General Advice Thread

[Xprimentyl]

Not sure if such a thread existed, so I'm starting one. Post a question or concern, and see if our Escapist Community can help! I'll start:

As I've mentioned elsewhere, I'm a new kitten owner. He's about 2 months old (if that) and quite the character. I can deal with the typical kitten stuff, i.e.: hiding, climbing, gnawing on my fingers, etc. But the one thing that's driving me nuts is his litter box. This kitty weighs barely two pounds, but when he exits his litter box, he leaves a spray of litter that covers the floor. Nevermind that he covers his business like Davy Jones, burying it deep and nigh undetectable with the naked eye, throwing granules of litter everywhere, he then jumps out of it like an action hero diving off a roof to escape an explosion. One poopie turns into my sweeping half the room. Any advice on which types of litters might mitigate his collateral damage?

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

If you can train him into using it, there's always paper-based pellet litter. Also, does the litter box have a hood on it?

 

[Xprimentyl]

If you can train him into using it, there's always paper-based pellet litter. Also, does the litter box have a hood on it?

No, no hood on the litter box. Didn't think we'd need one given he's so tiny, but he's proven us wrong seeing as every "go" turns into a small explosion. We looked into alternative litter boxes, but each just look like more effort for us, i.e.: we have to remove the hood for every clean-up? That, or an automatic scooper which is right around $600, and I'm not about to pretend to be that affluent or lazy.

 

[Baffle]

I'd get one with a hood, it makes a world of difference; even better one with a hood and a cat flap. Yeah, a bit more effort to empty, but not as much effort as getting the broom out!

Some cats don't like the auto-clean ones anyway.

 

[Xprimentyl]

I'd get one with a hood, it makes a world of difference; even better one with a hood and a cat flap. Yeah, a bit more effort to empty, but not as much effort as getting the broom out!

Some cats don't like the auto-clean ones anyway.

Might go by the pet store today and look for a hooded litter box. Already on my third sweep-up of the day, and it's getting tiresome.

 

[hanselthecaretaker2]

Not sure if such a thread existed, so I'm starting one. Post a question or concern, and see if our Escapist Community can help! I'll start:
As I've mentioned elsewhere, I'm a new kitten owner. He's about 2 months old (if that) and quite the character. I can deal with the typical kitten stuff, i.e.: hiding, climbing, gnawing on my fingers, etc. But the one thing that's driving me nuts is his litter box. This kitty weighs barely two pounds, but when he exits his litter box, he leaves a spray of litter that covers the floor. Nevermind that he covers his business like Davy Jones, burying it deep and nigh undetectable with the naked eye, throwing granules of litter everywhere, he then jumps out of it like an action hero diving off a roof to escape an explosion. One poopie turns into my sweeping half the room. Any advice on which types of litters might mitigate his collateral damage?

If you can train him into using it, there's always paper-based pellet litter. Also, does the litter box have a hood on it?

I mentioned the litter thing in the other thread a couple weeks back, and yeah the switch is worth it. Probably easier to train a kitten too since they’re not as accustomed and change-resistant as our 8yr old cat. It doesn’t even have a hood either and when he shits there’s only like a dozen or so pellets to sweep up and put back in the tray. Mileage may vary on that part though with a kitten. Also as an aside it’s best to scoop the poop and save the sifting for the pissing. I keep a thing of Lysol wipes for the scoop so it stays clean-ish.

 

[Xprimentyl]

I mentioned the litter thing in the other thread a couple weeks back, and yeah the switch is worth it. Probably easier to train a kitten too since they’re not as accustomed and change-resistant as our 8yr old cat. It doesn’t even have a hood either and when he shits there’s only like a dozen or so pellets to sweep up and put back in the tray. Mileage may vary on that part though with a kitten. Also as an aside it’s best to scoop the poop and save the sifting for the pissing. I keep a thing of Lysol wipes for the scoop so it stays clean-ish.

I might look into the cedar pellets, but my gf is the cat expert; I'll see if she has any opinion on changing. But this kitten does some damage, so I imagine it's going to be pick our poison: do we want to sweep up litter or pellets? And I actually got to witness it first hand; I was cleaning out his box, so of course, he chose that moment to "go," and when he was done, literally leapt out of the box like he'd stepped on a landmine. Litter everywhere. Maybe it'll subside once he's big enough to step out like [what I presume is] a normal cat.

 

[hanselthecaretaker2]

I might look into the cedar pellets, but my gf is the cat expert; I'll see if she has any opinion on changing. But this kitten does some damage, so I imagine it's going to be pick our poison: do we want to sweep up litter or pellets? And I actually got to witness it first hand; I was cleaning out his box, so of course, he chose that moment to "go," and when he was done, literally leapt out of the box like he'd stepped on a landmine. Litter everywhere. Maybe it'll subside once he's big enough to step out like [what I presume is] a normal cat.

He’s a kitten so his theme song is basically “Jump”. Should hopefully change but yeah let’s just say dealing with pellets means no more dust, messy clumps, tracking litter around the house or getting wet litter stuck in paws. The only downside would be they can’t cover the shit so that’ll stink. But I consider it an “alert” of sorts that it’s time to clean it.

 

[Xprimentyl]

He’s a kitten so his theme song is basically “Jump”. Should hopefully change but yeah let’s just say dealing with pellets means no more dust, messy clumps, tracking litter around the house or getting wet litter stuck in paws. The only downside would be they can’t cover the shit so that’ll stink. But I consider it an “alert” of sorts that it’s time to clean it.

How do the pellets handle pee, though, if it's not clumping like litter? I'd rather sweep residual litter than have to rinse and a replace a box of pellets several times a day. Seriously, why couldn't this just be a dog? I understand the three-step process of a plastic bag, picking up shit, and tossing it. Plus the added benefit of "going" being a "team sport," interactive, and, for lack of better phrasing, "fun" for everyone involved. This cat just shits or pisses when he wants, and leaves me to clean up while he looks on like the king of all things shit and piss.

 

[hanselthecaretaker2]

How do the pellets handle pee, though, if it's not clumping like litter? I'd rather sweep residual litter than have to rinse and a replace a box of pellets several times a day. Seriously, why couldn't this just be a dog? I understand the three-step process of a plastic bag, picking up shit, and tossing it. Plus the added benefit of "going" being a "team sport," interactive, and, for lack of better phrasing, "fun" for everyone involved. This cat just shits or pisses when he wants, and leaves me to clean up while he looks on like the king of all things shit and piss.

The pellets are compressed so they dissolve into a mush when wet, so that stuff is sifted into the tray beneath the honeycomb grid or whatever by shaking it back and forth, then that tray get dumped into whatever used litter goes into. Sometimes it needs to be scraped off if fresh because it’ll get stuck to the plastic tray, but it only takes me like five seconds.

A bag of pellets usually last me over a month for one cat. it looks like a lot when it’s emptied but I only have to add some every two or three days. Basically enough to completely cover the holes in the grid. I’ve been cleaning litter every damn day for like thirteen years now and the last year or so using pellets has been the easiest time of it.

As for a dog, yeah they’re great (grew up with a golden) but as an adult I think I could only have one on a farm or something. Fuck having one in town and having to deal with their high maintenance needs and tracking shit into the house lol. Whereas leaving a cat alone with enough food and water for a day or two and they’re good to go. The important thing is, like Jinx being purely an indoor housecat. Otherwise I’d revert to the dog rule ei farm/country living.

 

[Xprimentyl]

The pellets are compressed so they dissolve into a mush when wet, so that stuff is sifted into the tray beneath the honeycomb grid or whatever by shaking it back and forth, then that tray get dumped into whatever used litter goes into. Sometimes it needs to be scraped off if fresh because it’ll get stuck to the plastic tray, but it only takes me like five seconds.

A bag of pellets usually last me over a month for one cat. it looks like a lot when it’s emptied but I only have to add some every two or three days. Basically enough to completely cover the holes in the grid. I’ve been cleaning litter every damn day for like thirteen years now and the last year or so using pellets has been the easiest time of it.

As for a dog, yeah they’re great but I think I could only have one if I lived on a farm or something. Fuck having one in town and having to deal with their bight maintenance needs and tracking shit into the house lol.

I asked the gf (the cat whisperer,) and she's not a fan of the pellets, and I'm in no position to say otherwise. Looks like we're a litter household for the foreseeable future. I could stand my ground and force the issue, but akin to "making yourself look bigger and making loud noises" when in a potential confrontation with a black bear, that's advice I'd rather not risk taking; I prefer just staying out of the woods. Here's hoping he just gets out of this feisty jump everywhere mode sooner rather than later... as he's literally right now climbing the back of my chair and clawing my shirt. I don't know how a cat gets into habits so quickly, but it's been a foregone conclusion for a couple of weeks now that if I'm in my office, Nolan follows and attacks me. He doesn't even bother with this room unless I'm in it!

 

[Xprimentyl]

Ok, @hanselthecaretaker, I pled my case with the lady, and she agreed to allow me to chance a new litter box with higher walls and pellet litter. This after she found herself sweeping up a massive amount of litter (nearly 3 dust pans full) after Nolan's most recent shit break. Amazon knows I'm on the clock to prove myself as they agreed to delivery both today by 10pm. If I'm right, I'm officially the more knowledgeable cat owner; if I'm wrong, I'm out $50, and getting a dog.

 

[Xprimentyl]

Ok, @hanselthecaretaker, I pled my case with the lady, and she agreed to allow me to chance a new litter box with higher walls and pellet litter. This after she found herself sweeping up a massive amount of litter (nearly 3 dust pans full) after Nolan's most recent shit break. Amazon knows I'm on the clock to prove myself as they agreed to delivery both today by 10pm. If I'm right, I'm officially the more knowledgeable cat owner; if I'm wrong, I'm out $50, and getting a dog.

So it's 50/50. The pellet litter was received as a toy, i.e.: Nolan played in it, but never once pooped or peed in it; we went back to the traditional litter. The new litter box design, however, has proven effective. Very little "splash" to deal with so far.