I use the same clumping clay cat litter that I have always used (Tidy Cats multicat clumping with crystals-I can't use the strong scented litters either), but I changed the litter box to one of these:
Link to: <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.litter-robot.com/default.aspx?ac=1?source=gaw01&gclid=CKWtpqnVv5ECFQlnsgodahoCDA">Litter Robot</a>
<img src="http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j213/boxart/main_orange.jpg">
I don't have to put my face in it to scoop it (with 4 cats), it rotates slowly 3 mins. to cycle through and therefore, no dust clouds except when I fill it (and then it's not that bad- rotates and fills through a 6 x 6" hole -there are two of them- and I drape a towel over the front opening while I pour).
It also dumps itself at the push of a button when it is time to change the whole box, and can be wiped out with Clorox wipes, or taken out in the yard if it needs hosed out, lol. There is no smell (even though it is sitting over half a floor vent) unless I forget to pull the bag (that would be over a week <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0"> ) and it uses regular 13 gal. kitchen trash bags.
My litter also lasts longer, so I'm not spending as much on cat litter as I used to. I used to use an entire 27 lb bucket in a month, but now I have started using a 20 lb bucket (or less) a month.
The only catch is that your cat/kitten has to weigh 5 lbs to make it work automatically, but if you have a kitten, you can just turn it off and on to make it cycle until he is big enough to set off the timer. Still a ton better than scooping!
It was expensive as all get out, IMHO <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> , but I got a reconditioned unit, and that was almost 1/3 less than the new ones. And, being the penny pinching, coupon clipping nut that I am, I would buy it all over again, lol, <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> .
Oh, and bonus- you don't have to ask someone to scoop the litterbox when you go out of town- at the most, you just have to ask them to change the bag <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> .
I love this litterbox, can you tell? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">
Also, any covered litterbox will help to keep the dust down- there are several people on my cat forums who use big Rubbermaid containers with a hole cut in the top as litterboxes- apparently, that also helps to keep the litter in the box, as well as the dust. And it's relatively cheap, too <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> .
Good luck!
Link to: <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.litter-robot.com/default.aspx?ac=1?source=gaw01&gclid=CKWtpqnVv5ECFQlnsgodahoCDA">Litter Robot</a>
<img src="http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j213/boxart/main_orange.jpg">
I don't have to put my face in it to scoop it (with 4 cats), it rotates slowly 3 mins. to cycle through and therefore, no dust clouds except when I fill it (and then it's not that bad- rotates and fills through a 6 x 6" hole -there are two of them- and I drape a towel over the front opening while I pour).
It also dumps itself at the push of a button when it is time to change the whole box, and can be wiped out with Clorox wipes, or taken out in the yard if it needs hosed out, lol. There is no smell (even though it is sitting over half a floor vent) unless I forget to pull the bag (that would be over a week <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0"> ) and it uses regular 13 gal. kitchen trash bags.
My litter also lasts longer, so I'm not spending as much on cat litter as I used to. I used to use an entire 27 lb bucket in a month, but now I have started using a 20 lb bucket (or less) a month.
The only catch is that your cat/kitten has to weigh 5 lbs to make it work automatically, but if you have a kitten, you can just turn it off and on to make it cycle until he is big enough to set off the timer. Still a ton better than scooping!
It was expensive as all get out, IMHO <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> , but I got a reconditioned unit, and that was almost 1/3 less than the new ones. And, being the penny pinching, coupon clipping nut that I am, I would buy it all over again, lol, <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> .
Oh, and bonus- you don't have to ask someone to scoop the litterbox when you go out of town- at the most, you just have to ask them to change the bag <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> .
I love this litterbox, can you tell? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">
Also, any covered litterbox will help to keep the dust down- there are several people on my cat forums who use big Rubbermaid containers with a hole cut in the top as litterboxes- apparently, that also helps to keep the litter in the box, as well as the dust. And it's relatively cheap, too <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> .
Good luck!