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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / November 2004To the users of the wheat kitty litter
I've never used this litter before, but it was recommended for kittens, so I got it, and they were used to it from the rescuers house. They like it fine, but does the stuff always stick to the litter pan, and seem like it needs a chisel to get it out? New pan, shiny, seemingly non-stick. I've always by-passed posts about the wheat litter in the past because the older furry guys are happy with clumping Arm and Hammer. I suppose you never know what you're going to need to know.  SignatureCheryl > I've never used this litter before, but it was recommended for > kittens, so I got it, and they were used to it from the rescuers [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > clumping Arm and Hammer. I suppose you never know what you're going > to need to know. I've used Sweat Scoop in my Littermaid. The cats liked it but it does not absorb well and sticks to the bottom. Corn based World's Best and Littermaid litter work better. Adam > I've never used this litter before, but it was recommended for > kittens, so I got it, and they were used to it from the rescuers [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > clumping Arm and Hammer. I suppose you never know what you're going > to need to know. I've heard that you can spray the bottom of the litterbox with non-stick cooking spray to help with this problem. I used Swheat Scoop for a while, and it was OK, not really any better or worse than other clumping litter. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com > I've heard that you can spray the bottom of the litterbox with > non-stick cooking spray to help with this problem. I used > Swheat Scoop for a while, and it was OK, not really any better > or worse than other clumping litter. Thanks Kelly. I know you have experience with little kittens (I have NONE, other than helping out at the clinic and kenneling for a fosterer when she went on vacation), is it ok to use clumping clay litter? I read that it isn't preferable with kittens. And, with their sniffles and eye gookiness, I didn't want to use anything dusty. What litter do you use with kittens, specifically, kittens with goopy eyes and sneezing a lot? SignatureCheryl >> I've heard that you can spray the bottom of the litterbox with >> non-stick cooking spray to help with this problem. I used [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > dusty. What litter do you use with kittens, specifically, kittens > with goopy eyes and sneezing a lot? From my reading on this, organic litters such as corn or wheat based may be healthier for cats. Firstly the silica in clay can theoretically cause lung silicosis just like in humans. Secondly clay clumping litter have a chemical bentonite that can be toxic to cats. If you do a google search on health problems with clay clumping litters you get lots of info on this. For eg: http://www.thelighthouseonline.com/marina/articles/moredata.html For these reason I've switched my three cats to corn litter. As a further benefit corn litter is lighter, easier to scoop and easier on the Littermaid mechanism. Adam >From my reading on this, organic litters such as corn or wheat based may be >healthier [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > >http://www.thelighthouseonline.com/marina/articles/moredata.html Sure, if you google clumping litters you can find a lot of stuff on the Web, all of it citing one case of possible bentonite toxicosis in one cat that was known to frequently eat litter (the cat did not die from it, btw) *without* the responses of other veterinary researchers disputing this article. You can also find a breeder or two--usually the story about the Japanese bobtails--claiming clumping litter harmed her cats, but this story never includes proof. The site you mention includes some more anecdotes, none supported by real evidence. When Cat Fancy did a survey of 100 vets in the U.S. a couple years ago, not one reported ever seeing a health problem in cats caused by the use of clumping litter. Asthma in cats may be exacerbated by dusty litter, but in my own experience I found litters like Wheatscoop to be dustier than a good clumping litter. > >From my reading on this, organic litters such as corn or wheat based may be >>healthier [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Asthma in cats may be exacerbated by dusty litter, but in my own experience I > found litters like Wheatscoop to be dustier than a good clumping litter. You make good points and I can't make the claim that clay litter is definitely harmful to cats. Many cats use clay clumping litter and live to ripe old age. But there are anecdotes and there are experts who believe the clay litters are harmful, and when there are good alternatives I don't want to take chances, just like I would do the same with my own health. I base decisions on whatever incomplete evidence there is out there. Besides the health issue, the corn litter is lighter and easier on the Littermaid mechanism, has good natural odor control, and the use of corn or wheat litter supports farmers. Adam >Besides the health issue, the corn litter is lighter and easier on the >Littermaid [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Adam I've never used Sweatscoop, but I've always wondered....would it mold? Just curious about that, becauseI know corn will mold even in the field if it gets wet and humid. Sherry > >Besides the health issue, the corn litter is lighter and easier on the >>Littermaid [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Sherry I've wondered if insects would eat it but so far have not seen it nor mold growth. Adam >Besides the health issue, the corn litter is lighter and easier on the >Littermaid >mechanism, has good natural odor control, and the use of corn or wheat litter > >supports farmers. Good points, and if it works for you, great. My own experience was that the cats hated the smell of it and were reluctant to use it until they absolutely had to, the odor control was very poor compared to a good clumping litter, and it was dustier too. So even though I've tried a number of non-clay based litters, I have always gone back to a premium unscented dust-free clumping litter because I have found the others inferior in various ways. But again, I know some people do use alternative litters successfully. I used it for quite awhile. It is better than the alternative, meaning any clay based litter, but ultimately had to switch to World's Best because of the dustiness of Swheat Scoop. My basement was beginning to look like a bakery! >>Besides the health issue, the corn litter is lighter and easier on the >>Littermaid [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > again, I > know some people do use alternative litters successfully. >I used it for quite awhile. It is better than the alternative, meaning any >clay based litter, but ultimately had to switch to World's Best because of >the dustiness of Swheat Scoop. > >My basement was beginning to look like a bakery! I've been using the swheat scoop for probably 5 years or so, and I haven't had a problem with it. It does track a little, but I keep a thicker rug under and around the box to catch most of the tracking. I have bad allergies as well as asthma, and I found the dust-free clay litters to be harder on my lungs than the wheat. It seemed to poof more in my face when pouring it in the box, and the smell of the litter, even odor free was too much for me. The wheat doesn't set off my allergies. Both dust and smell have been okay with me. And the cats love it. The one goes absolutely nuts when I change the whole box or top it off after scooping. He waits for me to add more litter before jumping and digging away. He has refused to use some of the other litters, mostly pellets and larger sized crystals or ball type things. The other cats don't seem to care. I refuse to use scoopable litters like the silocon types. Not only can the cats lick it off their feet, but I have a couple dogs who try their hardest to get into the litter. It's bad enough thinking about how gross that is, but the idea of them eating a bunch of clay or silicon scares me. I feel better knowing that the wheat is safe for them too. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com (...) > for cats. Firstly the silica in clay can theoretically cause lung silicosis > just like in humans. Well, if your cat spends 8 hours a day scrabbling about in the box, for 10 or more years, maybe. Otherwise - it ain't gonna happen. > Secondly clay clumping litter have a chemical bentonite that can be toxic > to cats. Mind you, the touchy-feels gurus here suggest feeding bentonite...! http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/clay.htm (...) > For these reason I've switched my three cats to corn litter. As a further > benefit corn litter is lighter, easier to scoop and easier on the Littermaid > mechanism. One of my boxes contains WBCL. I don't think the lightness is a good thing - it tracks relatively badly at least partially because of this. Swheat scoop seemed to perform similarly to WBCL except that it would stick to the bottom of the box unless non-stick cooking spray was applied before filling. Probably the best performing litter IMO is any of the silica crystal pebbles, although they are by far the most expensive of all options. Steve. > From my reading on this, organic litters such as corn or wheat > based may be healthier for cats. Firstly the silica in clay can [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Adam I already don't like the wheat stuff. It has no odor control like A&H does (not that it's got a strong scent, but just that I can't detect odor when I scoop it daily, and completely replace it once a month when the boxes are washed). I just scooped the kittens box and I can still smell poop even though most of the litter came out in when I scooped and I had to almost completely refill the box with fresh litter. The kittens haven't even been here a week yet, and this is the second box because I started with a small box, but they like to go in and do their business together. lol SignatureCheryl > > I've heard that you can spray the bottom of the litterbox with > > non-stick cooking spray to help with this problem. I used [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > dusty. What litter do you use with kittens, specifically, kittens > with goopy eyes and sneezing a lot? I haven't tried the wheat litter with young kittens yet. I know they do say not to use the clay based clumping litter with young kittens for a number of reasons. I usually use plain clay or paper litter (like yesterday's news) until they are old enough not to try to eat the stuff. W > Thanks Kelly. I know you have experience with little kittens (I have > NONE, other than helping out at the clinic and kenneling for a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > dusty. What litter do you use with kittens, specifically, kittens > with goopy eyes and sneezing a lot? I use regular clay non-clumping litter with the fosters. Reason being I usually have a litter (3-6 kittens) and they can really poop and pee a lot! I end up dumping the litterboxes once a day and it's much cheaper with the volume of kittens. I do the actual dumping/filling in another room, as the litter is dusty. Your kittens should be past the age where you have to worry about them ingesting the litter. If that is a concern, then you might want to use Swheat Scoop or World's Best. Won't be harmful if they injest it. Are they on anything for the goopy eyes / sneezing? Did they recently have a HESKA (intra-nasal FVRCP) vaccine? That could account for the sneezing. Also, if you recently turned your heat on, that could be causing it too. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com > I use regular clay non-clumping litter with the fosters. Reason > being I usually have a litter (3-6 kittens) and they can really [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > about them ingesting the litter. If that is a concern, then you > might want to use Swheat Scoop or World's Best. I'm mainly worried about the dust of the A&H that I usually use because of their sniffles, sneezes and goopy eyes. I think I'm going to try WBCL for a while. Won't be > harmful if they injest it. Are they on anything for the goopy > eyes / sneezing? Yes, went to the vet the other day. They're on clavamox for the eyes (I should have asked about anti-viral drops, but if this doesn't work I will call back) and antihistamines to dry out their noses. Did they recently have a HESKA (intra-nasal > FVRCP) vaccine? No, several weeks ago they had their first FVRCP but it was the usual shot. They are due for boosters, but vet wants to wait until the URIs clear up. We have an appt for 2 weeks from now. That could account for the sneezing. Also, if > you recently turned your heat on, that could be causing it too. I did. It's cold here. I have a humidifier in their room. It's a warm mist one that is more like a vaporizor and I run it when I'm home. I have a humidistat in there and the humidity stays mostly above 60% but has dropped down in the 40s after I've been gone all day. It gets back up pretty quickly with the humidifier, almost like a hot shower running will do. SignatureCheryl > Yes, went to the vet the other day. They're on clavamox for the > eyes (I should have asked about anti-viral drops, but if this > doesn't work I will call back) and antihistamines to dry out their > noses. If their eyes continue to be really goopy (that's a technical term :-P) might want to try some Terramycin. > No, several weeks ago they had their first FVRCP but it was the > usual shot. They are due for boosters, but vet wants to wait until > the URIs clear up. We have an appt for 2 weeks from now. Good idea. I asked about the HESKA because we use that at the shelter and the kittens are always sniffly after that. > I did. It's cold here. I have a humidifier in their room. It's a > warm mist one that is more like a vaporizor and I run it when I'm > home. I have a humidistat in there and the humidity stays mostly > above 60% but has dropped down in the 40s after I've been gone all > day. It gets back up pretty quickly with the humidifier, almost > like a hot shower running will do. Humidifier is a good thing. It will help keep them clear. The heat could also be kicking out some dust since it was idle for a while. I hope the little munchkins feel better soon! Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com > Humidifier is a good thing. It will help keep them clear. The > heat could also be kicking out some dust since it was idle for a > while. I know it can't be helping. They've had problems ever since they were rescued. They were at the vet at 5 weeks (very well cared for by the guy who rescued them) and put on Cefa drops and Terramycin for the eyes. They would clear up, then rebound, probably because they all kept infecting each other. I'm also giving them Lysine 2x per day in their food. > I hope the little munchkins feel better soon! Thanks. Me too! :) SignatureCheryl >From: Cheryl jlhshadow@nospamhotmail.com >They like it fine, but does the stuff always stick to the >litter pan, and seem like it needs a chisel to get it out? Hi Cheryl, Yes it will stick to a pan. However, what I do is I use one of those heavy duty black plastic garbage can liners. I actually stick the litter box sideways into the garbage bag. Then when I'm ready to change their box when the litter needs changing, I simply turn the bag inside out (with the dirty litter inside). It's really easy and it works great. The company recommends spraying the litter pan with a light coating of Pam. But I like the garbage can liners way. 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.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm >However, what I do is I use one of those heavy > duty black plastic garbage can liners. I actually stick the litter box [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Pam. > But I like the garbage can liners way. Lauren, how come your cats don't put holes in the bag? And what brand do you use? I would love to use a litterbox liner if I could find one that will not perforate. >From: "Mary" crazyaboutfelines@yahoo.com >>However, what I do is I use one of those heavy >> duty black plastic garbage can liners. I actually stick the litter box [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >And what brand do you use? I would love to use a litterbox >liner if I could find one that will not perforate. I use these ones from Aco Hardware. It's their most heavy duty ones that come on a roll. There's 50 in the roll and they're made by Ironbuilt called the Extra Heavy Duty (just went and got a bag so I could read it ) They're cheap too, only $5.96. I'm surprised my cats don't tear through them, especially they way they dig for what seems like hours in the box. You can also double up the bags just in case. 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.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm > I use these ones from Aco Hardware. It's their most heavy duty ones that > come [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > the > bags just in case. Do you mean "Ace hardware?" If so, we do have those. I've never seen "Ironbuilt" bags but I'll look for them. Thanks! > 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.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm << Do you mean "Ace hardware?" If so, we do have those. I've never seen "Ironbuilt" bags but I'll look for them. Thanks! Do you have a Sam's Club near? They have some industrial strength plastic bags. www.mimiforsyth.com > << Do you mean "Ace hardware?" If so, we do have those. I've never seen > "Ironbuilt" > bags but I'll look for them. Thanks! > >> > Do you have a Sam's Club near? They have some industrial strength plastic > bags. I do have a Sam's nearby, but don't belong as I can't use that kind of bulk food. But Lauren has given me an idea--I might try those "Steelsak" Hefty bags. It seems if they didn't get holes in them the box might stay cleaner between washings. |
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