Cat owners and plastic bags

cme25

(As always, I'm sorry if this has been discussed and answered already!)

 I've got a couple of cats, and I use plastic grocery bags / "Wal-Mart" bags to collect their waste before putting it out in our trashcan. Our garbage company does mandate that everything in the garbage can has to be bagged, and we don't take out our household garbage very often-- the cat waste often stinks up the whole house before the can is full. We've downsized the garbage can, and still don't produce enough garbage before the cat waste smell is overwhelming.

I'd like to be independent of plastic shopping bags, but can't figure out a better way to keep my house stink-free while avoiding a fine from the garbage company. Any suggestions?

Alisha_A

I use the plastic bags my litter came in. I think they have a ziplock seal, and I already have it.

My cats are raw -fed so the litter doesn't smell much though.

What about biodegradeable bags? Especially if you use a biodegradeable litter that would seem to make sense.

eikome

Could you put the waste in a small washable trash bucket and store somewhere you won't smell it until your regular trash is ready to be taken out? We do this with our compostables.

LolitaC

I use a Cat Genie

blue_elle

LolitaC:

I use a Cat Genie

I've read mixed reviews. How do you like it? How often do you need new solution or granules?

cme25

blue_elle:

LolitaC:

I use a Cat Genie

I've read mixed reviews. How do you like it? How often do you need new solution or granules?

I've never heard of this, but I'm intrigued. The site says all you need is a cold-water input... but you have to get the waste out somehow, so do you need a hose to your sewer system or does it have to be removed manually?

foundmylazybum

eikome:

Could you put the waste in a small washable trash bucket and store somewhere you won't smell it until your regular trash is ready to be taken out? We do this with our compostables.

This. Does NOT work. The cat poo just ferments and starts to REALLY stink. I have had cat poop MOLD in a trash can! It's horrible. 

hollyfp

LolitaC:

I use a Cat Genie

Our friend has this and it's pretty hilarious that it flushes after the cat goes!

He loves the thing. 

LolitaC

We have 2 and we love them!  Its connected to our washer output.  I would say we have to buy new solution and new granules every 3 months or so. There are a few things that could be improved on it, but I like it 100% better than a manual litter box.

 

jordan_nb

I LOVE my cat genie. Had it for about 10 months now. I do go through the solution and granules a bit faster than they say they should last for but overall I wouldn't ever go back to a litter box. Have two cats and it works great. Two biggest problems are the little plastic granules get tracked throughout the house (they are biodegradable and easy to sweep/vacuum but still) and every once in a while a couple small pieces of waste get left behind and once the blower turns on it literally heat dries the waste. Pretty gross smell.

I haven't touched litter in 10 months and though the upfront cost is pretty steep the maintenance costs are about equal to buying a quality litter for two cats. It is also more sanitary, and the granules and the solution (including it's casing) is biodegradable, making for a green solution. Uses some water but not enough to make any difference in our bill.

cme25

Thanks for all the input and the details on the CatGenie. Definitely going to give that some serious consideration.

I also thought about using a the "compost bucket" idea and keeping it outside, but H did bring up that in the summer it would get super smelly and in the winter it would freeze in the bucket! I think for now I am going to use some of the small biodegradable trash bags while I consider the CatGenie.

Thanks again!