I tried the "Cat It" litter and my experience is this...
The cats were very suspicious. There is an additive that they detected and didn't trust. Once they started using it, the litter is great.
I've had it out for about a week, and my thoughts are that it would be good for a freshly de-clawed cat. The grains are small, like play sand, which I normally recommend. However, if you like the convenience of clumping litter, this is an excellent alternative.
There is little dust. However, while I didn't notice dust when I filled the box, I did notice some when I was digging around and cleaning out the box. This may actually be body powder, though, since the litter box is in my bathroom, and everything gets covered with powder in there... I will check back again mid-week, after I've cleaned it again.
For the record, I did not get this litter free or at a reduced price. I purchased it at a retail outlet in Knoxville, Agri-Feed, which carries certain items I like, including the "PawBreaker" catnip ball.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Trying New Brand of Cat Litter
I ran out of cat litter while cleaning out the litter boxes last weekend.
I went to get cat litter on Sunday, and the place where I went didn't have the usual stuff. I have tried one that they had, and while OK, it's a little expensive. I ended up getting something called "CatIt Clumping Litter" in the 18 pound bag. The bag filled a box a little higher than I'd intended.
I've been using 27# and 40# containers, and filling 2 boxes, then I'm out of litter. So I figured 18# would be a good amount for the box. I guess the volume is different in this litter, because I ended up with 6 inches of litter in the box!
So far, the cats haven't used the litter. Mr. Beasley is protecting the box from the girls, though. I think he's claimed the one in my bathroom.
I went to get cat litter on Sunday, and the place where I went didn't have the usual stuff. I have tried one that they had, and while OK, it's a little expensive. I ended up getting something called "CatIt Clumping Litter" in the 18 pound bag. The bag filled a box a little higher than I'd intended.
I've been using 27# and 40# containers, and filling 2 boxes, then I'm out of litter. So I figured 18# would be a good amount for the box. I guess the volume is different in this litter, because I ended up with 6 inches of litter in the box!
So far, the cats haven't used the litter. Mr. Beasley is protecting the box from the girls, though. I think he's claimed the one in my bathroom.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
New Job, Diversions for Cats
I started a part time job a few weeks ago, and my cats became very lonely. They were used to me working at home, and always being there for snuggles and clicking away at the keyboard. So, I got them a kitty DVD as a diversion.
I've used the bird feeder for about a year now, and that works well. We have finches, cedar waxwing, sparrows and cardinals pretty much year round. We use a good seed mix.
I also get the songbird mix, and put it on pine cones that I've collected. I take the pine cone and put some peanut butter on it, filling all the crevices really well. Then, I roll it and press bird seed into the peanut butter. I freeze it so that the seeds become set, and then I hang it outside from a tree. The pine cones are recyclable, and can be reused next year. Just be sure to keep them frozen when you aren't using them in the landscape.
So, my cats are adjusting to me being gone several hours during the day. It's so important to keep them entertained!!! If I don't things could get nasty... Cats and dogs left unattended can be very destructive.
I've used the bird feeder for about a year now, and that works well. We have finches, cedar waxwing, sparrows and cardinals pretty much year round. We use a good seed mix.
I also get the songbird mix, and put it on pine cones that I've collected. I take the pine cone and put some peanut butter on it, filling all the crevices really well. Then, I roll it and press bird seed into the peanut butter. I freeze it so that the seeds become set, and then I hang it outside from a tree. The pine cones are recyclable, and can be reused next year. Just be sure to keep them frozen when you aren't using them in the landscape.
So, my cats are adjusting to me being gone several hours during the day. It's so important to keep them entertained!!! If I don't things could get nasty... Cats and dogs left unattended can be very destructive.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Diatomaceous Earth
I'm trying a new type of Diatomaceous Earth. The new stuff is food-grade and can be taken internally. Fleas have been very bad this year, and I can't keep up with them. I have the DE around the outside of the house, but the wonderful product I have has some added ingredients that make it not quite food-grade. There are no pesticides in it, but if the cats or myself eat it, we may not like it.
So, I've purchased a food-grade version of DE, and I'm going to put some on the cats in their flea-infested hotspots, and then rake a little into the carpet. That should finish with any fleas we have in the house.
What I've been finding is that the fleas are not getting in, but they are breeding on the cats. Fleas have a lifecycle that is purely based on their feeding cycle...
They feed and lay eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae about 10-20 days. They mature into adult, biting fleas in 20-30 days, and the cycle begins again. If you can stunt their growth in the larval stage (Frontline, Ovitrol) then they never mature to lay more eggs and die off. If you have adult fleas, you need to kill them (Advantage, Siphotrol, pyrethrins) and then treat again in 30 days - but they may already be laying eggs, so I recommend a third treatment to fully rid yourself of fleas.
And all the places where fleas can hide must be treated: rugs, furniture, pets, bedding (including yours), and the landscaping around the entrances to your home. That's what makes DE so convenient! It can be left out year-round, and not hurt the beneficials. It also kills other pests (such as beetles, silverfish and earwigs) and parasites (such as the worms caused by fleas - when ingested).
I'm also curious regarding DE's general health effects for humans. It clears out the parasites and muck in the digestive tract, and can be good for overall health. So, I'll report back after I've received it and tried it for about a week or so.
So, I've purchased a food-grade version of DE, and I'm going to put some on the cats in their flea-infested hotspots, and then rake a little into the carpet. That should finish with any fleas we have in the house.
What I've been finding is that the fleas are not getting in, but they are breeding on the cats. Fleas have a lifecycle that is purely based on their feeding cycle...
They feed and lay eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae about 10-20 days. They mature into adult, biting fleas in 20-30 days, and the cycle begins again. If you can stunt their growth in the larval stage (Frontline, Ovitrol) then they never mature to lay more eggs and die off. If you have adult fleas, you need to kill them (Advantage, Siphotrol, pyrethrins) and then treat again in 30 days - but they may already be laying eggs, so I recommend a third treatment to fully rid yourself of fleas.
And all the places where fleas can hide must be treated: rugs, furniture, pets, bedding (including yours), and the landscaping around the entrances to your home. That's what makes DE so convenient! It can be left out year-round, and not hurt the beneficials. It also kills other pests (such as beetles, silverfish and earwigs) and parasites (such as the worms caused by fleas - when ingested).
I'm also curious regarding DE's general health effects for humans. It clears out the parasites and muck in the digestive tract, and can be good for overall health. So, I'll report back after I've received it and tried it for about a week or so.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
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