# A Cat Litter Question **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 22, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966 "2010-02-22T14:46:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/21 "2010-02-22T20:15:45Z")
We have seven cats and five boxes, which we scoop daily. We used SwheatScoop, which is made from wheat and theoretically flushable, though I’m afraid to try flushing more than the occasional clump, so we use plastic bags from the store. We usually get about six or seven of them a week and we’ve got a big backlog, so we’ve never come close to running out. I don’t know what I’ll do if they ban them (which they’re talking about doing in my area). When I have an empty cat food bag, I use that instead. That isn’t often, though–maybe once a week or so. ---
**Author:** ![hellpaso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@hellpaso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hellpaso)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/22 "2010-02-22T20:20:06Z")
I also use the bucket the litter came in. Sorta like a kitty diaper pail. I actually bought a Cat Genie, but have been to lazy to install it. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/23 "2010-02-22T20:54:49Z")
We use the recycled paper litter, so it can get flushed down the toilet. We use those reusable canvas shopping bags or a trolley when we shop, so when we need a plastic bag, can sometimes be hard to find! ---
**Author:** ![Pixilated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aeb1de/32.png) [@Pixilated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixilated)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/24 "2010-02-22T21:01:10Z")
> [@Mr Bus Guy](#): > > Three cats, three litter boxes and if they’re not cleaned daily, we ALL know it. We have 3 cats as well. I switched them to a good quality cat food (Blue Buffalo) and after the adjustment period (1-2 wks) I wasnt having to deal with the litter box as much and less smell. We have an electric box and a regular box. I scoop the regular box every 2-3 days. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/25 "2010-02-22T23:05:32Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I use plastic grocery bags. I figure it’s “reduce, _reuse_, recycle”, right? However, it does suck to stand out in the cold garage at six in the morning flapping them around to find one without a hole in it. I hope the litter box is not in a cold garage, if you think it sucks looking for a plastic bag at that time, how about trying to go to the bathroom in that temp. I use a the supermarket bags. You have them and will continue to get them, might as well use them. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/26 "2010-02-22T23:15:15Z")
Go and get the doggie poop bags that the dollar store sells. Small, (saves plastic), handled, (easy to tie up), 60 for one dollar, (cheap), biodegradable, (earth friendly), and scented, (easy on the nostrils). I love 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/27 "2010-02-22T23:20:32Z")
> [@interface2x](#): > > Like most cat owners, I scoop out my cats’ litter box daily. Generally, I use the plastic bags I get from the grocery store simply because I don’t have any other ideas. However, I realize that it is both bad for the environment and dependent on how often I buy groceries. > > So what do you scoop your litter into? I’m especially wondering about places like San Francisco where they don’t have the plastic grocery bags (as I understand it). And, in this case, was necessity the mother of invention? Well, I live in SF. It’s surprisingly easy to come by plastic bags. I think only proper grocery stores are not allowed to use them, so every other store still does. Plus, we buy small kitchen garbage bags, for when we run out. Not ideal for the environment, but oh, well. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/28 "2010-02-22T23:21:41Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > I usually buy my litter in those plastic bins with lids. I scoop the used litter into that until it’s full, then throw it out. I don’t think my wife could handle a massive bucket of cat shit and piss, but that’s a great idea… Joe ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/29 "2010-02-23T00:11:29Z")
Plastic newspaper bags. ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/30 "2010-02-23T00:20:15Z")
I have four cats and one ginormous box. I used to clean it once a week, but now that our cats are eating canned food mixed with water, (for kidney health) they pee much more. I have a medium sized trash can with a lid, and I scoop into it and take it out when it’s full. It doesn’t stink because of the lid and because I have one of those plug-in air fresheners in the bathroom where the box is. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/31 "2010-02-23T03:03:08Z")
Biodegradable dog poop bags. They come in multi-packs of green, blue, purple and yellow. They get thrown into the big can where I use biodegradable “tall” kitchen trash bags. I hope the bags degrade within 6 months like they say. I haven’t used plastic grocery bags in a couple of years. I really do not miss that crinkly sound they make. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/32 "2010-02-23T03:09:37Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > I don’t think my wife could handle a massive bucket of cat shit and piss, but that’s a great idea… She could if she used the corn-based stuff – it’s amazingly light, probably half the weight of the other stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/33 "2010-02-23T13:09:54Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I hope the litter box is not in a cold garage, if you think it sucks looking for a plastic bag at that time, how about trying to go to the bathroom in that temp. No, the litterbox is indoors, but a pest control guy once told my husband that roaches nest in those bags, so we don’t bring them in the house. I haven’t seen evidence of any bugs…unless that’s what’s making all the holes! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/34 "2010-02-23T16:07:14Z")
You guys throw it away? ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/35 "2010-02-23T18:25:21Z")
3 cats, 2 litter boxes, scoop every 2 days. We have an Omega Roll 'n Clean box and a traditional one. Usually I use the plastic bags from the grocery store; while shopping I’ll take 10 or more off the roll at a time and tuck them into my purse. Love the paper lunch bags idea though, I have a whole stack of them sitting around, doing nothing, so I’ll be trying that! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/36 "2010-02-24T05:03:55Z")
Flushable . . . the toilet. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/37 "2010-02-24T15:59:28Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > You guys throw it away? My friend used to have a Golden Retriever that would eat right from the litter box. I always thought if he could train the cat to eat the dog crap from the yard, they’d be the ultimate recyclers. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/38 "2010-02-24T19:56:42Z")
> [@interface2x](#): > > I only have one box and, since I live in a one bedroom apartment, if I go more than two days without scooping, it becomes pretty obvious. I _really_ don’t want to be the guy whose apartment smells like cat crap. Ah, yes, of course. Our litter boxes are tucked away in a corner of the utility room in the basement, so we don’t notice the smell if it gets cleaned weekly. I also don’t want to be that house that hits you with the smell of cat crap as soon as you come in the door - if I started noticing that, I’d step up the cleaning schedule. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/39 "2010-02-25T15:37:46Z")
I use paper lunch bags for daily scooping. I haven’t had problems with recent pees soaking through the bag. > [@kanicbird](#): > > I hope the litter box is not in a cold garage, if you think it sucks looking for a plastic bag at that time, how about trying to go to the bathroom in that temp. > > I use a the supermarket bags. You have them and will continue to get them, might as well use them. Considering all cats I know who have a choice like to go outside in all weathers to ‘use the bathroom’ - I vote that most cats don’t care much about the temperature they poop in. It’s not like they have to pull down their pants and sit on a wintry toilet seat. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966/40 "2010-02-25T16:18:50Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Ah, yes, of course. Our litter boxes are tucked away in a corner of the utility room in the basement, so we don’t notice the smell if it gets cleaned weekly. I’ll bet the cats notice it. That is why I scoop twice daily. I don’t want them to have to enter a smelly box, and keeping it clean will discourage any bad litterbox behavior due to an unclean box. Some cats may put up with it, but why take the chance? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-litter-question/529966.md?page=3)