Kitty Litter

[lawrence_craig]

Hi All,

Looking for some experienced input.

We are currently trying to train our cat to use astrotuf to prepare to use onboard when we start to liveaboard.

Has anyone got any advice they would like to share?

In terms of kitty litter, has anyone just bought the bullet and gone with that? I believe it's better to be avoided due to the cost and inconvenience.

Thanks in advanced!

[Tillsbury]

Kitty litter and bilge pumps don't mix well...

[sailor_ed]

We use Feline Pine which does not track. Very clean to use but not available in all cruising regions. We have occasionally used "horse bedding" and wood stove pellets both of which are very similar to FP.

We have also taught cats to use the head. Works for some cats.

We would not use conventional clay kitty liter on a boat. Never tried ASTRO turf. Most cats really like to dig.

[zboss]

We have been using non-clumping litter for about 5 years now. It doesn't track out of the box at all - we use a "Clever Cat" box that keeps everything contained.

[angelfish2]

We use the Breeze litter system. We have tried pellets and regular litter. The Breeze litter system has worked the best. I purchased it at Petsmart, but you can check it out online.

[senormechanico]

World's Best Cat Litter.
We've tried many over the years and with many cats.
This stuff is the best. NO SMELL and minimal tracking.

https://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/our-difference/

[thinwater]

I find any box with a lid and door is a big improvement. I'd probably engineer something that fit in a locker, out of the way, that vented outside.



Something to consider. Pre-1960 litter boxes used dirt or sand and were dumped every few days. I'd rather not consider that, but something to remember if in a bind.

[JPA Cate]

Some people have trained their kitties to use the marine head, but you have to flush it for them. There are probably You-Tubes about it.

Ann

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Some people have trained their kitties to use the marine head, but you have to flush it for them. There are probably You-Tubes about it.

Ann

Yes, and some people even trained their cats to flush, (house toilets) then regretted it. Turns out flushing is fun!

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Some people have trained their kitties to use the marine head, but you have to flush it for them. There are probably You-Tubes about it.

Ann

Yes, and some people even trained their cats to flush, (house toilets) then regretted it. Turns out flushing is fun!

We use Aldi kitty litter, it's some kind of silica crystals, doesn't seem to spread too far, and doesn't smell.

[lawrence_craig]

Thank you very much for the responses so far!

One thing I am concerned about is when cruising around the various countries, particularly the Caribbean, is replenishing the Cat Litter. Does anyone have any insight?

Cheers!

[gmakhs]

Have sail.tk Caribbean , and around med and canaries , replacing the litter is easy .

The best is to keep the litter box somewhere in the cockpit , so you can easy wash of the litter and not clog your pumps .
Be careful with cat hair in the bilges they can clog the pumps .
Put net all.around the lifelines and keep in mind when you are in a marina that cats like to take a walk around and sometimes they are getting trapped by the tide or falling into the water .
P.s sand from the beach if it's dry is good emergency litter.

Happily cruising for 2 years now .