We have two inside cats and we're having trouble finding a kitty litter that actually keeps the smell down. I have a very poor sense of smell (which is a good thing!) - but my MIL who lives with us doesn't, and she's constantly saying the kitty litter is way too stinky. My daughter is diligent about cleaning out the litter (we use the scoopable kind) every morning, but MIL still says it smells. What can we do to get rid of the smell? Any ideas about what kind of kitty litter works best, or what we can add to it?

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), October 22, 2001

Answers

Try adding about 1/4 Cup baking soda to the litter once or twice a week. Also, make sure there is a depth of at least 2 inches or more at all times. We have two cats so there are two boxes. Is the litter box covered? We use those and it helps. Is the litter box away from the general living areas? Or, is MIL just being a bit too picky....hmmmm. Ask the rest of the family their opinion of the odor.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), October 22, 2001.

Cheryl- My sisters and I -(We LOVE cats) All swear by Tidy Cats-its actually for "multiple" cats, but I use it for our lone kitty. It is a bit more expensive than the bargin brand, but if you buy the big bags, its not too bad, and you can mix it with bargin brands to streach it out. Every so often(when I think about it) I completely empty the litter box and fill it with a bleach solution-you only have to do it for about 15 minents. Then I set it outside and let it completely air dry-this depends on outside conditions, then fill it about a third to half with Tidy Cats then the rest of the way with bargin litter. My husband-who HATES the smell of kitty boxes (though he loves Kitties) says he can't smell it so......

Also- if you have a pet, cat or dog that has an accident else where, I've found that Arm and Hammer has a baking soda mix-I think its called Pet Smart somethings with pets-it has a picture of pets on it anyway. Its cheap, and works really well

-- Kelly in Ky (ksaderholm@yahoo.com), October 22, 2001.

Hi Cheryl,

We use scoopable Fresh Step litter and we add baking soda too. Our boxes are in the basement and scooped every other day. As we scoop, we add additional litter. They are completely changed every other week (thereabouts). We have 2 cats and 2 boxes. They're so organized-they do #1 in one box and #2 in the other box. I've used other litters and this is the best odor controlled one that I have found. I purchase it at BJ's wholesale for $9 for about 30# nice bucket with lid.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), October 22, 2001.

Before putting the cat litter in, just make sure to clean out the cat pan before putting in fresh litter. We keep the cat pan in the bathroom , and people are in their quite frequently , we always know if theres something to clean.

-- jillian (sweetunes483@yahoo.com), October 22, 2001.

Yup, Fresh Step is the best imho. We have two cats. We add baking soda to fresh litter, clean the litter boxes several times a day because they are located on the sunporch and we let the dogs out via that route, so it is not a chore to stop a moment and scoop the boxes. Once a month, we clean the empty boxes with soap and water. No kitty odor ever.....If nobody else has noticed odor, perhaps your mil doesn't like cats????? LOL

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), October 22, 2001.