Is it worth getting an expensive litter box that has the little motorized rake & dumper? Is there anything you like for multiple cats? I’m looking for one or two boxes to service 3 cats in addition to one box for a barn cat in the tack room.
I have used the one of the self cleaning ones before and I cannot recommend them. The thing broke after a month. It was noisy and my cat was afraid of the noise and used the floor instead. I dumped it quickly.
I use the roll and clean litter box. I roll it daily and then dump the tray. cats use it with no issues.
http://www.petsmart.com/gsi/webstore/WFS/PETNA-PETUS-Site/en_US/-/USD/ViewProduct-Start?SKU=36-1822084&utm_campaign=1822084&utm_source=googleproduct&mr:referralID=cf792628-ca14-11e4-82f7-001b2166c2c0&gclid=CMTo6P2dp8QCFUUvgQodu5sA3w
I also have done the top jump in box. I have one that will not use this box at all. I made mine for $12 but you can also buy one. Great to keep the cats from tracking. Also good for tight spaces. http://www.kvsupply.com/clevercat-top-entry-litter-box?CAWELAID=983667456&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=320011160000087263&cadevice=c&gclid=CPGvw7Oep8QCFWdo7AodikIAmg
I also have made one out of a tote. It is my favorite actually. It has high sides, a cover, and the litter stays inside. I made mine off this tutorial. It was $10 and took 20 minutes.
http://petprojectblog.com/archives/cats/make-your-own-cat-litter-box/
Hope this helps. I have four cats and I clean the three boxes daily or every other day. No smell and no accidents.
I already have the middle one, the bottom project sounds quick and easy! Thanks!
I also use the big totes, although I just cut the front a bit to make it an easy entrance for my old kitties and skip the lid entirely. They work great, and they’re cheap enough that when the smell starts to permeate the plastic, use just toss and start fresh. Easy!
[QUOTE=Simkie;8055343]
I also use the big totes, although I just cut the front a bit to make it an easy entrance for my old kitties and skip the lid entirely. They work great, and they’re cheap enough that when the smell starts to permeate the plastic, use just toss and start fresh. Easy![/QUOTE]
Same, though we leave the lid on. My prissy Sphinx can’t handle being looked at when having her “private time” in the box. I like them because you can really use a LOT of litter, so they scratch the bottom less which means less places for bacteria to harbor.
A lot of cat literature recommends having at least one litter box per cat, plus one extra.
I, on the other hand, have one big box for 2 kitties, because I only have room for one box.
My kitties prefer the basic litter box, no lid, no mechanics. Just a big open litter box. This one does have fairly high sides because one of my kitties tends to miss her aim sometimes with shallower sides. Even back when I gave them 2 lidded boxes and one open one for “extra,” they used the single open one even when I wasn’t there to clean it as often. They preferred the less clean open one to the enclosed cleaner ones.
I scoop twice a day, occasionally more if needed, and I do a deep cleaning about once a month, and replace the box maybe every year.
They, for their part, never go outside the box. If I am going to be away from home overnight or longer I put out a second box, and have friends who come in every other day to scoop as well as check on the kitties and do food and water.
I have a big tote that at one time was for 4 cats (now 3). My one cat didn’t like the lid so he would go on top of the lid (gag). Removed the lid and all kitties were happy. And it’s big enough that if I miss a day of cleaning, they aren’t offended because there is plenty of good litter to dig in.
I also use a BIG tote. One box and 2 cats. I pick it 2x/day. So far so good. The two of them have been using it for over 6 months now and no issues. I do have room for a 2nd but prefer to bed and clean just the one if I can. I keep it deep…at least 4 inches of litter and seldom does anything make it to the bottom. I do let it get down to about 3 inches or a little less when I completely switch litter.
The totes are soooo much cheaper than anything labeled as a CAT litter box. Like someone else said…when then get a little age and some scoring on the plastic…out they go and get a new one. No different than any plastic litter box. I went to this when I had one cat decide he was going to pee over the side. He checked out fine at the vet’s…just got a little shy and didn’t like being disturbed? Anyway, the big tote solved that problem. I don’t use a lid (just makes cleaning take longer) but like the high sides.
Susan
