kitty litter options

[MyChickenShack]

Our little farm feels like a zoo right now...we have 27 hens, 2 roosters, 1 turkey, 2 guineas, 11 chicks, 7 ducklings, 2 cats, 2 dogs, and 1 kitten...our 2 cats are barn cats and this kitten is not...my 6 year old son has been wanting one so when summer break started, he got his kitten...Im not a big indoor pet person...I love animals, but just now in the house...and this kitten is both in/out door... cutest little black kitten that he appropriately named "Shadow"...so heres my question. Not being used to dealing with litter and litter pans, I have been researching cat litter options. I would like to have a designated indoor and out door area...But I want the indoor litter concealed. I see that people can buy or make cat litter furniture, so that you have a functional piece of furniture, like an end table, that also conceals cat litter. I have also seen people make gravel like pads outdoors for their cats...I would like to know what others do for cats that are both indoors and outdoors and post pics too...Thanks!

 

[townchicks]

I have had indoor only cats for years, I keep my litterboxes in the bathrooms. I would not have an end table/litterbox combo, personally, when they poop, it will stink up the room. Litterboxes are a fact of life with indoor cats, and they are not such a big deal. If you use a scoopable litter and scoop it daily, and dump it and clean the box with vinegar every month at least, it is not smelly. Since it is your son's cat, make that his chore. Of course you'll have to keep an eye on him to ensure he's doing it. If the cat is indoor/outdoor, it will go potty outside a lot, thus keeping the letterbox cleaner too. You will need one at least, however, for when the cat is inside. Make sure the kitten knows where the litter box is, and that shut doors don't block it's access.

 

[C3 mommy]

I keep litter boxes in bathroom too, they get litter everywhere.. but I had an outdoor cat who would go in dirt, or tall grass. He never even used the litter box, he preferred to go outside.

 

[townchicks]

They are all different, my mom had one that would be outside for hours, scream at the door to be let inside, go straight to the box, use it and want to go back outside then. Drove my mom crazy, lol.

 

[cassie]

They are all different, my mom had one that would be outside for hours, scream at the door to be let inside, go straight to the box, use it and want to go back outside then. Drove my mom crazy, lol.

My Siamese did exactly the same thing. In later years she would jump in the bathtub and straddle the drain so the pee went down the drain. I have no idea why she started doing this. My mother's cat trained herself to use the toilet.

 

[PirateGirl]

Indoors there is a litter box in the bathroom (tile floor) and in the laundry room (again, no carpet). The litter gets everywhere no matter what. Cleaning up on tile is an easy sweep with the dustpan and brush or vacuum. I do put a little carpet square at the entrance of the litter box which helps catch/contain spilled litter. We also almost exclusively buy arm and hammer cat litter. It clumps well and doesn't smell as much as some of the others. You really don't want the litter box in a room you hang out in much, you will notice the smell if you are trying to fall asleep or sitting watching TV or something. It's not like it hits you like a brick wall when you enter a room, but you will notice over time. We cut a small hole in the door to the laundry room and installed a $15 pet door. The cats go in and out and we can keep the human door shut to block the smell and block out the dogs. A closet or basement or something would be a good spot for the box. Cats figure it out quick if you decide the location isn't working and you need to move the litter box. Also I will always have a fully covered litter box. I have tried one that just had high walls and the amount of litter that ended up outside the box in a week was astonishing. Outdoors we just let the cat go where it wants to go, however I've noticed they like to dig a spot to do their business. If you provide a spot for this they would probably use it. Think chicken dust bath! Soft dirt, soft small gravel, sand, etc. something a cat could dig in. If you set up an area like this it might encourage the cat to use that spot. Good luck! Around here outdoor cats are discouraged due to predators, but I have grown to love having an indoor/outdoor cat. It's the best of both worlds. He loves going outside hunting and then he loves to come back in and crawl into your lap and snuggle. It provides balance and a good quality of life for a cat. Enjoy!

Side note, males will spray and mark their territory (indoors and out), but if you have him neutered as young as possible this can largely be prevented. Supposedly they stick closer to home if neutered. Mine is almost always within eyesight of the house and comes home when I call his name.

 

[PirateGirl]

Oh, and I once purchased one of those litter pans that has sifting trays that's supposed to make it easier to clean. It made it harder and messier and it ended up being easier and neater to just scoop it the old fashioned way.

 

[cassie]

Here is something to consider. Get a top entry litterbox. That way the litter can't get kicked out and the dogs can't reach in to snack on the litter. I didn't know such things existed until I started shopping for supplies in preparation for my new kitten. I got my top entry box on amazon. If you look on youtube you can even find demonstrations on how to make your own. I am not that handy or ambitious, so I bought mine.

 

[MROO]

Get a top entry litterbox.

You have perfect timing! I just ordered two of these top-entry boxes, but they haven't arrived, yet. I've been second-guessing the purchase all week, but you've made me feel more confident about it. I'm not overly worried, since I hit a killer sale and paid all of $17.50 each - cheaper than covered litter boxes. Still, it's really good to know that someone has used them and likes 'em.

We lost our favorite kitty to a crazy driver, so our other four moved indoors. my kids say I'm a crazy cat lady inside, a crazy chicken lady outside, Of course, that was before Herman, the Silkie Rooster, moved indoors - I guess now I'm just plain crazy!

Since then, we've been searching for the perfect litter box solution for our crew.
We tried the basement route, but it was too hard to get anyone to clean it out, down there. We tried the coffee table version, too - but @townchicks is right - it's hard to enjoy popcorn and a movie with that aroma (even the clean litter aroma) wafting through the air. The self-sifters are a waste of money and space and standard boxes are too easily dog-accessible.

As far as outside areas go, try spreading a sand pile where you want the kitten to "go." Then set a litter box in the middle of it. After a bit, you can remove the litter box. As the kitten (and probably the older cats, too) uses the sand pile, it will dissipate on it's own, and your kitties will have their own little latrine.

 

[MyChickenShack]

As far as outside areas go, try spreading a sand pile where you want the kitten to "go." Then set a litter box in the middle of it. After a bit, you can remove the litter box. As the kitten (and probably the older cats, too) uses the sand pile, it will dissipate on it's own, and your kitties will have their own little latrine.

...I have a huge pile of clean sifted sand left over from when my husband was mixing it to make the grout (or whatever you call it) for between cinderblocks...that would be perfect....Thanks!