Re: Question #4: Litter
I use natural litters only now. I like Cedarific, Feline Fresh, World's Best, and Swheat Scoop. The only non-clumping one I use is Cedarific, the rest are all clumping. I have one cat that prefers non clumping. I use it for all my boxes when I am busy, as it's VERY cheap, and I just change the whole box every 3 days, and do NOT scoop at all for the 3 days. Much easier than scooping daily as must be done with the scoopables or they become one big clump that breaks up and then ruins the entire box. Phaewryn Please adopt a cat from Little Cheetah Cat Rescue!!! http://ucat.us/adopt.html Low cost SpayNeuter services in VT, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners:http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.htmlSpecial Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html The Sofa Poem: http://ucat.us/sofapoem.html Please shop online through i-give and support the Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program:http://www.igive.com/FVEAP Shop at GREAT stores, like Drs. Foster Smith, Pet Food Direct, Musician's Friend, and LOTS more!It doesn't cost you a single penny more, and it makes so much difference to a sick cat in need! No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.6/428 - Release Date: 8/25/2006
Re: OT: Re: Question #4: Litter
There's a product you spray (like spray paint) on the inside of your newly cleaned and DRY cat pans that keeps the clumping litters from sticking. It's a GREAT product, though I recommend spraying it OUTSIDE or with a window fan pulling the air out, as it takes a LOT to cover the inside of several boxes. It's called Stink Free Instantly: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1776 You just spray it on until it's got a nice white powdery coating on the entire inside of the pan, use extra in the corners. (it helps to have tan or beige colored boxes so you can see the coverage more) Phaewryn Please adopt a cat from Little Cheetah Cat Rescue!!! http://ucat.us/adopt.html Low cost SpayNeuter services in VT, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners:http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.htmlSpecial Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html The Sofa Poem: http://ucat.us/sofapoem.html Please shop online through i-give and support the Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program:http://www.igive.com/FVEAP Shop at GREAT stores, like Drs. Foster Smith, Pet Food Direct, Musician's Friend, and LOTS more!It doesn't cost you a single penny more, and it makes so much difference to a sick cat in need! No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.6/428 - Release Date: 8/25/2006
Question #4: Litter
OK...here's another one! :) What kind of litter do you all think is best? I don't mean brand necessarily, but...should I be using a clay or a crystal (expensive!)...or should I go with something natural like wheat or corn or cedar? I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of the dust that comes with clay. But I do appreciate the clumping factor and the odor elimination. I've done a little research on clay and it sounds like the debate about it's negative effects is pretty heated...with experts on both sides. I don't want to take the whole "natural/holistic" thing too far if it's not necessary (and my budget's already starting to stretch a bit thin, so I gotta be careful there, too). But if clay really could be harmful to Slinky, I don't want to use it.What are your thoughts? What do you use? My natural pet food store owner has several natural litters...but said she has to use a clay because it's the only thing her cats will use. Please advise! THANKS!!!MJ Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail Beta.
Re: Question #4: Litter
an awful lot depends on what litter you cat will USE--cats have a lot to say on this issue, regardless of what their humans research might show! i've found, here, that a lot has to do with the number of cats, too--there are great litters that are just not suited to use by a lot of cats at once personally, i couldn't live without clumping litter--i use clay when i have kittens, and absolutely cannot stand it. On 8/21/06, Marissa Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: OK...here's another one! :) What kind of litter do you all think is best? I don't mean brand necessarily, but...should I be using a clay or a crystal (expensive!)...or should I go with something natural like wheat or corn or cedar? I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of the dust that comes with clay. But I do appreciate the clumping factor and the odor elimination. I've done a little research on clay and it sounds like the debate about it's negative effects is pretty heated...with experts on both sides. I don't want to take the whole natural/holistic thing too far if it's not necessary (and my budget's already starting to stretch a bit thin, so I gotta be careful there, too). But if clay really could be harmful to Slinky, I don't want to use it. What are your thoughts? What do you use? My natural pet food store owner has several natural litters...but said she has to use a clay because it's the only thing her cats will use. Please advise! THANKS!!! MJ Do you Yahoo!?Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail Beta. -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors!Maybe That'll Make The DifferenceMaryChristineAIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCatsMSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]ICQ: 289856892
OT: Re: Question #4: Litter
We had a discussion here recently on litter. Someone had info. that clumping clay can actually collect in the stomach and clump, just as it clumps in the box with moisture, which of course can cause problems. (This can happen via grooming). So I JUST switched a couple of weeks ago to Sweatscoop, a wheat clumping litter. It's all natural. It is not as good as FreshStep as far as clumping goes, but it does clump some. Doesn't have the dust of the clumping litter and naturally eliminates the ammonia odor. As long as you scoop the box daily, it is a good litter, imo. A few people complained about weevils, or some type of insect getting into the litter, but I wasn't sure if they meant in the bag or in the litter box. I haven't seen any creatures just yet. The kitties are using it just fine; I didn't even gradually switch the litters. I just put the new litter in the empty box, and they have been using it just fine. I paid $20 for a 40 lb. bag (they didn't carry anything smaller at Petsmart) that I've used about 2/3 of in two boxes for a couple of weeks. So financially, it's about the same, give or take, as the FreshStep. I don't think I'll ever use anything that doesn't clump ever again. :) Wendy __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: OT: Re: Question #4: Litter
Wendy, You may want to switch to World's Best Kitty Litter. I used to use Swheat Scoop and the clumps would harden into cement - especially with corner pee-ers. The WBKL is corn based and does not produce the problems I had with Swheat Scoop. My boys have 2 boxes; the one in the bathroom has the WBKL and the one in the bedroom has Feline Pine. They use the FP box (almost) exclusively to tinkle. I know mention has been made of wood oils (pine, cedar etc) in litter, but themainproblem with themis for animals using it as bedding, not exclusively as litter.wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We had a discussion here recently on litter. Someonehad info. that clumping clay can actually collect inthe stomach and clump, just as it clumps in the boxwith moisture, which of course can cause problems. (This can happen via grooming). So I JUST switched acouple of weeks ago to Sweatscoop, a wheat clumpinglitter. It's all natural. It is not as good asFreshStep as far as clumping goes, but it does clumpsome. Doesn't have the dust of the clumping litterand naturally eliminates the ammonia odor. As longas you scoop the box daily, it is a good litter, imo. A few people complained about weevils, or some type ofinsect getting into the litter, but I wasn't sure ifthey meant in the bag or in the litter box. I haven'tseen any creatures just yet. The kitties are using itjust fine; I didn't even gradually switch the litters.I just put the new litter in the empty box, and theyhave been using it just fine. I paid $20 for a 40 lb.bag (they didn't carry anything smaller at Petsmart)that I've used about 2/3 of in two boxes for a coupleof weeks. So financially, it's about the same, giveor take, as the FreshStep. I don't think I'll everuse anything that doesn't clump ever again.:)Wendy__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito"My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile."- Anonymous Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail.
Re: OT: Re: Question #4: Litter
Thanks Barb. Next time I go to Petsmart, I will pick up some if they carry it there. I do have corner pee'ers. One thing that has bothered me a bit is that it doesn't clump together as well as the clay, so when scooping, it falls apart some and wet wheat gets into the dry. But it's not too bad. I also saw some cool litter that automatically turns pink if kitty has something going on with their urine (URI). I thought that was way cool, but it was also way expensive. :) Wendy --- Barb Moermond [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Wendy, You may want to switch to World's Best Kitty Litter. I used to use Swheat Scoop and the clumps would harden into cement - especially with corner pee-ers. The WBKL is corn based and does not produce the problems I had with Swheat Scoop. My boys have 2 boxes; the one in the bathroom has the WBKL and the one in the bedroom has Feline Pine. They use the FP box (almost) exclusively to tinkle. I know mention has been made of wood oils (pine, cedar etc) in litter, but the main problem with them is for animals using it as bedding, not exclusively as litter. wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We had a discussion here recently on litter. Someone had info. that clumping clay can actually collect in the stomach and clump, just as it clumps in the box with moisture, which of course can cause problems. (This can happen via grooming). So I JUST switched a couple of weeks ago to Sweatscoop, a wheat clumping litter. It's all natural. It is not as good as FreshStep as far as clumping goes, but it does clump some. Doesn't have the dust of the clumping litter and naturally eliminates the ammonia odor. As long as you scoop the box daily, it is a good litter, imo. A few people complained about weevils, or some type of insect getting into the litter, but I wasn't sure if they meant in the bag or in the litter box. I haven't seen any creatures just yet. The kitties are using it just fine; I didn't even gradually switch the litters. I just put the new litter in the empty box, and they have been using it just fine. I paid $20 for a 40 lb. bag (they didn't carry anything smaller at Petsmart) that I've used about 2/3 of in two boxes for a couple of weeks. So financially, it's about the same, give or take, as the FreshStep. I don't think I'll ever use anything that doesn't clump ever again. :) Wendy __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile. - Anonymous - Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail. __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: OT: Re: Question #4: Litter
yeah, the clumps aren't as glued together as with the clay clumping, but odor control is fine (they have original and multiple cat formulas) and it's completely biodegradable - I live in an apartment, so I LOVE being able to flush everything! OK, I don't flush the FP, but that just falls apart into sawdust so it's no biggie to clean that box.wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks Barb. Next time I go to Petsmart, I will pickup some if they carry it there. I do have cornerpee'ers. One thing that has bothered me a bit is thatit doesn't clump together as well as the clay, so whenscooping, it falls apart some and wet wheat gets intothe dry. But it's not too bad. I also saw some coollitter that automatically turns pink if kitty hassomething going on with their urine (URI). I thoughtthat was way cool, but it was also way expensive. :)Wendy--- Barb Moermond <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: Wendy, You may want to switch to World's Best Kitty Litter. I used to use Swheat Scoop and the clumps would harden into cement - especially with corner pee-ers. The WBKL is corn based and does not produce the problems I had with Swheat Scoop. My boys have 2 boxes; the one in the bathroom has the WBKL and the one in the bedroom has Feline Pine. They use the FP box (almost) exclusively to tinkle. I know mention has been made of wood oils (pine, cedar etc) in litter, but the main problem with them is for animals using it as bedding, not exclusively as litter. wendy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: We had a discussion here recently on litter. Someone had info. that clumping clay can actually collect in the stomach and clump, just as it clumps in the box with moisture, which of course can cause problems. (This can happen via grooming). So I JUST switched a couple of weeks ago to Sweatscoop, a wheat clumping litter. It's all natural. It is not as good as FreshStep as far as clumping goes, but it does clump some. Doesn't have the dust of the clumping litter and naturally eliminates the ammonia odor. As long as you scoop the box daily, it is a good litter, imo. A few people complained about weevils, or some type of insect getting into the litter, but I wasn't sure if they meant in the bag or in the litter box. I haven't seen any creatures just yet. The kitties are using it just fine; I didn't even gradually switch the litters. I just put the new litter in the empty box, and they have been using it just fine. I paid $20 for a 40 lb. bag (they didn't carry anything smaller at Petsmart) that I've used about 2/3 of in two boxes for a couple of weeks. So financially, it's about the same, give or take, as the FreshStep. I don't think I'll ever use anything that doesn't clump ever again. :) Wendy __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito "My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile." - Anonymous - Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo!Mail.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito"My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile."- Anonymous Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail.
Re: OT: Re: Question #4: Litter
world's best is NOT good for a large number of cats, tho--we tried it at the sanctuary, and with my brood, and once it gets the urine odor, it never goes away. great for one or two cats, tho! i'm using the sweatscoop right now with my adolescents; it's nowhere near as dusty as it was when it first came out, but i'm not sure that it's any better other than that this group of fluffies have some undiagnosable intestinal problem, and i figured an organically-based litter couldn't hurt On 8/21/06, Barb Moermond [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: yeah, the clumps aren't as glued together as with the clay clumping, but odor control is fine (they have original and multiple cat formulas) and it's completely biodegradable - I live in an apartment, so I LOVE being able to flush everything! OK, I don't flush the FP, but that just falls apart into sawdust so it's no biggie to clean that box. wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks Barb. Next time I go to Petsmart, I will pickup some if they carry it there. I do have cornerpee'ers. One thing that has bothered me a bit is thatit doesn't clump together as well as the clay, so when scooping, it falls apart some and wet wheat gets intothe dry. But it's not too bad. I also saw some coollitter that automatically turns pink if kitty hassomething going on with their urine (URI). I thought that was way cool, but it was also way expensive. :)Wendy --- Barb Moermond wrote: Wendy, You may want to switch to World's Best Kitty Litter. I used to use Swheat Scoop and the clumps would harden into cement - especially with corner pee-ers. The WBKL is corn based and does not produce the problems I had with Swheat Scoop. My boys have 2 boxes; the one in the bathroom has the WBKL and the one in the bedroom has Feline Pine. They use the FP box (almost) exclusively to tinkle. I know mention has been made of wood oils (pine, cedar etc) in litter, but the main problem with them is for animals using it as bedding, not exclusively as litter. wendy wrote: We had a discussion here recently on litter. Someone had info. that clumping clay can actually collect in the stomach and clump, just as it clumps in the box with moisture, which of course can cause problems. (This can happen via grooming). So I JUST switched a couple of weeks ago to Sweatscoop, a wheat clumping litter. It's all natural. It is not as good as FreshStep as far as clumping goes, but it does clump some. Doesn't have the dust of the clumping litter and naturally eliminates the ammonia odor. As long as you scoop the box daily, it is a good litter, imo. A few people complained about weevils, or some type of insect getting into the litter, but I wasn't sure if they meant in the bag or in the litter box. I haven't seen any creatures just yet. The kitties are using it just fine; I didn't even gradually switch the litters. I just put the new litter in the empty box, and they have been using it just fine. I paid $20 for a 40 lb. bag (they didn't carry anything smaller at Petsmart) that I've used about 2/3 of in two boxes for a couple of weeks. So financially, it's about the same, give or take, as the FreshStep. I don't think I'll ever use anything that doesn't clump ever again. :) Wendy __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile. - Anonymous - Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo!Mail.__ Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito MalitoMy cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile. - Anonymous Do you Yahoo!?Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail. -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors!Maybe That'll Make The DifferenceMaryChristineAIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCatsMSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]ICQ: 289856892
Re: Question #4: Litter
I'm sure you'll get a lot of different answers to this one - but I simply cannot abide scoopable liter. To me the smell is reprehensible and I just do not want to dig in the poo all the time. On the other hand - I know people who wouldn't use anything else. I like (and the kids like) just the plain clay type litter...maybe add some baking soda. I sometimes buy Tidy Cats for Multiple cats. I use liter box liners to make changing a breeze and use the large litter boxes with lids. (we go through over 80lbs of litter a week). People say you would never know I had eight cats in the house because you just don't smell it. Use what works best for you and your baby, elizabeth *Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.* -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 2:05 PM Subject: Question #4: Litter OK...here's another one! :) What kind of litter do you all think is best? I don't mean brand necessarily, but...should I be using a clay or a crystal (expensive!)...or should I go with something natural like wheat or corn or cedar? I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of the dust that comes with clay. But I do appreciate the clumping factor and the odor elimination. I've done a little research on clay and it sounds like the debate about it's negative effects is pretty heated...with experts on both sides. I don't want to take the whole "natural/holistic" thing too far if it's not necessary (and my budget's already starting to stretch a bit thin, so I gotta be careful there, too). But if clay really could be harmful to Slinky, I don't want to use it. What are your thoughts? What do you use? My natural pet food store owner has several natural litters...but said she has to use a clay because it's the only thing her cats will use. Please advise! THANKS!!! MJ Do you Yahoo!? Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail Beta. Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free.
Re: OT: Re: Question #4: Litter
I've been wanting to switch from the clumping but I couldn't decide which to use. I'm going to give the Sweatscoop a try and I'll let you all know what my kitties think. I'm going to go ahead and mix it in to start.Ginawendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We had a discussion here recently on litter. Someonehad info. that clumping clay can actually collect inthe stomach and clump, just as it clumps in the boxwith moisture, which of course can cause problems. (This can happen via grooming). So I JUST switched acouple of weeks ago to Sweatscoop, a wheat clumpinglitter. It's all natural. It is not as good asFreshStep as far as clumping goes, but it does clumpsome. Doesn't have the dust of the clumping litterand naturally eliminates the ammonia odor. As longas you scoop the box daily, it is a good litter, imo. A few people complained about weevils, or some type ofinsect getting into the litter, but I wasn't sure ifthey meant in the bag or in the litter box. I haven'tseen any creatures just yet. The kitties are using itjust fine; I didn't even gradually switch the litters. I just put the new litter in the empty box, and theyhave been using it just fine. I paid $20 for a 40 lb.bag (they didn't carry anything smaller at Petsmart)that I've used about 2/3 of in two boxes for a coupleof weeks. So financially, it's about the same, giveor take, as the FreshStep. I don't think I'll everuse anything that doesn't clump ever again.:)Wendy__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Please visitmy Tigger Tales site! At the bottom of the home and links pages aremy merchant affiliate banners. If anyone uses my links to make a purchase, I will receive a percentage of all final sales.I am going to donate100% ofthe proceeds to animal welfare organizations.This is a great way to shop your favorite online pet stores and give something to a worthy cause. Thank you in advance! Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1ยข/min.
