How to build a Feline Pine self-cleaning litter box

Make Feline Pine cat litter last even longer with a litter box specifically designed for it.

Cut down on sawdust, tracking, and save pellets.

Step 1 You Will Need

Supplies:

Two litter box pans

 -  They need to be the same size on the perimeter, but one needs to be shallower than the other.  I used my old litter box as the bottom and bought another at the store.  Bring it in with you to test.

Drill and 11/64 sized bit

-  I took one pellet to the hardware store and measured this size to be the perfect size.

Ruler and pen

-  For measuring and marking the holes on the top pan.

Comments

[RustyRoller]

Most places that sell the "alternative" litters also have the scoops with much larger openings. In fact, I think I got one free when I tried one of the litters.

[jewel460]

Hi,
I looked at the petstore and online, and I can't find any two litter boxes with a similar perimeter and different depths. Does anyone have any brand or store recommendations for where I can find it?

Thanks!

[vafnord]

I am torn between putting the effort into making a really great catbox, and spending that energy to just train the cats to use the toilet instead.

[mommydono]

Interesting approach - the reverse of usual sifting litterboxes. I've used feline pine before can't remember why I stopped, but I remember I liked how well it neutralized the urine odor. Looks like this would work really well.
Very nice instructable, thank you for posting it!

Feline pine used to make a clumping type litter (it was sawdust like) that would work w/ regular sifting type litter boxes.

[Tinker L]

So sorry! I forgot to rave about your design!!! Masterful!
@Phoghat - get one of the plastic scoopers and cut out every other "tine".

[Tinker L]

It's not really a clumping product. The urine breaks down the pellets into sawdust and that is what falls through. I loved FP but the price was more than I wanted to pay. I can buy a 40# bag of stove pellets for under $5 (just compressed wood without additives) and toss in a shake of baking soda. There's a product that looks the same and is made for horse stalls (Dry Den or something like that) and has an odor fighter in it that's about $6 or $7 for 40#. Neither one smells as great as FP, but they've got my vote for second best and most practical.

[gonzo5680]

You're right, it works in reverse compared to other sifting litter pans. Instead of sifting the good litter through the holes, this pan sifts the bad "sawdust" litter through the holes, leaving the good litter and feces that can be scooped out. To answer your other questions, the pine pellets are compressed sawdust and will start to come apart when wet. I like this litter better than corn because it is less dusty and cats don't track it as much. Thanks for the comment!

[Phoghat]

my bad, saw the size of the holes on your scoop. Where did you get it?

[Phoghat]

Great idea, however doesn't solve the problem of removing feces because the pine pellets won't go through a regular sized scoop.

[caseyst]

That is so clever!! Anybody that hasn't discovered Feline Pine is really missing out - love that "new house" smell it has, not to mention the fact that it's the best deodorizing litter ever - can't smell a thing with FP! This is going to be my project for the weekend, and you can bet my drill holes are going to look a *lot* like the ones you did last... =^..^=

[Batness]

So much easier than the scoop I have, which stirs up "dust" particles and I dislike that a LOT. Now I just have to find another litter pan similar in size!

[scoochmaroo]

I've only ever used the corn-based litter, never the pine litter. Does the pine turn into sawdust once it's been used? Is that how it it works its way through the holes? My initial impression was that the clean litter would sift through to the bottom, leaving the waste on top, like most clumping litter. But this seems to work in reverse?