Automatic Litterbox Central

I've read about some people trying silica crystals, but now TidyCats has litter pellets for their Breeze system... I can't seem to find info on what they're made of tho, but the tidycat people say they don't track much....

Hmm, looking again, I've found that is says they have a clay core....

Anyways, post here if you've found a good alternative to the plastic pellets CG sells


THANKS!

Are the Litter-free pellets the same thing? They're on sale at petco.com ....

The silica crystals swell up and then turn to powder after a couple washes. Then the powder collects inside the genie. I would go sparingly on that stuff if you use it at all. I tried it and now regret doing it. I only put in a little bit to help with the smell. Now I just run it every time he uses it, which is pretty much twice daily.

I ended up with a successful mix which at this time is about about 50% Exqusicat Pearl Fresh crystals and 50% those provided by CG in the bowl. (I also used Tidy Cat crystals but though they also worked the shape lent itself to lots of grinding noises.) As the crystals go bye-bye to their reward in used crystal litter land I'm segueing over into all pearls. The cats seem to like the shape better, no smells and so far so good.

F4jock wrote:I ended up with a successful mix which at this time is about about 50% Exqusicat Pearl Fresh crystals and 50% those provided by CG in the bowl. (I also used Tidy Cat crystals but though they also worked the shape lent itself to lots of grinding noises.) As the crystals go bye-bye to their reward in used crystal litter land I'm segueing over into all pearls. The cats seem to like the shape better, no smells and so far so good.

I talked to the manager at PetSmart about the Exqusicat Pearls and he said they don't carry them any more. But at last check you could still get them online. Exqusicat is the house brand for PetSmart. I also found that the LitterFree pellets work well but are getting scarce. I found some PVC pellets on eBay that work but are not biodegradable. But keep in mind that rocks don't biodegrade either. When the PVC pellets go down the drain there is only a very small amount that go each time. I think the ecosystem will treat them just like a few rocks spread thinly about. Here is what I found on eBay.
50 POUNDS OF PLASTIC PVC PELLETS WORKS IN CAT GENIE. they are sold in #25 lots as well. Much cheaper than LitterFree. I found then with a "litter" search. But PVC pellets will bring less results.

If you're on public sewer, PVC shouldn't be an ecological threat.

The sewer system takes raw sewage and lets it go through a biological process to break own contaminants before being released to the natural water supply (river, etc.)...

Think of how many people flush condoms, combs, toothbrush tips, cotton swabs, bandages, contact lenses, bottle caps, mop heads, aquarium bits, toilet brush ends, etc.

There is a filter at some point on the line that will take plastic bits and other non-biodegradables out of the stream. This is according to Mike Rowe's show on Discovery Channel, "Dirty Jobs"...



I would not use them in a septic tank though.

Hi all,
So i've been disparately searching for a litter alternative. My cats are tracking the CG litter at a ridiculous rate, and i've even put down a 3ft long mat in front of the box. I'm also finding that my CG pellets are still holding a urine smell after cleaning cycles So, I bought some of the exquisicat silica crystals from PetSmart, but they're not the pearl kind. I'm worried about putting this stuff in my CG after some other comments i've seen here. Can someone tell me what the composition of the Pearl fresh litter is and why it's so much better than the crystal litter that Petsmart is carrying now? Are the "pearls" not silica, or is it just that they're round silica beads? Has anyone found any more readily available alternatives?

thanks for the help!
~Kibben

If you scoop the poop you could use metal ball bearings or small metal marbles. They are available in SS so rust and bacteria would not be an issue.

Heavy enough the will not track........

Might even be able to not scoop and use them. Not much will stick to them, much less be lifted up with a poop.

Might be worth a try.

They make biodegradable BB's they are just kinda expensive.
http://www.airsplat.com/Items/B2-5000-BIO.htm

Americans are good at 'work-arounds', just witness the endless cartridges some are using. The catgenie litter is next. I only want everyone to NOT blame the people at catgenie for a messed up catgenie or messed up house plumbing when using non-approved solution or in this case granules. Be responsible for your own decisions, especially when bad.

hi all
i use SAFFLOWER SEED ,I FOUND ON EBAY !
works very well ! use bleach as my sani as solution ! 1 tbs per 1 qt water!
PROVIDENCE HOUSE MFG INC
more data at www.smartcatbox.com

Pele wrote:If you're on public sewer, PVC shouldn't be an ecological threat.

The sewer system takes raw sewage and lets it go through a biological process to break own contaminants before being released to the natural water supply (river, etc.)...

Think of how many people flush condoms, combs, toothbrush tips, cotton swabs, bandages, contact lenses, bottle caps, mop heads, aquarium bits, toilet brush ends, etc.

There is a filter at some point on the line that will take plastic bits and other non-biodegradables out of the stream. This is according to Mike Rowe's show on Discovery Channel, "Dirty Jobs"...

I would not use them in a septic tank though.

I have had septic systems before, and I don't think you should have to worry about Genie litter or PVC or any alternatives getting flushed into your septic system. It's not going to fill it up and when you have it pumped (which you should do on a regular basis anyway) everything will get vacuumed out of your tank, including any pellets that pass though.

I have used both LitterFree and Breeze pellets. The breeze pellets will lodge themselves in the exit port and then you will get a clog you will never forget. The LitterFree pellets work but track a lot also. I just sprinkle them in with the CG pellets now for color. CG pellets work best with the CG. The pellets on ebay work as well. I am hoping CG doubles the size of their pellets and makes them darker. As far as the shape goes maybe round would be cat friendly. Bottom line here is that it just takes time and patients to get the fuzzy buddies to accept the CG.

I've gone nearly granule free. I've got maybe 1/4 of a cup in the CG now. Cat is happy (he has never been a digger or one to bury his pooh), I'm happy with no granules being dragged about the condo. Only downside is the pooh doesn't migrate on it own into the scoop basket...so at the start of the cycle I use a plastic utensil to help the pooh on it's way. Of course the drying cycle is pretty much of a waste, but the 1/4 cup of granules are left in a neat little pile at the back of the CG, which appears to be enough for the cat to be enticed.

My cat is pretty tolerant of a changing environment. The only thing he want consistently is sleep, food, drink, play, and a safe place to call on nature. But then don't we all!

rploaded wrote:If you scoop the poop you could use metal ball bearings or small metal marbles. They are available in SS so rust and bacteria would not be an issue.

Heavy enough the will not track........

Might even be able to not scoop and use them. Not much will stick to them, much less be lifted up with a poop.

Might be worth a try.

That may be an idea. When wet they wouldn't stick to the scoop and get flung into the hopper. But on cold days Kitty might not like them. Or they may shift uncomfortably under Kitty's paws.

But yeah, I'm thinking 00Buck would work. I might check with a friend who reloads shotgun shells.

All this talk of bb's and ball bearings and metal leads me to wonder how well the impeller blades will handle it?