Conference misery::feline_v1

    If your space is narrow - go to the "baby" department in a Zayre,
    or Bradlees discount store and check out the plastic baby bathtubs
    (for human babies) - I used to use them for a lot of years until
    I moved into a house that had more space - they are deep and
    narrow and washable.
    
    E.T._who_went_to_Cat_Sheeeeet_College_and_majored_in_Cat_Sheeeeeeeet
    

    I'd really like to keep it to a -real- litterbox for a couple of
    reasons:
    
    - Odor       (I think a "covered" box will be appropriate, but what
                  is best for controlling this?)
    - Aesthetics (I'm having a tough enough time with this reason
    		  without putting together a make-shift box)
    
    The litterbox will be placed in our private bathroom which,
    unfortunately, isn't that large (hence, the size wishlist) but I
    don't think (yet) that size is a requirement.  
    
-Andy

    Doskocil makes a covered box with a charcoal filter on top.  It comes
    in a couple different sizes.  Your local shop that carries KennelKabs
    can order them for you.  I've got the jumbo size, since I have 3
    kitties, one of whom is a slob.  It was cheaper than BoodaBox...
    
    Mary

    booda boxes are very large.

    I have a Booda Box which is placed inside a huge (DECworkstation)
    cardboard box.  The filter definitely helps with the odor.  And
    the cardboard box helps (a bit) with the litter.  However, those
    furry beings carry litter in their paws to all parts of the house!
    
    I've never kept a litterbox in a bathroom before.  My first reaction
    was that any dampness might be bad for the cats and the bathroom.
     But I guess that depends on how much that bathroom is used.
    
    Anyway, I'd recommend the Booda Box, from my experience.
    
    Anne
    

    I've always felt that the bathroom is the most appropriate spot
    for a litterbox.  Due to our problems with Tymothee, and the "girls"
    refusing to go upstairs, I've had to put a covered box in the dining-
    room. (I refuse to have a litterbox in the kitchen!)  I hate having
    it there but there really isn't a better spot downstairs.  :-(
      Nancy DC
    

    I have 3 very large cats and have tried several litter boxes and
    litter types.  The booda box controlled the odor somewhat, but the
    larger cats did not have enough room to do their thing hence they
    started doing some funny things to the carpet.  So I went to the
    regular open plastic tub with a small overhang to keep some of the
    litter from spraying over the side.
    
    The best and most recent thing I have found is called "Everclean"
    It has the consistency of sand and urine clumps into balls that
    are easy to scoop out.  No urine stands in the bottom of the box
    and therefore the odor is reduced.  My only compliant is minor and
    that is they say you never have to change the stuff, just add more.
     I have found that after 3 or 4 weeks the entire box must be changed.
     It also costs about 12.00 for a gallon.  My cats needed 2 gallons
    to start.  Cost is 25.00 to 30.00 a month, but for the decreased
    smell and ease of clean-up I consider it worth it.
    
    Cyndi Peddigree - no kidding it's my real last name!

    RE: .7

    Have you ever tried putting a layer (1/3 box) of baking soda in the box
    prior to putting in the litter, then putting in the litter and mixing
    in the remainder of the baking soda in with the litter? I do that and
    when I'm real busy, the box can go about week without smelling dirty
    (obviously I still scoop very frequently).

    Deb

	I was going to ask here if anyone out there was using EverClean.  I
	got a rather impressive demonstration of it at a mall booth during
	one of those "shows".  The urine forms little balls, which can be
	scooped out along with the solid waste.

	The flyer they gave me did state that there should be at most 2 
	cats per litterbox, or the urine balls will get broken up by the
	kitties walking on them.

	Chrysalis won lots of praise yesterday -- a bedspread fell from the 
	top of the dryer onto her litter box, and she apparently *burrowed*
	*under* it to get to the litter.  *Good* *Kitty*!!

	Beverly

    We've talked about EverCleen in some other note.  I swear by it, 
    someone else didn't like it.  I like it because keeping the
    litter boxes tidy is much easier, and Holly is more apt to
    use a litter box than go elsewhere.  It does have a tracking problem
    however.  My recollection is that whoever didn't like it said
    the lumps broke, but I've found if you're careful they don't.
    

>    < Note 2503.8 by VAXWRK::SKALTSIS "Deb" >
>
>    Have you ever tried putting a layer (1/3 box) of baking soda in the box
>    prior to putting in the litter, then putting in the litter and mixing
>    in the remainder of the baking soda in with the litter?
    
    What size box (of baking soda) are we talking about?

-Andy

    a small box of backing soda (not sure what size those are; I thinkg
    that they are 12 oz). Usually, you can find them on sale at 3/$1.00
    
    Deb

    The Everclean doesn't work for me due to the number of cats that
    I have.  They step on the lumps and break them up.  Also, with the
    number of cats, Everclean isn't really cost efficient for me.  It
    is probably ideal for a one or two cat home though.
    
    Jo

    Re:  Baking Soda
    
    Whenever I buy a bag of litter, I also buy a box of baking soda.
    Now, I'm not one to change the litter box since it really makes
    me want to gag, so litter box duty is Larry's job.  But, every other
    day or so, I will take the box of baking soda and sprinkle it on
    top of all the litter.  I use enough to that the top of the box
    looks predominantly white.  It really helps the odor.
    
    	-Nancy
    

    Ok, I went with the large Doskocil (not certain of the spelling) which,
    according to the pet store clerk, is about 1/3 the cost to purchase/
    maintain than the Booda Box (liners, filters, etc. for the Booda are
    more expensive not to mention that it is larger).  In fact, he didn't
    stock Booda Boxes because he said they cost too much. 
    
    But, the saga continues...
    
    Changed their boxes last evening and decided to use the new box (same
    location).  Setup everything and the cats familiarized themselves with
    it (they usually can't wait to try out the new litter).  No problems.
    Watched Tabatha (our 16-year-old Angora) go into the room and come out
    -- she'd used the box to urinate (hooray, it's gonna work).  However, I
    got up this morn expecting to clean out some stuff and it was empty and
    the newspaper I put down around the box was wet once (which isn't
    altogether unusual -- it has happened about once a week for some time
    now).
    
    Was the change too quick?  Should I have left one of the other boxes
    down as well?  If so, which do you suggest?  
    
    What of the wetting?  I had always assumed the reason for this was
    because I haven't been altogether that good about scooping when
    needed (my wife is pregnant so I've got 'box' duty 'till September).
    
    thanx,
    
-Andy

    Andy,
    
    Usually the cats will let you know when you haven't been too good
    about scooping.  But, the box was clean this time.  Have you ruled
    out the possible physical causes of the urination?  Was the urine
    normal colored and normal volume?  I am kind of thinking along the
    lines of cystitis or some other bladder problem.  Since she is going
    close to the the box, seems like she is trying to make a statement.
    
    Do you have more than one box?  Maybe she just doesn't like having
    to share her box with any other cats.
    
    Jo

    Well Jo, this has been happening for a while with 2 boxes (see base
    note) but only about once a week.  I'm not -absolutely- certain it's
    Tabatha, but I'm 95% sure (we have caught her before).  At any rate, I
    don't think it's cystitis.  She went earlier in the evening without
    problem and she's had no pain in the area of her kidneys.  Besides, my
    wife is well aware of her day-to-day activity and can -always- tell
    when she isn't feeling well. 
    
    As to the urine (on the paper), it appeared of normal color (no
    blood) and normal volume (as cats go <sigh>).

    Could it be something to do with the paper?  Or, because I haven't
    moved the box location, perhaps she smells the spot(s) that were
    urinated at earlier (that seeped thru the paper)?
    
-Andy

    Andy, it is possible that she still smells the spot and that is
    drawing her back to it.  I am running out of ideas.  It has been
    a long time since I had this type of problem.  Right now I have
    more litter boxes than cats so that probably helps.  
    
    Oh, she is spayed isn't she?  Are both cats spayed/neutered?  This
    could have an affect on the litter box habits.
    
    Have you thought about consulting a cat behaviorist?  Carole Wilbourn
    is such a person and she writes a column in Cat Fancy magazine.
    
    Anybody else have any suggestions for Andy?
    
    Jo

    Just thought of something else, you mentioned that she is 16 years
    old, I think.  If her last vet trip was a while ago, maybe a geriatric
    kitty checkup is in order.  Her kidneys may be showing signs of
    aging.
    
    Jo

    Went home last evening and did a 'box' check -- nothing (beginning 
    to worry).  Decided to see what happens after they ate.  Ten minutes
    after, Toby (our other -- ~3 years old) went after some investigation
    (good boy).  The wife and I then had to go out for a bit.  When we got
    back, checked and saw that Tabatha had gone herself (relief).  I know 
    this because she has a problem with 'stuff' sticking to her fur so 
    she -runs- thru the house to get it off.  I had to clean this up. 

    I suppose it's just a matter of them getting use to it.  Thanks
    for the support.
    
-Andy

    Everclean -- (a fine sand) did not work well for me.  I have
    three cats:  6 months, 3 years, and 13 years. 

    Pro
    
    (1)  The cats loved it -- better than any kitty liter I have ever
         tried.  It has no order of its own and it seems to be pretty dust
         free. 

    Con
    
    (1) The cats tracked it everywhere, it was a mess.

    (2) The cats broke up the clumps when they covered it up and it
        was not possible to remove all the wet sand.  Note that at cat
        shows they pour water into a little mound without scattering it. 
        Only under that condition can you scoop it all out. 

    (3) Poops do cause the litter to smell along with that scattered
        urine-wetted sand.  So the litter has to be replaced just like
        regular litter. 

    (4) It was very expensive since I had to replace it.

    (5) With three cats, it was not long before just removing the
        sand clumps depleted the liter to the point where I needed to
        add more. 

    				-- Julie

    I bought the Doskocil covered litter box about a week ago.  Both
    Ziggy and Zula love it.
    
    One question.  They don't have any directions on how to install the 
    filter.  Does it matter which side is down, the charcoal side or the
    white side?   Right now I have the Charcoal side facing down.
    
    Thanks, Pam

Ya, things were simpler when there was only the charcoal part...I, too, have
the charcoal side down.  Too bad they didn't tell us which way was which...

Mary

    Thanks.  That was my guess and how I put it in.
    
    Pam