Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Mark on August 28, 2008, 00:28:24 AM

Title: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 28, 2008, 00:28:24 AM
Today, I finally found a clumped wee in the trial tray  :) - it lifted easily and went straight down the loo - so far so good. It doesn't tell you how often to do a complete change - Is it the same as with ultra clumping?

Another thing, there was a bit of mess to sweep up but much easier than find grains all over the place.

Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Team Svartalfheims on August 28, 2008, 09:35:58 AM
I usually do a complete change every 2-3 days just for hygiene (but don't put the litter in as deeply as they suggest)
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on August 28, 2008, 09:48:09 AM
I used to do it once a week but probably shouldn't say so now!
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 28, 2008, 10:50:49 AM
Surely if it clumps, the changes should be less often?

With 4 trays, it would work out too expensive.

Part of me is tempted to do it the way our vet does. Newspaper with a sprinkle of litter and change as & when required.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on August 28, 2008, 10:54:34 AM
at the blue cross I volunteer at Mark it is a newspaper and a handful of litter in each tray, changed twice a day in some cases but yes, it is the most economical way to do it
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Kirst on August 28, 2008, 11:07:08 AM
Mark , are any of yours diggers? I find that clumps are harder to remove if they are at the bottom of the tra :sick:y.......................I like clumpoing litter but the Tigerino isnt really doing the trick.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on August 28, 2008, 11:09:17 AM
don't get me started on tigerino  :evillaugh: it wins hands down for scent but just doesn't clump

I've posted somewhere else but can't remember, the extreme classic clumps pretty well but I will be going back to crumb just because its more convenient than having zooplus deliver when I'm at work
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Team Svartalfheims on August 28, 2008, 14:20:55 PM
Surely if it clumps, the changes should be less often?
With 4 trays, it would work out too expensive.

Some people leave it in for a few weeks just topping up with fresh litter when needed to keep the required depth and doing a total change once every 3-4 weeks or so. It's just a matter of personal choice how often to totally empty it really. I'm just rather paranoid about litter tray hygiene and smell (as Pinball and Boopy pong  :evillaugh:) which is why I use less of the litter than it says to and then totally empty and disinfect/bleach them every 2-3 days.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on August 28, 2008, 14:22:22 PM
I think that is what Mark was hoping for, something you can leave down a bit longer, I'm paranoid about smells so couldn't leave it longer than a week
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Ann Clarke (Tabby cat) on August 28, 2008, 15:46:38 PM
Have only used this once so far as PAH were out of stock when I went for some so have been using the yucky normal stuff from the local shop which is a pain as I have to change it every 4 days or so. Anyway I actually managed about two weeks without having to change it completely, I just removed all the clumps which was really easy as it clumps very well and topped it up when I needed to. There was no smell and I have two trays in a fairly small house. I could have probably gone even longer before I changed it but I thought I'd better do it at two weeks  :rofl: It was very economical and for those of us who don't drive it's not too heavy to carry.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 28, 2008, 16:56:57 PM
Mark , are any of yours diggers? I find that clumps are harder to remove if they are at the bottom of the tra :sick:y.......................I like clumpoing litter but the Tigerino isnt really doing the trick.

Willow is the only digger, the others plop & go  :evillaugh:

Kylie sometimes scratches the floor or outside of the box  :Crazy:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Kirst on August 28, 2008, 18:47:06 PM
So its good for both then! Beavis also 'goes' and then goes , whereas Jerry and Gizzy appear to be trying to burrow to Austrailia! :innocent:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 28, 2008, 18:52:32 PM
It's funny but Willow used to love digging Catsan but lost interest when I changed litter. She used to really annoy me an would scatter it far & wide  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Gillian Harvey on August 28, 2008, 19:03:56 PM
the others plop & go  :evillaugh:


LOL!  :evillaugh:

Don't you find the Oko tracks a lot? - I used to use it and it used to drive me mad!

 I love these cat litter threads LOL!  ;)
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 28, 2008, 19:13:54 PM
It does go on the floor but I find it easier to sweep up than fine grey sand  :evillaugh: - the attic bathroom floor is blue/grey marmoleum which doesn't help. The larger yellowish bits are easy to see. I have small dustpans & brushes by each try - 49p from Wilkinsons  :)

I would imagine it would be a pain with carpet.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Millys Mum on August 28, 2008, 19:14:22 PM
I top up and change (it goes in the composter) not very often really,couldnt say a time as i go by smell and how broken down it gets. Monthly maybe. The odour control is great and much lighter in the bin, they are weighing a ton with all the pee at the moment.

Im hoping to convert all of them to it over winter, im slowly winning  :shify: :shify:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Kirst on August 28, 2008, 19:20:40 PM
So the important question is where do I get it??
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 28, 2008, 19:21:19 PM
I like the fact that it is eco friendly unlike clay (which you would expect to be) - also the weight issue. I am also concerned about the other issues around bentonite so hopefully I can change them all over. Petfood warehouse are doing 4 for the price of 3 at the moment as well  ;D
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 28, 2008, 19:24:51 PM
So the important question is where do I get it??

PAH or Petfood Warehouse http://petfoodwarehouse.co.uk/browse_91

Looks like the offer has finished but they have the same offer once in a while  :)

Haven't tried the gold - maybe it is better?
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Millys Mum on August 28, 2008, 19:31:37 PM
Zooplus sell it too, had it on offer a while back  ;D
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 28, 2008, 20:28:10 PM
I know it was voted best litter in 2006 by "Your Cat" magazine.

Anyone know the difference between regular & gold?
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Millys Mum on August 28, 2008, 20:37:59 PM
Gold looks more pellety which my lot dont like!
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Kirst on August 28, 2008, 20:49:37 PM
Beavis doesnt do anytthing that swells under his bum! :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on August 29, 2008, 13:44:13 PM
I absolutely love this stuff! In a 1 bed flat with a cat that doesn't poo or wee outside and doesn't cover her poos it keeps that smell in remarkably well and the fact it's flushable is wicked.

I have to say that I scoop twice a day and only do a full change ever few weeks as I find that that's perfectly acceptable. I tend to notice when it starts to smell or it's just not as fresh as it used to be.

I used to do the newspaper and handful of litter thing, but I not would never change from this. It's expensive to begin with but lasts ages, is eco friendly and flushes so there's no need to continuously be going to the bin with smelly bags of poo  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on August 29, 2008, 13:52:08 PM
I used it before I used chick crumb, I can't believe how much time I spend thinking about cat litter lol!
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 29, 2008, 17:47:40 PM
I absolutely love this stuff! In a 1 bed flat with a cat that doesn't poo or wee outside and doesn't cover her poos it keeps that smell in remarkably well and the fact it's flushable is wicked.

I have to say that I scoop twice a day and only do a full change ever few weeks as I find that that's perfectly acceptable. I tend to notice when it starts to smell or it's just not as fresh as it used to be.

I used to do the newspaper and handful of litter thing, but I not would never change from this. It's expensive to begin with but lasts ages, is eco friendly and flushes so there's no need to continuously be going to the bin with smelly bags of poo  :evillaugh:

Do you use regular or gold?
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Ann Clarke (Tabby cat) on August 29, 2008, 19:41:50 PM
Blooming PAH out of stock again  >:( it's the only one they run out of so it's obviously popular. I found I didn't get as much of it on the floor as I do with the ordinary clay stuff as Dylan, who is the one who digs to Australia, doesn't do it as much with the Cat's Best. When I've though about it I actually think I went longer than the two weeks before I had to change the full thing. It's definitely the best litter I've found, cheaper than World's Best which my two didn't like. I just used the ordinary one. Unfortunately I can't get it delivered because of working full time so I have to keep trecking over to PAH which is a bit of a pain. The things we have to do for our babes.

On the positive side I did get 3 tubs of Whiskas Temptations for £2.50 so the boys are very happy  :rofl:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 29, 2008, 20:27:56 PM
It amazes me how these shops constantly run out of the same things  :Crazy: Haven't they heard of stock control?  :Crazy:

Years & years ago I worked for a while in a branch of WH Smith (Holborn) and it was all manual - they had re-order levels and emergency levels etc. We never ran out of stuff - it should be even easier thesedays - I thought it was all computerised. If something takes them 2 weeks to get in, this should be allowed for. I forget what it was now but I complained in Sainsbury's a while ago and remember being told the item was "popular" - I suggested ordering larger amounts  :tired:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Kirst on August 29, 2008, 20:36:24 PM
I think I shall have to give thios stuff a go - but as my nearest PAH is 15 miles away I shall phone first and check they have it!
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Ann Clarke (Tabby cat) on August 29, 2008, 22:19:55 PM
I know Mark, that's two weeks running it's happened  >:( it's the only one missing off the shelves so you would think that would give them a clue. Every time I ask I just get told they get a delivery that evening but the night shift put it out so it won't be on the shelves until the next day. I am going to ring tomorrow and see if they have any in before I trail all the way over there, especially as my trip involves a bus, metro, bus and bus trip (it doesn't take that long it's just our transport system is a bit daft and you can't get to that bit of the Metrocentre on one bus).
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 29, 2008, 23:41:35 PM
I finally got a poo in that tray so I will switch another tray over to it - I had to be sure Clapton wouldn't hold stuff in rather than use it  :Luv2:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 31, 2008, 12:26:32 PM
I am in a quandary right now. I am going to PAH after lunch. OH has a presentation to write so best if I go out as I am a nuisance  :evillaugh:

I am impressed with OKO but Clapton pees up the side and it doesn't soak all the pee up so it pools on top. I have the dab the top of the clump with toilet paper, then remove clump, then tip the tray to one side and wipe the side with a parazone toilet wipe - hopefully that is safe to so and better than bacteria?

I then did another tray that I put fresh PAH own ultra-clumping in - also had a wee up the side but it came clean away in one solid lump like plaster of paris  :evillaugh:


The OKO is so easy to sweep up  - I am not flushing it any more as some got stuck in the bottom of the toilet yesterday.

The PAH was all over the floor despite being an enclosed tray.


I can't decide which is best.

I also did the other 2 trays that have the last of the tigerino in - clumps disintegrated as I tried to remove them  :tired:

I think PAH own is the best clay ultra clumping I have tried.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on August 31, 2008, 12:29:29 PM
Have you tried golden grey from zooplus?  I prefer that to PAH own and it's a lot cheaper.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 31, 2008, 12:31:03 PM
I tried that first but from what I remember, it doesn't clump as well as PAH. I actually prefer non-scented as well.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on August 31, 2008, 12:55:59 PM
That's odd, I find it clumps better than PAH.  I prefer lightly scented to the PAH unscented.  I dont' know whether you can still buy Sophisticat premium choice?  That's what I used for years and used to get from PAH in plastic tubs (before they brought out their own version).  Then I bought it from Tesco but I think someone on here said recently that tesco had stopped selling it.  I thought that was much better than PAH but I think they changed the formula towards the end - think it went from scented to unscented so I didn't like it as much.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Millys Mum on August 31, 2008, 19:03:12 PM
I am impressed with OKO but Clapton pees up the side and it doesn't soak all the pee up so it pools on top. I have the dab the top of the clump with toilet paper, then remove clump, then tip the tray to one side and wipe the side with a parazone toilet wipe - hopefully that is safe to so and better than bacteria?

Put some litter over it and leave to set, milly does wees like that  :tired:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 31, 2008, 19:05:24 PM
Thanks  :)

I had to make a decision in PAH as I am waiting for my replacement debit card so I only had £35 cash and had to put something back. I put the clumping back and kept my 2 bags of OKO. I am still curious to try catsan clumping  :shify:


How long does it take to set?

I usually start in the attic and work my way down 4 floors so don't fancy going up & down stairs checking drying times  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Millys Mum on August 31, 2008, 19:08:41 PM
Catsan is ok, about average in the world of ultra fine clumping litter.

Setting time varies as to how fast it came out, if very fast it creates a well  :rofl: try half hour from delivery
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on August 31, 2008, 19:14:58 PM
Oh I HATED Catsan clumping, it was absolutely awful and just smelt of wee all the time! I threw the whole bag out!

I just use the normal stuff and haven't seen the gold
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on August 31, 2008, 22:56:19 PM
Our house stank when I used regular Catsan - mainly due to Clapton's CRF but since I changed to clumping, I haven't looked back  :)

I almost got some worlds best but a 3L was £8.50 and it said it was the equiv of  5L clumping which was £6.49 so no contest.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 01, 2008, 09:06:57 AM
I just read on the OKO bag that they claim one bag will last one cat 10 weeks  :Crazy:

There is no way it could last that long - that would be great only needing 5 bags a year per tray but not realistic at all.

Edit - I saw "OKO" on some Lidl yoghurt - apparently, it's the institute fro sustainability  :evillaugh: http://www.oeko.de/home/dok/546.php

Ecology = Okologie  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: tiga on September 01, 2008, 13:45:35 PM
I tried the OKO stuff as they didn't have any Chick crumb at the time and the OKO was on special offer. Now my cats have one tray with each and they will only use the chick crumb if I haven't scooped yet or I am in the process of scooping the OKO. They definitely prefer the OKO stuff. I'm not sure if it is regular or gold. I did find it gets dusty but have sieved it to get rid of the dust and get a bit more use out of it as it didn't smell or anything.

I only empty it totally every few weeks, but it doesn't seem to smell. It does track a bit though.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 01, 2008, 14:27:54 PM
I did Willow's tray with the last tub of PAH clumping yesterday as I was worried about her taking to it. I did the ground floor this morning with OKO and also the basement which usually only Alice uses. Willow came down and used that  :) - so as long as Alice takes to it, we are OK. Kylie mainly goes outside and she has used about 20 types of litter since I got her so I'm not worried about her taking to it  :Luv2:

It was so nice cleaning out the last of the tigerino "mud"  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 02, 2008, 17:01:57 PM
It was so easy doing trays today  :)

I give cats best Oko  :1st place:

So easy to sweep up - the clay went everywhere  :Crazy:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Ann Clarke (Tabby cat) on September 09, 2008, 13:20:48 PM
Thankfully I was able to start using the Cats Best again last night when the main tray needed redoing. Had got Catsan clumping when PAH didn't have the CB and it was horrible. It clumped ok but it went so solid it kept sticking to the bottom of the tray and was a pain to get off. It took ages to clean the tray out last night. Put the Cat's Best in and it was a fight between my two to get in the tray first  :rofl: They both love it, there's no smell and it doesn't go all over the place - it's fab. Now all I have to do is make sure PAH get more than one bag in at a time  :-:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 09, 2008, 13:50:23 PM
I was going to post about it again today. It's amazing how long a bag lasts  :) As you say, no smell, it's light, you can flush it - although most of the time, I bag it. I think it can be composted as well. Easy to sweep up the mess, no dust etc etc  :evillaugh:

I keep hoping to see it on offer again so I can stock up. I am still using PAH own ultra-clumping for one tray but once it is finished, all trays will be don with cats best. Now I wish I hadn't paid £9 each for scoops as they are too fine for cats best  :tired:

I am going to compare prices at Zooplus etc. The shelf in PAH said £5.99 but it came up as £6.49p on the receipt  :tired:

Just checked - Zooplus have 5L trial size bags for £2.99 - the 10L are £6.79, 40L £23.49
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on September 09, 2008, 15:35:32 PM
I've got one more bag of grey nasty stuff to get through, one bag does my three trays but I change every week so it won't be long - can't wait to get back to my chick crumb!!
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 09, 2008, 20:28:02 PM
You should try Cats Best - you might be surprised. I really couldn't get used to the "wet hay" smell of chick crumb. I can only smell Cats best close up and it has a slight woody smell.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on September 10, 2008, 09:29:41 AM
I did use it a couple of years ago but it worked out fairly expensive for me because I HAVE to change the trays every week, I'm a bit OCD on it! its why crumb is the best option for me, its so cheap I don't have any issue chucking it away
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 10, 2008, 11:00:53 AM
OK - you know what you like. Maybe it was just the crumb I used but I hated it. I even threw 1/2 bag away.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Topsy Turvey on September 10, 2008, 11:01:41 AM
Was in PAH yesterday and looked for this.  Could only find the wood one.  Is that it?
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 10, 2008, 11:05:02 AM
It's this one
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on September 10, 2008, 11:07:10 AM
how often are you changing the whole tray now?
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 10, 2008, 11:10:57 AM
It's been in 2 weeks and no smell. I will change them next week when my order comes.

They say on the bag that one bag for one cat lasts 13 weeks  :Crazy:
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on September 10, 2008, 11:13:01 AM
13 weeks, I'd start twitching!!
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 10, 2008, 11:19:09 AM
I don't see how it is possible  :Crazy:

Anyway, after all the stuff I have read about clumping clay, I wasn't comfortable using it.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Dawn F on September 10, 2008, 11:23:28 AM
I've not read up much on clumping clay but all I know is the stuff I've been using (which I assume is clumping clay??)  gets everywhere (found some in my bed last night yuk), sticks to the cats feet and legs so they are annoyed by it and worst of all a bag split while I was taking it to the wheelie bin and I hosed it away or so I thought but days later even with all the rain Tilly came in with it all over her face where she had been snooping around the bin area
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 10, 2008, 11:52:14 AM
Someone one here posted that it is linked to various illnesses. As the stuff swells and turns into gel, if the dust is breathed in or any is ingested when cleaning paws etc.

Just one of many articles http://www.thelighthouseonline.com/articles/clump.html

just google clumping clay litter health  :scared:

I keep finding grains stuck to Willow's nose.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Gillian Harvey on September 10, 2008, 17:07:24 PM
I did use it a couple of years ago but it worked out fairly expensive for me because I HAVE to change the trays every week, I'm a bit OCD on it! its why crumb is the best option for me, its so cheap I don't have any issue chucking it away

You can still clean the trays every week Dawn, but you don't have to throw out all the litter because the majority of it will still be usable. I tip the litter into a bucket, wash and disinefect the tray, then refill with that litter, topped up with some new,  once a week.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Millys Mum on September 10, 2008, 18:53:54 PM
I do gillians method except i have spare swap over trays rather than a bucket, it doesnt smell either as all the bits clump and get chucked  ;D
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Mark on September 21, 2008, 11:42:28 AM
Well I am still really happy with this. There is no perfect litter but I think this is as close as it gets. It really does work out cheap - much cheaper than any cheap litters.

It's light, easy to clear up (I'm happier vacuuming this up than clay), no smells, eco friendly etc etc. I can't praise it enough. Maybe worlds best is a bit better but twice the price at least.
Title: Re: Any cats best OKO users? - question
Post by: Gillian Harvey on September 21, 2008, 12:00:44 PM
It's light

Think thats why I used to have such a problem with it with regards to it sticking to their long fur and in their feet and being tracked absolutely everywhere - liked the litter and how it worked though. I might try the cats best Gold - because that says its good for longhaired cats - it looks like a wood pellet from the pics, but it also clumps.