DIY Sifting Cat Litter Box for Wood Pellets

[@kauilanikim2199]

I have this set up, however I would make a suggestion. The middle sags with the cats' weight over time. I'd get some short pvc pipes/caps and superglue them in various areas and in the middle to provide support. I ended up doing that and it's way better now.

[@triplea6174]

Good idea

[@pumpkinhead8593]

I'm about to make one of these and thought the same thing. I got a maine coon so it'll definitely sag 🤣

[@clementsandoy5626]

I'm planning to make one with 2 of my old cat litter box but they have only limited gaps underneath. How exactly do you put the pvp pipes/caps in the middle?

[@kauilanikim2199]

@@clementsandoy5626 I just put 6 in them. One in each corner, two in the middle, not the edges but middle, spaced apart to distribute weight. So it would look like : : : but the middle two much closer together so it doesn't sag. I wish I could show you a picture!

[@clementsandoy5626]

@@kauilanikim2199 That is very helpful. Don't worry I understand the image you're trying to make. Thanks a lot!

[@Metqa]

I am cat sitting fir a friend and she has pine pellets. It only took 3 cleanings to realize she needed a sifting litter box. I might make this for her as a welcome home gift.

[@HummingbirdEighty8]

I love how your cats sleep together! So sweet! I have the Breeze litter boxes. A few issues. 1.Pieces of the pellets get stuck in the slats of the top box. 2. Sawdust accumulates under the top box along the bottom edges of the box. This means a lot of extra cleaning. I like your system better because it eliminates both issues. Thank you for the video!🐈🐾🐾

[@marietsy]

Thank you! I had a store bought sifter litter box i used with clay litter but omg, it was the worst. It would get stuck in the grooves and I had to spend more time cleaning it that I should have. I finally went to wood pellets because my current kitty was okay with it while my last cat hated them. So i thought about buying a new sifter litter box, but they are more than I want to spend now that my cat is fully grown. So this easy to make, and cheaper than what I was looking at getting. Thank you for sharing this!

[@Dutch_1921]

I saw a video similar to this a couple weeks ago and literally went out to buy what they set up. The bins/large poultry bowls were the most expensive part. But it cost me less than $20 and the labor of drilling the holes. Questioning myself, came searching again to see if anyone had a video on the size drill bit they used. I have been finding that when sifting, quite a few of the pellets fall in the holes. Watching this helped in alternative bins and techniques for drilling pattern, removal and all around process. We have 3-all neutered older cats, with one urine behavioral issues. Transitioning from scented clay to pine pellets without watering it down. I’ve found less accidents and the urine smell isn’t present. Clean up is awesome. The only smell is when they poo…quite surprisingly dissipates quickly.

[@babaskitchenukrainiansoulf9329]

What a tedious mess. This is misuse of these pellets and waste of wood. They are not meant to be used raw! They are highly compressed at 700 degrees, to be fluffed into dry shavings by pouring water on them. In 15 mins., you have dry shavings. Then they will also suck pee down to the bottom. Also, the raw pellets will harm your cats' joints and give them arthrities, like jumping on rocks. Therre are several videos showing how to bed horse stalls, from the manufacturers. Use a plastic liner, not a sifter. You are using 3X the wood necessary, destroying forests.

[@sxynightelf]

Baba, you're wrong! These pellets come from sustainable wood! I've been using wood pellets from tractor supply for a few years now. The cats are fine, no health issues at all! And the cost of using pine vs clay is way less! Clay is more damaging to cars AND the environment! FACTS!

[@rats12449]

Literally same. (Sounds like a similar video) The pellets at the feed store were like $8 for a 40lb bag!! A steal! Now i can't find that girls video😩 washed to thank her

[@doctoranan]

The best thing I have used for my cats is the wooden pellets. 1- no mess 2- environmentally friendly and flushable. 3- Best odor control 4- Sustainable, as mentioned no need to replace them until they turn into saw dust fully. Tried other materials: 1- Desert sand (the worst) 2- 2 types of crumbling litter, one with lavender (messy, costly) 3- non crumbling litter (second worst)

[@essendossev362]

Plus lavender is poisonous to cats 😬

[@Sublimemelancholy]

You can get purina breeze litter box system. I removed tray and cut sticking out parts. Put a large puppy training pad in the second tray for all the pee to get absorbed. i have xl one and change it once a week for 2 cats. and have 2 of these for 4 cats. Been doing this forever. Best thing ever and so cheap. 8$ horse bedding and 120puppy pads costco. 21$ Pad last me 3 years.

[@empressofdirt]

Don't the puppy pads end up in landfill? (The idea here is not to create garbage.)

[@missmorgan52]

What do you use underneath the xl? I need an xl since my cat is very large (lengthy and tall).

[@123a-o5d]

Newspaper. I use two very large nesting boxes with wood pellets and put newspaper in the lower one to catch any urine that makes it all the way through.

[@Valentina-km8cg]

That's great! I've used the bedding pellets from the feed store for years but never dealt well with the sawdust which stays around and will stink. This is a terrific solution. Might even be able to adapt what I already have. Thanks for that! Love your cuddle bugs. Ahhhhh.

[@empressofdirt]

Ahhh, thank you. It's working really nicely for us. :)

[@terricebelak7689]

Baking soda?

[@msdee693]

We rescued a cat some time ago & bought one of the dollar store pans for him. My daughter recently made the switch to the sifting pans. She had two hooded litter pans for her girl now being unused. I took one of them to use for a new girl we just rescued. I decided I wanted to go with the pellet system too, so I bought another pan from the dollar store. My daughter was telling me it's too bad the edges aren't higher with the sifting set, as her girl tosses some of it outside the pan. I just finished putting together our sifting set. Needing a gap, I used K-cups Glue gunned them all in the bottom, & also glued some firm packing foam sheets to put on either end to stabilize so it doesn't rattle around. The hood from the other box & it is a PERFECT fit for the sifting set! Tossed in a poop from the discarded litter & now we wait. ☺ Once I saw the sifting set my daughter paid 30.00 for, I told myself it would be simple to make one for far cheaper. The two litter pans were 4.00 plus tax each, & because the top was free, my cost was 9.00 including tax. I found a 40 lb bag of pellets at Peavey Mart for 7.99 plus tax (9.00)

[@tinsleyt7801]

I can’t wait to try this, thank you!!! I may try to get deeper totes with higher walls so there is no spill out, also a deeper bottom tote so I have to change it less frequently. I have 6 cats and I hate the clay litter,

[@simplycurlyde]

Just love how close your 2 cats are. Wish mine were like that.

[@lazygardens]

FYI - "stove pellets" are just as good, and often cheaper.

[@user-Ms.Bear025]

So cute and thanks for this because I was thinking of what to do

[@BangleWish]

I found on Amazon 1/4 inch soil sifting sieves. I'm getting this one for $19 which is large and includes work gloves: Wenses Metal Dirt Sifter, 11 x 9 Inch, Galvanized Steel with 1/4" Wire Mesh . I don't work for them or get anything for referring, just being helpfull:)

[@PaniniCrunch]

What did you use for the box underneath? I’m sick of the breeze one’s getting stuck in the grooves

[@BangleWish]

@ I used a plastic storage box. I’d like to get a stainless steel pan, but they are expensive.

[@susanbecker5678]

My sweet cat is 5years we got her at animal shelter had already had kittens they named her Ingrid but we changed that to Miss Bo Jangles she is the best kitty that I have ever had she’s so good she uses her litter box always we’ve changed to the pellets and it’s great she’s a big girl and did go through a lot of clumping litter I believe this is much safer for her 😊😊😊

[@Julhi_Verma19]

I started using it and after a week long transition process . One cat likes it , the other started to go in my closet after using a few times . So now I’m using both I guess ? Idk don’t want to completely use the clay litter but she just was not having it

[@empressofdirt]

Yes, some cats are really not happy with big changes. I have to go really slow with my cats. What about trying a much longer transition? Perhaps gradually adding pine pellets to the clay litter over a much longer time frame (2-3 months), in small increments, only increasing the amount of pine when the cat has accepted the current ratio? Good luck, I hope it works out.

[@doctoranan]

Never give the cats the choice.

[@nickhann4201]

@@doctoranan She didn’t….. which is why the cat pissed in her closet?

[@doctoranan]

@@nickhann4201 what did you understand from the "transition process" I have two kittens, both are used to use clay litter, now both are using wooden pellets. U never ever give cats choices.

[@nickhann4201]

@@doctoranan What I understood was that she didnt give the cat a choice and the cat promptly pissed in her closet. To be fair though I think I misread what you meant with your comment. I was reading into it as though your comment meant "Just switch it over and force them to deal with it" (instead of allowing for a slower transition where you slowly mix the two until they like the pellets)

[@Dutch_1921]

Question for anyone who uses this method, since it’s biodegradable, can you use this for your garden instead of throwing it away? If so, can you explain how you use it and when and is it for certain plants (veggies, fruit, trees) and can it deter animals from eating or “making a home” where you really don’t want them (under a shed, near your house and garage)? Thank you for your help :)

[@empressofdirt]

I researched this question when I started using pine pellets. The quick answer is no, you can't add it to the garden due to the pathogens in the poo. It (the poo) should never be placed anywhere it can get into our waterways (sewer, garden). You can however keep pet waste in a dedicated composter that is specifically allowed to heat to temperatures that kills the pathogens over a long period of time.

[@hew1263]

I would not think there would be any problem with the wood chip part (with pee but NOT poo) to be put into the compost bin. It would be high in nitrogen. Crops that like high nitrogen are corn, garlic, onions. Human pee, diluted 10:1 in water, is often used as a high nitrogen fertilizer - there is a book on this called Liquid Gold, or similar. Wood chips often are known to deplete nitrogen from soil so having the pee in those would be a good balance. If you use it as an ingredient to make compost, there should be no issue with balancing the nitrogen out.

[@wesdawod586]

As others mentioned, be cautious about adding poo to the garden. However, some cities allow you to flush animal waste. Check with your municipality. Then bury the dust and flush the poop!

[@kauilanikim2199]

Safe for non food plants. Never use for edible gardening.

[@annabelleplouffe8634]

I saw in an other post a girl saying don’t use the waste in the garden that you’ll eat from. Only trees or plants.

[@NotSure305]

Thanks for the info. I love your cats 👍

[@FelineFamilyVlogs7]

I'm using pine pellets in a sifting tray. All of my cats use it but my 9 month old siamese poops outside of it. He does pee in the pellets. Idk what to do. Cost scent no dust easy to clean...i love the pine pellets. I do NOT want to go back to clay litter...how can i get him to like the pine pellet litter?!?

[@mintSama]

try mixing 70% clay litter with 30% pellets for one week, then on second week 50-50, 3rd week 30-70 etc and at the end of the month go 100% pellets. Maybe it will get used to it this way

[@gracielaaragona5407]

Buenisima idea Para limpiar los Pellets!!!! Sale mas economico que comprar las que venden en las veterinarias ... gracias

[@janaf.7833]

I just drilled holes in the container, I used the Sterilite container (without the blue handles). an pd I got some cracking by some of the holes. On the underneath, it is a ad raised, could that made the cracks. Please someone help me. lol. I used a 1/4 “ bit.

[@empressofdirt]

Not sure from what you wrote if this will help but it's best to drill with the base of the bin firmly on a wood surface so you're not bending the bin as you apply pressure with the drill. Another option for holes is to use a wood burning tool (or other tool with a fine, heated tip) and melt the plastic to form holes.

[@Da103Man]

Use a sharp drill bit. Place the bin on a junk piece of wood for backing. Dont hurry,,mild pressure on the drill, let the drill do the work. Have fun

[@Heisenberg55]

When you replace the sifting box due to cracks, use a soldering iron or wood burning tool to make the holes in the next one

[@tracy-annmazzola3456]

The sawdust gets trapped in the holes a lot doesn’t go through it. Any idea?

[@empressofdirt]

Do you think larger holes might help? And/or more space between top and lower bin? Also, I run the end of the scoop along the inside bottom of the bin each day to help things through. It's definitely not perfect but fine. I hope you find a solution you like.

[@carvingsonthewall5468]

Does cat poop smell? With clay litter poop gets covered but with wood pallet, it stays as it is. So if you clean once a day, do you get smell?

[@sv1000babe]

When they poop yes. The smell normally dissipates as it hardens and if there is good ventilation. This is probably my favourite litter type so far. Clean once a day by removing poop and sawdust. Wash litterbox weekly. We have 2 cats. I haven't smelled cat urine since we switched about 2 weeks ago, but we do keep the spent pellets and poop in a closed bag in a closed container until almost full.

[@Droodie]

Just have doggy bags nearby and pick up the poop like you would pick up a dog’s poop 😋

[@carvingsonthewall5468]

@@Droodie yeesh. That’s gross!

[@gemmamintful]

My daughter started me off on this with a breeze box. In the bottom they put the charcoal lined puppy pads and it absorbs most of the smell. I got a second cat and it was too smelly and it was a neutered male. I believe I really need a bigger system like you have shown us, but I would use two of the puppy pads. I don't know if there's another form of charcoal that might work. I also sprinkle baking soda in the bottom seems to work now but I still need to make the bigger bins.

[@carvingsonthewall5468]

@@gemmamintful thanks. As you can see it was written 11 months ago. I switched to wood pellets and it turned out to be best decision for kittens.

[@erinlee7670]

I’m confused as to how this is sanitary if the pellets become sawdust when wet and then you have to stir it up to get the saw dust to fall thru wouldn’t that just make all the pee crumbs touch the pieces that aren’t saw dust yet?

[@aleshakhan5427]

I find this is why my cat doesn't take to it.

[@hew1263]

I have found when you mix the pellets as shown in the video, all you smell is wood chips. I would imagine they have a neutralizing effect on the urine. Too bad your cat does not like it. There is absolutely no odour (unless you leave it too long between pees - I clean every other day for 1 cat and freshen the bottom bin with a little baking soda after washing out). My cat is on a raw diet so little to no odour from poo anyway, and probably less with pee odour as well since less things to filter out.

[@babaskitchenukrainiansoulf9329]

Yes, this is gross. What a tedious mess. This is misuse of these pellets and waste of wood. They are not meant to be used raw! They are highly compressed at 700 degrees, to be fluffed into dry shavings by pouring water on them. In 15 mins., you have dry shavings. Then they will also suck pee down to the bottom. Also, the raw pellets will harm your cats' joints and give them arthrities, like jumping on rocks.There are a bunch of vids on how to bed horse stalls, from the manufacturers. Use a plastic liner, not a sifter. This BS sifting uses 3X the wood necessary, destroying forests.

[@stephaniestrong3920]

@@babaskitchenukrainiansoulf9329 Do you know that these pellets are made from the by product of saw mills? They are most definitely not taking fresh lumber to make these pellets. Also, how do you suppose walking on compressed saw dust is different than walking on crystals or clay? Also, when you’re scooping out waste from a clay litter box, all the waste is touching all the fresh clay as well. Plastic liners can become problematic for cats. They can snag them with the claws (making them leak) and also possibly scare the cat from using the box. The only issue here is you are supposed to shake the whole box back and forth to sift the dust to the bottom, not do it with the scooper.

[@AX8N]

is there any links for similar boxes ??

[@empressofdirt]

Look for _under bed storage bins_ at stores.

[@AX8N]

@@empressofdirt i did check a lot of stores 😭😭 no luck but i did find some online not with the handles but im sure i can make do, THANK YOU !!!

[@cridecar]

1.) Where do you buy the bin? 2) Stacking the bin one on top of the other, there seems to be a gap at the sides. Does this cause odors from the sawdust to dissipate in the air from the gaps?......................Thanks in advance!

[@nessh]

No, it just helps the sawdust fall through the holes and into the bin below.

[@hew1263]

I could not find those bins that would fit my area so got 2 regular litter bins from the dollar store, drilled holes in one and used 4 corks to elevate the top bin. Works a charm. I rinse off the corks between pee cleanings and wash with soap, flush the poo down the toilet, and add new corks when necessary. We make our own wine so always have used corks around.

[@haushinkaalcatraz582]

Wonderful! Thank you so much!

[@AX8N]

is it normal for the urine to seep down in the bottom box ?

[@empressofdirt]

Sure. No reason why you can't put some pellets there too to help absorb it.

[@arturoalcantar2669]

USING PINE PELLETS IN HORSE STALLS THEY WET IT DOWN FIRST UNTIL IT BECOMES SAWDUST THEN USE IT THAT WAY...CLAIMING IN THAT FORM IT'S MORE ABSORBENT AND LASTS LONGER?! WHAT GIVES? LOL GREAT VIDEO THANKS FOR SHARING...

[@cindyfoster9811]

I use this litter for my rabbit. I have a mini rex. Rabbits tend to get sore hocks(feet pads) they can n become open sores . So I put just a thin layer of pelets over the bottom add water . And stir it around breaking up the hard pelets.( so it's soft and like sawdust .I have 2 boxes so I have one ready. I leave it to dry out for 2 days . Then use it. Because I have 2 boxes the soaking and waiting 2 days is worth it .no smell.and rabbits urine is very concentrated.

[@babaskitchenukrainiansoulf9329]

@@cindyfoster9811 You are right! This video: What a tedious mess. This is misuse of these pellets and waste of wood. They are not meant to be used raw! They are highly compressed at 700 degrees, to be fluffed into dry shavings by pouring water on them. In 15 mins., you have dry shavings. Then they will also suck pee down to the bottom. Also, the raw pellets will harm your cats' joints and give them arthrities, like jumping on rocks. Therre are several videos showing how to bed horse stalls, from the manufacturers. Use a plastic liner, not a sifter. You are using 3X the wood necessary, destroying forests. i mix a bag of pellets into a large plastic bin, and add 2 litres water. It all poofs into dry shavings. I dig in and toss it once a week to make sure there is no dampness at the bottom of the large bin, as it does siphon water down to the bottom. I mix it so no mold grows. I use a litter liner and just toss the whole thing a couple times a week. In between, I toss a handfull of shavings over wet spots. No odor and bunny loves it!

[@leanderian]

Cats don't like stepping on hard pellets.

[@empressofdirt]

A lot of people (including me) use these for their cats (and love their cats) and don't seem to have any issues. I would not use them if they didn't like them.

[@KyrenaH]

I don't like spending $15 on garbage clumping litter that only lasts two weeks.

[@hew1263]

My cat has no problem with it. Those scented litters should be outlawed (they don’t even say they are scented on the bag) with all the harmful chemicals in them, like those nasty home air fresheners, and then they lick their feet. No wonder so many cats are sick these days. I’m so glad I’m using this safe, clean method now. Thanks a ton original poster (sent to me by a friend).

[@leanderian]

@@hew1263 Mine is used to it now. I would never go back to regular clay litter.

[@BB-zy7nu]

Could you tell me how you got your cat to transition? I'm thinking of switching to pellets as well.