Wood Pine Pellet Litter Box System - full review and variation options

Үй жануарлары мен аңдар

In this in-depth video, I share my experience in using the Pine Pellet Cat Litter Box System that utilizes the Purina Tidy Cats Breeze litter box with kiln-dried wood pellets. To the best of my knowledge, this method was developed by Victorian Gardens Cattery. I discuss my experience with using the method as developed and present some small variations that have worked out well for my purposes.
Please note that the 100% wood pellets should be kiln-dried, and not contain any additives whatsoever (including Pine oil).
As I am located in Ontario Canada, my source for using supplies had been:
- Amazon.ca for the Tidy Cats Breeze box
- Canadian Tire for the kiln-dried hardwood pellets
- Costco for the Kirkland brand puppy pee pads
I hope this video is helpful for any of you considering trying this method for your precious cats!
Enjoy,
Nancy
Birchpoint Siberians
www.birchpointsiberians.com
Facebook, Instagram & TikTok @birchpointsiberians
I

Пікірлер: 77

  • @kaylawheeler9676
    @kaylawheeler96764 ай бұрын

    A suggestion that has been amazing for me! I have 3 cats, a Breeze system, I use Naturally Fresh Walnut Non-Clumping pellets (26lbs for around $15) and Amazon generic pee pads for the Breeze system, which work as well as the Breeze multi-cat pads (you can get 100+ pads for under $15). The walnut pellets and pee pads do a great job in odor control, as long as you change the pads at least every 3 days (thats for 3 cats) there shouldn't be a problem. The pellets turn to granules when wet and between the cat scratching and you scooping the poop the granules pass through the grates of the system and drop to the pad, Without compromising the pee pads absorption. As long as you're changing the pads regularly there's no mess. It's a great, affordable alternative to using the Breeze pellets and pads. Since I first started this I have switched four close friends over to this. They, too, have really appreciated the Walnut Pellets. Plus, about $30 lasts 3 or more months depending on number of cats! When the Breeze system pellets and pads were nearly $30 a month in my house.

  • @NYCisland
    @NYCisland Жыл бұрын

    I use the black 'mixing' boxes sold at home improvement stores. They are meant for mixing concrete and are very stable, plus come in different sizes. Way cheaper than litter boxes. The medium one nicely fits the Breeze top.

  • @dh2392
    @dh2392 Жыл бұрын

    I'm using mixing tubs from Home Depot for litter boxes, under $8 each, and a stackable 1/4" classifiable gold prospecting pan on top of a 5 gallon bucket with a trash bag. I scoop the poop, flush, and where I see expanded sawdust, I use a dry food scoop, and scoop the pellets in that area into the prospecting pan, where the sawdust falls thru with little effort. Then I can just dump the cleaned pellets back into the litter box. If you wanted to clean the whole box, just use a second bucket, dumping the cleaned litter into it, and when you're all done, dump the sifted litter back into the litter box. This is working much better for me than the Breeze Boxes which are expensive, and small. I would find wet sawdust on the rim under the Breeze Boxes, and the narrow slots in the bottom of the pan would plug up with sawdust. And you don't have to lift the litter box as you do with most sifting boxes, which can be quite heavy.

  • @sappfire6086

    @sappfire6086

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, didn't think bout home depot. Been using pibe for a little bit. But love not dealing with nasty litter, and my allergies don't flare up

  • @24jessejames
    @24jessejames8 ай бұрын

    I appreciate you testing and sharing the results of the variations as I’m having trouble with urine puddling. I will try adding the tray and putting pad on top. Thank you again.

  • @hello93247
    @hello9324710 ай бұрын

    Super helpful, thank you so much!!

  • @sarahsmile8867
    @sarahsmile8867 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this informative video! Looking to get our first cat and have decided to try the Breeze box with pine pellets. I had wondered about the odor buildup with large pan being used underneath letting that much sawdust accumulate. Definitely like your variation number 2 method of just using the base pan with half sheet! Thanks again

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @rachelavila7041
    @rachelavila70412 жыл бұрын

    This was fantastic, thank you! I just went to the states last weekend and picked up two of the Breeze boxes to do like Victorian Gardens Cattery did but had the urine collect in the grooves below and i got quite the shock when I tilted the bottom putting it back and ALL this stinky, days old urine came pouring out!!! Yuck. I’m going to try with some of your suggestions and see which way might work better for our cats. Thanks for the well done explanations and variety of ideas.

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    Жыл бұрын

    So glad you found it hellpful!

  • @roxannesmaldone3465
    @roxannesmaldone3465 Жыл бұрын

    Hi I started with Original Breeze then I went to the Tidy Cat XL, which was much better for my Peanut. It's much easier for him to move around and dig. I used to use the pellets that came with this , but now he uses Feline Pine and OkoCat.

  • @WeezieV
    @WeezieV9 ай бұрын

    When the litter gets to your 3rd version, I completely sift my pine pellets into a big clear storage tub through a sifting litter tray. I don't have the Purina one yet. I use a storage tub that doesn't have air holes near the handles or powder falls through.

  • @Its_me--Boo_Radley
    @Its_me--Boo_Radley Жыл бұрын

    I bought one of the Breeze boxes to begin my test. I purchased one without the hood. I also had several large regular litter pans the Breeze box fit into nicely into one of them. But I still had those other large pans, so I went ahead a drilled many, many holes in one of the large pans--and then just popped it on top of an identical pan. The problem was that there wasn't enough room for the sawdust to collect. I looked around the house for something that would raise the hole-drilled pan up higher. Golf balls! So put down the puppy pad in the bottom of the first pan--placed the golf balls around the edge, and then placed the hole-drilled pan on top. I noticed right away that there was some slight movement of the top pan. That was easily fixed when I folded up one piece of cardboard and used it as a wedge between the pans to keep them fitting tight together. And after gradually weaning the cats off of regular litter over the last month--they FINALLY are both using the pine pellet litter. Success!!! Of course, this is a much less expensive option, but my real reason for making the change was to get rid of the litter dust that covered absolutely everything near the pans. Plus, I always suspected the dust was irritating my kitties.

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    Жыл бұрын

    I agree - the regular litter gets everywhere!! The few pellets that get kicked out of the box are easily swept of picked up compared to the endless scattering of normal litter. Glad your cats are both using it successfully!

  • @anjelporter5988
    @anjelporter59882 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for an update I trying this new system but I dont got a litter box underneath it seems fine without it. I got pine pellets now instead though think my kitties used it saw signs of pellets on floor :)

  • @tonimagery
    @tonimagery Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video! For version 4, where did you get the sifting trays with integrated feet?

  • @df7316
    @df7316 Жыл бұрын

    The flex issue with the All pine litter box is also encountered with DIY boxes. After you drill holes, the box base is not stable. This can be fixed by something similar to the little legs of the All Pine box (which is currently unavailable, but also pricey-$39.99). Another poster uses PVC cut to desired length, then glued (with E6000 craft adhesive) to the bottom of the sifting box. Reportedly it holds very well.

  • @dh2392

    @dh2392

    Жыл бұрын

    I use a 13-1/4" diameter, 1/4" mesh, classifier gold prospecting pan on top of a 5 gallon bucket with trash bag inside. I can use any litter box, and I like medium mixing tubs from Home Depot because they're quite large, and cheap. Using a dry food scoop, I just scoop the areas where I see expanded sawdust into the prospecting pan. Some stirring, or shaking, and the sawdust falls easily into the trash bag below. I then toss the remaining pellets back where I scooped them from. I use a Litter Lifter pellet scoop for the poop, and flush it. I've come to the conclusion I don't really like sifting boxes. Wet sawdust collects underneath, the slots can clog up, and I especially don't like sifting boxes where you have to lift the litter box.

  • @roxannesmaldone3465
    @roxannesmaldone34652 жыл бұрын

    Hello I have the XL Breeze , I use Feline Pine litter and multi cat pads. I only have 1 cat, but I think the Multi pads are better.

  • @vickiroudonis4498
    @vickiroudonis4498 Жыл бұрын

    Nice video. Thank you for showing us different options and how each of them worked for you. You might want to look into using incontinence pads for humans. They come in a couple different sizes and are cheaper than puppy pee pads.

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    Жыл бұрын

    I'd be curious to know where you found the incontinence pads for humas. I haven't been able to source them for cheaper than the puppy pee pads.

  • @cathiestuart3790
    @cathiestuart379011 ай бұрын

    I have the "All Pine" litter boxes, the directions that came with the box recommended that you put about a handful of pellets in the bottom (as you suggested), I do use a puppy pad tho. My cats have been using these litterboxes for a bit over a year, the small flex has not been an issue even with my 20-pound big boy, I think it's the best and most cost cutting way of maintaining cats litter needs. Unfortunately, these boxes are no longer available in the States. My only complaint with the "All Pine" boxes is they are not tall enough (5 inches), occasionally my big boy will pee over the top and I have another cat that likes to toss the litter out, both issues could be solved if the box was at least a few inches taller.

  • @followerofjesuschrist1432
    @followerofjesuschrist14329 ай бұрын

    Thank you

  • @davidwayne9982
    @davidwayne9982 Жыл бұрын

    I'm just wondering if the regular one would be BIG enough for my 3 boys.. They are all grown- and use a big box now and it doesn't have a lot of room for them to move..

  • @dh2392
    @dh23922 жыл бұрын

    If you got this idea from Victoria Gardens Cattery as I did, she recommends the large So Phresh open cat box for the new breeze boxes. I have 2 of these set up for my Ragdoll males, and the Breeze boxes on top of these pans does not teeter. You actually have to seat the Breeze box into the large So Phresh pan by pushing it in slightly. And I use the Litter Lifter pellet scoop. It is way larger than the scoops provided with the Breeze boxes, and better made.

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes - I did reference Victoria Gardens in my written description, and I did try the So Phresh box. I agree that they do not teeter like the others, but I found that having to push it in slightly would cause it to be sitting not exactly level, which is why I would get the urine trapped along the side channels. I'm glad you were happy with using the So Phresh option! For me, I prefer using a half pad without the extra box underneath. But thanks so much for offering the suggestion!

  • @dh2392

    @dh2392

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@birchpointsiberians I haven't noticed any urine, and as the So Phresh litter box is flat across the top, I don't know why it would tilt the Breeze litter box. That hasn't been my experience at all. When I lift the Breeze boxes the sawdust underneath is dry to the touch. Here's a video where a guy used a Home Depot tote underneath a Breeze box, and he actually did cut that bottom raised edge off. kzread.info/dash/bejne/q5d7k7uFhbK0oc4.html

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@dh2392 I'd be curious to know which pellets and pee pads you're using for your Maine Coon boys!

  • @dh2392

    @dh2392

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@birchpointsiberians I have 2 Ragdoll males, and I use Pelletized Bedding from Tractor Supply, it shows as $6.79 for a 40 pound bag online, but I think it might be cheaper than that in store. I use American Kennel Club XL training pads from you know where, trying to avoid my reply being deleted for the 3rd time here. Next time I will use Kirkland Signature XL puppy pads from Costco. I believe it was $18.99 for a 100 when I was there last week, which is a better price than I've seen elsewhere.

  • @janeukraine

    @janeukraine

    Жыл бұрын

    I have the same problem with the urine smell because my cat is very anxious so she walks around and dogs around a lot in the litterbox until she's satisfied that she's sufficiently hid her business...so yes there is a lot of urine puddling. I did see that guys tutorial where he used the aviation snip to cup out the bottom, so that's what I'm going to do in the morning after I can wash out the litterbox

  • @Freepepsi42
    @Freepepsi425 ай бұрын

    I use a varition of Number 4 with a third solid tray. I keep the sift in the middle and a solid tray as the actual litter box. I dump the pine pellets into the sifter, sift, and then dump them into the top tray. No slippage, everything get absord.

  • @Joy11009
    @Joy110095 ай бұрын

    I just use a long storage container for my rabbits, I use wood pellets from tractor supplies, I fill it half way, and spot scoop poop and then empty it all in 1-2 weeks. Less hassle for me. I just add alittle dry bedding once a day on top of pellets, so they have something clean to stand on. Different than cats but pellets are awesome. I don’t smell any urine even after 1-2 weeks unless I put my nose next to it lol.

  • @victoriaprumar7775
    @victoriaprumar77757 ай бұрын

    Disculpe por hacer las preguntas en español. En esas bandejas con agujeros, ¿no se les quedan enredadas las unas a los gatos cuando entran a la caja y comienzan a rascar para tapar? Me da la sensación que a los gatos no les gustaría que se les queden enredadas sus garras y no puedan tapar bien. Tengo otra pregunta: ¿Qué hacen ustedes cuando los pellets de madera que han comprado, salen muy duros y en lugar de volverse aserrín fino, se vuelven aserrín en hojuelas? Esto sería normal o los pellets tendrían defecto de calidad?

  • @geniebright4899
    @geniebright4899 Жыл бұрын

    This is wonderful yet it hurts to see so many people using plastic pads and furthermore not composting the sawdust and waste. Why in this day and age when we know how imperative it is for us to cut out plastic waste where we can? It is easy to simply compost and wipe down the bottom tray.

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    Жыл бұрын

    One of the variations I reviewed in my video did not use any pee pads, and composting of the sawdust is always an option in any of the variations

  • @davidwayne9982
    @davidwayne9982 Жыл бұрын

    Is this the REGULAR system-- or the BIG one???

  • @dominiquecruz7503
    @dominiquecruz7503 Жыл бұрын

    So if the whole issue is buying the pellets is too expensive you know you can recharge them right? They are zeolite... Extremely easy to recharge them and pull out all the ammonia and start fresh with them. I mean with how much you're doing to do all this cleaning the pellets from the breeze system shouldn't be too bad. Soak them in salt water for 24 hours, allow to dry in the sun (or if it's not sunny just allow them to dry) then re use

  • @df7316
    @df7316 Жыл бұрын

    The smell is less with the traditional box because there are enough pellets to absorb the urine. If you just put more pellets in the bottom tray, it will absorb more of the odor (I think from what other posters have said)

  • @guitarlearningtoplay

    @guitarlearningtoplay

    Жыл бұрын

    you can’t because more pellets won’t allow the sawdust to drop

  • @crossiscool
    @crossiscool6 ай бұрын

    Just took in a stray. Bought the Breeze box last night. Not liking the pellets it comes with. Hoping kitty likes the pine.

  • @sanabanana78
    @sanabanana782 жыл бұрын

    How long does the box last in your preferred method before you need to change the pee pad?

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    Жыл бұрын

    I have multiple cats in the house and multiple boxes. Some will last a week, others get higher traffic use and would need 2 x a week

  • @KenDiana35
    @KenDiana35 Жыл бұрын

    So all these variations go with the litter box with the hood right?

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    Жыл бұрын

    I have a few of the regular breeze boxes (with the sides and not the hood) and the concept is the same for all.

  • @cherubheart607
    @cherubheart607 Жыл бұрын

    I assume you are scooping the poo several times a day? It seems that would be pretty stinky?

  • @MrMykeable
    @MrMykeable Жыл бұрын

    The All Pine box is really nice, but just wish they'd make improvements/variations on the design: top entry, oval-shape, XL with sides, etc. I have two large Siberians, and they have 2 boxes to choose from. The most heavily trafficked is the oval shaped, top entry box. I imagine it's easy for them to turn around in an oval-shaped box, like when a dog chases it's tail - it must be hard to be confined to a square box. Nevertheless, the All Pine box is where there is so potential for an inventor to make some money. There is little/no litter boxes designed specifically for pine pellet cat litter - it's very unfortunate we all have to create our own ways to use this eco-friendly litter.

  • @cathiestuart3790

    @cathiestuart3790

    11 ай бұрын

    I agree, the pine is eco friendly,

  • @LWCtabby
    @LWCtabby2 жыл бұрын

    Would really like to try that Feline Pine system (Variation 4), but can't find it for sale anywhere. Amazon - not available. Feline Pine website - not available.

  • @faechic888

    @faechic888

    Жыл бұрын

    me too! where the heck do we find it!

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    Жыл бұрын

    Not sure if they're no longer making/selling it? I see they also have a Facebook page - maybe reach out and see what they say facebook.com/allpinelitterbox/

  • @dominiquecruz7503

    @dominiquecruz7503

    Жыл бұрын

    There are tons of different types of sifting litter boxes that work better than that one

  • @davidwayne9982
    @davidwayne9982 Жыл бұрын

    I"m accustomed to changing mine MANY times EVERY DAY-- my 3 boys are picky and they come get me and DEMAND I change it-- before AND after every single use!!! ha. I'd hate to use those pads that often though... :) DO YOU HAVE FuLL SIZED adult cats??

  • @argusfleibeit1165

    @argusfleibeit1165

    11 ай бұрын

    What a nightmare. How did they train you into that involuntary servitude?

  • @tanyapeavoy5885
    @tanyapeavoy58852 жыл бұрын

    I heard that they can't cover their poop as well as clay litter...is that true? and if so do they step in their poop?

  • @RandomAnvil

    @RandomAnvil

    2 жыл бұрын

    I think that's a question about the pellets. It does just sit on top, but I clean any poop daily and I've never had a problem with my cats stepping on it.

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    2 жыл бұрын

    I would say that the poop doesn't get as deeply buried by the pellets compared to clay litter. This is however dependent on the individual cat. Some are more aggressive with their digging compared to others. For cats that have never used pellets before, the digging might take a bit of time to get used to it as the feel would be different on their paws.

  • @benicio1967
    @benicio19674 ай бұрын

    Does anyone have issues with their cat not getting all the way into the litter box? My girl won’t go in far enough and she urinates all on the front of the box and soaks the extra pad I have on the floor. Wondering if there’s anything that might get her all the way in? Early on I placed a pad underneath the front of the box because she has absolutely destroyed my floor. It didn’t seem to help much because she still gets out of the box and scrapes the pad repeatedly and the urine is going everywhere. It’s costing me a fortune to keep replacing the pad nearly every time she urinates. I have four cats and she is the only one who will not get all the way in the box. Oddly enough I don’t seem to have this problem with her when she poops. It is only when she urinates that she hangs her back end over the front of the box and urinates all down the front of the box and completely soaks the pad that catches the pellet dust and the extra pad I’ve now had to place under the box on the floor. Then she gets out of the box and shreds the pad to pieces as she attempts to “clean up her mess“. I honestly don’t know what to do to get her to get all the way in the box to urinate. These pads are very expensive and it’s causing so much unnecessary waste and expense since I’m having to throw them away nearly every time she urinates. I am open to any and all suggestions. Thank you in advance.

  • @amyhoang9140

    @amyhoang9140

    3 ай бұрын

    She could be aiming at the edge where the pellets' margin is. I suggest to try moving the pellets inward toward the middle, leaving the green area of the top tray larger and see if she follows where the pellets ends. Good luck.

  • @marythompson7910
    @marythompson7910 Жыл бұрын

    Pine pellets are goi g through shifter slits

  • @ulaana
    @ulaana Жыл бұрын

    Why do you need the pad?

  • @NYCisland

    @NYCisland

    Жыл бұрын

    To absorb the urine that combines with the pellets. When the pellets are peed on, they break down into a sawdust type of material and fall through the slots. The pad underneath the slots holds this urine soaked sawdust. Having the pee pad underneath makes it much easier to clean, otherwise you have to wash the bottom tray/pan.

  • @munirasultana2313
    @munirasultana2313 Жыл бұрын

    Great info 👌 A new Subscriber here 👍

  • @stjholmes1
    @stjholmes1 Жыл бұрын

    I use the purina breeze box and I don't buy any other bottoms. I just use the pee pad under the green strainer part and the pee pad collects the pee and sawdust. I don't have any smell. I use the pine pellets and everything works great. I don't use the pads that the system came with I use a large puppy pad and that ensures no mess on the sides of my box. I don't understand the issues your having.

  • @TrueNorth1217

    @TrueNorth1217

    Жыл бұрын

    How often do you have to empty out/change the bottom pee pads?

  • @ombikia

    @ombikia

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm curious how often you have to empty it too. Also, how much room does that leave for the sawdust to collect?

  • @amel2784
    @amel2784 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your review; however, it makes me gag when people touch used (vs. new and unused) cat litter boxes with their hands. I also can't abide the thought of hooking a dirty scoop on the side of the box where it leaves bacteria and crude both on the box and the scoop out in the open to come in contact with. And, if you said, I never heard....why is it you can't use the Breeze system as its created?

  • @dominiquecruz7503

    @dominiquecruz7503

    Жыл бұрын

    Bc the pellets arent cheap But you can recharge yhem

  • @brigitteaguirre9736
    @brigitteaguirre97364 ай бұрын

    The texture of this type of litter is too hard for their little paws 😢which are very delicate to any uncomfortable surface, I’ve just found out the right one has to be closer to sand texture.

  • @cheesecheese8701
    @cheesecheese8701 Жыл бұрын

    U need a different cat litter box and add more pellets that’s way it’s very saturated and u really don’t need the pee pads if u DIY cat litter box the right way.

  • @sparhawkable
    @sparhawkable Жыл бұрын

    My older cat will urinate in the pellets but refuses to defecate in the box. I have tried a mix of pellets and litter ..she still will not use that box!🙁

  • @birchpointsiberians

    @birchpointsiberians

    Жыл бұрын

    The older cats are more challenging to get them to switch over. At one point I put a bit of their feces from the regular box in the pine pellet box to help let them know it's the place to go. Hopefully your girl gets the hang of it soon!

  • @karengarson5715
    @karengarson571510 ай бұрын

    I have founds that "Pretty Litter" is The Best Litter made. This is NO SMELL litter. Just scoop out the 💩 and stir up the raining litter to allow it to dry.

  • @thetaz3910
    @thetaz3910 Жыл бұрын

    Why are you not wearing gloves??

  • @NYCisland

    @NYCisland

    Жыл бұрын

    Personal preference, you're free to wear gloves. I don't wear gloves when cleaning the box because I wash my hands right away afterwards. And it's one more thing to dispose of - the gloves.

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