# Cat people: recommend a litter box
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [February 5, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501 "2009-02-05T00:30:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/1 "2009-02-05T00:30:32Z")
I have three cats, currently using two litter boxes. One is a Littermaid in which I was terribly disappointed. It worked sorta okay for awhile, but I considered it high maintenance; then one day it stopped working, and ever since, I’ve used it as a regular litter box. Now in the market for an enclosed, low-odor, low-maintenance system. I’ve shopped around online, and this sifting litter box at Petco looks good, but I don’t trust the reviews that are posted. (Petco is my only source unless I order online or drive 50 miles to an area to which I don’t want to drive.)
[http://www.petco.com/product/106934/SageKing-Litter-Quick-Sifting-Litter-Box.aspx](http://www.petco.com/product/106934/SageKing-Litter-Quick-Sifting-Litter-Box.aspx)
I’d appreciate hearing about your experiences with this type of litter box, or recommendation for others. Thanks.
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### Author:  [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/2 "2009-02-05T00:52:38Z")
Never used that particular type but I’m dubious about sifters. Urine clods in clumping litter have a tendency to break apart from vigorous ‘treatment’ and once they’re broken, you’ve got loose, urine soaked litter all mixed in with the clean stuff. I personally use the Booda (sp?) litter boxes that you can find in Petco. The one I use has a little ramp up the side that catches stray litter and it’s round and kinda neat looking.
Edit: Here it is: [Booda Box](http://www.petco.com/product/11197/Booda-Clean-Step-Litter-Boxes.aspx)
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### Author:  [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/3 "2009-02-05T01:12:26Z")
Dunno about a box - I only have one cat, and she uses a $6 medium-sized pan with an inward facing lip that I picked up from Petsmart.
On the litter front, though, I’m currently in love with [Swheat Scoop](http://www.swheatscoop.com/). It clumps better than the corn-based stuff (as good as clay, really), there’s _zero_ dust or litter smell, and in an emergency, I can use it to make gruel.
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### Author:  [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/4 "2009-02-05T02:11:37Z")
You’re much more likely to scoop daily if the boxes are uncovered. Litter box aversions for the cats can also be alleviated by keeping the boxes uncovered. From personal experience, I definitely scoop more often without lids on the boxes. When I had one cat, I had a covered box, but now with three cats I use 2 very large high-sided uncovered boxes. I’ve found that the nice and big boxes, filled pretty full (4-5 inches), stay the cleanest and are very easy to scoop when the waste never gets close to the bottom.
But that’s just me. And I’m pretty lazy about housekeeping and stuff. One nightly scooping session that lasts all of 2 minutes has turned out the easiest, and most cleanly, for me.
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### Author:  [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/5 "2009-02-05T02:36:24Z")
The best litter I’ve used is called Feline Pine. Lightweight, great odor control, and it’s soft to their little feet.
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### Author:  [@zephyr242](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zephyr242)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/6 "2009-02-05T05:45:35Z")
I’ve tried many different litters, litter boxes, and I’ve finally found one I absolutely love.
[ScoopFree Ultra](http://www.petco.com/product/104583/ScoopFree-Ultra-Automatic-Self-Cleaning-Litter-Box.aspx)
I only have one cat, and the litter cartridge lasts one month. I don’t know how well it would work for three cats, but I’d imagine you would just change the cartridge more often. The cartridges aren’t cheap, but IMHO it’s well worth it to not have to scoop the poop ever again.
I’d LOVE to have one of [these](http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3245428), but they’re waaaaaaaaay too expensive.
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### Author:  [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/7 "2009-02-05T07:22:39Z")
I have one like the Lift n’ Sift shown at the bottom of that page. It seems to work fine. I also have 2 other ones, just made from leftover containers. One’s a rubberized dishwashing container, the other is a squarish plastic container that I don’t remember where it came from. And an ‘emergency’ one in the upstairs bathroom near the bedrooms.
4 boxes for 3 cats, all different: different heights, different sizes, different corners & edges. They seem to like the variety, and their ability to choose the one they like at any time.
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### Author:  [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/8 "2009-02-05T16:08:03Z")
I have two cats and one of them is a big cat – about 18 pounds and he barely fits in a standard size litter box. I looked for a bigger litter box but couldn’t find one, but I did find a large deep bin that works great for him. It’s sold as a storage container (and it cost half as much as a “litter box”). It’s about a foot high and two feet wide. It holds about 10 pounds of litter…
I’ve found that I don’t need to scoop as often with this big box. I think it’s because Mick has more space to bury his stuff. I use Tidy Cats, mostly because I usually have a coupon.
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### Author:  [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/9 "2009-02-05T16:14:22Z")
I have an [Omega Paw Roll ‘n’ Clean](http://www.omegapaw.com/RollnCleanReg.html), and I love it. I think at least one of the cats may prefer the Litter Maid, though. We have two boxes- one Roll ‘n’ Clean, one Litter Maid.
My fat cat (almost 15 pounds, currently losing weight) can get into the hole in the large-size Roll ‘n’ Clean, no problem. If your cat looks like [this](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/n/a/2008/07/30/national/a093211D71.DTL&o=0), you might have problems.
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### Author:  [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/10 "2009-02-05T16:47:05Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#):
>
> I have two cats and one of them is a big cat – about 18 pounds and he barely fits in a standard size litter box. I looked for a bigger litter box but couldn’t find one, but I did find a large deep bin that works great for him. It’s sold as a storage container (and it cost half as much as a “litter box”). It’s about a foot high and two feet wide. It holds about 10 pounds of litter..
>
> I’ve found that I don’t need to scoop as often with this big box. I think it’s because Mick has more space to bury his stuff. I use Tidy Cats, mostly because I usually have a coupon.
I agree with this. Just buy a largish storage container and cut an opening in the front. Make sure the opening is up a little higher so they have to step up a little and jump all the way in before they can go potty. I have lots of cats and most litterboxes do not accommodate big cats so that they either go in and pee out the front because they can’t get all the way in or turn around or they spray on the side and it leaks out the side seam on covered boxes. I have been experimenting with various storage boxes. I have used dark boxes and the cats don’t mind but I think I will make my new ones out of the clear boxes to see which the cats prefer. I also made a top entry box but the only one that uses it is my dainty girl, it’s not tall enough for the boys.
I am actually planning to build a long bench that would hold two of these boxes, back to back, with the openings on the sides for the cats and a lid that raises for access to clean. Then the bench would go under my long living room window so they can sit on the bench and look out the window. It’s probably a bit ambitious for me though since I have trouble sawing straight lines even with power tools.
The purchased box I have that works the best is the Booda Dome (the largest size one). It has a little staircase they have to go up so they can’t pee right by the door. They can still track some litter out though.
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### Author:  [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/11 "2009-02-05T17:18:05Z")
We have five cats and use a huge container that you’d normally use for storage. We use clumping litter and scoop daily.
The best part about it is that it has high walls. Like maybe 8 inches. The standard height makes it too easy for the big kitty to accidentally hang his butt over the side.
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### Author:  [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/12 "2009-02-05T17:38:21Z")
> [@](#):
>
> You’re much more likely to scoop daily if the boxes are uncovered
That.
I have four cats and I used to have one of those roll and clean boxes, but clumps pf urine would get under the grate that was supposed to trap them and I ended up scooping it normally instead of rolling it like it was intended to do. Then I tossed it.
I have also read that some cats are averse to covered boxes (especially if you use that awful scented litter. I can’t stand to be in the same room to scoop it - imagine what the cat thinks being forced to use that perfumey stuff in an enclosed box) and since I have four, I decided to not even take the chance. My cat boxes are in separate room so they have privacy.
I go to the building supply store and buy large contractor’s mixing boxes. They are huge and less than $5 each. They are slightly rounded front and back, so that helps a bit with scooping. I spray a layer of PAM non-stick stuff in the bottom (makes urine clumps easier to lift) and fill 'em up.
The cons: They are huge and it takes a lot of litter to fill them up. I scoop often so I don’t completely change it out as often as I would with a smaller box. Also, they are black, so litter dust settles and is very visible, and if you have a cat that likes to scratch the sides, the claw marks are easier to see on black. But if you have your boxes hidden in a spare room and don’t care that they look dusty/clawed, they are great!
Scooping manually isn’t that bad, and I have a cat prone to bladder infections so I’d rather scoop so I can catch any funny-looking stuff early.
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### Author:  [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/13 "2009-02-05T18:49:56Z")
I always used a big black cement type mixing bin and **clumping** litter.
I was fortunate once to teach one kitty the art of using the toilet.
I used a different approcah than this, but same outcome…
[http://www.karawynn.net/mishacat/toilet.html](http://www.karawynn.net/mishacat/toilet.html)
(It’s best that you have a spare toilet for training 😛 )
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### Author:  [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/14 "2009-02-05T18:51:17Z")
Probably not the best solution for everyone, but I have a lot of medium-sized cardboard boxes laying around, so what I do is cut them down to about 9 inches in height (any lower and the litter he kicks up gets all over the floor) and use them as disposable litter boxes.
When it seems like the box has about had it, I just throw the whole thing, litter and all, into one of those extra-strong garbage bags. No muss, no fuss.
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### Author:  [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/15 "2009-02-06T00:14:47Z")
Get the [Booda Dome](http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2750510&utm_source=cse&utm_campaign=5052483&utm_medium=googleproduct&mr:trackingCode=B93FC3BF-95F3-DD11-80C2-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA) and use good clumping litter. It NEVER smells.
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### Author:  [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2009, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/16 "2009-02-06T00:55:11Z")
I haven’t thoroughly read all the posts yet, or accessed the links you’ve provided, and I will certainly do that; but I’d also like to emphasize that odor is a big issue for us. We have a small, one-level ranch-style house; when one of the cats does a doody, even if she covers it, it is very noticeable in other areas of the house.
Also, I wanted to suggest to zephy242 that he/she wait until there is more info on this system; I know it looks good – I’ve also seen ads for it – but it is very expensive and before putting out that kind of money, please make sure it’s worth it. I charged ahead and bought the Littermaid without checking reviews or other sources, and I was very disappointed in it, and, as noted in the OP, it’s now used as a regular litter box. Thanks everyone for your advice.
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### Author:  [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/17 "2009-02-06T01:11:48Z")
I bought the biggest catbox the store could give me – it’s a jumbo covered catbox. So far the only problem with it is that my two tend not to cover up their doings. I may just try buying a rim for the box and seeing if that changes anything – the coveredness was to reduce litter being flung all over.
I use a combination of Swheat litter, 1/3 jug Tidy Cats crystals, and a dash of deodorizer which’s basically fancy baking soda from Pettastic. Plastic liner to minimize urine clumps from turning to concrete on the bottom of the box when I don’t always get to cleaning every day.
It seems to work pretty well so far in a 1BR condo with two giant Maine Coon mixes. I also recently tried them out on a bag of Newman’s Own kibble since the regular store where I get Avoderm was closed, so we’ll see if I detect any difference.
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### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/18 "2009-02-06T02:14:01Z")
In my experience, it’s not the box, it’s the litter. I have two cats, and a while back I started using flushable litter. The box is in the back hall, next to a small lavatory, and only two steps from a toilet. Once a day I scoop the clumps and poop and flush them. The only time I had a clog (temporary) was when I skipped a day and tried to flush too much at once. Other than that, it’s problem-free and odor-free, and not that expensive.
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### Author:  [@lunar\_elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lunar_elf)
#### Post date: [February 6, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-people-recommend-a-litter-box/484501/19 "2009-02-06T02:29:36Z")
Booda dome!