Searched here on DU , could not find current cat litter advice.

[yy4me]

My new kitty seems to be settling down. Still trying to bite me now and then but is getting better.

It will be 2 weeks Saturday that I got her. PetSmart suggested I buy this new Corn cat litter. I think the bag was 14 lbs...it is now gone so I can't make reference. It was $18.00 for the bag, I did not realize how $$$ it was until I reviewed my slip when I got home. It was included with food and toys.

Anyway, it may be good for the environment, OK to flush and all that good stuff but when it is used, it smells like a compost heap. I really cannot stand the smell. It may cover the cat odors but leaves instead this awful musty, earthy odor once it gets wet.

I am very careful to keep the litter box clean but the clumps it makes are huge and after 3 box changes since I got the kitty,(not yet 2 weeks) it sure does not go far. That is over $6.00 a clean box. I probably changed it more often than needed but I had to get rid of the other non-cat smell.

Today when shopping for more cat food, I priced litter at the grocery store and all types were far less money. I don't know what to buy, scented, clay, granulated, pine, other, good grief.

Anyone here suggest what litter they have had good results with?

Thanks

[Kookaburra]

1. My kitties like the pine litter

It's not that expensive and relatively easy to scoop.

[virgdem]

2. Another alternative that you can check out..

is litter made from newspaper. We have used Yesterday's News for years and our cats have adjusted very well over the years to this litter. It doesn't smell when wet and covers odors very well. It is also easy to scoop and resembles pine litter, which we have also used in the past. Good luck in your search for the best litter for your kitties.

[glinda]

3. Litter choice is an important decision for many reasons.

I agree the corn can be musty. I have a cat who actually fell out of his litter box when using the corn and upon analysis by my Vet discovered that it had a fungus on the corn.
Oils from "pine litters" is toxic to cats. I have used pine and liked the smell but discontinued it due to concerns about the oils.
"Swheat" (???) is my favorite but I have a cat that is allergic to wheat and cannot use it.
we are now using Yesterday's news as it is recycled but I think it lacks absorbency and my kids track it out of their litter box but it is the safest I have found. I have more than one cat and I think it is a good litter if you have only a couple of cats but we use it.
Commercial clumping litters are bad as they end up in the intestines of cats and can actually cause blockages in rare cases.
I have had a real struggle with the litter thing but if I could use the wheat one I would. It clumps and wasn't real smelly.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

4. I highly reccommend this. You can get it at Pet Smart

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Elseys-Precious-Cat-Litter/dp/B0000V860K/ref=pd_sbs_k_2/188-7217205-9848424

[Why Syzygy]

5. I LOVE the silica type.

I'm so glad you asked because I've been wanting to share this.

Solids just lay on top. At least with my cat, he doesn't bury because there's no odor, which is why they cover. Liquids are completely absorbed. You might need to stir. No scooping big clumps of wet clay. The info all says it will last a month, but I didn't change for about two months. Eventually, the absorption rate is maxed out and it will begin to smell of urine.

Here's a review, along with the other types, which references The Natural Cat, a book I love:
http://www.worldwise.com/catboxlitter.html

Larger walmarts carry a name brand and off brand. I get the off brand of course. It's very economical.

This is the name brand:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10313505#ProductDetail

[Lorien]

6. I had the same bad luck with the corn and pine litters

I just use the scoop away from Costco ($11 for a 40 pound bucket) and I mix in a little cat attract litter to make sure they use it. Cats are generally repelled by scented litters. I know a couple of people like the recycled newspaper litter, but I haven't tried it. I wish the corn and pine stuff didn't stink to high heaven because it is healthier for both the cats and the environment, but I can't handle it!

[ehrnst]

7. Here is a post from a vet here on DU awhile ago

"Some tips for avoiding behavioral pee problems: Use enough litter boxes (rule of thumb is one per cat, plus one, but I have only one for 2 cats and they are happy); NO LIDS on the boxes - cats hate litter box lids that trap odors inside; use a top quality unscented clumping (scoopable) litter that forms HARD clumps and there is no ammonia stink after use (PetSmart's Exquisicat is my favorite); keep the box in a bathroom if possible, or other quiet out-of-the-way spot, and keep the food/water in the kitchen; don't let children/dogs pester the cat while using its box; avoid those damned electronic self-scooping boxes (big cause of problems in my patients); how many cats in your home, and how many square feet (avoid overcrowding);"

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. I was using the corn litter, which seemed to cause no problems, and

then, when my co-op ran out of it temporarily, I tried the wheat litter, but I don't like it as well. The clumps take a long time to dry out.

Either way, a bag doesn't last long, because as I remove the clumps, the layer of litter gets to be too shallow.

We never had cats when I was growing up, but I recall that in the "olden days," people just filled the litter boxes with sand. I wonder if that's a solution.

[Critters2]

13. The beagle eats the wheat kind.

Gobbles it down like dog food.

I like the pine stuff--Feline Fresh. I even like the smell. And the beagle doesn't eat it.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

9. any that clumps really good

at least with my two cats.

make sure it says clumps on box.

My cats seem to like the scented kind.

I never had good luck with the corn or newspaper etc and definitely do not like clay.

[Justitia]

10. We like SWheat Scoop & it's flushable. Clumps well. Get it at Target. -eom

[badgerpup]

11. I use Litter Purrfect ...

It's a scoopable...Costco carries it.
It runs about $8 for a #30 container. It is scented, but uses lemongrass for the purpose, so the smell isn't overwhelming to either the cats or me.

My monsters kitties like it...at least, there's no difficulty with them using it. Absorbs liquid and odor quite well, too. :thumbsup:

[Rob H.]

12. I just use Fresh Step with mine

Whenever I've boarded her at PetSmart (twice now) she doesn't like using the non-clay litter they use so she usually goes without pooping the first couple of days. I think they use some sort of cellulose litter because it doesn't give off as much dust as clay litters do.

[Critters2]

14. I use Feline Fresh.

Not too expensive, clumps nicely, the cats use it, the dog doesn't eat it, it's flushable, and I kinda like the smell.

http://www.planetwiseproducts.com/index.htm

[meow2u3]

15. My cats like good old-fashioned Fresh Step non-clumping litter

I found that to be the best at controlling odors because the carbon it contains absorb them. The only trouble I have is when the cats track litter all over my room. Thank God for hardwood floors--it's easy to sweep it up and put the excess back in the box.