Automatic Litterbox Central

I'm almost done with my first bag of this stuff, and I'm kind of torn. It's being used in my LM, which only exists because one of my kitties refuses to use the scoopfree - so they live side by side. Odd thing is that the same kitty is using the crystal litter downstairs in the normal, non auto litterbox just fine. This particular kitty has been troublesome all his life, pees where he wants when he wants.

Back to this litter - it works fairly well in the LM. It clumps well enough that there are never any leftovers in the box, and there's no odor when I clean out the bin (this is a big PRO). However, it seems to fall apart easily around the bin, so when kitty goes on the same side of the LM at all times, and it piles up on one side of the bin, if it gets too tall the lid pressure makes it crumble outside the LM. It also seems to just "get" everywhere. I don't think it's tracking, I think it's flying during spirited digging sessions because it's so light . In addition, I think said kitty is starting to revolt against this litter, too. He liked it fine for a while, but I"m noticing telltale smells around the house that suggest I need to go in search of the blacklight to determine if we're having issues again. This kitty HATED WBCL and the LM cat litter both (though they were both wonderful in the LM and I liked them - he's in charge and he said no).

I like it well enough to keep using it in the LM for now, but I'm going to buy some of that cat attract powder to pour on the top to see if it helps with our other issues. If it works, maybe I'll put the cat attract on the Scoopfree and see if I can dump the LM altogether - this would make me a much happier woman!

I am soooo disappointed in this litter.

I was very excited when I read about it and as soon as it appeared in my local store I ran out and bought it. Aggggh. Natural??????

This stuff smells like an old lady who can't smell how much perfume she's poured on. I was aghast at how powerful the perfuming is on this. I was so excited at the idea of an A&H product (baking soda!!! no stinkies!!) that didn't weigh a million tons to fill up my huge litterbox. I love the weight, I love the consistency. I love the low-tracking. But the smell!!! I hate it. My cats hate it. Every guest I've had in the house this week has made a remark about "air fresheners". I am stunk out and I am embarrassed by it.

I'm really, really frustrated because my elder cat went through two years of really awful inflammatory bowel disease that we have finally, finally gotten under control, but since the WBCL was the brand I was using when she got sick, she's hated it ever since and misbehaves around the box if I use it. I've been searching for a compromise ever since. I tried S'wheat, but 1) it doesn't handle the poop smell like WBCL does and s2)he still doesn't like it, not too mention it tracks worse than WBCL. Cat Attract was (of course) a winner, but my wrists howl at the weight, as do they with all clays.

I really wanted this litter to be lightweight and non-scented. The perfume ruins it completely for me.

Have you considered trying very small crystals? I recently started using the really small crystals, and they even work in my LM. There are 2 that I like - slightly different consistencies, so I often mix them. I think my REALLY picky cat (only likes clay) prefers this one: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2811445, while I prefer this one: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2754844.

I think the main reason I prefer the Dr. Elsey's senior is that it is blue, instead of white. Sounds odd, but the white stuff looks yellow REALLY quickly. It's really minor.

The thing that seems to make these work in my house when other crystals didn't is that they are VERY small, granular, very much clay-like in size. Kitties seem to "dig" them. And they run great in both my LM and my ScoopFree. Since they're crystals, you only have to scoop out the dried out poops, the pees mix in, and then after a while you empty the whole lot and replace. Also they're fairly light overall. Picky cat shot me down on all of the 'natural' litters, so I've been kinda stuck with what he'll let me use.

Just bought this stuff at PetsMart today (it's now called "Essentials"). I opened the bag, gagged, and stapled it back up. It's goin' back to the store. Smells absolutely disgusting.

It ticks me off that there's not ONE WORD anywhere on the damn bag that it's perfumed. It only says it uses baking soda to absorb odors. If I were allergic to fragrance (as is another person in my family), just opening the bag would have given me an asthma attack. Hope somebody sues them.

It's a definite disappointment because it's nice and soft and light. I think my cats might have liked the way it felt, and it's made of corn cob so it would have been safe for them to breathe/ingest. It is not, however, flushable, so you folks who've been flushing it might want to stop until you call A&H and ask them why their supposedly "natural" product is marked as not being flushable.

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eholling -- thanks for your suggestions... I'm so desperate I'm running out and buying one today. The "pissy" elder cat just registered her extreme dislike of this litter by a) pooping in front of the box on the tracker rug and b) peeing (quite obviously, now that I know it) for the fourth or fifth time all over the couch in front of it. I've just poured gallons of enzyme cleaner through the couch today.. we won't even discuss the brand new "cupping" on the hardwood floor under the couch....

Let us know how it goes! Fingers crossed...

I, too, used A&H "HP", wasn't sure about it when they changed it to "Essentials" due to the strong fragrance. I've used it in LitterRobot and liked it; frequently, mixed it with a clumping litter &/or crystals. One reason I like it in LR is it forms clumps hard enough to be emptied into the collection drawer, but that break up when deposited so they don't create a pile of solid clumps. Before using "HP", which didn't give ingredients, I'd hated corn based litters due to its wet corn smell when it was used. I don't smell wet corn with the new "Essentials", even though it now reveals its corn base, and despite I'm not crazy about the strength of the fragrance.

Recently, while In Wal~mart, I noticed a similar looking litter by 8 in 1 Pet Products, called Pro-Pet Fresh Results. It has a "natural pine scent", is also corn based (do not flush), and (the good part) is cheaper than A&H. I bought 10 pound bag several weeks ago for $5.78. It's supposed to be the equivalent of 20# of clay litter. I tried a bag, it seemed to last a long time, and worked, IMO, like A&H. I went back today to buy some more, and it'd gone up to $6.22, but that's still quite a bit cheaper than A&H around here.

Just for my two ¢...

This freakin litter is awesome!

I talk to people all day long about litter, and I swear I must recommend this stuff like four times a day! Seriously! I am not exagerating... I wish the formula wasn't patented. That stuff probably sells itself! We always get it at target.


I use it at home (I have the LitterWorks Elevated Litter Box) and boss used it in his LitterMaid forever until he switched. I guess he finally figured out how to use crystals in his LitterMaid without the crystals messing up the LitterMaid.

He's a mad scientist....