Numpty question re cleaning out litter tray

Tiddlypom

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Since we were acquired by our cat, and she decided that it was safe to venture indoors, she’s had a litter tray. She’s happy to use it, no problems. She rarely poops in it, she saves that for outside.

I have been treating it like mucking out a stable, so removing the wet and topping up with clean. However, over time, say a year or so, a whiffy solid residue builds up on the base, and nothing now will shift it. I tried white vinegar, but nope. Current tray is going to have to be binned.

Ought I to be chucking out all the litter at intervals and rinsing out the litter tray?
 

FinnishLapphund

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I use Cat's Best cat litter, it's compostable, and when wet it lumps together really well. With a deep layer in the bottom, the pee lumps that forms are rarely in contact with the actual litter box, and even when they are in contact, it doesn't build up any layer of anything, at least not as long as I get everything dirty out.

I know I should probably be doing it more often, but usually I only pour out all the clean cat litter in a bucket once or twice per year, wipe clean the inside surfaces, and fill it back up again with preferably at least/about 5-6 cm cat litter, or a bit more.
 

m1stify

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I use Cat's Best cat litter, it's compostable, and when wet it lumps together really well. With a deep layer in the bottom, the pee lumps that forms are rarely in contact with the actual litter box, and even when they are in contact, it doesn't build up any layer of anything, at least not as long as I get everything dirty out.

I know I should probably be doing it more often, but usually I only pour out all the clean cat litter in a bucket once or twice per year, wipe clean the inside surfaces, and fill it back up again with preferably at least/about 5-6 cm cat litter, or a bit more.
Exactly what I do. Best litter I have used!
 

Tiddlypom

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Thanks, everyone 🙂.

I’ll do as webble suggests and fully empty out and rinse the litter tray every so often while I use up my remaining 2 bags of Catsan non clumping litter. Then I’ll trial the Cat’s Best clumping litter that you’ve mentioned.

It’s very pricey, but it seems that it’s more economical in use.

Her litter tray is in a corner of the kitchen, so it needs not to niff.
 

Squeak

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I use the catsan liners on the bottom and then top up with catsan. Then as and when needed the liner is replaced and I start again. They tend to last quite a while but mine doesn't use the tray much.
 

OrangeAndLemon

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Another vote for wood pellets. Local feed store had a good offer on pelleted horse bedding a couple of months ago, so a few bags went in the tack room to be brought home as required.
I tried mine on pellets but they didn't like them.

I have two litter trays, they both prefer one over the other. I do a daily skip out of both (taking any solid or lumps of wet). I know I need to do a full muck out when they start to use the least preferred litter tray more than the favourite.

I've been using Waitrose own brand cat litter. It's almost exactly the same as Catsan but half the price. It comes in smaller bags which i thought would be annoying but it's a lot easier.
 

HappyHollyDays

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I only have one indoor cat using the Worlds Best now also in a corner tray and for reference I use a large bag from Amazon every two months. I have it on subscription as it’s cheaper and I know that’s how much I get through. It definitely works out cheaper than buying from Pets at Home where a small bag is £25 now.
 
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