Pet Product Review » Housing & Accessories

Biddy Cat Litter Box, part 2

demik3 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:05:13 +0000

Several months ago, I had someone contact me who was thinking about getting the Biddy Cat Litter Box, but was looking for more information before she purchased one. Mostly she was interested in knowing if I still liked it after having used it for almost a year. Because the information may help others decide, I thought I would update on my opinion of the Biddy Cat Litter Box.

I still love it. While it has gotten a little scratched up (none of my cats are declawed), it ’s still easy to clean. Sometimes litter does get out, sometimes I think my cats are looking for buried treasure they dig so much, but it is no where near as much as I had with even my covered boxes.

Most importantly, it’s my cats’ favorite box. They use it more than any other box in the house. In fact, Woody, my big giant Ragdoll, was extremely ill a few weeks ago. He had been hospitalized for almost a week and I brought him home and set him up in a cage for a few days with a regular sized box. After a few days, he decided he would rather wait until I carried him in to use the Biddy Cat Litter Box than try to fit himself into the regular sized box.

So I still definitely recommend the Biddy Cat Litter Box.

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The Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box

demik3 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:04:25 +0000

Most people don’t give buying a litter box a second thought. I am not like most people. I have been trying to find the “perfect” litter box for years. Not just a box that looks good (after all litter boxes just don’t usually give that nice decorative touch to your house), but also one my cats would like. Having had cats with litter box issues, it has become personal.

We’ve used regular open litter boxes, the litter gets all over. We’ve used covered litter boxes, but I can’t help comparing them to having to use a Port-A-Pottie (I have to be on the verge of desperation). I have looked at the automatic litter boxes, but haven’t heard good reviews from friends, and the thought of 6 cats using it, the thing would be going constantly. I went to plastic storage totes and have been happy with them except for one thing- my 14 year old cat. Tyke has arthritis so getting in and out of one was painful for him. So our current set of has been several of the storage totes upstairs, 1 small box in the living room and 2 regular open boxes in the first floor bathroom (Tyke spends most of his time on the first floor).

At the beginning of January, I was contacted by the Biddy Cat Company and asked if I would be interested in trying their litter box, the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box, and reviewing it. Before contacting them, I went to their website and read through the product information. Hmmm, looking at the pictures it was huge. Hopeful that this box might be the “one”, I replied that I would be happy to try it.

When it arrived, I was more than impressed. It was HUGE. It actually took the place of the 2 regular litter boxes in my first floor bathroom. It is also a great size for my Ragdoll, Woody. Woody is a really big cat, he towers over my other felines and this box is ideal for him.

The sides of the box were high, great for keeping the litter from being thrown over the sides by my more exuberant diggers. But they weren’t too high to be a problem for Tyke’s arthritis. he has no problem getting in and out of this box.

The box is made of very high quality material. The plastic is smooth and thick. I have had boxes become stained really quickly and after almost 2 months of use, haven’t had it happen with the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box .

The box design is great. It was designed to not have those corners that collect the litter in them. The way this box is designed, you can scoop along the entire bottom of the box from one side to the other. Even my mother who sometimes pitches in for litter box duties commented on how easy it was to scoop.

I was also impressed with how the company keeps in touch with their customers. They were concerned about the box tipping when used with some lighter weight litters and contacted their customers asking for input. They do recommend using about a 2-3 inch depth of clumping litter for best results. I use regular clay litter (when you have a cat with litter box issues, you use what he wants to use) and have had no problems.

This is a product I have no problem recommending to others. In fact, I really need to measure the space upstairs and see if the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box will fit so I can get a second one.

For more information on the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box and to order a box yourself, please visit the Biddy Cat Company.

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Pet King Brand’s Cage Diapers Review

demik3 — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:57:32 +0000

The name really gets your imagination moving, doesn’t it? The name really threw me off at first. I didn’t think I could like a product called “Cage Diapers“, but I was happily surprised. Cage Diapers are a heavy paper cage liner for the bottom of your rabbit’s (or any other small animal) cage. Why not just use newspaper? I always did. My rabbits have free run of a bedroom, but I have a dog crate that they can go into. It contains their litter box and water bottle and it is where I put their hay. I lined both the crate tray and the litter box with about 7 layers of newspaper. It worked fine, until clean-up time. Trying to clean-up the mess without the paper disintegrating was a challenge. With the Cage Diapers, I only have to use one for the crate tray and one for the litter box. Clean-up is a breeze. Even when being a little torn (Smudge loves to dig and scratch at the paper), it rolls up without falling apart. Made of unbleached pulp, it is okay if my rabbits nibble on them a bit (always watch for pets that will devour a lot of it. Too much of anything has the potential to cause problems). Because it is made from wood pulp, it is also biodegradable which I love since I compost! These have definitely made a difference in my rabbit care routine.

Pet King Brands

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Midwest Ferret Nation

demik3 — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 16:48:51 +0000

Some people have to get the latest and greatest electronic gadget, other people need to wear the latest fashions. Only a pet lover would understand how I felt when the Ferret Nation Cage* came out. I wanted it. I needed it. I had to have it.

My ferrets were living in a Cat Playpen Cage*. A nice cage, but not my ideal ferret cage. The cage came with 2 not-wide-enough-to-do-anything shelves. Ferrets need more room and full levels are better. Buying additional shelves would have been to expensive, so I macgyvered the cage so there were 3 full-size levels. My ferrets liked and it worked well, but cleaning it was another thing. It has two good size doors, but I couldn’t access all 3 levels I had put in there without taking down a level. (Midwest now makes a Cat Playpen Cage with doors that provide more access.)

The Ferret Nation Cage* has everything I want in a ferret cage. You can start out with one level and add an additional 2 levels at any time. Three levels makes for a very big cage, about 86 inches high. I am 5′9″ and have to use a step stool to access the top level with 3 levels. Each level has a lot of room. All 5 of my ferrets live in the 3 level Nation and I feel I could add another 2 without compromising space (my girls are out of their cage for about 4 hours during the week and all day on the weekends). The cage is solidly built and will last for a long time. The hammertone finish wipes clean very easily. The trays sit down a bit inside the levels so they don’t move when the doors are open plus it makes it a little harder for ferrets to burrow under them (I won’t say it makes it impossible, these are ferrets we are talking about!). You can close off the levels to separate ferrets. I have to do this when I go out of town and my mom takes care of my ferrets. She can’t tell them apart so I separate Spice, my insulinoma girl, so I can be sure she gets her twice daily medication. The shelves in each level are half the width of the cage, so you can actually use them for bedding, litter boxes, what ever you need. They are also adjustable so you can move them up and down or put them on the opposite side. At first glance, it may not look like there are a lot of places to hang hammocks, but each shelf and the ceiling of each level offers a more than enough places.

The best feature of all, though, are the doors. They open completely, making it SO easy to access the inside of the cage with out having to maneuver your body in there somehow. The doors close tight and the only way to open them is by squeezing the handles together making it hard for escapes.

The only issue I have had has been with the shelf is an issue others have had. Luckily, Midwest cared enough to listen to consumers and make a change. The shelves had an area at the front where 2 bars run parallel to each each. They provide a space for the ramp to attach. Ferrets were getting their toes caught when getting off the shelf (because ferrets don’t always like to use a ramp) and many ended up hanging upside down. Luckily, the incidences I have heard of this happening (including mine) occurred when the owner was nearby. The manufacturer has changed the design and has been sending replacements to those who contact them. I do wish the ramps came in different sizes for when you adjust the shelves (they can be put at 3 different heights, but my ferrets don’t seem to concerned.

The picture shows the 3 levels of my Ferret Nation Cage*. The stand doesn’t appear in the picture. I added the Marshall Mini Mansion cage cover to the top of my Nation to provide my ferrets with a dark area to sleep. It covers the top level.

When you look at the prices of ferret cages, this one is well worth the money. It may be the last ferret cage you need to buy.

Likes-

The doors open completely up so you can access the inside of the cage with no problem

You start with one level and add more for a total of 3.

You can close off levels, making individual cages. Great for those with ferrets that don’t get along.

Dislikes

Wish they offered ramps in different lengths for when the shelves are moved. When put at their highest, the angle is very steep.

Amazon*

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Cardboard Cat Scratcher

demik3 — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:47:08 +0000

My cat with a cardboard cat scratcher.

In an effort to spare my furniture and wall moldings from damage, I offer my cats several different types of cat scratchers. They have a floor to ceiling cat tree with 3 shelves on it, great for sleeping on. They also have a 2 level cat condo, also a great place to hang out and sleep. Then there is their favorite, a cardboard cat scratcher*. Okay, so it’s not trend-setting and it doesn’t match my decor, but you can’t beat the price!

There are a couple different styles of cardboard cat scratchers. My cats have no interest in the cardboard scratchers that hang from door knobs, but really tackle the ones that come in the slanted cardboard holder. Basically, these cat scratcher have a cardboard frame, usually the outside is decorated. The ones I have seen also have a small hole on each side where a cat can reach inside to play with a little toy hanging inside the frame (none of my cats have shown any interest in the toy or the holes). The part the cat scratches is made up of pieces of cardboard bonded together.

Cats like to be able to really stretch and scratch and with this even my biggest cat can stand on it and use it. Inexpensive when compared to other scratching posts, the cardboard cat scratcher has inserts that can be turned over so both sides can be used. Once that insert is worn, replacement inserts can be purchased. To get your cats interested or to keep them interested, you can rub some dry catnip or use a catnip spray on the insert. My cats will use it without catnip, but I occasionally put some on it to give them some excitement!

Likes:

The cost- very inexpensive, especially when compared to other scratching posts.

Replacement inserts- very easy to replace. When my carpeted cat scratchers get trashed, there is not much you can do to revive them (unless you have some basic DIY skills, which I don’t). Since the insert is the part that gets destroyed, you can have it like new it just a few seconds.

My cats like it- A cat scratching post is worthless if a cat won’t use it.

Dislikes:

Appearance- it would be nice if someone could design a nice frame something that would look better when company comes over

Looking for a cardboard cat scratching post?

Only Natural Pet Store*
Amazon*

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