How often do you clean the litter box?

[Anne]

I'm researching for a new article about the frequency in which people actually clean the cat box. If you could please reply with the following - 

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

3. How often do you scoop?

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?

Thank you! 

 

[ritz]

1,  Ritz pees standing up, so I have been using the tallest plastic Rubbermaid like container I could find, around 15" high, and her urine would still go over the top of the box.  I have just recently bought/using Miss Litterbox http://nvrmiss.com/index.php which was mentioned in a previous thread about big or tall litter boxes.  I asked for the 'extension' , putting the height to 18" (adjustable to probably around 22" with strong Velcro tabs).  The bottom is flatter than the Rubbermaid like containers, so scooping is somewhat easier.  It is considerably shorter in length than Ritz previous boxes, but that doesn't bother her.   It's not the prettiest container especially with the extension, but given I keep it in an unused shower stall, it's fine.

2.  Clumping, Scoop Away.  I've been using this since I first adopted Ritz, four years ago.  (I figure since I kept on changing the boxes on her, the least I could do is keep the same litter.)  It was what her foster mother used.  NOTE (and I really should mention this is the other thread [review?] and/or contact the company):  the most recent boxes of Scoop Away seem to be considerably more dusty.  I don't have allergies or sensitivities, but this could be a problem for people who do.  It does it's job, though Ritz doesn't always:  she sometimes doesn't bury her urine, which can smell.

3.  I scoop at least twice a day.

4.  I clean the box about every two to three weeks (with a little bleach and liquid detergent, leave outside for a day, like to do it when it's raining. I put fresh litter in, but have always kept some of the old litter.  I read that that was a good idea, maybe comforts the cat, same smell, etc.

 

[catsallaround]

15 boxes.  13 are clear totes and around 15-18 gallons. 2 are stainless steel boxes from Petsmart.

12 (10 totes and 2 regular boxes) have Tidy Cats Non scoopable litter. 3 totes have pine pellet horse bedding.  Was using Fresh Step but dust was getting worse then it had been in past.

I dump the regular litter every other day(I do 5 a day).  During the week I wash and bleach the boxes during weekend I just refill as husband is driven up wall by the boxes in tub

I scoop the Pine out best I can every other day and dump them Monday night or early Tuesday as garbage gets picked up Tuesday.  I REALLY love the pine and have had more boxes but they tend to flip those boxes unless I use alot of litter or wedge it with another.  Even the real low wide boxes. 

Not perfect but works and no litter box accidents so take it they are happy with the setup 26 in house full time 1 comes in at night and 1 comes into a cage during real cold or bad weather.  He gets a steel box with Tidy Cats non scoop and I dump it after few uses/if he won't be coming in for a few days.

 

[catsallaround]

Scoop Away and Fresh Step are both Clorox so does not surprise me.  Sad though as for years they had something great and I am not willing to spend extra on Fresh Step litter anymore due to it.  Plus with sales and coupons Tidy Cats comes down to as low as $1 per 10lbs.  Let them know-that is only way they will change it back.

Though every time I see post on Fresh Steps page they reply basically same thing to everyone-It is vacuumed for dust and some depends on the shipping/breakdown. 

 

[scubacat]

I use two open-topped boxes, side-by-side, for one kitty. Both are higher sided. She uses both, usually one for urine, other for poop.

Cat Attract clumping litter. When we adopted Jackie we tried World's Best but she refused it in favour of a potted plant and my down comforter. I do not think she liked the texture. Cat Attract worked like a charm to get her to the box (and away from plant!) with no issues at all since. I am still using it as she seems to like it and the dust seems low. Easy to scoop clumps and no complaints about smell from me (but I do scoop often so this helps).

I scoop 2x a day minimum. I have a Litter Locker so easy enough to scoop anytime I walk by so sometimes more.

I make sure the litter is deep enough that I do not need to change/entirely clean the box very often (about 1x a month?), clumps and feces do not often end up touching side or bottom of box. I add litter as needed, with a good fresh layer added once a week. I follow the recommendations on catinfo for litter depth, etc and it works well. Litter stays clean, no smell, kitty is happy, etc.

 

[bluebird gal]

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.

    Tidy Cat Breeze System

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

     Tidy Cat Breeze pellets that are scent free and 99.9% dust free

3. How often do you scoop?

    Since we are retired, I do have the luxury of being able to almost instantly scoop when either of the boys does their business.  

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?

    Once a month it is all torn apart, scrubbed & scalded in hot water and all new pellets dropped in.  The pee pads in this system get changed about every 4 days.  And of course, if anyone were to have an upset tummy with icky stools then I will scoop all the nasty pellets out one by one and top the box back off with fresh pellets.

 

[mservant]

Type of box: Booda Roundabout - no longer available.  Have a Catit White Tiger box at the ready for when current one gets too scratched or tainted.  Plenty height and space and deep tray....

Type of litter: started out with type he used with his mom, then once settled in his new home moved to scooping, scent free, low dust, clumping clay.

Cleaning out:  Minimum daily scoop, usually twice a day but can be more if I'm in all day.  With previous virtually dust free clumping it was a complete change and clean out every 14 to 16 days.  Since changing to low dust current variety the litter stays clean and untainted for up to 4 weeks and I top up every 6 or 7 days when the litter depth goes down too far.  I do a complete clean with dilute Milton solution and rinse and dry out, then complete fresh litter fill to 3".  No outdoor space to air and the boy likes to supervise and jump straight in to make it his anyway so need to be fast. 

 

[rubysmama]

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.

Originally had a 2 piece uncovered one, but pee managed to leak between the seams and onto the floor.   Now I have a high-backed one.

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

Purina Maxx Scoop

3. How often do you scoop?

morning and evening weekdays -  when I see it needs scooping on weekends

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?

I top up the litter when needed and wipe down the sides and bottom with Hartz litter wipes when necessary and that seems to keep it clean and odor-free

 

[oneandahalfcats]

 
I'm researching for a new article about the frequency in which people actually clean the cat box. If you could please reply with the following - 

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.

Two large rectangular rubbermaid containers and one regular sized open litter box

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

Purina Maxx Clay based, 99% dust-free, unscented, non-clumping cat litter

3. How often do you scoop?

Scoop every time they go if I see them, on average 2-3 times a day - I work from home

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?

About every 4 days to once a week depending on the volume of pee - I have 3 cats two of which sometimes pee large lakes

 

[betsygee]

 
I'm researching for a new article about the frequency in which people actually clean the cat box. If you could please reply with the following - 

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.   Two high backed boxes for our old guy with arthritis and kidney disease who pees standing up.  Five regular boxes scattered around the house.  An outdoor pee pit in the catio with aquarium gravel.

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).  Swheat Scoop clumping, unscented.  (I had a  couple of incidents last year with tiny moths in the bag but no problems like that in months.)

3. How often do you scoop?  Twice a day.

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?  About once a month.

 

[tx_kat]

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.

We have plastic bins because at least three of our five kitties like to stand up to pee, and "real" boxes aren't tall enough. We get new boxes each year and would rather pay $7.00 per bin than $20 per "real" litter box.

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

We use the odorless clumping litter from PetCo. We are thinking of trying World's Best Litter in a box or two to see if they like it.

3. How often do you scoop?

We try to scoop twice a day; but with 10 boxes, we end up scooping only once a day.

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?

Each box gets emptied and cleaned one a month or sooner if it needs it.

 

[katocats]

Originally Posted by Anne  /img/forum/go_quote.gif
1. What kind of box or boxes you have.

One big rectangular box, it use to have a swing door on the front of it but we took that off

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

Cats Best Litter 100% natural fiber  100% recyclable clumping litter, can also be put down the toilet with no problems.

3. How often do you scoop?

Scoop the box out once a day (morning).

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?

Total change/ clean once a month,  this box Is big.

Thank you! 

 

[allmomskitties]

We have 13 indoor cats, but only have space for four large litter pans, so they are scooped 4 to 5 times a day.  We use a generic clumping store brand litter (Hy-Top) and add a cup of Pro-Pet Fresh Results corn cob litter with pine scent.  Our litter pans are non-covered plastic storage tubs, and generally the scoop-and-add method works pretty well.  We usually only completely empty and scrub them twice a year.  Of course, if someone makes a mess on the side of the pan I use wet pet wipes to clean it up.

 

[molldee]

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.
I have five boxes around the house. Two are extra giant covered boxes, two are uncovered extra giant, and one is extra extra giant uncovered.

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).
I use clumping clay litter, Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat

3. How often do you scoop?
2x a day, sometimes more if I'm home more

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box
Not very often. Only if needed.

 

[silvercat]

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.

3 high backed, uncovered boxes for our 2 kitties.

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

I use Arm and Hammer Ultra Last Clumping Litter.

3. How often do you scoop?

Twice a day and sometimes three times.

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?

About once a month for cleaning- I fill up the litter every week or so.

 

[Norachan]

 
Not perfect but works and no litter box accidents so take it they are happy with the setup 26 in house full time 1 comes in at night and 1 comes into a cage during real cold or bad weather.  He gets a steel box with Tidy Cats non scoop and I dump it after few uses/if he won't be coming in for a few days.

Wow, someone who has more cats than me. I think I love you.

I have 20 feral born cats at the moment. All have outdoor access from 6 am to 6 pm and 2 only come home to eat so they mainly pee out doors but I have 2 covered litter boxes and 3 non-covered boxes. I work from home so scoop whenever I notice they have been used while I'm awake, just before I go to sleep and as soon as I wake up.

I dump and cIean the boxes and replace the little every five days. I do on rotation, one box every day so there is always one perfectly clean each day.

I use clay based clumping litter that has odour neutralising grains in it. It's the only kind they like, if I switch to a cheaper brand we start to have "accidents".

 

[rubysmama]

 
2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

Purina Maxx Scoop

Just noticed I forgot to mention this is clumping.

 

[lamiatron]

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.

--Nature's Miracle Oval Hooded Jumbo Box. The top cover is opaque and lets a lot of light in. I use it with a nature's miracle disposable litter tray (as a liner). I also have a regular uncovered litter box, size large, but none of my cats use it (i have two). They seem to like some privacy 

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

--Nature's Miracle Intense Defense Clumping Clay litter. I've used many others, but this has worked out the best for me.

3. How often do you scoop?

--I scoop once or twice a day. Both my kitties use only the covered litter box and not the uncovered one. The covered box i will clean once or twice a day (depends how long I'm home with them) and the uncovered box i check every few days, and if it has been used then it's cleaned (but it never is)

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?

--I used to dump and scrub once a week. I found that for all of the litters that i've used, they are the most effective for about 3-4 days (in terms of clumping, and odor control), and then at the end of the week i had to dump and scrub the box, and put a new batch in for optimal litter effectiveness.

NO BUENO for my lower back honestly.

But I read a thread here about using disposable litter trays as liners in existing litter boxes, and then once a month just throw them out with the used litter...and That's what i've been doing. I use a Nature's Miracle disposable litter tray in my litter box, which claims to have baking soda and helps to "keep litter fresher, longer". its been about three weeks, and along with the use of the Nature's Miracle litter, and the disposable tray, things are looking good. I'm hoping to just get rid of the tray with the used up litter once a month, and because there is no business going on inside the actual litter box, i would not need to dump and scrub, just a simple cleaning with some multi purpose spray...and then insert a new tray and new batch of litter. 

 

[laralove]

Two standard litter boxes for my one cat.

Precious Cat Multi-cat Clumping.

I scoop once a day, usually. Sometimes twice. 

I clean the box about once a month, using the tip and wipe technique. 

 

[ondine]

1. What kind of box or boxes you have.

       I use large totes too.  We have five for six cats (but each tote is the equivalent of one regular sized litter box, so its the same as having ten regular sized boxes.)

2. What type of litter do you use (please mention clumping or non-clumping, crystals or other).

      Arm and Hammer, unscented, clumping

3. How often do you scoop?

        Every day

4. How often do you have a total change of litter and/or cleaning of the entire box?

       Every two months we completely empty the boxes and wash them out with disinfectant wipes before refilling with new litter.

I was really glad to hear I wasn't the only one using totes.  Our biggest boy used to regularly "overshoot" and the totes solved this.