Litter tray help!

rising_from_the_ashes

OK folks ...... following on from the carrier thread last year needing some help re litter trays.

Currently have 2 x Maxi Bella tray which are huge @ 66L x 50W x 46H

Which are needed due to big cat's length - he can't get into a standard size tray and turn around .... leading to him not going / getting constipated etc.

The Maxi trays are fantastic for him & work well but (there had to be one) - now I've changed to the clumping litter which is fab but really heavy, I'm struggling to clean the trays out:o

The handles / lids can't take the weight of the litter in the tray and tbh it's a pain to try to clean them as can't move them ...... so .... thinking open trays may be easier!

Unfortunately just taking the lid off is not really an option as the sides aren't that high ..... Both cats have always used covered trays so wondering if anyone has swapped successfully?

Also, do you have problems with odors (not an issue atm & sure partly down to the litter so that won't change) and litter being flung out the trays?

Several contenders atm but a bit worried about big cat using them due to being smaller (except for the expensive one!) - but hopefully as there's no lid it should be a bit easier for him to turn around?

Thoughts welcomed:


Van Ness Giant @ £7.37: 52 x 43 x 25


Promo XL @ £18.99 (like this one but pricey:o) 71 x 56 x 25




Cleany @ £11.90: 54 x 45 x 29


Obviously the Promo one is a much bigger size (and therefore much more expensive) ..... *sigh* ......

Would you say go for the big (expensive) one so I could hopefully get away with just one tray .... or go for 2 of the cheap ones .....

Fridaycat

I wish you all the best with your quest, rising, but I can't be much help as the non-clay based litters are much lighter, so I don't have your problem and so have never switched from an enclosed to an open tray....

But just basing the decision on what you have said (rather than experience) I would go for the larger more expensive one and just get one. This should be plenty for 2 cats if it is scooped regularly which I know you do We have 3 large trays in the house for 5 cats (though they also go outside too) and this is plenty. I know they say you should have one per cat + one extra one, but to have 6 for me would be completely impractical and I've never had an issue having the 3

krlyr

Could you use an open litter tray but pop a cardboard box or similar over the top to make it into a covered tray? Box will easily lift off come cleaning time, but cats keep tehir privacy

jen007

I was just in my local TK Maxx and they had something VERY like the promo one for £7.99. I was tempted to get it myself. So perhaps have a wee look in a TK Maxx if you have one near by.

rising_from_the_ashes

Fridaycat wrote: »

But just basing the decision on what you have said (rather than experience) I would go for the larger more expensive one and just get one. This should be plenty for 2 cats if it is scooped regularly which I know you do

Thanks Friday ..... they used to share a tray quite happily (until the fighting issues:() and is no reason why they shouldn't again! ..... and it would be very nice to have the extra space back in their room as the Maxi trays are huge & take up nearly the whole wall between them!

It's actually the lid that causes the problem in this regard as one tends to sit on top while the other is in and then stop him/her coming out again :eek:

krlyr wrote: »

Could you use an open litter tray but pop a cardboard box or similar over the top to make it into a covered tray?

Yup, that might work if it becomes an issue - still need to get an open tray tho:o

rising_from_the_ashes

jen007 wrote: »

I was just in my local TK Maxx and they had something VERY like the promo one for £7.99. I was tempted to get it myself. So perhaps have a wee look in a TK Maxx if you have one near by.

Ohhhhh got all excited and had a look online but can't find the pets stuff on the online store (housebound atm & nearest TXM is over 30 miles away ).

jen007

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Ohhhhh got all excited and had a look online but can't find the pets stuff on the online store (housebound atm & nearest TXM is over 30 miles away ).

Oh No! That's pants. Could you tie in a trip with shopping for Christmas things? Mines even has lovely wee scratching posts in the now too. Again, the temptation to go 'crazy cat lady' was high. :P

(I was in TK Maxx getting use out of the tonnes of hot water bottles they have in the now and the best of the Christmas gifts they get in the now - i've found by December they're not as good. . Got my DS a wee microwaveable duck ... off topic. I love TK Maxx haha)

rising_from_the_ashes

Ahhhhhh Jen you've made me chuckle! (ta!)

Unfortunately no chance of getting anywhere near a TXM for several weeks ....... probably just as well lol!

Fire_Fox

My second tray is an underbed storage box from Home Bargains or Wilkinsons, that is large, has reasonably high sides and a lip all the way round for carrying. Very occasionally there is a smell, but that is largely down to the food, how absorbent the litter, how well the cat buries. My friends flat smells but she use a small amount of cheap clay litter and a high grain dry food.

Not all litters are the same weight for the bulk. IIRC clay is the heaviest for the bulk and one of the least absorbent to boot, you might research wood granules, straw litter or chick crumb.

rising_from_the_ashes

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Not all litters are the same weight for the bulk. IIRC clay is the heaviest for the bulk and one of the least absorbent to boot, you might research wood granules, straw litter or chick crumb.

Thanks Firefox ...... not after changing litters https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4030425 - have tried loads and finally found one that if fab, suits the cats & is economical to use (just unfortunately very heavy) .....

Have gone with the big (expensive) one - last thing I want is to put big cat off using it (he had problems with constipation in the past when he wasn't comfortable with a tray) ......

Fingers crossed it suits madam and sir thanks all

Fire_Fox

Could you scoop without moving the tray? Maybe on newspaper or large bags, keeping a little handheld vacuum or dustpan and brush to contain spills?