Re: What can I do to reduce litter box smell and tracking???? HELP

Laura R. wrote:

> circa 24 Nov 2003 16:49:20 -0800, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, 
> Scott ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) said,
>
> > We have two problems:  
> >
> > 1.  The litter gets tracked across the floor.    How can I reduce
> > this?
>
>
> Put a big, nubbly rubber mat under the boxes.
>
>
> > 2.  The smell, what can I do to reduce this?  We have a air cleaner
> > running next the boxes with a HEPA and Charcoal filter.  This seems to
> > help some.  The younger cat (7 months) has a habit of not covering her
> > waste.  This definitely adds to the problem.  It's not too bad but you
> > can definitely smell the boxes in the room.
>
>
> Put less litter in the box, scoop daily and clean the box frequently. 
> Too much litter makes those big clods that break up when you try to 
> scoop and leave stinky bits behind.

I will disagree with you on that one.

More litter prevents waste material from coming into contact with the 
box which will increase smell due to the residue left behind.

More litter prevents the "big clods" from being broken up due to more 
support for them and the ability to get them out without have to scrape 
along the bottom of the box... where there will also be a residue.

There is a real technique to cleaning out the clods. My technique 
involves lifting the front edge of the box and gently shifting the 
litter as much as possible to the rear without spilling.

Then starting at the front scooping through the start of the pile, 
afterwards using the edge of the scooper to gradually move the litter to 
the front of the box while checking for piles. When a pile is found, 
push the scooper into the litter underneath and lift the clod out intact.

This technique works everytime, no broken clods unless they are very 
fresh. My cat compliments me each day on my clod tossing technique as 
well.  :-)

--
"Its the bugs that keep it running."
                                     -Joe Canuck