primitives debate cat litter

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=243x39104

Oh my.

How few must be the things, that one can't find on Skins's island.

yy4me  (1000+ posts)      Wed Apr-29-09 01:32 PM
Original message
 
Searched here on DU , could not find current cat litter advice.

My new kitty seems to be settling down. Still trying to bite me now and then but is getting better.

It will be 2 weeks Saturday that I got her. PetSmart suggested I buy this new Corn cat litter. I think the bag was 14 lbs...it is now gone so I can't make reference. It was $18.00 for the bag, I did not realize how $$$ it was until I reviewed my slip when I got home. It was included with food and toys.

Anyway, it may be good for the environment, OK to flush and all that good stuff but when it is used, it smells like a compost heap. I really cannot stand the smell. It may cover the cat odors but leaves instead this awful musty, earthy odor once it gets wet.

I am very careful to keep the litter box clean but the clumps it makes are huge and after 3 box changes since I got the kitty,(not yet 2 weeks) it sure does not go far. That is over $6.00 a clean box. I probably changed it more often than needed but I had to get rid of the other non-cat smell.

Today when shopping for more cat food, I priced litter at the grocery store and all types were far less money. I don't know what to buy, scented, clay, granulated, pine, other, good grief.

Kookaburra  (799 posts)      Wed Apr-29-09 03:18 PM
Response to Original message
 
1. My kitties like the pine litter

It's not that expensive and relatively easy to scoop.

virgdem  (1000+ posts)      Wed Apr-29-09 04:32 PM
Response to Original message
 
2. Another alternative that you can check out..is litter made from newspaper. We have used Yesterday's News for years and our cats have adjusted very well over the years to this litter. It doesn't smell when wet and covers odors very well. It is also easy to scoop and resembles pine litter, which we have also used in the past. Good luck in your search for the best litter for your kitties.

glinda  (1000+ posts)      Wed Apr-29-09 07:25 PM
Response to Original message
 
3. Litter choice is an important decision for many reasons.

I agree the corn can be musty. I have a cat who actually fell out of his litter box when using the corn and upon analysis by my Vet discovered that it had a fungus on the corn.

Oils from "pine litters" is toxic to cats. I have used pine and liked the smell but discontinued it due to concerns about the oils.

"Swheat" (???) is my favorite but I have a cat that is allergic to wheat and cannot use it.

we are now using Yesterday's news as it is recycled but I think it lacks absorbency and my kids track it out of their litter box but it is the safest I have found. I have more than one cat and I think it is a good litter if you have only a couple of cats but we use it.

Commercial clumping litters are bad as they end up in the intestines of cats and can actually cause blockages in rare cases.

I have had a real struggle with the litter thing but if I could use the wheat one I would. It clumps and wasn't real smelly.

Why Syzygy  (1000+ posts)        Thu Apr-30-09 04:10 AM
Response to Original message
 
5. I LOVE the silica type.

I'm so glad you asked because I've been wanting to share this.

Solids just lay on top. At least with my cat, he doesn't bury because there's no odor, which is why they cover. Liquids are completely absorbed. You might need to stir. No scooping big clumps of wet clay. The info all says it will last a month, but I didn't change for about two months. Eventually, the absorption rate is maxed out and it will begin to smell of urine.

The lying Lorien primitive:

Lorien  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-01-09 02:52 AM
Response to Original message
 
6. I had the same bad luck with the corn and pine litters

I just use the scoop away from Costco ($11 for a 40 pound bucket) and I mix in a little cat attract litter to make sure they use it. Cats are generally repelled by scented litters. I know a couple of people like the recycled newspaper litter, but I haven't tried it. I wish the corn and pine stuff didn't stink to high heaven because it is healthier for both the cats and the environment, but I can't handle it!

ehrnst  (749 posts)      Fri May-01-09 10:00 AM
Response to Original message
 
7. Here is a post from a vet here on DU awhile ago

"Some tips for avoiding behavioral pee problems: Use enough litter boxes (rule of thumb is one per cat, plus one, but I have only one for 2 cats and they are happy); NO LIDS on the boxes - cats hate litter box lids that trap odors inside; use a top quality unscented clumping (scoopable) litter that forms HARD clumps and there is no ammonia stink after use (PetSmart's Exquisicat is my favorite); keep the box in a bathroom if possible, or other quiet out-of-the-way spot, and keep the food/water in the kitchen; don't let children/dogs pester the cat while using its box; avoid those damned electronic self-scooping boxes (big cause of problems in my patients); how many cats in your home, and how many square feet (avoid overcrowding);"

Well, while that seems good advice, yeah, sure, that was a real veterinarian on Skins's island giving it--sort of like how the "PC Intern" primitive's a real dentist.

[AllosaursRus]

Litter choice is an important decision for many reasons.

Oh my goodness! Of all the things to worry about and post on the frikkin' internet!

Kick the MF's outside and let them find a ****in' sand pile! I have two farm cats and although "Toots" insists on having a box inside, they do their business outside whenever possible. The first time they crap on the floor or any other surface, they will be BARN CATS permanently!

[Celtic Rose]

Oh my goodness! Of all the things to worry about and post on the frikkin' internet!

Kick the MF's outside and let them find a ******' sand pile! I have two farm cats and although "Toots" insists on having a box inside, they do their business outside whenever possible. The first time they crap on the floor or any other surface, they will be BARN CATS permanently!

I think most cats prefer to got outside if they have the option.  Personally, I prefer it too 

[The Village Idiot]

Oh my goodness! Of all the things to worry about and post on the frikkin' internet!

Kick the MF's outside and let them find a ******' sand pile! I have two farm cats and although "Toots" insists on having a box inside, they do their business outside whenever possible. The first time they crap on the floor or any other surface, they will be BARN CATS permanently!

who is playing CIVONY??

[AllosaursRus]

who is playing CIVONY??

????????????? could we have a translation? I may be slow, but I have no idea what this is.

[BlueStateSaint]

????????????? could we have a translation? I may be slow, but I have no idea what this is.

It's a fantasy game on the banner ad every now and then.

[Texacon]

but leaves instead this awful musty, earthy odor once it gets wet.

Same thing happened to me when I slept with this hippy chick back in the 80's.

KC

[AllosaursRus]

Same thing happened to me when I slept with this hippy chick back in the 80's.

KC

Ewwwwwwwwww! Thank your stars your appendage didn't leave with her!

[NHSparky]

$18 for a 14-lb bag?  Must be ****in nice to spend that kind of money!  I'm still happy to find "cheap" scoopable cat litter at $12 for a 40-lb tub at Sam's Club.

And NO, despite what the bag says, NO cat litter is truly flushable.  Eventually it WILL clog up the outgoing sewer lines because it cakes on the pipe.  And for those of you who even THINK of putting that in your septic system, well, at least the repair guy will be happy.

BTW--I have two cats.  Fresh Step scoopable and add a bit of Arm and Hammer cat box deodorizer from time to time (not much).  Clean the cat box out daily.  House will not smell. 

It amazes me how people think cats will crap in the same box for a week and you think it's not going to stink after that amount of time.  Idiots.