My new cat stinks in every way possible!

[AHP84]

I adopted the absolute sweetest and most loving cat last month from the local animal shelter. My family and I love him to death, especially my two boys, ages 7 and 22 months. He's an orange and white male tabby, and I've been told he's probably half, or at least part, mang coon because he has six toes on each foot and he's about 20 lbs, or close to it, I'd guess.
But there is one thing about him that is just horrible. He STINKS.
We didn't really notice it until about a week into living with him--probably because we gave him a bath the first night I brought him home because he smelled terrible, but I attributed that to being at the shelter for I don't know how long and then spending a night at the vet to get neutered. After the bath, he smelled wonderful for another week.
However, I think the main issue of his stench source is his poop. Oh. my. gosh.
His poop!
I'm seriously in awe that the paint on the walls is not peeling off yet or my birds, who reside in the room with the litter box (which is unfortunately our living room because we have a tiny house with no basement or outdoor-type room attached, so the only place to put the litter box is in our living room), have not keeled over and died from the noxious cat poop vapors that permiate every fiber of that room when he dumps a load.
It's not that none of us can't take a mild odor of a litter box--we have another cat (female and about half the size of the new cat) who has never once come close to smelling this bad.
I've tried looking online for solutions, or maybe a problem with the cat, only to find advice on two issues: either change the food (in which most complaints came from people who fed their cats cheap food with meat by-products and corn, canned wet food, fish, and/or gave their cat milk), or change the litter brand and clean the litter box twice or more a week. Well, our cats eat dry cat food (turkey and chicken for sensitive stomachs) with no meat by-products or corn ingredients, no fish, no wet food, and we don't give them milk.
We have a covered litter box that we clean every other day now that we have the new cat because his stink is enough to make you literally gag once he uses the litter box. And when we clean the litter box, I don't mean that we scoop it out and keep the old litter--no, every time we clean it, it's a complete dump of the litter and replaced with new litter because the used litter is actually ruined from his stink and does not cover up his odor at all. So every two days--new litter. It's the clay, non-clumping litter that I've decided to go with because the clumping litter costs more and yes, we tried the clumping litter for multiple cats that's got the baking soda in it and whatnot--and found it covers the odor no better or worse than the cheaper clay litter.
He is attempting to bury his waste after going, but he's SO big that he barely fits in the litter box, so he does his business, then comes out, then only gets back into the litter box with his front half to bury his stuff with his front feet. In doing this, he makes a mess of nasty litter outside the litter box because then the door flap isn't keeping the litter from being flung out since he's standing under it. We are using the biggest litter box I could find, and he still barely fits in it.
Now, I've noticed after he uses the litter box that his stench is so unbelieveably, overwhelmingly strong that it's like it's "stuck" on him. His feet smell like his poop, and he's NOT stepping in it, I'm pretty sure. Then he wants to crawl in our laps for cuddles or curl up in our bed. I have honestly nearly barfed many times from his poopy smell being so overpowering once he gets close to me.
He seems 100% healthy--I mean, upon adopting him and having him go to the vet for neutering, he had a wellness exam and all his shots and de-worming. He has an appetite that's as big as he is and he drinks probably 12 ounces of water a day, so there is nothing about him that appears unhealthy that I can tell. He seems very happy in his new home.
I just don't know what to do about the smell! I'm desperate for some kind of solution. Is this just a male cat thing? I had a male cat years ago, and a few cats between then and now (all female), and I've NEVER smelled a stench from a cat like what comes from this guy--not even from any cat that a friend or family member owns.
Did I just get "lucky" enough to get the world's sweetest and best cat, with his one downside being comparable with a skunk's stench?

[blondie440]

Late to the party, but for a giant cat that won't fit even in the super-sized litter boxes, buy a cheap sterlite "tucker tote" and cut a big square out of the front. The size will let them fit and turn around, and the hight sides will keep the litter in from vigorous digging. You could also put the lid on, and then it would be closed but still have room for Gigantor to do their business.

[opus88]

good for you for rescuing Floyd from this horrible existence....are you asking why his poop is so smelly?
is he eating canned fish by any chance? that can produce very smelly poops. also since he is male I would have a Vet examine his anal glands..they can become plugged(impacted) and need to be expressed manually....this is just a slight procedure but I strongly recommend it be done by a Vet, smelly poops are a very good indication of this....

http://www.medicinenet.com/pets/cat-health/anal_sac_problems_in_cats.htm

[cancer88]

hope your cat is doing well i just got a cat 1 year ago ,it said on his pappers that he was a tabby cat male but 3 people told me he was a main coon because they have a m on there forhead!  but my cat has the sam problem as you,i have tryed every thing you have too and hes a male named floyd 3 years old,he crys for food all the time i have some helth isuess and i have a self feeder in case im in hospital! and he likes wet food he crys for it and my other cat is the same age 3 tabby cat,and eats treats,floyd dont and other cat likes only kitten chow thats in self feeder! wow floyds poop stinks i got to cover my face with a blanket, because its so bad and they are in the next room ,where there litter boxes are,im lost dont know what to do and hes about 20 lbs he was in a house with 72 other cats i was told when i got him at the shelter! if you are any one can help im open 2 try new things but i did alot,at first i thought he was eatin fast because he was in a house with 72 other cats and they all looked alike at the shelter big and hairy and gray! the lady left them in a house and the where not found for months before i adoped him alot passed away most:( thanks for reading this!

[qatperson615]

All these comments are great. Definitely have a stool sample taken in to check for parasites. One more thought, try having him checked for diabetes if he reallly is drinking alot of water.

[opus88]

I have two other thoughts you should try.....first of all plastic absorbs odor maybe buy a new box OR scrub the one you have real good with soap and water solution (never bleach or anything harsh)....than sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the bottom before you add fresh litter.
are you completely changing the litter every few weeks...dump out the old and adding new?
I do this this every month and rotate boxes so I always have 2 clean and fresh and the 2 in use(2cats)....

[opus88]

well I'm not familiar with that brand however it does have turkey as the top ingredient and not a by-product. and oats is the only grain I see listed. there are some things like dried beet pulp and dried eggs that maynot be beneficial. also the poultry fat.
It wouldn't hurt to try another grain free brand that isn't poultry...they aren't easy to come by b/c most foods have poultry or poultry base to them, and thats why many cats become sensitive to this overtime. there could be just one ingredient in that brand that is upsetting his gut...??

I will give you a site, read on the right hand side under 'commercial can foods' and this Vet lists all the good/best brands out there, she is very knowledgeable about nutrition.

www.catinfo.org

sorry I really don't have other suggestions for you. since its a digestive issue its likely either the food or a parasite, since its wasn't the anal glands those two are the only other alternatives that I can think of.....