Comments on: Getting Down and Dirty with Cat Litter http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348 Essential news for cats, dogs and pet owners. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:22:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: ILM of Willow http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-261684 ILM of Willow Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:29:18 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-261684 My #1 fav litter is Cat Country. It's made from organic western red winter wheat grass fibers. Made into pellets; it's all natural and free of perfumes, chemicals, and polymers found in clay/clumping litters. The grass in the pellets bonds with the nitrogen to eliminate ammonia; IMO the best odor control in litter ever. Did I mention it's compostable? Only a few cons - it's expensive, hard to find at retailers(but you can order it online), and 1 of my 2 cats won't poo in it. My #1 fav litter is Cat Country. It’s made from organic western red winter wheat grass fibers. Made into pellets; it’s all natural and free of perfumes, chemicals, and polymers found in clay/clumping litters. The grass in the pellets bonds with the nitrogen to eliminate ammonia; IMO the best odor control in litter ever. Did I mention it’s compostable?
Only a few cons - it’s expensive, hard to find at retailers(but you can order it online), and 1 of my 2 cats won’t poo in it.

]]> By: ILM of Willow http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-261680 ILM of Willow Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:05:43 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-261680 I just called CS for Swheat Scoop (my 2nd fav litter). I was told that there are no pesticides/mold retardants in the litter. The litter is made from non-organic, non- GMO, non-food grade wheat "that could go in your loaf of bread" . It's sustainable,biodegradable, has no silica dust, sodium bentonite, or chemicals. It does have protein in it which cats/dogs might want to eat. Also wheat can be an allergen for cats/humans.Target has it cheapest (where I live) at .73/lb. I just called CS for Swheat Scoop (my 2nd fav litter). I was told that there are no pesticides/mold retardants in the litter. The litter is made from non-organic, non- GMO, non-food grade wheat “that could go in your loaf of bread” . It’s sustainable,biodegradable, has no silica dust, sodium bentonite, or chemicals. It does have protein in it which cats/dogs might want to eat. Also wheat can be an allergen for cats/humans.Target has it cheapest (where I live) at .73/lb.

]]> By: tj http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-251514 tj Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:29:30 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-251514 To Poppy's mom. I have 2 dogs, one is weird about going to the cat box smell when it's used. He stopped doing this with the litter I mentioned. It just doesn't remind me or apparently him of the smell it had prior. I also use a cat litter box with high sides and a cover to avoid spills and to keep the dogs out. Try one of those that allow only the cats to enter and exit it instead. To Poppy’s mom. I have 2 dogs, one is weird about going to the cat box smell when it’s used. He stopped doing this with the litter I mentioned. It just doesn’t remind me or apparently him of the smell it had prior. I also use a cat litter box with high sides and a cover to avoid spills and to keep the dogs out. Try one of those that allow only the cats to enter and exit it instead.

]]> By: tj http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-251513 tj Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:25:59 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-251513 Nothing could beat Arm and Hammer Essentials. NO dust , very low tracking, very fresh smell. Even seems to smell more like the litter when used(not a clay, not a heavy clumping type , just enough to coat the matter the cat has left in there) and is just pleasant from filling the box to scooping out. I only wish that it were in a bigger size than the bag it comes in,but you don't need to use as much each time.It's easy to clean up also. My cats (I have 2) love it. They didn't hesitate to use it and I don't see any clumps or excess on their paw pads as I sometimes noticed before with other litters. I've tried a bunch and won't go use another now.This is at Target here for sure(where I found it at first time) and is acceptably priced.It's light weight and has baking soda in the corn fibers it's made of. Nothing works better. I hope the sale of this continues as I am done searching for a good litter to use,this is it.It's the best. Nothing could beat Arm and Hammer Essentials. NO dust , very low tracking, very fresh smell. Even seems to smell more like the litter when used(not a clay, not a heavy clumping type , just enough to coat the matter the cat has left in there) and is just pleasant from filling the box to scooping out. I only wish that it were in a bigger size than the bag it comes in,but you don’t need to use as much each time.It’s easy to clean up also. My cats (I have 2) love it. They didn’t hesitate to use it and I don’t see any clumps or excess on their paw pads as I sometimes noticed before with other litters.

I’ve tried a bunch and won’t go use another now.This is at Target here for sure(where I found it at first time) and is acceptably priced.It’s light weight and has baking soda in the corn fibers it’s made of. Nothing works better. I hope the sale of this continues as I am done searching for a good litter to use,this is it.It’s the best.

]]> By: Poppy's Mom http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-249369 Poppy's Mom Mon, 18 May 2009 07:47:47 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-249369 Does anyone have any advice regarding safety for dogs who like to eat Kittie Rocha? My mini schnauzer, Poppy loves it, yuck! I should change her name to Poopy. I have tried baricades, etc...to no avail. So I am forced to find something safe for Poppy to ingest but something that my 4 cats and I will like too. I have been using Worlds Best corn litter, figuring it will be safe for Poppy to eat but it tracks so much and even though I buy the multi cat formula, the clumps still break up leaving urine granuals that then get tracked around too. Thanks Does anyone have any advice regarding safety for dogs who like to eat Kittie Rocha? My mini schnauzer, Poppy loves it, yuck! I should change her name to Poopy. I have tried baricades, etc…to no avail. So I am forced to find something safe for Poppy to ingest but something that my 4 cats and I will like too. I have been using Worlds Best corn litter, figuring it will be safe for Poppy to eat but it tracks so much and even though I buy the multi cat formula, the clumps still break up leaving urine granuals that then get tracked around too. Thanks

]]> By: Azure http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-244358 Azure Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:05:08 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-244358 Maria, I know you wrote this a while ago, so I hope you see this response! I had the EXACT same experience as you with Tidy Cat Scoop. I used to love their product, until they added those horrible TidyLock crystals. Never had any problems before that, and I too used the same cat litter for about 9 years. Every time I go to the store, I try to find a Tidy Cat brand that does not have Tidy Lock. I do not want to change brands because cats (like their owners!) do not like change. Why would a company that made products for cats ever change anything? Don't they know their own customers? And every time I have changed the litter box (every day for the past couple of years), I think about how much I hate Purina now and how if I ever have kittens again, I will start them off using anything but Purina. There, I vented! Two years' worth. Maria, I know you wrote this a while ago, so I hope you see this response! I had the EXACT same experience as you with Tidy Cat Scoop. I used to love their product, until they added those horrible TidyLock crystals. Never had any problems before that, and I too used the same cat litter for about 9 years. Every time I go to the store, I try to find a Tidy Cat brand that does not have Tidy Lock. I do not want to change brands because cats (like their owners!) do not like change. Why would a company that made products for cats ever change anything? Don’t they know their own customers? And every time I have changed the litter box (every day for the past couple of years), I think about how much I hate Purina now and how if I ever have kittens again, I will start them off using anything but Purina. There, I vented! Two years’ worth.

]]> By: May http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-49170 May Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:36:42 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-49170 Not to state the obvious but, don't buy clumping littler if you have a Maine Coone or Norwegian Forest cat. One time I bought clumping litter by mistake. The litter not only clumps in the box, it clumps right up in the all that fur my Maine Coone cats have between their toes (if you have one, you know what I mean). That bath was not a pretty sight. Anyone have recommendations for litter and boxes for really large, really furry cats? Not to state the obvious but, don’t buy clumping littler if you have a Maine Coone or Norwegian Forest cat.

One time I bought clumping litter by mistake. The litter not only clumps in the box, it clumps right up in the all that fur my Maine Coone cats have between their toes (if you have one, you know what I mean).

That bath was not a pretty sight.

Anyone have recommendations for litter and boxes for really large, really furry cats?

]]> By: Patty Richard http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48545 Patty Richard Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:33:18 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48545 Hi ferdiemeow, Don't worry; I'm not in the least offended and your comments were helpful, particularly the vegetable spray tip. The thing about assignment reporting is that you are often called upon to write about subjects that might not be your particular area of expertise. I'm a *long* way from a supermarket and our general store carries only one brand, so I've been out of the litter loop for quite a while. The fun of writing articles like this is that you find some amazing things when you do the research, and in writing for itchmo, I get the benefit of some great feedback. The comments are every bit as helpful as the articles; in this case perhaps more so, but I like being able to open up the dialogue. :) Hi ferdiemeow, Don’t worry; I’m not in the least offended and your comments were helpful, particularly the vegetable spray tip. The thing about assignment reporting is that you are often called upon to write about subjects that might not be your particular area of expertise. I’m a *long* way from a supermarket and our general store carries only one brand, so I’ve been out of the litter loop for quite a while. The fun of writing articles like this is that you find some amazing things when you do the research, and in writing for itchmo, I get the benefit of some great feedback. The comments are every bit as helpful as the articles; in this case perhaps more so, but I like being able to open up the dialogue. :)

]]> By: Deborah http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48407 Deborah Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:20:23 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48407 I have had cats for 40 plus years and while I did try the clumping litter, it was impossible with more than 2 cats, let alone 1 in renal failure. It wouldn't break down, formed concrete slabs in the garbage bags that I had to haul to the dump. Bio-degradable? I don't think so. Sorry folks, I continue to use Johnny Cat clay litter, clean the boxes every other day and then dump the contents once a month or more often if necessary into a compost box dedicated to cat waste layered with leaves and grass cuttings. . . after a year or two, the bad stuff is washed out by the rain and the clay that remains breaks up the "compost" much like peralite does in commercial potting mixes. That soil and that soil only goes into my perennial flower beds . . . . NEVER for the veggie garden. Mind you, I have 4 decades of cats pooping in my vegetable bed. I have had cats for 40 plus years and while I did try the clumping litter, it was impossible with more than 2 cats, let alone 1 in renal failure. It wouldn’t break down, formed concrete slabs in the garbage bags that I had to haul to the dump. Bio-degradable? I don’t think so. Sorry folks, I continue to use Johnny Cat clay litter, clean the boxes every other day and then dump the contents once a month or more often if necessary into a compost box dedicated to cat waste layered with leaves and grass cuttings. . . after a year or two, the bad stuff is washed out by the rain and the clay that remains breaks up the “compost” much like peralite does in commercial potting mixes. That soil and that soil only goes into my perennial flower beds . . . . NEVER for the veggie garden. Mind you, I have 4 decades of cats pooping in my vegetable bed.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48384 Anonymous Wed, 22 Aug 2007 01:35:02 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48384 My cat prefers to go outside. Only in really bad weather will he use a litterbox...and he hates all commercial litters. So far, I've found one thing that he really likes: pine pet bedding. It's cheap, clumps well, doesn't stink (if the lumps are removed reasonably often), doesn't track, and the huge bales last a long time. Most importantly, it doesn't cause him respiratory problems from dustiness or deodorants. My cat prefers to go outside. Only in really bad weather will he use a litterbox…and he hates all commercial litters. So far, I’ve found one thing that he really likes: pine pet bedding. It’s cheap, clumps well, doesn’t stink (if the lumps are removed reasonably often), doesn’t track, and the huge bales last a long time. Most importantly, it doesn’t cause him respiratory problems from dustiness or deodorants.

]]> By: ferdiemeow http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48359 ferdiemeow Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:33:04 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48359 O.K. so is it just me or should I be concerned that someone is writing an article about cat litter but has not upgraded to something more natural when there is so much out there? My local store has an entire aisle of natural cat litter to pick from. I know that it is great to do research but how many litters can one person use in such short a time to be any real help. I can only hope that she reads these comments because alot of them are good choices and I believe she may need a little direction (not to be critical). In my opinion swheat scoop is great but with multiple cats it can get a little sticky ( I have used cooking spray in the box before filling to combat this problem) Worlds best is a little more expensive but seems to clump better. silica I have to agree is out. I just do not feel confident that it is as safe as they say. if you have a cat that hits or misses the box look in to cat attract. urinary tract problems give scientific a try (all five of my cats use this once a month just to make sure everything is o.k.. I have to seperate each one for a short time untill they go which they don't like but they get over it.) there are a multitude of others that if I were writing an article I may go into but I am just posting a comment and have talked long enough. Hope I did not offend the author. O.K. so is it just me or should I be concerned that someone is writing an article about cat litter but has not upgraded to something more natural when there is so much out there? My local store has an entire aisle of natural cat litter to pick from. I know that it is great to do research but how many litters can one person use in such short a time to be any real help. I can only hope that she reads these comments because alot of them are good choices and I believe she may need a little direction (not to be critical).

In my opinion swheat scoop is great but with multiple cats it can get a little sticky ( I have used cooking spray in the box before filling to combat this problem)

Worlds best is a little more expensive but seems to clump better.

silica I have to agree is out. I just do not feel confident that it is as safe as they say.

if you have a cat that hits or misses the box look in to cat attract.

urinary tract problems give scientific a try (all five of my cats use this once a month just to make sure everything is o.k.. I have to seperate each one for a short time untill they go which they don’t like but they get over it.)

there are a multitude of others that if I were writing an article I may go into but I am just posting a comment and have talked long enough.

Hope I did not offend the author.

]]> By: Dennis http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48249 Dennis Tue, 21 Aug 2007 20:10:21 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48249 I did hear back from Litter Mate's Bonnie Kiebke concerning what their product contained. It contains wheat gluten, not corn or millet. I guess I will have to try it. I've seen the demo and it works. I did hear back from Litter Mate’s Bonnie Kiebke concerning what their product contained. It contains wheat gluten, not corn or millet.

I guess I will have to try it. I’ve seen the demo and it works.

]]> By: momkat http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48222 momkat Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:40:13 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48222 I never really thought about cleaning the litter box as entertainment! We've tried many different types, but since I'm allergic to wheat and pine, and we were nauseated by the smell of corn and urine, and urine-soaked newspaper...we've stuck with the clumping clay. We've tried almost all of them, and with my allergy to the scented powders they use in them, we finally landed on Dr Elsey's Precious Ultra....the most dust-free one we've ever used and it has no toxic perfumed powders added to it. Those scent powders get into the cat's lungs and stomachs, therefore bloodstreams! Why do they make them? Why do people USE them? If you scoop the box a couple of times a day, you don't need scented litter! Dr Elsey's is the best as far as we and our 5 cats are concerned. :)m I never really thought about cleaning the litter box as entertainment!

We’ve tried many different types, but since I’m allergic to wheat and pine, and we were nauseated by the smell of corn and urine, and urine-soaked newspaper…we’ve stuck with the clumping clay.
We’ve tried almost all of them, and with my allergy to the scented powders they use in them, we finally landed on Dr Elsey’s Precious Ultra….the most dust-free one we’ve ever used and it has no toxic perfumed powders added to it. Those scent powders get into the cat’s lungs and stomachs, therefore bloodstreams! Why do they make them? Why do people USE them? If you scoop the box a couple of times a day, you don’t need scented litter!
Dr Elsey’s is the best as far as we and our 5 cats are concerned.
:)m

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48116 Anonymous Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:48:56 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-48116 Useful subject, hope we can expand on it. Questions: Wood: what about problems w treated lumber? Obviously they're not using grade A top quality stuff. Treated lumber can be dangerous. Papermill byproducts: Many chemicals used in the paper business. Wheat/Grain: Pesticide/mold retardants (god only knows what else) Sand is sounding better and better. Useful subject, hope we can expand on it.
Questions:
Wood: what about problems w treated lumber? Obviously they’re not using grade A top quality stuff. Treated lumber can be dangerous.
Papermill byproducts: Many chemicals used in the paper business.
Wheat/Grain: Pesticide/mold retardants (god only knows what else)

Sand is sounding better and better.

]]> By: Daisy's Daddy http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-47993 Daisy's Daddy Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:04:28 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/getting-down-and-dirty-with-cat-litter-2348#comment-47993 I know what litter you are talking about!!! It is called Health Meter Cat Litter and it saved our cat's life. We bought some at our local PetSmart to try it and we love it. Great odor control and liquid absorption. We used it for our Daisy and it changed color. we went to the Vet and he said we were lucky because we caught a Kidney disease early which could have killed our Daisy. Pretty incredible that a cat litter saved our cat's life. www.healthmetercatlitter.com Health Meter Cat Litter changes color to detect diseases. Pretty amazing. Too much to tell here but we love this stuff. Go to the website if you what to know more. They have a video and all kinds of information about the litter. I know what litter you are talking about!!!

It is called Health Meter Cat Litter and it saved our cat’s life.

We bought some at our local PetSmart to try it and we love it. Great odor control and liquid absorption.

We used it for our Daisy and it changed color. we went to the Vet and he said we were lucky because we caught a Kidney disease early which could have killed our Daisy. Pretty incredible that a cat litter saved our cat’s life.

www.healthmetercatlitter.com

Health Meter Cat Litter changes color to detect diseases. Pretty amazing.

Too much to tell here but we love this stuff. Go to the website if you what to know more. They have a video and all kinds of information about the litter.

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