat, keeping the litter box scooped frequently is probably also helpful, at least in terms of odor.
Is this the free and clear fresh step in the green and white box? I’m having a hard time getting any of these recommend litters!! I do see a 40# free and clear tho.
last week I ended up buying more of the tidy paws and it’s dust clouds for days! I’ve never actually seen dust clouds before.. prob when I was younger but with how litter has evolved. I’ve just got to get away from this stuff!! I did try another box of dr elsey. I don’t know if anyone else uses this stuff.. it’s sure not like it used to be. I know it doesn’t have glass in it but it has what looks like glass type shards mixed in. Clear thin sharp pieces. Not sure what material this would be. Was hoping this could be my fall back until I found something else.
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,433
Purraise
33,191
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
Is this the free and clear fresh step in the green and white box? I’m having a hard time getting any of these recommend litters!! I do see a 40# free and clear tho.
I haven't used the free and clear version, just the 'regular' unscented version. There are many members who seem to like Dr. Elsey's, but I can't speak to it as I have never tried it.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #50

Cat.mama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2018
Messages
179
Purraise
131
I haven't used the free and clear version, just the 'regular' unscented version. There are many members who seem to like Dr. Elsey's, but I can't speak to it as I have never tried it.
Okay thank you. I know you mentioned before this type was hard to get. Maybe that’s why I am not seeing it. I will keep looking!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #51

Cat.mama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2018
Messages
179
Purraise
131
How are all the litter transitions going?
The struggle is real!! I am having zero luck. Sounds like you are having a hard time as well. I just wanted to say.. I haven’t seen a woolworths since I was a little kid!! They had one in the mall. Only store I ever seen that you could buy groceries and goldfish in the same store!!!
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,433
Purraise
33,191
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
Okay thank you. I know you mentioned before this type was hard to get. Maybe that’s why I am not seeing it. I will keep looking!
I think they may have done away with the Unscented version I was getting. Thankfully, Feeby doesn't mind the scented ones. But there is another one called Fresh Step Simply Unscented that may have replaced it and might be worth a try. Both Chewy and PetSmart seem to carry it.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #53

Cat.mama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2018
Messages
179
Purraise
131
I think they may have done away with the Unscented version I was getting. Thankfully, Feeby doesn't mind the scented ones. But there is another one called Fresh Step Simply Unscented that may have replaced it and might be worth a try. Both Chewy and PetSmart seem to carry it.
i put an order in last night and my local store only had the no track avail in this. It’s the same price for half the amount! Going to keep checking stock.

I use Okocat paper pellets now as my cat needs no dust. One has FLUTD and the other risk black so the dust gets everywhere.

I also enjoyed Okocat wood pellets previously. However, the absorption wasn't as fast so there would be temporary pooling (maybe 20 minutes or so?). It's good on clumping and lower dust the more pellet like you go. They have 3 options.

The paper pellets absorb fast but it is a learning curve to go to non-clumping so not for everyone. I do like to sanitize the boxes once a month and since there is no clumping agent, nothing is stuck to the sides or bottoms so it turned my hour of cleaning 3 boxes into 5 minutes. I can not just wipte with sanitizer, rinse and dry.
so… I had some of the wood pellets delivered last night and got it one of the boxes. Man that stuff if sharp! If I was a cat I would not want to walk on this stuff! I added just a tiny bit of my old litter brand on top to help encourage. I got it from PetSmart and they had a chart thingy.. it said the wood pellet was softer on the feet and good for long hair. I have one long hair. I’m thinking now I don’t see how it would really make any difference on either of those two things vs the paper. It’s prob just as hard and neither would prob stick to her hair! The big cancer warning about breathing dust was a turn off but … I know they are breathing much worse with the clay litter. PetSmart does same day delivery. I think I might just order the paper and switch it out…. No one used it overnight.
 

Alldara

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Apr 29, 2022
Messages
5,278
Purraise
8,910
Location
Canada
So… I had some of the wood pellets delivered last night and got it one of the boxes. Man that stuff if sharp! If I was a cat I would not want to walk on this stuff! I added just a tiny bit of my old litter brand on top to help encourage. I got it from PetSmart and they had a chart thingy.. it said the wood pellet was softer on the feet and good for long hair. I have one long hair. I’m thinking now I don’t see how it would really make any difference on either of those two things vs the paper. It’s prob just as hard and neither would prob stick to her hair! The big cancer warning about breathing dust was a turn off but … I know they are breathing much worse with the clay litter. PetSmart does same day delivery. I think I might just order the paper and switch it out…. No one used it overnight.
I found the wood pellets a bit harder and sharper yes. I've not used the full pellets, but rather the original which I believe is chopped pellets. my cats Preferred it to the soft step actually (by putting one in each box and seeing what they used).

Okocat paper pellets are a very different shape and size. It is a 100% different experience to their original wood pellets cat litter.
I don't believe the commentary on the side of the box is comparing their wood and paper litters, but is comparing their wood litter to regular litters.

I don't see how the paper litter by Okocat would stick to a cat's fur as there is no clumping agent in it at all? But I also don't have long haired cats. As with any litter they do kick some out of the boxes.
 

catloverfromwayback

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 24, 2021
Messages
3,732
Purraise
8,499
Location
Victoria, Australia
The struggle is real!! I am having zero luck. Sounds like you are having a hard time as well. I just wanted to say.. I haven’t seen a woolworths since I was a little kid!! They had one in the mall. Only store I ever seen that you could buy groceries and goldfish in the same store!!!
Woolworths is one of the two big supermarket chains in Australia (the other is Coles). I just did a quick google because I didn’t know where the company originated, and it turns out this Woolworths is an Australian group that isn’t connected to the US F.W Woolworths company at all. So today I learned something! They have the Woolworths supermarkets and Big W general department stores (cheap sort of range, much like Target or KMart).
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #56

Cat.mama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2018
Messages
179
Purraise
131
I found the wood pellets a bit harder and sharper yes. I've not used the full pellets, but rather the original which I believe is chopped pellets. my cats Preferred it to the soft step actually (by putting one in each box and seeing what they used).

Okocat paper pellets are a very different shape and size. It is a 100% different experience to their original wood pellets cat litter.
I don't believe the commentary on the side of the box is comparing their wood and paper litters, but is comparing their wood litter to regular litters.

I don't see how the paper litter by Okocat would stick to a cat's fur as there is no clumping agent in it at all? But I also don't have long haired cats. As with any litter they do kick some out of the boxes.
That makes total sense. No one has used the box yet. I’m going to go ahead and order the paper today and go for round two!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #57

Cat.mama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2018
Messages
179
Purraise
131
Woolworths is one of the two big supermarket chains in Australia (the other is Coles). I just did a quick google because I didn’t know where the company originated, and it turns out this Woolworths is an Australian group that isn’t connected to the US F.W Woolworths company at all. So today I learned something! They have the Woolworths supermarkets and Big W general department stores (cheap sort of range, much like Target or KMart).
Now I too have learned something today!!! That is awesome.
 

Alldara

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Apr 29, 2022
Messages
5,278
Purraise
8,910
Location
Canada
That makes total sense. No one has used the box yet. I’m going to go ahead and order the paper today and go for round two!
You may have to move a paper towel with a poo in it from a used box to the unused one.

I think it took a few days after I did that for the boys to realize it was okay to use the new litter.
 

ladytimedramon

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Apr 29, 2020
Messages
808
Purraise
772
I use crystal (silica gel) litter (I have a scoop free automatic litter box). I had to go with a crystal litter because one of my girls would chew her paws so much that you could see pink skin under the white fur. I had tried clay, wood, and corn. Since I've been using the crystal litter there is only minimal paw chewing. It's really expensive but her paws (and an automatic litter box) are worth it.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #60

Cat.mama

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2018
Messages
179
Purraise
131
You may have to move a paper towel with a poo in it from a used box to the unused one.

I think it took a few days after I did that for the boys to realize it was okay to use the new litter.
I just got the paper pellets down this morning. This stuff is sooo much softer than the wood, you are right!! I was starting to think this was not going to be an option for us. I didn’t want to be dramatic but with the wood.. when I put it in , I pressed down with my hands as hard as could. When I raised them out of the litter box pellets stuck into my hands. One peeled the skin back, not bleeding, just from the hard puncture. I’m sure they won’t put that much force. I just think at first when they are learning and trying to cover their poo. I am pleased with the texture! The smell is … I can’t think of anything to describe it. Will take some time to get used to for sure. One cat walked in the room as soon as I put it down, put her nose all in the air, turned around and walked out!! I will try moving some poo over to the box. I thought about adding some of the old litter but I don’t think I’m going to do that.
I’ve had the paperpellets down for about 20 mins and as I’m sitting here in the living room I can smell the smell of the litter on the other side of the house already. Does this get better haha??? And does it get worse with pee?
I put in the same amount as I would with clay litter. The box didn’t give any info as to how much to put in the box.
 
Top