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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / January 2004Litter Dust / Crystals / Love Bites
It seems as if every time I change my kitten Charlie's litter, I experience some major allergy symptoms centered solely in my eyes over the next few days. I'm using Fresh Step Clay. Do you think it's an allergy to their particular brand, or to clay litter in general? I highly suspect that it could be due to the dust involved in pouring the new litter; I don't seem to experience the symptoms when raking the litter for poop, for example. I really don't think that it's due to Charlie's dander, although I suppose I could be mistaken. Any suggestions? Should I go get goggles and a dust mask from a hardware store? Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to things (especially since he is a young 'un -- about four months now), but I note that you're not supposed to flush the solid waste from crystals down the toilet. (See <http://www.freshstep.com/crystals/faq.html#14>.) How do people handle that, then? I'm in an apartment building -- would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] One last thing ... Charlie is beginning to give love bites when he's happy. They're cute as heck, and right now since he has baby teeth they don't hurt that bad at all. But I'd like to discourage the 'love bite' behavior, while not alienating him. I've already adopted the "NO!" (accompanied by occasional water bottle mist) for other bad behavior, which he's reacted to well. But I'm afraid discouraging him right when he's being affectionate might train him right out of *any* affectionate gesture, if you understand what I mean. Any idea? Or is this just something that you just put up with as part and parcel of being a cat owner? Much obliged in advance for your help, folks ... Mike >From: Mike Harris wcitymike@rcn.com > I'm using Fresh Step Clay. Do you think it's an >allergy to their particular brand, or to clay litter in general? It could be to the clay, or to the perfumes added. I use Swheat Scoop, an all natural litter made from wheat and I really like it. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm >Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to >a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each >time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] I've found the crystals very easy on my allergies (the grain based ones caused me major respiratory problems!). As to flushing, I just shake off most of the crystals and flush the poop - I've been doing that for several years now without any trouble. >>Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to >>a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >shake off most of the crystals and flush the poop - I've been doing >that for several years now without any trouble. I save the plastic bags that are used for vegetables and use them for scooped litter. I scoop several times a day and keep the bag with the scooped litter in a plastic wastebasket. our garbage is picked up 3 times a week and I place the scooped litter in another bag, I used to flush the solids, but it caused plumbing problems, so discontinued that. It's probably the deodorants that you are allergic to. >>I've found the crystals very easy on my allergies (the grain based >>ones caused me major respiratory problems!). ... > It's probably the deodorants that you are allergic to. Nope, it's the grains in litters such as WBCL. I get problems on farms, too. > It seems as if every time I change my kitten Charlie's litter, I > experience some major allergy symptoms centered solely in my eyes over [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > but I note that you're not supposed to flush the solid waste from > crystals down the toilet. (See <http://www.freshstep.com/crystals/faq.html#14>.) How do people handle that, then? I'm in an apartment building -- > would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each > time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Mike Try a good quality clumping litter. There is still some dust but not nearly as much as regular clay litter. As for the love bites, say "NO" firmly and possibly "yelp" a little to make clear that it is painfu. Don't use the water bottle. Also, watch for signs that Charlie is becoming nervous or agitated, and stop petting him at that time. Biting is often a sign that it's time for a rest. MaryL My Stella and Delilah are both apartment cats. The clay litter did the same to me when I first used it when they were first adopted plus it made the apartment smell like litter (not the waste, just litter) I went out and got a store brand clumping litter and a box of Arm and Hammer cat box freshener. It's basically baking soda with a liquid activated scent which is quite mild and pleasant. The girls didn't mind a bit, in fact I think they liked it better because it was a finer grade of stone. Now I just scoop every day as a ritual or once every other day and toss the plastic bag in the trash (grocery bags). It hasn't smelled since. Good luck! > > It seems as if every time I change my kitten Charlie's litter, I > > experience some major allergy symptoms centered solely in my eyes over [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each > > time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] I just wanted to write to thank absolutely everybody who responded. I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier, but I've been suffering from either a more severe version of the allergies, a cold, or a combination of both. I brought home some scoopable litter (specifically the Arm & Hammer Super Scoop Unscented Clumping Litter) but got extremely scared by this: http://www.thelighthouseonline.com/marina/letters/letters.html Also, Charlie did almost a total freakout when he saw the new litter. He kept digging in the sand until he hit the bottom. I'd love to try some of the stuff recommended here -- PreciousCat, Swheat -- but they don't appear to be carried locally. I'm thinking that I'm going to lift out the scoopable sand litter, put back the Fresh Step for now, and then change it to crystals tomorrow. Any further thoughts'd be appreciated! Mike > I just wanted to write to thank absolutely everybody who responded. I'm > sorry I didn't respond earlier, but I've been suffering from either a [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Any further thoughts'd be appreciated! Mike, I too am looking at changing my cats' litter to something less dusty. (mainly for the sake of one of the cats, who has some stuffy nose problems) I was reading on the back of a bag of litter the other day about how gradually you should change the litter. Especially if it is a totally different texture, the suggestion was putting one inch of the new stuff on the bottom of the box and 2-3 inches of the old stuff on top. Said not to mix; leave the mixing to the cats when they scratch.... then gradually put more new litter and less old litter over the next few times you change the boxes. Good luck. Linda I have severe breathing problems and was using newspapers (successfully) 'til my new adopted girl came to us. After several trials and errors, I came across "Feline Pine"....it's terrific. They are little logs that break into sand when absorbing the moisture..designed by a veterinarian! In fact, the company will reimburse you for your first bag. Go to http://www.naturesearth.com/ > I have severe breathing problems and was using newspapers (successfully) 'til > my new adopted girl came to us. After several trials and errors, I came across > "Feline Pine"....it's terrific. They are little logs that break into sand when > absorbing the moisture..designed by a veterinarian! In fact, the company will > reimburse you for your first bag. Go to http://www.naturesearth.com/ I was looking at this stuff at Walmart last week..... did it take long for your cats to get used to it? Linda > Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to > a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each time? [Wouldn't you > eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] There seems to be a little bit of controversy on that. Some brands note that you can flush solid waste, others recommend you don't do that. For what it's worth, when we used it we had no problems flushing it whatsoever.  SignatureDennis Carr - ke6isf@spamcop.net | I may be out of my mind, http://www.dennis.furtopia.org | But I have more fun that way. ------------------------------------+------------------------------- > It seems as if every time I change my kitten Charlie's litter, I > experience some major allergy symptoms centered solely in my eyes over [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > suggestions? Should I go get goggles and a dust mask from a hardware > store? Fresh Step is highly perfumed - it may be the perfume. Buy a brand that is 99.9% dust free - I like PreciousCat brand - I react to clay litters too, and this one is the best I have found. You can always get a particle mask and goggles - doesn't hurt! > Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to > a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each > time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] DO NOT flush cat litter - of any kind - even the flushable type - especially if you are in an apartment. They cause horrendous plumbing problems. I use plastic grocery bags, tie them and put them in their own can (lined with a regular trash bag) in the litter box room - taking the trash out twice weekly. Below I am posting a review of a test I did on the crystal litter. I hated it. > One last thing ... Charlie is beginning to give love bites when he's > happy. They're cute as heck, and right now since he has baby teeth they [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > something that you just put up with as part and parcel of being a cat > owner? I don't mind love bites. If they get too hard, or he starts a "love attack" yell "NO!" and separate him from you for a few minutes. Alternatively , you can cover his face lightly with your hand an HISS! really loud - this is what a mother cat does to curb a kitten. Then separate him from the play. Sometimes cats will do this when they get overstimulated - make sure you are not overstimulating him. Good luck, -L. ********** Repost of silical crystal litter test from May 2002: ********** I like the idea of the silica crystals. So, I'm doing a "test" to see if it will work for me and my cats. I did an initial transition to the crystals last week, by mixing them into my old cat litter...This week, I switched to an entire pan of the crystals. Data: Litter Select brand - largish crystals, including blue "pretty-smelling" ones. One bag is supposed to last 40 days with two cats (one box). Cost $6.99/bag. Seems like a good deal. Trial: I filled the box on 5/13. New bag, clean box, lined it with the provided "liner" that is supposed to soak up the pee that runs to the bottom. Poured entire bag into box. 5/14 - no problem. Working as it is supposed to. The poops were easily removed. The pee "balls" were stirred into the rest, as instructed. Liner has pee spots on it, but looks ok. By 5/15, the liner was getting pretty wet. By today, 5/16, the liner is completely soaked, and pee is running underneath the liner and starting to stink. I think that by tomorrow, I will have to go to the pet supply store and buy some of my old scoopable clay brand, Precious Cat, which, to date, is still the best thing I have found to control odor and last long. :o/ I'm sorely disappointed, and will call the company to inform them of my test. One last thing ... Charlie is beginning to give love bites when he's happy. They're cute as heck, and right now since he has baby teeth they don't hurt that bad at all. But I'd like to discourage the 'love bite' behavior, while not alienating him. I've already adopted the "NO!" (accompanied by occasional water bottle mist) for other bad behavior, which he's reacted to well. But I'm afraid discouraging him right when he's being affectionate might train him right out of *any* affectionate gesture, if you understand what I mean. Any idea? Or is this just something that you just put up with as part and parcel of being a cat owner? Much obliged in advance for your help, folks ... Mike When he bites gently push his face away, say ouch (or anything else that indicates it hurts) and tell him no. After a while he'll back off when you say "ouch" (or whatever you say) |
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