Our new cat really stinks when it uses the litterbox?

First of all, get clumping litter, so you dont have to empty the whole thing every time. Also, you should be cleaning the litter box every other day. With two cats using the litter box it is going to stink more than usual. Finally, it could be the food you feed your cats. Once, we changed the brand of food we were using, and it upset my cat's stomach and his poop smelled really bad. Your new cat could just be having a bad reaction to the cat food, or it could just be that since there is double the cats using the litter box, the stink is double.

I know what you are going through. My cats poop never smells, but I helped a friend adopt some kittens and their mom, 3 cats total. Their poop and pea smelled so bad I almost threw up a couple times. It is 100% caused by what they are eating. Also, if they are new to your home and use to eating other food, the switch in food can cause their stomachs to be upset, which could be the reason. How long have they been eating the same food as your older cat? It might take some time to get into their system before the smell goes away. I don't think it is any kind of disease. I think it has something to do with them being a stray. Also, maybe the stress of a new home as well. Look at your local pet store, examine the different brands of food. I recommend nutro for kittens, the dry kind. It has all kinds of health benefits. There is also science diet and several others. Read the labels in the front and look for any that help with bacteria or are packed with vitamins, because basically what is causing the smell is most likely the presence of some sort of bacteria. Most good cat foods will eliminate an abundance of bacteria in your cats digestive system. Call you vet and ask them what they recommend. It is definitely not the litter by the way, it is the cat. Just clean the litter immediately after they poop, I know that sucks, just wear a mask or hold your breath. But it is the food they are eating totally. Also, make sure they are drinking enough water, that cleans out their systems too. I know how puzzling it is when one cat has no smell at all and another smells like the worst thing in the world! It can be so confusing. Your vet will have the answer to this, call today and leave a message or call first thing in the morning.

Concentrate on what goes in, rather than on what is in your litter box. That's key.

Cats are individuals - one cat can eat brand x and be just fine. The other won't do as well on it. This happens even with the best of foods.

Cats can also suffer digestive upsets if their diet is changed suddenly. You had no choice in this matter, so if it's only been a few days or a week or so, you may just need to give it more time.

If you haven't already taken him to the vet, I recommend you do so. Take along a stool sample. A fecal analysis can be done and if there's any problems your vet will find them.

But if he gets a clean bill of health, then it's time to look into changing his diet.

From my blog:

Digestive upsets can take more than one form and of course may have more than one cause.

One symptom is vomiting and the other is loose stool or diarrhea. And then there's farting.

Diarrhea is much more serious and a cat suffering from it should always be checked by a vet asap.

In cases of loose stool, a sample should be taken to the vet to rule out any parasites or conditions. Assuming there is none, then you have to look to the diet.

Ditto for vomiting. Excessive hairballs can often be dealt with by daily grooming. I'm not a big fan of supplementing for hairballs - I think the cause should be dealt with not just the symptoms. And I would never feed a hairball control food for the same reason, and because excess fiber isn't necessarily a good thing. UPDATE: My vet mentioned that fish oil may be of help with hairballs. I forget why, but I think she said it helps break them down, or aids in their digestion....either way, it's a good thing to add to the diet as it will also help skin and coat. It has an anti-inflammatory effect which may aid digestion as well.

But once you've ruled out diseases or parasites, the most likely culprit is diet. Crappy foods contain ingredients that many cats are unable to tolerate. But even some very good foods can disagree with a cat, either "just because" or perhaps because they've been switched to it too quickly. Or perhaps a particular protein source disagrees with the cat. UPDATE: My vet recommends the use of digestive enzymes when feeding foods that are higher in carbs. This will help the cat to digest them properly. They're not as necessary if you're feeding grainless foods.

Again, the solution in most cases is going to be to switch to another, perhaps better food. It does have to be done slowly, and you may have to try more than one food, but the results are worth it.

If it seems that you've tried every possible food and have been very patient in switching the cat to the new food, you might consider supplements. These include slippery elm or probiotics. I personally suggest Jarrow's Pet-Dophilus as a good probiotic. UPDATE: When you begin pro-b's, you may not notice an immediate improvement. Poppy actually got gas when I started her on them. My vet's recommendation is to not give them everyday - perhaps 2-3 times per week or every other day. Also, once you've finished a bottle, buy another brand. Variety is good here. And don't buy pro-b's for humans. It's not bad, it's just not the right stuff for them.

Slippery Elm can be used (if you know what you're doing) for constipation, diarrhea and loose stool - it's sovereign, in or out, and is not harmful - although it should not be given at the same time as any other medications because it tends to dilute their effects. It's considered to be a demulcent which affects water balance in the digestive system.

first of all, buy clumping litter and scoop that at least once a day

second, pour about a tablespoon of baking powder per pound of liter on top of the litter. the cat will stir it in when s/he digs, and it will help with the odor

third, some foods give cats gas. try switching cat food brands

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if you can't use clumping litter you can still scoop the feces out.

best of luck

this could no longer be lots of a efficient answer because it's going to be extra of a "I sympathize with you" submit. I even have 5 often indoor/occassionally exterior cats as nicely. I even have a female who isn't fixed and is in warmth. She's stepping into quickly to be spayed. besides, even my superb muddle field making use of cats started making use of any avaliable rug/countertop/floor/range as a muddle field, particularly of their genuine muddle tray. i ultimately found out that the heady scent my female cat has whilst in warmth upsets my different cats who're fixed and have not have been given any want to mate. Even my fixed women will spray now and mark their territory. My in many cases doscile older female cat (fixed) has now taken to attacking the non-fixed cat. in simple terms such as you pronounced, i do no longer know who's doing this, they do it while i'm in yet another room or long gone or asleep. i think of i know who the wrongdoer may well be, yet in simple terms as i'm initiating to think of i'm advantageous, i will see yet another potental criminal in the section and then i'm no longer so advantageous. i've got tried alot of issues. I even have the Hartz "stay Off preparation help" spray this is meant to maintain cats far flung from pick factors. i've got been putting that for the time of the final time-honored place that my cats have grimy, regardless of if it must be utilized on a daily basis in some circumstances better than as quickly as an afternoon and w/ 4 young babies and 5 cats, I in some circumstances overlook. the only concern i will propose that i've got no longer tried yet, is a pheromone spray which you may purchase on the vet. this is meant to help the cat cool down and not soil factors that have that heady scent. Sorry I wasn't extra help, yet a variety of of success to ya.

You don't have to change the litter you can just use a scooper ( http://www.catinfo.org/Litter%20Scoop.jpg ) best of luck.