Non-Clumping cat litter?????

**druthb00** · 05-12-2010, 10:01 AM

What exactly does this mean? LOL, I'm sure once I know the answer will be obvious but...I guess I've never bought this kind of litter before, and I've had cats my entire life. I went to Publix this week and they had 10 lb. bags of the Tidy Cat brand non-clumping litter for $2 a bag, which I had $1 coupons for. So I grabbed 2 bags because, well, that's cheap cat litter IMO. I noticed when I got it that it said non-clumping, and the picture shows litter that's not like the regular stuff I'm used to (it looks like gravel), but, for $1 a bag I wasn't going to NOT buy it. So, fellow FVer's, what is this stuff and how is it different from the sand-like litter I'm used to????? I just want to know what to expect when I finally get around to using it....since I still have 28 lbs of regular stuff to go through first! LOL. Please and thank you!!!!

**mama2James** · 05-12-2010, 10:07 AM

When your cat urinates the litter will just absorb it, but it won't clump up into a little disc/ball that you can just scoop out. With non clumping litter, you have to change the whole box when it needs to be cleaned instead of just scooping.

**druthb00** · 05-12-2010, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by mama2James

When your cat urinates the litter will just absorb it, but it won't clump up into a little disc/ball that you can just scoop out. With non clumping litter, you have to change the whole box when it needs to be cleaned instead of just scooping.

Hmmm, does it need to be cleaned less often? With the regular litter I clean it every day, or every other. I'm assuming (or hoping LOL) that I'd only have to change the box once a week....or even less? Boy am I going out on a limb with that one

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-12-2010, 10:33 AM

It will probably need changing more often, since you can't easily remove the wet litter.

The non-clumping means that when it gets wet you will have loose gravelly wet litter in the pan and you won't be able to scoop it.

**druthb00** · 05-12-2010, 10:59 AM

No wonder this stuff's so cheap.....Oh well, live and learn I guess

Being in a 700 sq. ft. apartment may make this even less pleasant LOL.

**Missy** · 05-12-2010, 11:24 AM

I must be ancient, because I look at the clumping kind and scratch my head. I have grown up with cats and never changed away from the non clumping, looks like gravel, clay litter.

**druthb00** · 05-12-2010, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Missy

I must be ancient, because I look at the clumping kind and scratch my head. I have grown up with cats and never changed away from the non clumping, looks like gravel, clay litter.

So how often do you have to change out the box? We only have 1 cat but he's 15 lbs. and lets just assume he's 2 cats....based on how much he eats and, uh....comes out the other end lol.

**sabrelvssammy** · 05-12-2010, 12:49 PM

a suggestion....if you are using the non-clumping or clay litter keep a box of baking soda nearby and when you scoop out the wet stuff (coz it does tend to 'break away' and some gets left behind) it is harder to contain the 'smells'.... baking soda will help with this if you just sprinkle a fine dusting over the top after each scooping....

i used clay for years and years coz i thought 'clumping' to be too inexpensive... i mean i could get a 25 lb bag for $1.98 of clay litter or a box of 20lbs clumping for $6....i thought i was 'doing the math'....i was wrong.... finally i came to my senses...bought a box of clumping (i use wal-marts brand of special kitty) and i like it better than other 'name brands' because it is not dusty....its $6.98....but it lasts my 2 cats about 4 months in 2 boxes...(whereas i was buying bags of clay about every 2 weeks) and while the clay starts 'deteriorating' from the first usage the clumping removes all the waste completely....and stays like 'new'....i just continue to top it off with more litter when they start getting low...and every couple of months i will combine the two boxes and wash a box and refill with all new litter... i still use the baking soda to refresh coz i am just anal like that...lol

**shoiji** · 05-12-2010, 02:02 PM

I get the clumping PetSmart brand. It usually sells for $12-13 for a 40lb box. Around $10 when on sale.

With the non-clumping litter you need to empty out everything and clean the litter box more often. If the bags are unopened you can always take them back.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-12-2010, 02:18 PM

Another suggestion, if cleaning the box and dealing with smells is an issue...

Buy a better brand of cat food. My husband found out that buying a premium brand of food resulted in less waste product being generated. He had to change litter less often. It evened out pricewise in the end.

I've noticed that the premium brands generate less odour too. Probably because they don't get diarrhea from it. And, what is really disgusting, there are often fly eggs in the cheaper food that hatch after being deposited....

It's Iams or ProPlan for our cats.

**Missy** · 05-12-2010, 04:13 PM

I scoop the litter every two days and on the 6th day I change it sompletely. Dust with baking soda when scooping. Works. If people didn't see the cats, they wouldn't now we had any. No smell.