Cat litter box hacks that will save your life
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- čas přidán 26. 10. 2022
- The best litter box hacks that actually keep the litter area clean! Supplies below ⤵️
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In all the pet supply stores I’ve ever shopped in, never in my life have I ever seen a stainless steel litter box!
Or check restaurant supply stores, it's basically just a steel baking dish.
Slapping a litter box label on it instead of baking sheet just lets them charge more for essentially the same thing.
I bought mine on Amazon.
@@Jcewazhere I thought of that too, since I work for a restaurant supply distributor. The only problem is my male cat (part Maine Coon) is three feet tall on his hind legs, so the plastic litter box I bought for him has 11” high sides-which is barely enough to keep him from peeing over the edge, lol! Not sure even a chafing dish is that deep! 😆
Me neither
And why not use plastic bags to line the box, so you don't have to completely clean out the box every time?
Everyone blames cats and complains about the smell of their urine but it's the owners that don't clean their litter boxes.
YES!! Thank you for telling everyone to thumb up lol this video is blowing up!
Similarly, if people use the toilet and didn’t flush it afterwards, it would smell. Instead of complaining, flush it, wipe your tush, scoop litter box, take your dog out, pick up their poop, throw it away. Change the babies diaper too. Everything eliminates.
Yes exactly I saw a CFH episode where owners would pick up the litter once a week or twice a week. And there's me cleaning it twice a day and my litter box has never been smelly and it's an open one.
Yes exactly
Guilty...im lazy af
I'm Brazilian and one thing I don't get it, it's how you guys clean this kind of thing in the bathtub! You have to wash and disinfect the bathtub after, very well done to be sure it won't contaminates you, and that takes much more than "5 minutes". I mentioned my background because in Brazil every house has a special sink for house cleaning, for things like dirty shoes soles, litter boxes, washing cleaning supplies, etc., we never mix these things. with our regular stuff.
Meu deus eu pensei a mesma coisa, fica falando de contaminação de bactéria no plástico e lavando a caixa onde o ser humano toma banho 💀
I’m right there with ya I have a utility sink in my home just for cleaning purposes.
Yeah I'm American & don't clean it in the bathtub that's fucking gross. My litter box is on the back porch & my cat has a kitty door to get to it. I wash the box in the yard with a hose.
Her bathtub looks like mine. She is probably in an apartment. But I fill buckets and clean mine on my balcony and when I lived in a house I used my hose. She probably doesn’t have those options so this works for her.
Some of us don’t have that type of sink. I don’t wash it in the tub though because I don’t have one, I wash it in the shower and clean the shower afterwards
Love how this video consists of the cat fast asleep while the human does all the work.
Cats ARE a lot of work, especially younger ones. The litter box is the main thing, then trying to keep them entertained, so as not to destroy your home and trying to keep them from running out the door. I love mine very much, so I guess I'll do what I need to until I can't.
🥰
ha ha... sounds normal to me! 😄
😂😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍👍
Remember...cats (and horses) have Staff...dogs have owners
If you are lucky to get a sunny day, here's a trick. After washing thoroughly with hot, sudsy water, spray your plastic cat wares (including liter box) with white vinegar and set it in the sunshine and the UV rays will naturally sanitize plastic... and this also works for many other household items.
The sunlight thing is a myth unless you live in a place where it gets reaaaally hot like Texas then shit just gets baked
@@animeloveer97 Ultraviolet light rays from the sun is not a myth.
@@animeloveer97 - wrong "Naylene". The disinfectant properties from UV rays has zero to do with temperature. Sunlight/uv-light kills bacteria and viruses AND other little bugs that make us (and our furry friends) ill. Why do you think there are UV light toothbrush holders, etc... Do you think that is a lie? Ask anyone that works in a medical environment if UV light kills icky bugs... a "myth"...lol
7th Generation spray. After cleaning, spay, leave it on, let it dry. Instructions say that will 99.9% sanitize
@@animeloveer97 uv is not dependent on the temperature. you could also just as easily burn yourself when it is freaking cold outside.
All good ideas for those that are OCD about litter boxes. I'm 61 years old and have had cats literally all my life. Never once have I, anyone in my family, or any of our cats ever gotten ill from a properly maintained "plastic" litterbox. Just sayin'. We currently have 3 cats and 2 litterboxes... scoop in the morning, scoop at night, wash once a week and done.
Same here. 2 healthy cats with two plastic litter boxes. I am cleaning the boxes two times a day. The only time I wash a litter box is if an accident has happened. The litter is designed to dehydrate whatever gets into it, therefore, the environment is unsuitable for bacteria growth. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that the boxes are sterile, but my cats are often licking their butts after using a box, if this doesn't harm them in any way, I don't see how the imaginary bacteria would. Yet again, I'd rather see an OCD cat owner than a cat with a neglected litter box.
I agree. I've had multiple adopted cats entire life and plastic work fine as long as you scoop and clean them regularly. I use a little dawn dishsoap and wash them outside on the pavement with a hose, dry them out and put fresh litter in probably once a month or so.
I have one cat litter box for each of my cats in plastic that is going to be used until they pass. I don’t go out buying a new one each year. For what? I clean them really well each time and they smell great and still look as good as new. That’s how I help the environment.
fyi you should have 1.5 litter boxes for each cat
We have several cats and I can affirm, it is crucial to scoop the litterboxes multiple times a day, every single day. The difference is shocking once you see how much easier and more sanitary it is when you scoop more frequently.
Exatamente, eu tenho só um gato mas limpo todas as vezes que ele faz as necessidades, e lavo a caixa uma vez por semana
I scoop multiple times per day as well. It actually makes life easier for everyone. If you leave waste sitting in the box for a long period of time, there's also the chance that the clumps might get broken the next time the cat uses the box. When I scoop, I tilt the box so all the loose litter slides out of the away, and I can remove the clump in a single piece. Even if it does break, because it's isolated, I can scrape out the other pieces without it contaminating the rest of the litter. Scooping multiple times also adds a bit of resiliency. If I forget to scoop in the evening, I might find a bit of extra waste the next morning , but it's not like it's going to find a huge pile like I would if I cleaned it less frequently.
I feel so sorry for cats whos owners don’t scoop multiple times a day 😢
I actually watched a video from Jackson Galaxy saying that cleaning out with your cats litter box with anything but warm water is no good for the cat. They work hard to get their scent in the litter box and it’s being wiped away. Might be worth the watch! Thanks for all the tips! ☺️
I have a different technique. I get the largest litter box I can find and I fill it with A LOT of scoopable litter, so there is a very deep layer (maybe 4-5 inches). Then I scoop waste frequently into my litter locker. With this technique, solid or liquid waste almost never reaches the bottom or sides of the litter box. I try to keep the litter topped up as much as possible and I scoop frequently. I have all of this in its own private corner or the house and I use a track mat to reduce tracking. I pretty much never have to clean or replace the box since the waste is removed before having the opportunity to really touch or soak anywhere into the plastic. It might not be perfect or sparkling, but it stays clean enough :)
I do the same. No smell and rarely clean with water. hi from sweden 😀
You just described me lol! My cats love digging into the high sand and get noticeably cranky when it's shallow
I tried this for a few months but the residue litter started smelling and it became dusty.
My cat lived to be 18. We used only 2 plastic litterboxes in her entire life. They stayed very clean because I used plastic litterbox liners that I changed once a month. I also placed several layers of folded newspapers underneath the liners so that if my cat's claws tore holes in the liners, the newspapers would absorb any urine that might leak out. So every month, I'd replace the liners and, if needed, I replaced the newspapers underneath them too. I do like the idea of stainless steel litterboxes, though. I never even knew they existed.
I purchased a stainless steel one from Amazon a while back
**Try using wood pellets for your cat litter. They work great they absorb the odor of the urine and the pellets break down to saw dust, which is so much better for the environment. The best part is that the cat doesn't spread particles of the clay all over the house, and it is way more affordable then cat litter.
Well here its more expensive than normal cat litter but yea its great
Enzymatic cleaner. That was a total game changer for me. Before, no amount of scrubbing or detergent would get the scent out of the box after washes. Now I soak the box with the enzymatic cleaner for 10 mins, then scrub it with dish soap, and it leaves it sparking clean and ZERO smell. I spray the cleaner around the litter box as well just to freshen things up.
Please can you recommend a particular enzyme cleaner? Many thanks 🌺
same question as below : any brand recommended ? thanks
Any brand you recommend?
@@eleanorwoods6873 I dunno why my replies aren’t showing up, but I use simple solution extreme stain and odor remover. You can buy the patio and decking 4liter bottle, it’s the same product just a lot more economical.
@@Ida-Adrianahey! I recall replying but for some reason my replies aren’t showing up sorry! I use the Simple Solution extreme cat stain & odor remover; you can buy the patio and decking 4liter version and put it in a spray bottle- it’s a lot more economical
I use equine pine litter. Mona loves it, pee break down to sawdust and it never smells. Fully changed out weekly. 40 lbs for $6.
Isn't it great? I love the added benefit of not having clay litter dust covering every surface near the litter boxes.
Thanks for the tip! Where do you purchase it for that price?
@@heidiw637 yes would love to know too😻
@@Its_me--Boo_Radley where do you buy it?
@@NubianP6 Tractor Supply, Target. Be sure to get KILN DRIED.
I've been a cat owner since the mid eighties. Used all types of litter, litter boxes and methods. Until I discovered World's Best cat litter, it always smelled and was just nasty. I started using World's Best around ten years ago and you never smell the cat box. I use a regular plastic box with a bag liner. I keep at least one inch of litter in the bottom and add ass necessary. The litter clumps instantly, and all I do is scoop the clumps in the morning and evening. The litter goes into a small trash can with a pedal operated lid and is bag lined. It is emptied once a week.
Here’s a tip to get that cement- like litter off the bottom of the litter box: buy a paint scraper at the dollar store. Very easy to scoop the litter. I’ve used a plastic litter box for years. My cat is happy, healthy. My home doesn’t smell. I’m wondering if the steel litter box is cold on their paws.
I use a heavy duty plastic contractor bag to line the inside of a large litter box (3 cats) with folded up newspapers underneath. Just cut off about 6 inches off of the top of the bag since they are quite large. Then, take an extra large rubber band around the top to secure the bag in place. It makes the eventual cleanup disposal of the litter box contents so much easier, and you don't have to worry about the bag breaking on you on your way out the door. In addition, you don't need to wash out the litter pan in your bathtub which is quite unsanitary!
its only unsanitary if you dont clean your bathtub..
imagine cleaning your cat litter tray in your bath tub 😃
I very much appreciate this video!! It has really helped us get our cats healthier from a litter box perspective, and us more sane from a smell, cost, and tracking perspective!
As a brand new cat mom (we’ve had our first ever pet & cat for 2 weeks now!!) I’m happy that I did go for the stainless steel box. I’ll definitely be shopping for a ceramic scoop after seeing this video! I too clean my cats box 3x/day.. as a busy mom 4 little kids, I’m already cleaning diapers all day long so cleaning the cat box is really no big deal for me. I also really want our cat to have a pleasant place to 💩 I never thought to pile the litter in the centre of the box but will be definitely trying that tip as well. Great video, lots of tips and tricks! I will definitely be checking out your other videos :) thank you!
My god I've had cats all my life and I'm 63! Didn't think I could learn anything new but I just learned a bunch of stuff new and I am going to put it into effect immediately. Thank you thank you thank you! I was already using the stainless steel scoop and natural litter but I'm going to a stainless steel pan and I'm going to try the piling it in the center thing. I scoop once a day but maybe I should do it more often.
I switched to a stainless water fountain
I have two cats and I have a disability that makes bending difficult for me, however, I have hit upon something that makes changing the litter a breeze for me. I get litter box liners from Amazon which are 2 ml thick. They fit in the litter box and I fold them over so they tie underneath. When I change the litter, I use scissors to cut the tie, pull the whole bag out, and put it all in the garbage. As long as I clip the cats’ claws regularly, the bags don’t rip. I have been doing this for a year now and it only takes me 2 minutes to do the job. It is so easy! 😊
Thanks for sharing these tips. Much appreciated
i sprinkle some baking soda into litterbox, mixed into the litter to combat the smells. works wonderfully for us - my cats don't mind (i think - what i mean is that their behavior towards their boxes has not changed at all) and not that my home used to smell but the corner where the litterboxes were sometimes used to stink. i have four cats in my care.
I used baby powder 😂
Yes..no steel needed..baking soda ..earth friendly as well as for people and animals..hygienic re odour..tra la..🇨🇦
@@sahriestar talcum is very toxic to the lungs!!
If you use silica based litter like pretty litter, mixing baking soda with it creates sodium silica which in turn create ammonia gas when wet and can also burn your cat's paws.
Nice tips, as someone with 6 cats, litter boxes are part of the daily routine. :) 2 additions: Steel litter boxes are really nice, but the advice to throw away plastic toilets once a year did really puzzle me. What source of wasted money and plastic garbage. In my experience, using chlorine, especially if you let it soak in for an hour once from time to time, is perfectly fine.
The best benefit-cost ratio in my experience is using wooden litter, and not buying cat litter but litter for horse stables. Same product, but much cheaper. Plus, you can stack 2 toilet trays while drilling a lot of holes in the top one. That way, the used-up wood powder goes into the tray beneath, and you just need to remove the solid waste.
Hydrogen peroxide works wonders when cleaning any biological stains, like urine, blood or feces.
Just pour some onto the soiled area, then watch the bubbling action lift the stains out of the fabric; then pat dry with a clean rag. Every thread will be as clean as it was before the unfortunate accident.
To deal with the odors as well as the stains, I use the hydrogen peroxide with a dusting of baking soda.
I have 5 and use plastic boxes that I take outside and soak it with bleach and water in the direct sunlight. Am I doing wrong by my Keke's?
@@rjchavers9267 I do the exact same thing. My only problem is when the kiddies think the litterbox is gone too long... then I have extra cleanup. I found out I could put one of those "pee pads" for dogs in the same place the litterbox usually is, so when they get urgent and the box is being cleaned outside, they use that instead of the floor...
@@RokiMowntinHi I have 5 cats so I have multiple boxes that I can rotate just one at a time out to avoid the occasional accident.
I do similar with pine pellets/sifting/sawdust. The wood idea is intriguing tho. Do you get it at tractor supply? I guess I do pine Bcuz it is just readily available and simple and works well enough for me. I have 9 cats. Not that this was my plan to have this many or anything I solicited, it just turned out that way. I had to let them be indoor/outdoor for my own sanity. Fortunately most of them now do most of their business outside when the weather permits. I also occasionally take the boxes out, clean them with something enzymatic and use the water hose and let them dry in the sun.
I know what you mean tho. I got two girls who would rather religiously use the puppy pads. 😅😅 Fortunately most days they have good aim and they’ve trained me to lay the pads just so for them (which is usually just folding them in half-this way you have top and bottom absorbing-and placing them in a certain direction/location) Lol. Of course I learned all of this over a long period of time with a lot of trial and error. Lol.
Excellent. Thank you very much for taking the time to show us your set up. Thank you Thank you THANK YOU. You are a very nice lady to share this with us.
So glad your video popped up, great info, thanks 😊
The point of the litter genie is to keep the smell contained in their special liners, not to have a separate trashcan for the litter waste. When I first got my cat I had a separate normal trash can for the litter and just used normal bags and the smell was terrible. I didn't want to buy into the marketing, but after a few months, I bought a litter genie and never went back. It's much more convenient and the liners really work. Sorry but a bag in a candy jar is not a diy litter genie, it's just a pretty trash can. I've had mine for 3+ years and it doesn't stink except for when I cut away the part with the waste when it's full. Maybe the people you cat sat for used off brand liners or normal plastic bags to save money, which in that case, yeah it's not going to work properly to keep the smell contained.
Also, I have 2 litter boxes to rotate. I would have gotten a stainless steel one had I know it existed at the beginning, but I don't see any reason to dump my current ones. I just scoop the clumps, pour the old litter into the new box, top it off. Then take the dirty box and wash it in the tub and let it soak in bleach for 20 minutes. I don't know who is dumping their plastic litter boxes every year, that seems rather excessive. I think bleach or sunning the box as someone else suggested is enough to sanitize it.
I ran across a deal on a ton of little puppy waste bags so I kinda stopped using the genie. Lol. It worked well until the smell assaults you all at once when you change the bag. (For me anyways lol). Plus the cost and fiddling with changing the bags. I put the poop in the thick little bags, tie a knot to seal it and Chuck it in my regular trash.
Granted I have very little urine to scoop tho Bcuz I use pine pellets/sifting for that. I only have one box that isn’t sifting/pine. I had too many cats to keep up with so I had to seek out alt ideas beyond traditional. Puppy pads also catch the urine sawdust so I just change the pads once a week and they can go in my regular bin to be quickly taken out as well as the little puppy bags. For me I guess I like not having to have a special bin. I like being able to throw everything nasty into one place and then summarily take it out. It is also a lot less heavy as well and the pine keeps it all very dry.
a diy one can work if you use the right container - I use a biscuit tin, but it's got a seal a bit like a tupperware, it's meant to stop biscuits etc going stale but it keeps the smell in
Plastic is porous and the urin eats away at it. while bleach is nice and all its wayyy to harsh on cat noses. you might not notice anything on your cat but one of mine is a bit sensitive and kept on sneezing until I stopped using bleach and used only vinegar instead. Normally, I wouldn't throw my bin away after a year, but let's say every five years...I expect my cat to at least live 15 years so the cost of a stainless steel one isn't too bad. And I wouldn't be opposed to buy a used one if I find a good deal
the point of the diy litter genie was to use something with an air tight lid on it, hence the candy jar!
@@drifloons The jar in the video didn't look very airtight tbh. I have a similar candy jar and the lid just sits on the opening and can be easily knocked off (not what I want for a waste bin that holds poop). Whatever works for her is fine, but I felt like she skipped the actual benefits of the litter genie so that she didn't have to show the equivalent in the diy version and instead just pointed out that it's plastic so it's bad. A big benefit for me with the litter genie is that I don't have to smell the old waste every time I scoop (which is every day). I only have to deal with it when I change the liner, which is only once or twice a month.
OMG! I’m ordering one right now because I am tired of having to buy new ones. Such a great idea. ♥️😽
Where do you get one of these in the UK 🤔 I'm curious about it, I hope she has tips to contain the smells of litter
Thank you so much for this video. I’m definitely going to implement these and see what works best for my space
I learned about stainless steel cat boxes and I agree, they are great and do not hold bad smells. I looked for stainless steel trash cans but they all have a hard plastic liner. The glass jar idea is great and I’m going to try it. Also, I never even thought about the scooper. I’m going to look for a SS or ceramic one right away. This is great info! Thank you.
My additional tip is to make sure you aren't placing any sort of litter box into direct sunlight. 😅
You'd be surprised that I see people get stainless steel litter boxes only to place them near a window where of course the steel is going to heat up super fast and the heat can cause burns and accelerate bacteria growth.
I see people do this too with their food and water dishes...
In the winter, the warmed litter would be nice- or cover the stainless steel with cardboard, maybe😊
My cat used to sneak into the fireplace to unload some logs
This video is a gem I will share it with every cat owner I know!!
Amazon has beautiful stainless steel litter boxes in several sizes. This one change made a huge difference in my life and my kitties!
I really love this idea but my first concern is the sides are short and there's no top so the first time it's used litter will be everywhere. The second, is the noise. I'm not sure I can handle the sound of his nails on the steel when he's burying. This is the first cat I've ever had so idk if it's normal but he's very concerned with making sure it's buried and spends a lot of time doing that. Has anyone else has similar issues or a solution?
Ohhhhhhhh, yes!! My cats, all 3, act like they’re digging a hole to China in their litter boxes. They’ll spend upward of 5 minutes scratching and burying. It’s unreal. I have to have a hood or I’ll have litter everywhere. My one cat I adopted is blind, so I get why she spends so much time in there. Well, not really. But the other two…no idea. I have 3 litter boxes that I clean out daily. It’s a phenomenon I’ll never understand.
Not all are made the same. I literally spent a month sifting through metal box brands, and they all had some major flaw. However!! I came across one finally 🤣 Litter Earth is the BEST for metal litter boxes. They're made from medical-grade steel. Their website breaks it down, but in a nutshell, there are at least 3 grades that they mention... Stainless Steel 200 (metal staws, kitchen utensils, and kitchen trays) ... Stainless Steel 304 (commercial equipment, pots & pans, outdoor BBQ grill) ..... and finally, Stainless Steel 316 (surgical instruments, marine applications, medical equipment) ..... The Less Litter Earth litter box is made from stainless steel 316. On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, this stainless steel type rates 5 stars at being able to stand up against degradation from cat urine and 5 stars for being corrosion resistant. It resists odor, bacteria, ammonia in cat urine, stains, and rust. It is PH proof against cat urine.... Finally, the design has VERY high sides and it is round as opposed to the traditional rectangular shape. If you notice, cats always make circular movements in their litter box. The shape of the box fits their natural movements. I also like the Less Earth litter box because other metal boxes (and plastic too of course) tend to get scratches and degrade ovetime, which costs more money in the long run when they have to be replaced. This one does not have to be replaced. It's pricey upfront, but you're saving money down the road and you have a top of the line, highest quality litter box. 🙃
I don't like nails on metal either lol
I would say that the litter locker is a game changer. It makes managing the poo a lot easier!
Brilliant!! Thank you!!
Thank you literally so much for this. I learned a lot of information and truly appreciate it. ❤🐱
I gently dust my cats litter tray with bicarbonate soda each day. Given her tray is next to my desk it does a great job keeping orders down. She seems to appreciate it too
I put a thin layer of baking soda (same thing as bicarbonate soda) in the very bottom of the litterbox. I do this because I heard that it can irritate some cats skin (I have hairless kiddies), and I have not had any problems. It definitely keeps odor down in our household.
@@RokiMowntinHi I haven't had any problems with irritation from my cat, but yes definitely place under the litter if you cat seems irritated by it. or stop using. I'm not an expert, this was just an old, old, old family trick.
thank you. i'm gonna try this
I have 4 cats all 13 years old they all been using the same plastic litter box they been using as babies I think I washed it twice all this years, it is a supersized litter box and due to health reasons I am not able to weekly wash it, the litter is clean scooped twice a day, cats are happy and healthy, I do like the metal litter box unfortunately it does not come in a supersize for multiple cats, now you don't need to run to the store and buy a garbage can or jar, I use an empty plastic litter container with the top cut off and a plastic bag inside or even a paper bag if out of plastic works like a charm, the litter box don't necessarily have to end up in a landfill it can bleached clean and use it to grow a little garden, I don't have a litter tracking rug I keep a broom and dustpan by the litter box scoop it up and toss it back in the litter box
I never seen a STAINLESS STEEL LITTER BOX for sale. I just use newspapers and a trashbag ripped on one side so it fits perfectly in the litter box bottom, even with cleaning i only have to take out the trashbag and newspapers from the bottom and if pee seeped through, which rarely happens.. than i rinse and wash the box. \in general it stays clean because the newspaper and trashbag prevent stains on the plastic ijs.
Great common sense info. Thank you very much ❤
Genius idea w/ the steel litterbox. I ordered one straight away. I must admit I was shocked to hear people didn't scoop when there was smt to scoop but let it sit for days and even wks 🤯 The stench must be unbearable for the human nose but imagine how the poor cats must feel. 😔
This is where toilet training could benefit some cats. The cats with lazy humans that never clean their trays 🥺
Cleaning one of the cats' litter boxes every time one of them used it would mean I would never leave their bathroom lmao. It must be nice JUST having one cat. =P
My litter box is in my WC so I clean the litter everytime I use the WC myself. I was going to wash my hands after that anyway, might as well take care of both of our WC at the same time ;)
Thank you !!
Lots of hints and tips that I'd never heard before! And I used to be a vet tech! Great video!
Another tip I have is using wood pellets for horses or heating. They break down into dust and don't smell that intensively. You can even decompose it for later use as plant fertilizer.
Only downside is that you have to scoop out the poop which is a bit harder since the pellets don't go through shovels, so having a sieve in the box can help to seperate the dust from the pellets and you can just put the dust into the bin after scooping the poop and refill without too much worry about the smell (really, I was sceptical but I tested it for a year and am pretty happy)
I know there's also wood-based litter that clumps which would probably make it easier to scoop it out but the ones I had tested left a bigger mess than regular litter, which is sad.
And plant based clumping litter just stinks so bad.... I almost didn't want to try the wooden pellets.
Had to use regular litter the last 2 weeks cuz my pellets didn't arrive and now I remember why I hate regular litter (too messy, sticky, disgusting)
I use the softwood pellets as well.. so much less stink!
My mom uses pine pellets
Where do you order your horse pellets from?
@@annabellefay3307 It depends, ebay, amazon, I guess you can get wood pellets at any home depot as fire medium, it's almost the same and works just as fine. I usually get a 15kg bag of pine wood pellets.
Those are actually meant to be wet down! Give it a spritz and it will turn to powder- super easy to scoop.
Aren't stainless steel litter boxes very noisy? I keep thinking of them scratching the bottom of the box and it's sounding like nails on a chalkboard
Wonderful information. Couple of things that I do that I have found very helpful is I have a tin or aluminum pot that I got a plant in, a long time ago. It happens that it is just the right size for my scoop. Like you, I line it with a plastic bag and then close the bag up and put it away. I use it several times in a row until the bag is full. The best pooper scooper I’ve ever found is one of those round net type frying scoops so often used in Asian cooking. It’s best to have a sturdy double metal handle.
I love this.! Genius. Thank you
I love the litter box idea, because I don’t like using plastic, but I have a ginormous cat who sings she needs to spray litter everywhere. So I have to use a jumbo high sided plastic litter box. If I can find one of the other types that you suggest that have high sides, but a small front opening I’m all for it.
I have never seen a stainless steel litter box in the stores around here, but when you mentioned it i immediately thought 'Yes, this is perfect!'. Was looking around for a good new box for my elderly cat anyway and i think i'll try to get one of those for her.
Not all are made the same. I literally spent a month sifting through metal box brands, and they all had some major flaw. However!! I came across one finally 🤣 Litter Earth is the BEST for metal litter boxes. They're made from medical-grade steel. Their website breaks it down, but in a nutshell, there are at least 3 grades that they mention... Stainless Steel 200 (metal staws, kitchen utensils, and kitchen trays) ... Stainless Steel 304 (commercial equipment, pots & pans, outdoor BBQ grill) ..... and finally, Stainless Steel 316 (surgical instruments, marine applications, medical equipment) ..... The Less Litter Earth litter box is made from stainless steel 316. On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, this stainless steel type rates 5 stars at being able to stand up against degradation from cat urine and 5 stars for being corrosion resistant. It resists odor, bacteria, ammonia in cat urine, stains, and rust. It is PH proof against cat urine.... Finally, the design has VERY high sides and it is round as opposed to the traditional rectangular shape. If you notice, cats always make circular movements in their litter box. The shape of the box fits their natural movements. I also like the Less Earth litter box because other metal boxes (and plastic too of course) tend to get scratches and degrade ovetime, which costs more money in the long run when they have to be replaced. This one does not have to be replaced. It's pricey upfront, but you're saving money down the road and you have a top of the line, highest quality litter box. 🙃 I just got one for my ragdoll kitten
***Less Litter Earth is the brand name -- just noticed my typos 🤦♀️
@@everything-pz2ev I'm located in germany so probably not worth the shipping cost. :) But thank you for coming back to me with the brand name!
You could also get food cooking steel container it's the same thing.
Thank you!
This is probably by far the litter tips that made sense! Thank you
FYI the bottom ripple rug contain latex, so if you have a latex allergy or sensitivity avoid this! I have been talking with the manufacturer and they are going to at least look into other materials. I want a ripple rug sooo bad lol
Thanks for letting us know! I was under the impression it was all made from recycled plastic bottles.
You can make your own easily. Scissors and Velcro with two rugs, non-latex.
Since my pets and I travel full-time in our truck camper, the only possible place for the litter box is in my shower. Because they were kicking litter all over the bath area, as well as tracking it outside the box I've resorted to a huge storage tub with high sides and a lid. I cut a large hole in the center of the lid for the cats to access the box. On top I've placed a mat to trap the litter on their paws as they come out. I also cut a matching sized hole in the center of it. It's like the one you show where the litter drops down from the top layer and is trapped between the two layers. This solved the problems of the dog searching for tootsie rolls, the cats flinging litter all over the bathroom, and the tracking problem. I scoop it at a minimum of twice daily and often as soon as they use it. Your point about plastic retaining germs is spot on. It's the reason I've gone back to wood cutting boards as wood kills bacteria and is easily bleached. So now I'll check out the stainless steel pan and see if one will fit inside the plastic storage tub. Thank you so much for bringing up another very important topic and providing solutions. 😻
Thanks for sharing even more solutions!!
That's exactly how I made my litter boxes - three of them for three house cats. I warmed the plastic lids to reduce rigidity before I cut the entry holes, placing them in the centre, which works much better than at one end. Top-entry boxes work brilliantly to reduce tracking - we get none. We use pine pellets, which are w-a-y out in front as the best litter - naturally antibacterial too. Absolutely no smells except for the brief period before solids are buried.
I scoop with a doggy bag and use a Litter Locker, and also use a lidded pail with a plastic liner. That option is the most economical with plastics.
Our dog and one of our cats love to travel as well, though it's not full-time like you.
@@janebrown7231 I'm 73 and have had indoor cats my entire life. Of all the systems I've tried, this works best for us. I made sure to buy the tallest container available to allow for plenty of head room as my senior boy is a big cat. Was a bit concerned that my new blind kitten would have trouble accessing it but she goes in and out like champ. I'm using a clumping litter right now but want to try a wood pellet type.
@@rouxchat6033 I do agree with you... we've tried most systems and this is by far the best. Height is important, and the commercial top-entry box I tried wasn't tall enough for natural movement and scratching for our average-sized cats. It also had slightly rounded lower corners and tipped over as the cats jumped off it.
Our two chats roux and their torbie sister are much happier with my home-made quarter-price boxes!
I hope your upcoming winter travel goes well (assuming you're in the northern hemisphere) and that fuel remains affordable and available for you.
@@janebrown7231 Yes, getting the right size and shape box is key. Glad you found what works. Giggles on your chat roux. My senior boy is one too, hence my CZcams handle. Yep, gas is expensive. I am adjusting my travels and staying longer in each location. Life is all about prioritizing and re-prioritizing. 😆 🤣 😂 😹 All the best!
Great ideas,thank you!
Good tips thanks!
I'm with you for sure on scooping multiple times a day! I have 5 cats and 6 enclosed high sided litter boxes, track mats and litter genie's for each one as well as deodorizing/odor neutralizing spray. Three are on the main floor, two are upstairs and one is in the basement family room. They all 6 get scooped every morning and every evening anyway but as needed in between such as if I hear them scratching or hear them pee or smell that someone did something a bit more substantial. I have zero problems with any of the cats having box issues.
So sad the pets that have owners that don't clean up after their pets...if you get a pet take care of it. We like our restrooms clean...so do they.
thx so much for great helpful info!
Glad it was helpful!
Gosh, I never knew about metal lotter accoutrements. Delightful info.
If you're out at work all day it's impossible to see to a litter box immediately. Me or my husband are usually in all day. The tray is seen to whenever my cat uses it. She pees 3 to 4 times a day and because she has problems, she can poop anything between 2 to 5 times a day. The litter box is in my bedroom so that I can hear when she goes and I get up and empty it every time. I'll look out for a stainless steel box, haven't seen one before. I have 2 large plastic ones so they can be changed over when I'm giving them a deep clean. I wrap all deposits in newspaper and put in a separate bin outside that has a compostable carrier bag in in it. This is then put in our rubbish bin when it goes out every two weeks.
I've used a Plastic Concrete Mixing Tray as a litter box for over 10 years for the same cat and have had no problems with it!
I have NEVER washed it! My litter box NEVER stinks! (Must be whatever you're feeding your cat!)
I only sift through all the litter with a metal sifter ONCE A WEEK and add litter as needed!
(The reason I chose a Concrete Mixing Tray is that all the litter boxes sold in stores are too small for an adult cat!)
great tips.
I will def start to clean more often
amazing amazing advice. thank you
Recently switched to walnut litter and really happy with it! The cats less so I feel. I had clumping clay litter before. The walnut has an earthy smell to it, where the clay has no smell. I have introduced the walnut litter slowly so the cats are now ok with it, but they took some getting used to. So my experience with walnut litter is amazing. I scoop once a day. The clay litter would just stick to the bottom of the litter box (it is stainless steel) and my scoop and the litter box would just be a mess every time. The actual cleaning works fine, but scooping was just annoying. (Plant based litter was even worse!) and now with walnut litter it sticks a little, but I barely put my scoop on it and it lets go. It is so much cleaner and easier to scoop. I was instantly sold! It is just a bit harder to check the poops though, as they are now brown from the walnut litter lol. Also for those wondering Rox has white paws, they are still white 🙃
Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm glad you like the walnut litter. I still haven't found an alternative that I think is worth switching.
Try softwood pellets! Much cheaper but works exactly the same as the walnut shell litter.
My white-pawed cat gradually got brown feet from the walnut litter!
Walnut is toxic to all animals.
I use my metal litter box, cheap giant roll of small trash bags to fit in my glass candy jar trash cans, all from Amazon, thanks to you! I love this set up!! 😊
Same here works for me!
Once we changed to everclean extra clumping liter and used the hill in the middle hack that was described in the video, we had no issues with smell or scooping the liter.
I only added putting a cling film under the litter " hill" to make sure the clumps are easily scooped and none get stuck to the plastic of the litter box. We change the cling film daily when we scoop the litter box.
Great video ❤️ I wish I could just put the litter in the middle, but my boy is not into that 😹 he perches on the corner of the stainless steel litter boxes and eliminates that way 😼 making the switch to stainless steel has been really helpfully with smells, cleanliness 😎👍 now I need to try some of the litter mats you've mentioned ❤️
Love that you made this video! Yes please let’s normalize pet parents talking about the best ways to deal with pet poop!! ❤ How do you feel about washing the box in your bath tub? I’ve had issues in the past where doing this resulted in scratches on the tub drain hardware, I realize this could be due to the litter I use. I typically put water and soap in the box, scrub, carefully dump waste water into a dirty bucket that I carry out to my backyard and dump out there. Realize not everyone has quick access to an outdoor area to do this but it works well for me.
Or dump that water in the toilet? That's what I do.
We always sanitized the tub, and taps afterwards, you could also clean it outside. Tho its best to dump waste water down the drain.
I have switched all my litter boxes to stainless steel I love it! Thank you 😁
Thank you so much for this video. I had no idea that there were stainless steel boxes for cats. We are adopting a kitten soon and I've been doing all kinds of research to create the best, healthy and vibrant cat experience for our new pet. Totally subscribed to your channel!!! 😸
Try using softwood pellets from a hardware store, so much cheaper than regular kitty litter. It lasts anywhere from 4-6 months. A sifting litter box is useful but you don't need one. When wet the pellets absorb all the urine and smell, and fall apart back to sawdust. That's what you throw out, or compost.
I’ve been using the tidy cats breeze system for the past week. It’s great that there’s no dust. You have to change the pad in the tray underneath. The dust from clay litter was really affecting our health.
I love these hacks, but honestly, this is reminding me why I’ve put off getting another cat! Cat litter!
I agree with the metall material but didn't find one here. Our experience over here: Give the cat high quality(!) food so the cat is and stays healthy and the mess is not smelly.
Scoop the box once a day or more if needed and bring the trash out the house daily. If there is trash which stays over the day, you can clip the Plastik bag together. Had such a litter genie, but gave it away - too expensive and not handy for me. Meanwhile we use some open XXXL boxes (actually for storage) from the DIY-Store same as classic XXL cat toilet boxes, natural cat litter made of plants (filled up 7-8cm high - that's better for cats instinct).
For cleaning accidents, smelly stuff or sometimes even to wash the floors: a microbiological cleaning liquid/spray (it's a concentrate in 1-10L containers) which splits up smelly bacteria.
No need to throw away the full litter weekly. I also don't buy new boxes once a year - they are fine, they are clean, they are not smelly.
If a cat is sick, it can happen, that i use a Desinfektion spray after washing a box. On my litter pack is written to change it once a month - if it's well done (don't mess around with the scoop! - It takes me 10 minutes to do 3-4 litter boxes on 3 floors with 1 plastic bag daily), that even works out without being messy.
I also skip all the mats ... Honestly ... hoover robots save lifes - 3 floors, twice a day + you always have a tidy home, otherwise it's gone. But especially with XXXL boxes there is not much litter in the house - i lose more hair than 3 cats litter in the house.
I'm working with clients in this house - it has to be clean and it has to be fresh as soon as someone enters the door otherwise I have a problem with my job. 👍
Nice greetings from over sea!
Hope my English + autocorrect is not too bad...
Very Helpful Information, Thank You👍
I've recently started using a corn based litter. It's much cleaner than either the clay or woodchip litter. Cleans easily from the box and lasts a long time as it clumps easily. It's about twice the price, but lasts much longer.
When I had a cat I used those disposable aluminum turkey pans and wood pellets. It only costs about $35 a month. Each day I folded it up with the litter and threw it away. The wood pellets cost about $12 for a big ol bag and at 1 scoop a day lasts a long time.
i was thinking about those but cant find in where i live
Are you saying you threw the pan away with the litter every day?
I use a small cement mixing trough from Home Depot. Less than $10.00. Cement is very caustic, but doesn't eat through this material it's tough! The litter slides out. No sticking. No gouging from claws. Spray it clean in the shower, it doesn't hold on to the water either. Seven years later, the tray looks good as new.
interesting. is it plastic?
@@amel2784 cement mixing trough=cement😅
@@GGugg-gk8eg I think it’s a trough for mixing cement so not necessarily cement itself
@@maloumasereel966Gotcha. I am a literal reader.
@@amel2784 yes. It's a heavy plastic.
thank you!
Had mine stainless steel box for years. Best purchase ever
Have you ever tried horse bedding pellets. Pee turns the pine pellets back to saw dust. Super cheap and lasts a long time. Comes in a green bag i buy at tractor supply
My hacks for the litter box begin with a large storage tote, cheap from Walmart. It’s plastic, but I seldom have to scrub it out because of the litter (?) I use in it. I use pet bedding for horses or small animals, wood shavings from sawmills that you can buy cheap from Tractor Supply or other agricultural stores. I put at least 3 to 4 inches of shavings in the tote, and as I only have one cat, her urine is absorbed by the shavings before it gets to the floor. She didn’t even cover her feces at first, so scooping them up was very easy, but recently she must have heard me praise her leaving them on top of the shavings because now she does cover them, but they aren’t 3 inches down and are also the only heavy thing in there, so I have no problem with them. When the shavings get yellow, I change it out, and clean out the poop once a day into used zip-lock bags or bigger plastic bags, also used. No smell!!! I had to change from clumping litter because I have asthma which is aggravated by the dust, and it is sooooo heavy, I can’t carry around the big boxes full of it. These two hacks have saved me, and my cat’s feet aren’t hurt!
The oil from wood shavings can be dangerous for pets. I think I saw a yt video on that.
@Jazz K - Exactly. Three of my cats got so sick from it that they couldn't swallow. It caused their esophagus to swell. It could've even caused liver failure.
We ended up spending $2000+ on the vet visits and medication. All to save a couple dollars on litter.
@@kellmac The pine kitty litter needs to be kiln dried so the oil is removed.
@Jazz K - It was regular pine litter sold for cats.
There is a sawdust kitty litter available here which is sawdust which has been compressed into pellets. I used mind a neighbour’s car and they were using it. When the liquid hits it the pellets breakdown into sawdust again. And it uses a double tray where the sawdust can drop thru to the bottom tray. I was really impressed by how little smell there was, even for the poo as the pellets were pretty large but somehow it suppressed it still. The was reusing a waste product and was natural. Sounds like you have discovered your own, cheaper and just as effective version of this.
I've just gone to a normal plastic litter box after being so fed up with the litter robot 4... I hope to upgrade my set up and looking st a stainless steel one! The advice for a better bin is useful too :)
I just ordered a stainless steel litter box from Amazon. At over $50 it is a cost but the plastic cost at least $10 and I replace them every few months. Great tips, thanks!
I was shocked recently when I was trying to find a replacement plastic box for a litterbox that cracked (6 yrs old). The price of a plastic tote (perfect dimensions for an undercabinet box) had gone from ~$9 to almost $25!! I think I will start looking for a metal one before the plastic boxes cost the same!
My cat scratches at her box for like forever, everytime she uses it. She's just a scratcher, we have scratching posts everywhere. I know when shes gone potty by the 1 minute long scratching fest of her box, the floor, and the wall. I'm afraid she would still scratch the metal pan, or be stressed she couldn't scratch the metal pan. I feel like it would be nails on a chalkboard situation. Has anyone tried this with a cat that scratches her litter box? Has it worked for them?
Cats make micro scratches in the both plastic and most cheap, stainless boxes which harbers bacteria. BUT! Not all metal boxes are made the same either. I literally spent a month sifting through metal box brands, and they all had some major flaw. However!! I came across one finally 🤣 Less Litter Earth is the BEST for metal litter boxes. They're made from medical-grade stainless steel. Their website breaks it down, but in a nutshell, there are at least 3 grades that they mention... Stainless Steel 200 (metal staws, kitchen utensils, and kitchen trays) ... Stainless Steel 304 (commercial equipment, pots & pans, outdoor BBQ grill) ..... and finally, Stainless Steel 316 (surgical instruments, marine applications, medical equipment) ..... The Less Litter Earth litter box is made from stainless steel 316. On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, this stainless steel type rates 5 stars at being able to stand up against degradation from cat urine and 5 stars for being corrosion resistant. It resists odor, bacteria, ammonia in cat urine, stains, and rust. It is PH proof against cat urine.... Finally, the design has VERY high sides with a lower front opening for them to get inside. Also the shape of the litter box is round as opposed to the traditional rectangular shape. If you notice, cats always make circular movements in their litter box. The shape of the box fits their natural movements. I also like the Less Litter Earth litter box because other metal boxes (and plastic too of course) tend to get scratches and degrade ovetime, which costs more money in the long run when they have to be replaced. This one does not have to be replaced. It's pricey upfront, but you're saving money down the road and you have a top of the line, highest quality litter box. 🙃 just got one for my ragdoll kitten!
My boy will refuse to use his box if he has had two pees & one poop.
Anything more he will sit next to the box and cry & suffers until I come & scoop/
I would get worried he would get sick by holding it too long.
I got in the habit of three scoops a day, it is so much easier, I personally would hate to have to step on my old poop to make more, that is kinda gross if you stop & think about it.
Poor kitties out there having to poop in dirty boxes, are so sad, don't be a bad parent.
My cats pee on the sides 😂. That mountain of litter litter would go unused 😂
This Is one of the most useful and accurate cat vids I've ever watched! It is true stainless steel and ceramics will make your life a lot easier... The problem is the materials you mention won't be easy to find over here.... I need to start my quest.
litter box tip for anyone wanting to switch to steel!! get a "1/1 gn steam pan" from a restaurant supply store
Yeah, my first thought was restaurant supplies.
Yes definitely! Just make sure the outside of the pan is rounded over. Sometimes those edges can be sharp!
@@jesscaticles great point :D
p.s. i love the mound idea, do you think it would be suitable for litter diggers? has jericho ever miss the mound?
I tried this and my cat refused to even step in it, so heads up if you have a very sensitive cat, this may not be an option
Doesn't cleaning the litter box in the tub means litter (even though minimal) is going down the drain? Over time this sounds like plumbing nightmare.
Thank you 🫶🏻
I have 2 cats and for the last 6 yrs we have used the scoop free system. Just recently we changed to regular litter instead of the trays you throw away. I scoop the litter once a day and change it every week. And I've always had a cat or 2 so lucky I've been able to keep my litterbox clean to the point where guests don't even know we have cats unless they see them
Here's what I have done for years: I insert a trash bag (hefty best doesn't tear)just like you would a trash basket, in the litter box. Then comes time to clean, just grab the corners of the bag and tie it in a knot and throw it away. Repeat. then I don't touch the litter at all. I totally change out the bag twice a week. If I forget, my cat reminds me🐈 Be careful if the cat claws make a hole then the bag tears, you will spill it all over the floor, then you really have a mess to clean up. Unless there is a hole in the bag, box won't even need to be washed.
This is something I've been doing for the past couple of months. Makes the task of cleaning the litter box a breeze.
Wouldn’t this use up the litter faster than scooping? or how did you make it work?
My routine is to use 5 cottage cheese containers of clay litter each time. That is plenty for 3-7 days at a time. I don't dump a whole bag. That would get expensive.
@@rebelbecky276 Neat! This sounds like an easier way to save time and hassle without costing too much. Thanks for sharing :)
I'll have to keep my eyes out for a stainless steal litter box. Already doing most of the other things and everything else will just be small adjustments in my routine ❤.
Yes definitely small baby steps!
Not all are made the same. I literally spent a month sifting through metal box brands, and they all had some major flaw. However!! I came across one finally 🤣 Litter Earth is the BEST for metal litter boxes. They're made from medical-grade steel. Their website breaks it down, but in a nutshell, there are at least 3 grades that they mention... Stainless Steel 200 (metal staws, kitchen utensils, and kitchen trays) ... Stainless Steel 304 (commercial equipment, pots & pans, outdoor BBQ grill) ..... and finally, Stainless Steel 316 (surgical instruments, marine applications, medical equipment) ..... The Less Litter Earth litter box is made from stainless steel 316. On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, this stainless steel type rates 5 stars at being able to stand up against degradation from cat urine and 5 stars for being corrosion resistant. It resists odor, bacteria, ammonia in cat urine, stains, and rust. It is PH proof against cat urine.... Finally, the design has VERY high sides and it is round as opposed to the traditional rectangular shape. If you notice, cats always make circular movements in their litter box. The shape of the box fits their natural movements. I also like the Less Earth litter box because other metal boxes (and plastic too of course) tend to get scratches and degrade ovetime, which costs more money in the long run when they have to be replaced. This one does not have to be replaced. It's pricey upfront, but you're saving money down the road and you have a top of the line, highest quality litter box. 🙃
I use lightweight dollar general store litter. A storage bin with a big square cut off half the lid. When she climbs out most of the litter is on the lid. For a rug I use a dollar general bumpy bathroom rug. I fold in half and shake every couple of days. The litter falls past the bumps. I wash once a week. I scoop every couple of days in a plastic grocery bag or doggie poop bag. I have a ceramic like scooper and wash when necessary. ❤ works for me.