Conference misery::feline

    I'd switch to 100% Control.  I only use Control and find that I do not
    have a dust problem nor do I have an odor problem.  I was watching a
    show the other day (one of those early morning talk shows) and there
    was a Vet on who was talking about cat litter.  He said that you should
    stick with the more expensive litters because they tend to be more dust
    free then the cheaper litters.
    
    Lori B.

having real problems myself, I use only Tidy-cat litter - NOT THE CLUMPING
KIND - but the regular litter, either the Tidy-cat MC or Tidy-cat in the
yellow bag.  It is sometimes more expensive that other brands, but I can
use it without major breathing problems.

    I use Johnny Cat (never could remember how to spell this).  It says
    it is 90-something percent dust free but it still seems dusty to me.
    However, compared to some of the other things I have tried this stuff
    is pretty good.  The cats like it too and have not liked some of the
    other stuff at all.  What was my first clue...they won't even go in 
    the box.  I tried Control and found that the smell of it was very 
    hard to take.  It smelled like Clorox or something.  If I couldn't
    stand it with my generally congested nose, I wondered what my 
    sensitive little kitty noses were going through.
    
    I have been considering trying Tidy-cat but haven't done it yet.  Now
    that I have another allergic person's recommendation I may just have
    to break down and do it.
    
    Jan  
       

    Another vote for Tidy cat MC!!!!  I find it has very little dust...
    and the cats all use it...and that is what counts!!
    
    Sandy

    Tidy Cat is okay, but the cats always smell like it!!  But, I can get
    it real cheap at BJ's (50 lbs. for $6) so have switched to it.  It
    doesn't track as much which is great.  Less vacuuming (my favorite
    sport!)
    

    I use the Scamp brand which is 99% dust free.  I find it to be less
    expensive than the other brands (at least in my area, and in the
    quantities that I buy).
    
    Jo

    Before being introduced to the joys of "clumping", we used Fresh Step,
    exclusively.  We didn't have any breathing problems, with neither man
    (my husband is asthmatic at times) nor beast.
    
    I'm praising the stars...Fresh Step has released a clumping type! 
    We're going to give it a try as soon as this batch runs low.
    
    K.C.

    My Sweetie first started coughing when I started getting a clumping
    type litter. He improved when I went back to a regular kind.  (He
    later went on prednisone when his problem was diagnosed as a reaction
    to an irritant or an allergy.)  There have been
    rumors about the clumping litters harming some cats' respiratory
    systems, and someone in the old feline file had a cat with severe eye
    damage from clumping litter.
    
    I tried tidy cat mc, but it's perfumed (ick).  I thought Control
    was great for awhile, until I got a few bags in a row that smelled
    really strongly of ammonia, and I noticed that my cats' white paws were
    taking on a green look from the green particles in the litter ("This
    shouldn't happen" the 800 number said, but I stopped trusting it
    after that.)  I was also concerned when I noticed how much moisture it
    soaked up;  I was afraid it might have the same effect as the very
    moisture absorbing clumping litter on a cat's lungs.
    
    

    Thanks for all the input.  I think what I'll do is mix 2/3 Scamp with
    1/3 Control.  One of my other brood, Nymets, hates perfumed litter so
    I was told to use just plain old clay litter - hence the Soft Paw mixed
    with a little Control.  Scamp is clay if I remember right. 
    Nymets is very particular and will refuse to use the box if he doesn't
    like the smell.  Fresh Step really set him off - he was going in the
    corner of the living room and my bedroom.
    
    Then, if the Scamp/Control combo doesn't work then I'll try the
    Tidy Cat.  I'm assuming the one with the MC after it is for a multiple
    cat household?
    
    Terry
    

    FYI - Scamp is scented.  At least the bag I tried was.  Mine didn't
    care for the smell.
    
    Jan

    I have never noticed a scent in the Scamp.  Shows you how much I pay
    attention. :')  Course, litter boxes aren't my "end." :'D
    
    Jo

    
    	We've tried many of the brands already mentioned, with varying
    degrees of acceptability.  My white cats got green paws from Control,
    too, and I didn't like its smell.  Tidy Cat MC was it for a long time,
    but when we added Spike, it got too wet too quickly, and I didn't want
    to add another box.  Right now I'm using Glamour Kitty, which isn't
    quite as dust-free as Tidy Cat, but it's pretty good.  It has no
    scent of its own, and absorbs really well as long as I remember to turn
    it over daily.
    
    	Sandy etc.
    

    Speaking of litter.  I forgot to mention that the Bargain Hunters
    store next to Premium Pet Mart (Branham & Meridian) has several 
    torn/repaired 50lb bags of cat litter (not a brand I recognize...
    plus a name I've forgotten) for some incredibly low price.  Seems 
    it was in the $1.00 range.  I meant to post this last week after I 
    spotted them but I forgot to do it and now I've forgotten all the
    details.
    
    Jan

    
    
    
    I strongly recommend Neat-n-Sweet.  It's like pellets.  There is
    absolutely  no dust.  and it has proven to control the odor 100% better
    than any of the clay litters I have tried.   
    
    michele

    
    Where do you find Neat and Sweet...???  Is it expensive....???  I don't
    have problems with my cats having allergies/reactions but I have to say
    that I AM!  With four cats I change the boxes every other day
    completely.  I live in a small apartment and my nose is so sensitive
    that the most I can handle litter being left around is 2 days.  I scoop
    twice a day though anyway.  Still if that Neat and Sweet is good.....
    
    I've tried them all....Tidy Cat, Tidy Cat MC, Control, Scamp, Fresh
    Step, Johnny Cat, everything!  Right now I'm mixing Fresh Step (which
    is VERY dusty and VERY perfumed) with basic clay litter/driveway stuff
    that my fiance gets for me at his work (he's a mechanic).  MY vet told
    me to use it.....but my vet also recommmends dumping the contents of
    the box EVERY day.  
    
    Maybe I will try that Neat and Sweet stuff.
    
    Nancy

    I don't remember if the name was "Neat'n'Sweet", but we once tried a
    litter that looked like pellets, and ours 2 HATED it.  They would
    actually avoid the box.  We had to get rid of it.
    
    K.C.

	Ditto on the 'Neat'n'Sweet' litter.  It was *awful* - the pellets
	are flushable, which I thought would be a good idea, but when wet,
	they sorta just dissolve into a mushy substance, which give off a
	strange wood/urine odor.  This was only after I'd convinced the cats
	to use it - they would just sniff at it and then give me a dirty
	look :^}

    No dust when I use the pine sawdust mixed w/ the litter,
    and it smells good, too!
    

    I'm usually a faithful read only noter but when I started reading some
    of these replies, I felt compelled to respond! :^)
    
    My Benjamin has white paws and I've lately been calling him
    Greensleeves due to the green tinge of his little feet from using the
    Control litter.  He also is on Prednisone for asthma and has been for
    some time.  I'd like to find a more dust-free litter for him to use. 
    I've got an appointment for him at the vets next Wednesday and will ask
    if they have any suggestions.
    
    thanks for all the great information!
    
    ==sue

    That is a weird experience, isn't it?  Picture of person playing
    with cat...green?  is that green I see?  could these feet be _green_?
    

    Well . . . just in time for St. Patrick's day, wouldn't you say!?!  :^)
    
    

    I've been able to get Neat n Sweet at Shaw's, Big Y and Big D.  It's
    $3.99 at Big D, $4.99 at Big Y.  It lasts for about 3 litter box fulls
    and one week in between changing.
    
    re. 16, .17...I'm sure there may be plenty of cats that don't like
    because it is "different".  My cats had absolutely no problem with it.  
    
    What I like about it is:
    
    - when they pee, it drips down to the bottom (also let me say that I
    use those diaper like liners...my cats tore the others to pieces.) and
    eventually, the pellets turn into to sand (on the bottom only).  All
    the litter on top stays normal.  It eliminates having to try to scoop
    out the clumps of pee like you do with the clay litters.
    
    - it has a fresh piney smell to it...
    
    - it's flushable...but I only take the "hard stuff" out of the boxes so
    the fact that is dissolves in the box when wet is no problem for me. 
    It doesn't dissolve with the "hard stuff"
    
    I can't guarantee that every cat will like it, but I'd suggest the
    woman in .15 at least try it......especially if she's got such
    allergies.
    
    another suggestion is to buy those litterboxes with the covers and the
    charcoal inserts which are supposed to  pick up the odor.  Since I've
    gotten thos litterboxes, the problem of odor and dust is virtually
    unnoticeable (so I've been told my close friends).
    
    michele

    *sigh* to be able to use one of those boxed-in litterboxes with the
    filters...but Rico is terrified of boxes of any kind, and won't go into
    one.
    
    K.C.

    .23
    
    bummer....I can't believe the difference since I've switched to the
    covered ones.

    
    	Michele - I think the other noter is thinking of that Kitty Green
    stuff that was out a few years ago, it looked like rabbit food. Is that
    the same as Neat and Sweet? 
    
    	Sherry
    

    Jo...I picked up on one of your comments....It's not my end!!!!
    
    It sounds like you have the same agreement in your house...I feed in
    one end...and Ernie takes care of the other end!!  I think I got the
    best in that deal!!!!
    
    Sandy

    Re: .25
    
    THAT'S the stuff we used (I think)!  Looks like rabbit food, and hard
    on little paws.
    
    K.C.

    
    That stuff is called Litter Green.  My mother used to use it for our
    cats when I was a kid.  I always liked the way it smelled, etc.  I
    tried it with my current cats a couple of months ago, and they used it
    fine until it started to get old, then one of my cats peed on the couch
    (in protest?).  So I don't use it any more.
    
    Valerie

    Re:.26
    
    Yep, you got it!  Ken and I decided long ago to split the cats in half
    in order to determine the division of labor.  I do the front end,
    feeding, medicating and cleaning up hairballs. He does the back end,
    litter boxes, scooping, buying litter, and cleaning up "accidents". 
    Works great for us!
    
    The only time we have a problem is when we found an accident on the
    carpet and can't tell whose end it came out of.  Makes for some pretty
    silly discussions, "I'm am *sure* that is your end" "oh yeah, well, I
    think it looks more like *your* end", etc. 8'D
    
    Jo

    Jo...we have that same conversation at my house!!!!!  I'm glad
    to see more hubbies getting involved...especially with the backend!!
    
    Sandy

RE. .29 and .30

	Glad to see Ron and I aren't unique in our "division of labor"
	regarding our furfaces -- and although Ron sometimes disagrees,
	I think I've found the perfect way to define all "questionable"
	messes (to my advantage of course!). 

	I am responsible for Input:  food, water, medicine.

	Ron is responsible for Output:  we all know what that means!

	Thus, it doesn't matter which "end" was involved -- it's still
	output!!  Of course Ron has tried to use the argument that it's
	rejected input but I don't buy that...


	Jan  "Brown's_home_for_wayward_cats"

	P.S.  Just to be sure Ron doesn't get all the fun, I'm also
	responsible for things like scaling teeth and clipping claws --
	the dangerous stuff!

    Okay, which one of you wants to come over and train my husband?!
    
    I do all of the feeding, grooming, medicating, litterbox maintenance,
    cat food shopping, AND pay all the vet bills, and he just loves them up
    and spoils them rotten.
    
    Somehow, I think he's got ME trained!
    
    HEY!!  No fair!!
    
    
    -Roberta (who will make HIM do all the dog chores when we add the
              canine variety of 4-legged creatures to the household)
    

    We take turns...input AND output, front AND back.  Hence...no
    arguments!  :^)
    
    Not recommended for everyone.  ;^)
    
    K.C.

    Actually, we tried the taking turns thing and it didn't work for us, we
    were always arguing over whose turn it was. :')
    
    I like the idea of dividing it into input and output instead of ends. 
    I will run this by Ken.  As it is, he should be taking care of all
    temperature taking as this is his end, but wouldnt' you know, I always
    end up doing it.  I also end up doing all vaccinating, fluid giving,
    and treatment of sick cats, so as a tradeoff he should pick up all
    "output" don't you think?  8')  
    
    Jo (Brown's other home for wayward cats)

    TIDY CAT MC IS THE BEST!
    
    RK
    

    re. .27
    
    It sounds a lot like my stuff.  I didn't know what Rabbit food looked
    like, but my boyfriends says that this Neat n Sweet stuff does look
    like rabbit food (brown pellets).
    
    re.  a couple after .27
    
    One of my cats peed on the bed once and it was because I hadn't cleaned
    the hard stuff out of their box for 2 days.  They've got me trained. 
    It's either keep the boxes cleaned of hard stuff every day or they'll
    ruin my furniture.  Somethings wrong with this picture!!!!!!  8')
    As far as I've been able to tell, it doesn't matter what kind of litter
    it is.  If it gets too dirty, many cats will rebel and won't go in it. 
    Personally I don't blame them....
    
    michele

    re.  .36   
    
    oops...a freudian slip....it should say "my boyfriend" NOT "my
    boyfriends".....
    
    gee I hope he never reads this notesfile.....8')

    Thanks for all your input.  As I stated before I was going to try 2/3
    Scamp with 1/3 Control.  However, when I went to the store there wasn't
    any Scamp, plus it occurred to me that I started mixing the Control in
    the litter about the same time Mikey started wheezing.  Could be a
    coincidence but you never know.  Anyway, I'm using Tidy Cat MC and so
    far so good.  Nymets hasn't rebelled and Mike is greatly improved.  He
    only had one attack yesterday (after I wrestled with him to get the
    amoxycilan (sp?) down).  I'm going to cut him down to 1/2 tablet of
    Prednisone and if he does okay I'll wean him over to the broncho-dilator.
    
    Keeping my fingers crossed -
    
    Terry
    
     

    Hi,
    
    After taking Ben to the vet's (that's another whole story in itself!),
    I found out a few things.  Contol litter also has perfumes which may be
    aggravating Ben's condition.  My vet recommended trying something
    called "Yesterday's News" (sorry if this is a repeat).  Apparently it's
    composed of compressed and recycled newspapers.  I'm going to try
    mixing it with another type of litter (if I can find one) that is not
    only dust-free but also free of perfumes.  This "Yesterday's News"
    sounds like it would certainly be dust-free (and even good for the
    environment!) but at $5.75 for a 5lb bag, I'd like to try mixing it.
    
    --sue

    I got a letter from the company that makes Control.  I had called their
    800 number awhile back to complain about it's turning my cats' feet
    green and the stronger "cleaner" odor the more recent bags had.  They'd
    sent me a postpaid box to return a small unused litter sample so they
    could figure out what was going on.  Well, yesterday's letter said
    they'd "fixed the problem" and included some coupons for free bags of 
    Control.  Unfortunately it didn't say which problem they'd fixed, or
    if it was both.  So, for whatever that's worth...
    

    Hi Karen-
    
    We had some trouble with bottled water last year.  We sent the sample
    to the company and  several months later, they said the water was
    okay and added a few coupons.  Big Deal!  We wanted to know what te
    report said.....so I wrote another letter explaining how unhappy I 
    was, and they sent the report (which said nothing).  So maybe if you
    complain again, they'll let you in on what happened.
    
    Good luck-
    
    	Michele

Jonny Cat just modified their formula as well.  It now has some Ph+ ingredient
that is supposed to  help with the ammonia smell.  With 7 cats peeing in one
box, it shouldn't take long to see if it works better than before....
It also seems alot more dust free...

Mary and the 7 peesters

Hope no one minds opening an old note, with new news.

A month ago I started using a new litter that Food For Pets In Amherst
recommended to me.  It's Purina CatWorks -- and I really love it.

The product is 99% dust free and is completely biodegradeable.  The litter
is extremely light and is based on all kinds of organic materials and is
in pellet shapes.  -  I found a piece of dry corn in it once. I've been buying
20 pound bags at about $6.50 /bag- it lasts me two weeks.

This stuff is fabulous.  I have two cats, two boxes, change once a week and
scoop daily.  The pellets absorb moisture so there is no accumulation of
wet in the bottom of the litter pan.  At Food For Pets they said that during the
winter, when the house is all closed up I might want to throw in a handful of
cedar shavings to keep a nice fresh smell - haven't seen any need to do this yet.

I use to have to dust the 'cat room' at least twice a week and vaccum up
tons of grains of littler -- no more! Very little tracking and NO dust.

However, Weedie and/or Tiki did knock the bag over, climb in and spread about
10 pounds of litter all over the floor, and then played with their toys in the
mess..... but that I can't blame on Purina!

    Again, hope no one minds opening an old note...
    
    How about buying a bale of kiln dried wood shavings?  It's extremely
    inexpensive ~$4-5.00 at a local "farm" store and lasts forever.  It
    absorbs odors & pee, easy to vaccuum (though it doesn't travel far). No
    dust. I especially like how easy it is to clean the litter box.  I lift and
    dump it right in a plastic bag. No scraping and the litter is extremely
    light.  It doesn't seem to be a heath problem.  Anyone else try this?
    
    I have a year old Devon Rex named Lycia.  She adapts quite easily to
    different litter materials.  I never would have stumbled on this if
    she didn't use our pot-bellied pig's litter box too. Now I fill her's
    with the wood shavings too and I'm free from the expense at the
    supermarket.
    
    -Pam
    
    find that it's doesn't get dragged around much.  It's easy to vaccuum,
    absorbs odors, and EVERYTHING slides right out when cleaning. 

Pam,

	How often do you dump the litter?  I have 5 cats using 2 litter boxes
	because of space problems and I have to scoop daily.  If I use regular
	litter, I have to change the litter twice a week and we have lots of
	odor problems.  If I use the clumping type, I have to add litter once 
	a week and dump it every other week.  It's getting expensive.  When I 
	had one cat, I dumped the regular litter once a week and we never 
	had odor problems so I'm really curious about your suggestion.

		Susan S.