Kitty Litter

Zoe&Nuny's Mom · 12-20-2004, 11:37 AM

I wanted to know if it is old wive's tales that clumping litter is bad? I've heard of this while I was using it and so I tried switching to the natural ones, such as World's Best and SWheat Scoop and they definitely didn't work for me. No odor control and the Swheat Scoop would stick to the bottom of the box no matter what I put on the bottom of it to prevent it from sticking. Feline Pine is out because they won't accept it to poop. They would pee, but poop everywhere else.

For me by far, the Fresh Step clumping was the best, but I want to know if clumping litter is safe? And at what age, is it safe to use on kittens? I am currently using the regular clay Fresh Step, but odor control was much better with the clumping. Please give me some advice. Thank you.

coaster · 12-20-2004, 03:58 PM

well, I've heard this, too. one theory is the cat ingests the clumping litter when they clean their feet, and so it clumps inside. the other is that it might clog the urethra. somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't know of any proof for either. frankly, I think you should just go ahead and use whatever makes both you and your cats happy.

I didn't like the Fresh Step at all, so that just goes to show that there isn't one kind of litter that's right for everybody!

Tim

spacemonkey · 12-20-2004, 04:05 PM

Clumping litter is potentially hazardous for kittens, who may try to eat it, and long haired cats, who may get it in their fur and then ingest it while cleaning themselves. Generally, though, it is very safe for almost all cats.

I use Arm & Hammer Super Scoop (Fresh Scent) and love it! It works soooo great for four cats

kazzles · 12-20-2004, 08:55 PM

Well I use recycled paper as cat litter! its really good actualy and light and easy to clean up after!!! and cheap.. $4.00 for a 10 litre and that usually lasts two weeks!

BoscosMum · 12-20-2004, 09:42 PM

I use whatever is on sale....hehehe always clumping litter.

drjean · 12-20-2004, 10:32 PM

It is an old wives' tale.

I don't recommend clumping for very young kittens (under 8 weeks) who haven't figured out not to walk through the wet patches, and sometimes for geriatric cats who may no longer avoid the wet patches, but for everyone else it seems to be fine. They'd have to ingest a whole bunch of it at once to cause a problem, and that just doesn't seem to happen.

Cheers,
Dr. Jean

vanillasugar · 12-20-2004, 11:47 PM

Haha, Dr. Jean, Nya still hasn't figured out how to not walk through the wet patches...and much older than 8 weeks! (but she's not geriatric...) It's not fun when she uses the litter then decides to jump on something, and leaves icky print(s).

Right now, I'm using Worlds Best, because Buddy was so young, and I'd heard this same thing, but the next time I buy litter, I'm swtiching to something else because i REALLY don't like it...

Ducky · 12-21-2004, 10:15 AM

We use crystal litter. Clay litters we found to be too dusty, and didn't hide the odour well enough (even with clumping & cleaning daily). The crystal litter is amazing, and doesn't smell at all.

drjean · 12-21-2004, 02:39 PM

My partner Jackson just started using the crystal litter with his cats, and he is very impressed with the odor control and ease of maintenance. Both his cats use it fine. I tried it once with my cats; mostly they just liked batting the little balls around the floor after they kicked them out of the box. None of them ever used it for its *intended* purpose!

Cheers,
Dr. Jean

12-20-2004, 11:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zoe&Nuny's Mom Cat Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 176	Kitty Litter I wanted to know if it is old wive's tales that clumping litter is bad? I've heard of this while I was using it and so I tried switching to the natural ones, such as World's Best and SWheat Scoop and they definitely didn't work for me. No odor control and the Swheat Scoop would stick to the bottom of the box no matter what I put on the bottom of it to prevent it from sticking. Feline Pine is out because they won't accept it to poop. They would pee, but poop everywhere else. For me by far, the Fresh Step clumping was the best, but I want to know if clumping litter is safe? And at what age, is it safe to use on kittens? I am currently using the regular clay Fresh Step, but odor control was much better with the clumping. Please give me some advice. Thank you.

12-20-2004, 08:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
kazzles Cat Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 164	Well I use recycled paper as cat litter! its really good actualy and light and easy to clean up after!!! and cheap.. $4.00 for a 10 litre and that usually lasts two weeks! __________________

12-20-2004, 10:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
drjean Cat Addict Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,428	It is an old wives' tale. I don't recommend clumping for very young kittens (under 8 weeks) who haven't figured out not to walk through the wet patches, and sometimes for geriatric cats who may no longer avoid the wet patches, but for everyone else it seems to be fine. They'd have to ingest a whole bunch of it at once to cause a problem, and that just doesn't seem to happen. Cheers, Dr. Jean __________________ Jean Hofve, DVM www.littlebigcat.com www.spiritessence.com Boulder, Colorado

12-20-2004, 11:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
vanillasugar Cat Addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Peterborough, Ontario Posts: 2,508	Haha, Dr. Jean, Nya still hasn't figured out how to not walk through the wet patches...and much older than 8 weeks! (but she's not geriatric...) It's not fun when she uses the litter then decides to jump on something, and leaves icky print(s). Right now, I'm using Worlds Best, because Buddy was so young, and I'd heard this same thing, but the next time I buy litter, I'm swtiching to something else because i REALLY don't like it... __________________ <--Julia

12-21-2004, 02:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
drjean Cat Addict Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,428	My partner Jackson just started using the crystal litter with his cats, and he is very impressed with the odor control and ease of maintenance. Both his cats use it fine. I tried it once with my cats; mostly they just liked batting the little balls around the floor after they kicked them out of the box. None of them ever used it for its intended purpose! Cheers, Dr. Jean __________________ Jean Hofve, DVM www.littlebigcat.com www.spiritessence.com Boulder, Colorado

12-20-2004, 03:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
coaster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 17,798	well, I've heard this, too. one theory is the cat ingests the clumping litter when they clean their feet, and so it clumps inside. the other is that it might clog the urethra. somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't know of any proof for either. frankly, I think you should just go ahead and use whatever makes both you and your cats happy. I didn't like the Fresh Step at all, so that just goes to show that there isn't one kind of litter that's right for everybody! Tim

12-20-2004, 04:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
spacemonkey Premier Cat Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: southern Maine Posts: 3,623	Clumping litter is potentially hazardous for kittens, who may try to eat it, and long haired cats, who may get it in their fur and then ingest it while cleaning themselves. Generally, though, it is very safe for almost all cats. I use Arm & Hammer Super Scoop (Fresh Scent) and love it! It works soooo great for four cats

12-20-2004, 09:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
BoscosMum Premier Cat Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New York Posts: 5,297	I use whatever is on sale....hehehe always clumping litter.

12-21-2004, 10:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ducky Cat Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 236	We use crystal litter. Clay litters we found to be too dusty, and didn't hide the odour well enough (even with clumping & cleaning daily). The crystal litter is amazing, and doesn't smell at all.

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