Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Smelly cat litter

16 replies

solitudehappiness · 23/03/2015 10:28

Hi
am fostering two male cats, since Friday. They can't go outside, and even though I'm cleaning every time they pop and every day cleaning out the wee etc, my place is starting to smell Sad
going to buy air fresheners, is there anything else I can do?
please....

OP posts:
FreckledLeopard · 23/03/2015 10:29

What kind of litter are you using? I've found wood pellet litter to be the least smelly (I have three cats).

tacal · 23/03/2015 10:45

when I start to smell the litter tray here I do a complete clean out and wash it all with soapy water (usually once a week). I use a clumping slightly scented litter. I tried using wood pellets but I didnt get on so well with it. I get on better with the clumping one.

Original poster
solitudehappiness · 23/03/2015 10:52

I think it's wood pellets litter. does it look like sawdust pellets?
am not at home so can't look.
I'm cleaning so much.
Have also noticed one of the cats popped outside of litter tray twice now. do I need a tray with a hood on it?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 23/03/2015 11:07

I can't use wood pellet litter as my cats don't like it so I use clumping natural clay - which doesn't seem to smell as much. (As I work from home, the trays are pretty much cleaned on use and with a decent depth of that litter, you get pee 'balls' which can just be quickly lifted out like poo and wrapped in newspaper for the bin. Quick as quick.)

How many trays do you have? (The pooping outside box.) Many cats don't like to use a tray which has been soiled by another cat or used for another purpose so the general rule of thumb is 1 per cat + 1 (within reason I think.) Seniorboy certainly has two trays to himself at the moment and uses both as the mood takes him.

I reckon you need at least one more tray as well as 'considering' the type of litter. That latter might be more difficult as they could be used to wood pellet and you might need to effect a fairly gradual changeover. How long are they to be with you?

RubbishMantra · 23/03/2015 13:28

A covered tray certainly cuts down smells. If they're not used to one, remember to take the flappy door at first.

Original poster
solitudehappiness · 23/03/2015 13:56

not sure how long there with me for. I've bought some air fresheners.
there are 2 cat litter tray.

OP posts:
atomich01 · 23/03/2015 13:58

A covered litter tray will definitely help! Get one with a carbon filter on top, I only smell my cat's doings when I take the lid off to empty it :)

code · 23/03/2015 17:25

What do the poos look like- are they soft and stinky?

tacal · 23/03/2015 20:20

I changed to a covered litter tray and find in much better. No mess outside the tray and don't smell it as much. I left the flap up for first couple of days until she got used to it.

Original poster
solitudehappiness · 24/03/2015 11:36

covered changing trays ordered Smile

OP posts:
shovetheholly · 24/03/2015 13:16

If you are changing the litter every day, your place shouldn't smell. (It may be necessary to open the window for a little while after a particularly stinky poo, but I'm sure you're already doing that).

I use dettol every day on mine (the pet-friendly purple stuff) and then rinse with water and dry with kitchen towel before lining with newspaper and then wood litter.

If they have pooped outside the box a couple of times, I would have a good check and make sure there is no peeing outside it. Have a good sniff, especially in corners and by doorways. Cat pee that's a few days old starts to reek.

Original poster
solitudehappiness · 24/03/2015 14:56

Thanks very much. I'll get some purple dettol, and make sure I have a good look for any accidents I might have missed.

OP posts:
Dreamiesrcatopium · 25/03/2015 02:19

Home bargains version of catsan hygiene litter, (with the blue odour neutralising crystals in) we find the best for keeping smells at bay. Along with covered litter tray and strategically placed scented reeds/candles. Ours is in the downstairs loo which is right by the front door so important it doesn't smell!

Iwasbornin1993 · 25/03/2015 03:45

We have a covered tray that has a filter in the top of it that gets replaced every couple of months and also sprinkle the litter with litter freshener every time we change it. We are always being complimented by visitors who say they can't smell a thing whereas in other houses with cats they can straight away! I'm constantly paranoid about litter smells so the hooded tray has been a great purchase!

Stinkersmum · 25/03/2015 06:07

Silica/crystal litter or Catsan IMO are two best at controlling odour. Don't be cheap with litter. It's a false economy.

Original poster
solitudehappiness · 25/03/2015 11:24

As I'm fostering I have to use litter the cats are used to. more so as they'll be going back to their owners. Am cleaning fastidiously, air fresheners etc and it's really helping.
I'm sure once covered trays arrive it'll help too.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page