I know that I expect too much from kitty litter. My ideal find would be something that is affordable, dust free, nontracking, good at covering odor, clumpable, lightweight, and OK for the environment. Right now I am using Cedarrific cat litter, which is good for single cat homes if you don’t require clumping litter. But before I started using it, here are some of the other things I’ve tried.

Clay Cat Litter

Clay kitty litter is the most common. It’s cheap and widely available in both supermarkets and pet stores. A lot of them have clumping formulas and some of them (but not all) are good at covering odor. But I’ve decided against using clay litters for a couple of different reasons.

The first thing that concerned me was the dust. Even the low dust versions seemed far too dusty. I know that they were making me cough, so I’m sure that they would be worse for my cat’s health. I want the best for my pets. My older cat has had several health problems in her life (though she is doing well now) while the newer cat I adopted has some breathing issues. So while I don’t think that clay is a kitty killer, I do think it is wise for me to avoid it.

I also know that clay isn’t the most environmentally friendly. I don’t expect everything I own to be “green”, but it did seem silly to use clay when there are materials that are better for the environment. But I admit that my primary concern is my cat’s health.

World’s Best Cat Litter Review

Oh, what a promising name! Unfortunately it did not live up to the hype. The World’s Best Cat Litter is corn based. You can get a clumping formula so it is good if you want to scoop out all of the waste every day (or if you have the Omega I talked about on the best kitty litter boxes post).

Some people love this cat litter, so it is certainly worth a try. But I found, even when I had one cat, that it didn’t do a good job of absorbing odors. The litter box in my home is in a central location (until I move to a larger place), so it needed to do a good job of masking smells. If you keep it in a separate part of your home, you probably won’t have a problem with it.

Another thing I didn’t care about was how much it tracked. It was like a fine powder would get stuck to my cat’s paws and I would find this everywhere. I would consider using the World’s Best Cat Litter again if the litter box was in a different room and I had a decent size mat for my pets to wipe their paws on. But it is one of the most expensive cat litters and doesn’t seem worth the price.

Feline Pine Cat Litter

This is one kitty litter that I’ve used for a long time and would use again, but it isn’t my number one choice. It is made of pine, which is decent smelling. It comes in pellets and I believe they have a nonpellet version as well. The price is affordable and it works well. When the cat pees, the pellets break down into sawdust. It tracks a bit, but not as much as some of the other brands I’ve tried.

One problem with this is that not all cats will like it. If you get the pellets, you might find that your cats don’t want to use a litter that is so different.

Northeastern Cedarrific Cedar Litter

Like I said in the intro, this is the litter that I am currently using. It has almost everything going for it, expect that it doesn’t clump. This isn’t a problem for me right now, but I do want to move to a clumping cat litter so I can use the Omega litter box that I’ve heard so much about.

The main pro is that this actually smells decent. Better than clay, corn, or pine. I just scoop out the solids on a daily basis, and then dump the rest when my nose and eyes tell me it is time. It is lightweight and a little goes a long way. It is mid-priced, but since it is so lightweight a 30 pound bag will last you a decent while. It may be hard to find locally, but I buy it online.

Pros

You Spend Time with Your Cat Outdoors

Cats are stereotyped as aloof and independent, but they still need to have quality one-on-one time with their humans! Most cats crave just as much interaction as dogs do (my cats are more clingy than any dog I’ve ever known). When you get home from work, your feline friend is ready to spend time with you, especially if they’ve been alone all day. Putting on their harness and leash and exploring outside with them will help you strengthen the bond that you have with your pet.

Ensures Your Cat Gets Plenty of Exercise and Playtime

Obesity, and the diseases that can be caused by it, is a major problem for many pets. Feeding healthy foods can help, but exercise is also a must. Cats exercise during playtime. You can get your cat to exercise more by playing with toys such as cat dancers, balls, and feathers on sticks. But for some cats it is still not enough. Romping through the yard is fun exercise for the body and it also stimulates the mind. Exercising your cat and giving something new to see and interact with is the key to having a happy and healthy cat.

Affordable

Outdoor cat enclosures can cost a decent amount of money, especially if you are buying a larger one or buying multiple pieces to fit together into one large playpen. So if you aren’t sure if your feline friend will enjoy the great outdoors, you might be hesitant to spend the money to test it. With harnesses and leashes, you can take your cat outside for less than $15. If your cat hates it you aren’t out much money at all and you may be able to give the product to a friend who has been interested in taking their cat for a walk.

Cons

Not 100% Escape Proof

This is the big one and the reason that many pet owners decide against using a cat harness. While there are some things you can do to make them safer, a big enough scare will have your cat turning into a Houdini. To minimize the risk, get them accustomed to the harness and the leash indoors. Be sure that you find one that fits properly. Take them out during a quiet time of the day when they will feel safer. The late evening is a good choice. If you do these things, your cat will probably be fine. But that can’t be guaranteed so only buy a harness if you are comfortable with the risk.

Cats Will Beg for Walk Time

My sister got a leash for her cat, and never had a moment of peace again. Some cats will love going for walks and playing in the yard. And since they view you as a loyal and lovable servant, they will expect you to take them out frequently. They may demand it with large meows. So be prepared for this.

Not Good for Skittish Cats

You know your cat’s personality. My calico is sweet and dumb, and I would not trust her on a leash. She is terrified of car sounds, even when she is safe and sound in our second story apartment. So I know that a kitty harness would be a terrible idea for her. I’ve known smarter cats who were more independent. It wasn’t safe for them to go outside unsupervised, but they could comfortably walk around the neighborhood with a leash.

Overview

So, is buying a cat leash a good idea? It depends on your cat’s personality and your location. If you have a quiet backyard or neighborhood, it can be a good choice for even a more shy feline. Pets who are used to the outdoors will adjust more quickly than those who have spent their entire lives indoors. Be sure to get your cat used to the harness indoors before venturing outside.

I believe that the founders of this sanctuary started with good intentions, but they got way over their heads. Between people dumping cats there without talking to them beforehand and their inability to say no to anyone, they ended up with far more felines than they could manage. I believe that they were only supposed to have 200 cats, but nearly 700 were removed by animal control, working with both the local and national Humane Society. While I certainly understand the desire to save them all, you should never adopt more pets than you can care for. This includes caring for them financially as well as cleaning up after them, feeding them, loving them, and playing with them.

Many of these cats were in poor condition. Not all of them were spayed or neutered. Upper respiratory infections and fleas were common, and FeLV and FIV cats weren’t kept separate. Cats had deformed ears and some had gone blind from breathing ammonia. This happened because the litter boxes weren’t cleaned regularly.

Of the nearly 700 rescued from this place, around 50 had to be euthanized due to the severity of their illnesses. Others had to be held for evidence in the animal cruelty case against the owners of Haven Acres, and some would require special attention before being adoptable.

But 550 of these kitties were ready for new homes two and a half months after being removed. The Humane Society had a big event to celebrate the occasion. Adoptions were only $5 and the cats had all their vaccines and came with a free follow up appointment at a vet. My husband and I had been talking about getting another cat, and we decided that now was the time. These kitties were being held in an air conditioned warehouse since there wasn’t enough room at the Humane Society for all of them. They had been given vet care and love thanks to many volunteers.

We got to the event, filled out some paperwork and had a quick interview to make sure that we were good people. Then we went to the warehouse and walked into one of the three buildings where the kitties were being held. It was overwhelming. There were so many felines and lots of people as well. I saw a lot of cuties, but none of them jumped out at me as my next cat.

We went into the next building. It was less crowded, so an adoption counselor was able to talk to us and help us narrow it down. We didn’t have any rigid requirements, but we didn’t want any kittens. The main thing we were looking for was someone we felt could integrate into our home and get along with our cat Luna. We decided a 1-5 year-old female would work the best (Luna is six so we thought a younger cat would be less threatening). Luna is on the small size and when she weighed 9 1/2 pounds the vet told us she should lose that 1/2 pound.

So when I saw Cosmos (her name then was Minnie), I knew that she was right for our home. She is one-year-old and weighs just six pounds. She had a friend in the cage who was adopted the day before, so I know she liked other kitties. I think she is a beautiful mostly black tuxedo, with just some white on her chest and her paws. She didn’t want to be petted (and I couldn’t blame her), so I adopted a kitty without even touching her.

We took her home where she was set up in the bedroom with her own food, water, and litter. We’re currently in a small, one-bedroom apartment, so we decided to sleep in the living room for the night so she would have some time to adjust. She stayed mostly under the bed, but I did get her out for a quick play session with the cat dancer (seriously, these are great and I talk about them on my cat lovers gifts page). But she was still too shy to be petted.

The next day, she was still skittish, but I managed to pet her. And how she purred! She loves to play with the cat dancer, with balls, with kitty-safe strings, and with stuffed toys. She enjoys being petted, though she hasn’t turned into a lap cat (but it’s been less than a week, so I’m hopeful). Cosmos wants to be best friends with her sister Luna. Luna tolerates her, but isn’t completely sure about this bundle of energy we brought home.

She has been to the vet and was given a clean bill of health. My other cat has many health problems, such as a heart murmur, so I was happy and surprised that this kitty has nothing wrong with her. She didn’t spend much of her life at Havens Acres, but I was afraid that it might lead to long-term health problems.

We’ve been feeding her quality food, both wet and dry and her coat is now sleek and soft instead of dry and slightly brittle like it was when we first got her.

Right now she is hanging out on the bed with me as I write about her on my laptop. She might have had a sad beginning, but she has a long life of luxury ahead of her. I hope that all of her fellow Have Acres kitties find their perfect homes. And if you are thinking that now might be the right time to add another feline friend to your home, I encourage you to do so as long as you can provide the care necessary. There are plenty of kitties who need homes, so stop by your local Humane Society, shelter, or rescue and find the one that is just right for you.

There are a few different types you might be interested in. Before you buy, however, you should keep in mind that your cat might be particular about where they go. You want one that is large enough for your pet to feel comfortable in. If you have more than one feline, you’re going to want to have more than one litter box. This isn’t always possible if you live in an apartment, but it will make your life a lot easier if you can do this. I want to discuss a few different options.

Automatic Kitty Litter Boxes

Some people and their pets love automatic kitty litter boxes, but others hate them. Reasons to avoid this kind is that they are more expensive, may break down, and I had one friend whose cat’s tail got caught in the cleaning part (she was OK, but it was a bit scary for her). But many models don’t have these problems. Having something that cleans automatically will ensure that your pet always has a fresh box. You won’t have to constantly bend over to scoop it out so it is great for the busy, the forgetful, and anyone with a bad back.

I don’t have first-hand experience with these, but I decided to list a few models that are popular. These all have high average customer reviews and are top sellers.

Omega Self-Cleaning Litter Box

This isn’t really automatic, but it is so easy to use I decided to include it in this section. It doesn’t have to be plugged in so you don’t have to worry about it breaking. You don’t need to scoop if you are using it and it will prevent you from wasting clean litter. After your cat uses the box, you simply roll it to the right and then back. All of the waste will go into a tray which you pull out and dump.

You have to use clumping litter in order for it to work, but you can use whatever brand you and your pet prefer. If you get this, I recommend ordering the large size instead of the regular. Reviewers felt that the standard size would only work well for kittens and smaller cats. I have a smaller cat but I know she prefers larger boxes so I keep that in mind. This will probably be the next litter box I buy, but I’m holding off until after I move next year, because I don’t need to buy more stuff to haul across the country.

ScoopFree Automatic Litter Box

This product is popular for people who really want nothing to do with their cat’s litter boxes. There are some things that I like about this product, but it does have some weaknesses that have prevented me from buying one to try out.

First, the strengths. It uses blue crystals which absorb urine odor. Because these crystals are used, you don’t have to worry about your pet tracking litter all over the house (which is a problem I have). Twenty minutes after your cat goes to the bathroom, the rake will go across and push the poop into a compartment. You’ll need to dump this about once a week. After about 20 days (depending on your cat and how many felines you have), you throw away the tray and replace it with a new one.

But the weaknesses are also the strength. While you don’t need to fill it up with litter or dump the litter that is in it, you do have to buy replacement trays. They aren’t that expensive, but it is more frugal to go with cat litter. Also, some cats might not take to the crystals, so I would try out crystal litter in their regular tray before you splurge on the automatic box.

Littermaid Classic Automatic Box

If you are looking for a standard automatic litter box, this is the most popular brand. Littermaid has a couple of different models out, but many people agree that the classic works much better than the elite and it is more affordable at around $100.

This one is meant for single cat households, so if you have mutliple kitties you will want a different model. The motion sensor activates the rake which pushes solid waste into a disposable receptacle. This, along with some filters, keeps the odor down. You’ll want to throw out the waste weekly. When you do this, add some fresh litter to the box.

You can either plug this in or run it on batteries. The rake is removable so you’ll be able to give everything the occasional thorough cleaning.

Covered Kitty Litter Boxes

Booda Dome

This is my current litter box. It is a definite improvement over the standard rectangular ones, but I think I’ll replace it with the Omega brand next year after I move. One thing that is cool about this is its shape. Some people don’t even realize that it is a litter box. This thing is large, so it is perfect for bigger cats or multiple cat households. The dome gives it a roomy feel for your feline, so it is a good choice for anyone who has a pet who is wary of covered kitty litter boxes.

I got this because my Luna loves to throw litter everywhere. It was a mess. The walls will keep the floor around it clean. There are steps, so you know that a lot won’t get kicked out of the entrance. The steps will keep most of it in the box, but I recommend having a mat on the bottom. Some litter still gets tracked out, but not a lot.

You can put a filter on the top to help with the odor. I don’t usually bother with this since I’m happy with the job her litter does at reducing odor and it seems like an unnecessary expense. If you have a lot of pets and/or a sensitive nose, however, this is a nice feature.

Decorative Kitty Litter Boxes

While the Booda Dome is pretty cool looking, you can still tell what it is. Some people prefer to camouflage theirs so it blends perfectly with the home décor. I’ve looked at a lot of these and picked a couple of favorites. I haven’t used them, but they both have high reviews.

Mahogany Cabinet

This is a neat little mahogany cabinet that keeps the box hidden. It looks nice, provides your pet with privacy, and prevents a lot of litter being tracked around the home. It is made from wood and it is easy to clean with a damp cloth. The box goes in the bottom container and it has a top drawer where you can store a scoop.

If your cat doesn’t like using covered litter boxes, they may still like this since it is so roomier. Your pet goes in and out from an opening in the side. The front panels open for easy cleaning. While most of the mess will stay inside, a small mat placed at the opening is still a good idea. You can use a specific mat or just get a cute little welcome mat.

Planter Decorative Kitty Litter Box

This is one of the funniest things I’ve seen. I don’t own one, but I sure am tempted. At under $100, it is one of the cheaper decorative kitty litter boxes. It is made from polypropylene for durability and it has a filtered vented system to help control odor. It works well for single or multi-cat homes.

Out of over 160 customer reviews it maintains an average rating of four and a half stars. The pets like the privacy and the people like the looks. If you have a smaller home or an apartment where you can’t keep the box in its own area, this is a good solution. The plant isn’t extremely realistic looking, but it is nice and will add to your home’s looks.

Building a Cat Window Perch

As any DIYer knows, building things rather than buying them is often the more frugal option. Of course, that is only one reason why people choose to make something themselves instead of purchasing it. When you make something by hand, you have created something unique. Even if you follow a pattern you will have something that is homemade rather than mass produced. You control the quality. It’s a good feeling to look around your home and know that you are responsible for its current state.

That said, I haven’t built a cat window seat yet, though it is on my to-do list. But I still wanted to include a video of how to build a cat window perch, so I checked out the DIY network and found this.

Buying a Cat Window Seat

If you don’t want to get all your tools out and just want to get something quick and easy that your pets will like, consider buying one (or more, especially if you have multiple cats). How much should you spend on this product? I’ve seen some that cost less than $20 and a few that run over $100. Looking at the best selling products that have good customer reviews (an average rating of four or more stars), it seems like you will have to spend $20-$50. While you can get cheaper models, they aren’t as sturdy and might not hold up well to an energetic pet. Here are the three best-rated models.

Cat Window Seat from Lazy Cat

This is the most popular model and, with over 80 customer reviews, it has an average rating of four stars. It sells for a little over $30 and comes with free shipping. You can install it in your home without needing any tools. It is made from orthopedic foam so it will be a comfy spot for even the pickiest kitty. It comes with a plush berber cover that you can remove and wash.

The shelf is strong enough to support cats of any weight. It doesn’t stick out far into the home, but it is wide so that your pet still has room to lounge and stretch. Many customers buy more than one for their home so that their pet can hang out with them in the living room or the computer room. If you have extremely narrow window sills it might not fit without some customization. I couldn’t find how large of sills would be needed on the internet, so I wrote the company. I heard back that same day, which speaks to the good customer service of the company. Here is what they replied “Our velcro strips that hold the perch to the window sill are approx 1 ¾” wide.  You would need at least that much space to hold the perch in place. “

Cheap Kitty Window Perch

I know that a lot of families are on a budget, and while they might want to buy a lot for their cats they don’t want to spend a fortune. Even though $30 isn’t that much, it certainly adds up if you are buying more than one for your home. So I was really happy to see that there was a cheap model that got good reviews.

This one is from K&H, who make quite a few pet products (some good quality, some mediocre). This appears to be one of the good ones. This can be attached with the included velcro (no tools required) or with nails. If you have hyper or heavy kitties, you might want to attach it with nails so that it will be sturdy. The inside is a soft micro-fleece that a cat will enjoy laying on. It also has a zip on bolster. Cats take to it quickly and one review says that they used it to convince their cat to stop sleeping on their bed.

Kitty Window Seat from Meow Town

The last one I want to talk about is perfect for anyone who wants their pet products to look good in their homes. While this one is slightly more expensive than the other two, it is also more attractive. While it doesn’t have a lot of customer reviews, it does have a five star rating.

Like the others, it can be secured with velcro. The white metal legs are adjustable so it can fit on different types and sizes of windows. The shelf is made from padded berber mat. You can remove the cover for washing, but you’ll still have trouble getting all of the fur off. It is great for the winter and fall, but your pet might find it too hot for the summer.