Showing posts with label Cat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cat. Show all posts
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Product Review - FURminator deShedding Tool
As the weather warms up and the summer heat comes, our pets begin to shed their winter coats. There are lots of products out there to remove pet hair from your clothes, upholstery, and flooring but they can be expensive and only mildly effective. Even a few hours after you clean your personal items of pet hair, you can see it needs to be cleaned again. The FURminator deShedding Tool takes managing your pets shedding to a new level. The FUrminator deShedding tool attacks shedding at its origin, your pet.
At first glance the FURminator appears to be just an overpriced brush, but the price is well worth it. The FURminator can do what no other shedding tool can do, it can get to the source of the problem. With just a few swipes across your pet, you can manage to brush out entire handfuls of your dog's undercoat. Within 15 minutes, you can fill an entire garbage bag with the hair. Don't believe me? Check out this video.
Although the FURminator can be one of the priciest hair care products for your pet, the money it can save you on lint roller refills will more then pay for itself. It's sturdy design can withstand dropping or sitting on it, and the ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip for brushing your dog or cat.
As the seasons change, your pet no longer needs this insulating undercoat and it dies and begins to fall out. FURminator doesn't hurt your pet, it merely pulls the dead undercoat out from underneath the top coat of fur. It's long metal tines, have the ability to get through a thick top coat and massage the undercoat out from underneath it. There is nothing comparable on the market. So if you have a seasonal shedding problem, check out the FURminator to cleanse your pet of it's thick undercoat. Your pet will be cooler and happier, and you'll be happier with the time you save!
At first glance the FURminator appears to be just an overpriced brush, but the price is well worth it. The FURminator can do what no other shedding tool can do, it can get to the source of the problem. With just a few swipes across your pet, you can manage to brush out entire handfuls of your dog's undercoat. Within 15 minutes, you can fill an entire garbage bag with the hair. Don't believe me? Check out this video.
Although the FURminator can be one of the priciest hair care products for your pet, the money it can save you on lint roller refills will more then pay for itself. It's sturdy design can withstand dropping or sitting on it, and the ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip for brushing your dog or cat.
As the seasons change, your pet no longer needs this insulating undercoat and it dies and begins to fall out. FURminator doesn't hurt your pet, it merely pulls the dead undercoat out from underneath the top coat of fur. It's long metal tines, have the ability to get through a thick top coat and massage the undercoat out from underneath it. There is nothing comparable on the market. So if you have a seasonal shedding problem, check out the FURminator to cleanse your pet of it's thick undercoat. Your pet will be cooler and happier, and you'll be happier with the time you save!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
You Always Hurt The One You Love
The first job I ever had was pet sitting for neighbors and friends. One of those friends had a male cat, that I had the pleasure of watching one week while they went on vacation. It was a frisky feline and friendly as could be. He would rub all over my legs and meow for attention every time I arrived and I was more than happy to oblige. This cat had a particular personality trait that I had never encountered before. Whenever I would sit down and get comfortable, he would climb on my lap. He would then purr and meow for my attention, and when he got it, he would jump up and bite me on the head! I was scared the first time it happened. I had never been attacked by any animal at that point, and I certainly didn't expect it from this loving cat on my lap. I wasn't hurt, but it was still a jarring experience. Unfortunately for the cat, for the remainder of the week, I didn't sit down and spend quality time with him. I did try a few other times to remain calm and allow the cat on my lap, but every time he eventually attacked my head and bit me.
For more then a decade, I never had another encounter with a male cat. My family always kept female animals, and as luck would have it, none of my friends ever had a male cat. That all changed a few years ago, when we added a little male kitten to our family. I had completely forgotten about my experience as a pet sitter, until our male cat started behaving the same way. At first it was just a playful nip when we were rough housing, but it soon turned into an every day occurrence. He never bites hard, in fact he's never drawn blood or left a mark of any kind. That doesn't change the fact that he has sharp little teeth that hurt. I had just dismissed that one cat from the past as "having an attitude problem". But when our little kitten started biting, I made the connection and did a little research.
As it turns out, this is normal for male cats! What I interpreted as aggression, was actually the cat's way of telling me he loves me. How can this be? The kitty is actually biting the hand the feeds it! You would think this would be against any animal's instinct, but this is not the case for the male cat. To understand why your male cat continually bites you, we have to understand how your cat reacts to others of it's own kind. In a male cat's world, biting and pain are synonymous with any interaction with the opposite sex. When mating, the male cat climbs on the back of the female and bites the back of her neck. This act is not to hold the female in place as it may appear, but to inflict pain. The female cat actually needs the pain to trigger her to ovulate. Her body uses this feeling as a guide to know when she has a strong fertile male ready to mate with her.
Now obviously, you and your cat are not trying to make little kittens, but he has no outlet for his affection. There are a few exceptions in some of the big cats, but as a whole, felines are solitary creatures. Males rarely allow another male in their presence, as they prefer to cover a large territory of real estate that encompasses many females. In a more domestic situation, when the cat is always around you and other animals, he just doesn't know how to express himself in a more polite manner. There are products that claim to help biting cats, such as Feliway Cat Pheromones. These products do in fact help, but they will never get your cat to stop. Many cat owners learn to live with the feline's habits. I feel a male cat biting is one of those things that you cannot make him stop doing. That's like asking him to stop loving you. The only way I've been able to train our little feisty fur ball, is to just stop giving him affection when he bites. He has learned over time that if he want's to continue to receive attention, he must control his urges. There are still nips now and again when he gets a little too excited, but he's become a much more nurturing cat. If you have a male cat that bites, the best prescription is a little patience and understanding to make you and your male cat happier!
For more then a decade, I never had another encounter with a male cat. My family always kept female animals, and as luck would have it, none of my friends ever had a male cat. That all changed a few years ago, when we added a little male kitten to our family. I had completely forgotten about my experience as a pet sitter, until our male cat started behaving the same way. At first it was just a playful nip when we were rough housing, but it soon turned into an every day occurrence. He never bites hard, in fact he's never drawn blood or left a mark of any kind. That doesn't change the fact that he has sharp little teeth that hurt. I had just dismissed that one cat from the past as "having an attitude problem". But when our little kitten started biting, I made the connection and did a little research.
As it turns out, this is normal for male cats! What I interpreted as aggression, was actually the cat's way of telling me he loves me. How can this be? The kitty is actually biting the hand the feeds it! You would think this would be against any animal's instinct, but this is not the case for the male cat. To understand why your male cat continually bites you, we have to understand how your cat reacts to others of it's own kind. In a male cat's world, biting and pain are synonymous with any interaction with the opposite sex. When mating, the male cat climbs on the back of the female and bites the back of her neck. This act is not to hold the female in place as it may appear, but to inflict pain. The female cat actually needs the pain to trigger her to ovulate. Her body uses this feeling as a guide to know when she has a strong fertile male ready to mate with her.
Now obviously, you and your cat are not trying to make little kittens, but he has no outlet for his affection. There are a few exceptions in some of the big cats, but as a whole, felines are solitary creatures. Males rarely allow another male in their presence, as they prefer to cover a large territory of real estate that encompasses many females. In a more domestic situation, when the cat is always around you and other animals, he just doesn't know how to express himself in a more polite manner. There are products that claim to help biting cats, such as Feliway Cat Pheromones. These products do in fact help, but they will never get your cat to stop. Many cat owners learn to live with the feline's habits. I feel a male cat biting is one of those things that you cannot make him stop doing. That's like asking him to stop loving you. The only way I've been able to train our little feisty fur ball, is to just stop giving him affection when he bites. He has learned over time that if he want's to continue to receive attention, he must control his urges. There are still nips now and again when he gets a little too excited, but he's become a much more nurturing cat. If you have a male cat that bites, the best prescription is a little patience and understanding to make you and your male cat happier!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Product Reveiw - Pedipaws Pet Nail Trimmer vs. Dremel
I received not long ago the Pedipaws Pet Nail Trimmer as a gift from a family member, for our two dogs. The late night infomercials had been convincing! It appears to be a Dremel type tool that can safely grind down your pets nails, without having to worry about cutting too close to the quick. I always cut our pets nails with traditional scissor style pet clippers, but our two black labs have black nails. As anyone who has cut black pet nails knows, its almost impossible to tell where the quick is. It seemed the Pedipaws Pet Nail Trimmer had come up with the perfect solution! I was sure the plastic nail guard would keep my pet's nails safe, and it seemed the high powered sander would make quick work of my dog's nails.
As it seems, this particular infomercial was deceiving. After opening the box and inserting the batteries, I was pleasantly surprised at the quietness of the device. I could hardly hear it running and thought this was going to be a breeze, I knew my dogs would not be afraid of such a small sound, and I was right. Unfortunately, this was the last feature of the Pedipaws Trimmer that I would be pleased with.
When I attempted to use the trimmer on my dog's nails, I found that two of it's best features are flawed. I have always used scissor style nail trimmers, because I've found that it's always difficult to get my dog's nails into a guillotine style nail trimmer. The Pedipaws saftey guard proved to have the same issue. If I was able to get the dog's nail into the guard at all, I wasn't able to keep it there.
The Pedipaws trimmer uses sandpaper instead of stone like a traditional Dremel. After just a few seconds my dog's nail began to tear the sandpaper, and I'm not even sure if the paper was a coarse enough grade to make any headway on the nail at all. It did come with another finer grade head for detail work, but I didn't even attempt that, as the first head was already destroyed by my dog's nail.
If I wanted to use a Dremel style trimmer for my pet's nails, I would definitely opt for the brand name Dremel. It's got the motor power to get the job done, and the heads are quality material that won't be damaged within a few second's of using it. It might be a little louder, but that's only because it has a motor that can actually do the job. It is slightly more expensive, but the Dremel name guarantees you'll get what you pay for. Dremel 7300-PT 4.8-Volt Pet Grooming Kit
At the end of the day, I always go back to my scissor style nail trimmers. They are simple, durable, and easy to use. They get the job done, with little inconvenience to you or your pet. They won't break, and they always have the power to get the through the nail.
Trimming your pets's nails can be a daunting task for some, and many groomers offer a nail trimming service for around five dollars, if you truly feel uncomfortable doing it yourself. If you do choose to do it yourself, the simplest solution is usually the best. I'd stay away from the fancy items that seem too good to be true, and stick with the tried and true. This will help keep you and your pet truly happy!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Product Review - Fooey and Bitter Apple Biting/Chewing Deterrent
Chewing or biting by your pet can be an unpleasant habit that at times seems impossible to break. Some animals, such as dogs, chew objects to ease stress. Birds, ferrets, and other small animals bite objects to get a sample of their smell, taste, and texture. Biting and chewing is a natural behavior of our pets that helps them to perceive their world. 
Unfortunately, when they are trying to perceive your finger, or your kitchen table's legs, the results can be pain or the destruction of your prized possessions. There are many products available that claim to deter your pet's natural behavior. The most effective of these are the sprays Bitter Apple and Fooey.
by Bukowsky18
The first of these, Bitter Apple, is a spray that you apply to any object you don't want your pet to chew or bite. It is non-staining and can be applied to almost any object. It's secret is it's ingredient, pure alcohol. There can be a slight odor when applied, but it dissipates quickly as the alcohol evaporates. The evaporation rate of alcohol is also this product's downside. While the taste is unpleasant, it doesn't last long. If the animal is curious enough to try and put the object in their mouth a second time, it's likely they will learn the taste starts to go away.
In my opinion, a more effective deterrent is the Fooey Ultra Bitter Spray. I have personally tasted both of these products, and I tell you from experience, Fooey is exponentially worse tasting. It still has a bitter taste, but it doesn't evaporate like Bitter Apple. Once the taste gets on your pets tongue, beak, or lips it is there to stay. Some dog owners have found that their dog actually enjoys the taste of Bitter Apple, but this will not happen with Fooey. Fooey is not made with alcohol, but grapefruit skin extracts. It also has no odor, and won't stain. Fooey can even be used topically on a dog that may be chewing at itself, and it won't burn an open sore like the alcohol in Bitter Apple could. If I have had to choose between these two products, I would definitely choose the Fooey for every occasion.
While it may be impossible to prevent your pet from biting and chewing, it is possible to deter them from biting or chewing certain objects. Both of these sprays are effective at making your pet think twice about chewing anything the spray is applied to, including fingers. By directing you're pet's chewing behavior to more acceptable objects like toys, you'll be able to make both you and your pet happier!
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Unfortunately, when they are trying to perceive your finger, or your kitchen table's legs, the results can be pain or the destruction of your prized possessions. There are many products available that claim to deter your pet's natural behavior. The most effective of these are the sprays Bitter Apple and Fooey.
The first of these, Bitter Apple, is a spray that you apply to any object you don't want your pet to chew or bite. It is non-staining and can be applied to almost any object. It's secret is it's ingredient, pure alcohol. There can be a slight odor when applied, but it dissipates quickly as the alcohol evaporates. The evaporation rate of alcohol is also this product's downside. While the taste is unpleasant, it doesn't last long. If the animal is curious enough to try and put the object in their mouth a second time, it's likely they will learn the taste starts to go away.
In my opinion, a more effective deterrent is the Fooey Ultra Bitter Spray. I have personally tasted both of these products, and I tell you from experience, Fooey is exponentially worse tasting. It still has a bitter taste, but it doesn't evaporate like Bitter Apple. Once the taste gets on your pets tongue, beak, or lips it is there to stay. Some dog owners have found that their dog actually enjoys the taste of Bitter Apple, but this will not happen with Fooey. Fooey is not made with alcohol, but grapefruit skin extracts. It also has no odor, and won't stain. Fooey can even be used topically on a dog that may be chewing at itself, and it won't burn an open sore like the alcohol in Bitter Apple could. If I have had to choose between these two products, I would definitely choose the Fooey for every occasion.
While it may be impossible to prevent your pet from biting and chewing, it is possible to deter them from biting or chewing certain objects. Both of these sprays are effective at making your pet think twice about chewing anything the spray is applied to, including fingers. By directing you're pet's chewing behavior to more acceptable objects like toys, you'll be able to make both you and your pet happier!
Subscribe in a readerSaturday, May 28, 2011
Product Review - Ethical Pet Laser Pet Toy
What is the most fun you could have with your pet for under $5.00? The Ethical Pet Laser Pet Toy is! I have never found a toy that can provide so many laughs, and hours of entertainment for you and your pet as a simple laser pointer.
There's something about a little red dot that can instantly capture the attention of any four legged animal you may have in your home. The erratic movement inspires your pet's instinct to hunt, and their inability to ever catch their "prey" provides the mental stimulation that our pets so desperately need.
The Ethical Brand Pet Laser Toy comes with 5 interchangeable lenses so you can change the appearance of the dot. One of them is even a mouse for your cat to practice it's killer instincts around your home! The Ethical Pet Laser Toy comes with it's first set of batteries, so the fun can start as soon as you receive the product.
If you're still not sold on a the most fun for your buck that you can find anywhere, here are some satisfied customers.
This dog loves it so much he even asks for it by pressing a switch!
So if you're on a budget and tired of buying toys for your pets that seem to just get destroyed within a few days, or you just want something new to entertain your pet, try the Ethical Pet Laser Toy. They are cheap, last forever, and will provide hours and hours of happiness for you and your pet!
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There's something about a little red dot that can instantly capture the attention of any four legged animal you may have in your home. The erratic movement inspires your pet's instinct to hunt, and their inability to ever catch their "prey" provides the mental stimulation that our pets so desperately need.
The Ethical Brand Pet Laser Toy comes with 5 interchangeable lenses so you can change the appearance of the dot. One of them is even a mouse for your cat to practice it's killer instincts around your home! The Ethical Pet Laser Toy comes with it's first set of batteries, so the fun can start as soon as you receive the product.
If you're still not sold on a the most fun for your buck that you can find anywhere, here are some satisfied customers.
This dog loves it so much he even asks for it by pressing a switch!
So if you're on a budget and tired of buying toys for your pets that seem to just get destroyed within a few days, or you just want something new to entertain your pet, try the Ethical Pet Laser Toy. They are cheap, last forever, and will provide hours and hours of happiness for you and your pet!
Subscribe in a readerSaturday, May 21, 2011
Product Review - Feliway Cat Pheromone
When we think of owning a cat, we think of a soft fur ball that likes to cuddle. This is what everyone wants when they bring home a kitten. Often though, we end up with a cat that hides all day. A cat that may be completely unsociable, constantly on edge and afraid of everything, even months after bringing it home. A cat with high anxiety can put a stress on a household, and even be dangerous if the cat bites or scratches out of fear. So what do you do to earn your cat's trust and make it comfortable around your home? They are difficult to train, and unlike dogs, they do not forgive easily if they were treated badly before they came to you. The solution, is Feliway.
Feliway is a synthetic facial pheromone. Basically, a man made version of the scent cats emit from their cheeks and face. A cat's facial pheromone provides comfort and relaxation to a cat. Many cats rub their cheeks on you, the corners of walls, chairs, and even your carpet to spread their scent all over anywhere they consider safe. The Feliway diffuser allows you to fill a room, or even your whole home with this same scent, calming the cat naturally. I've always been skeptical of anything with pheromones that claims to "Really Work!", but I have seen this particular product in action. Feliway is amazing, and can relax an anxious cat enough, that it may come out of hiding and learn for itself what a safe home it has with you.
The Feliway diffuser is easy to use, you just plug it into the wall. It looks just like the newer designer Glade Plugins, and works the same way. There is no odor, the pheromone is a chemical that can only be smelled by the cat, so you don't have to worry about anyone even knowing you use it.
Feliway also works well for cats that scratch on furniture. A well adjusted cat will often scratch items around your home in an effort to spread this same chemical, and provide itself a relaxed environment. By introducing the Feliway Diffuser, you essentially do the work for the cat, and the scratching stops.
If you've got a scared and anxious cat that you would like to socialize with your family, or a well adjusted cat that just wants to relax, then this is the product for you. It's safe, economical, and effective. Feliway Diffusers will help to make both cat owners, and their kitty's happier!
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Feliway is a synthetic facial pheromone. Basically, a man made version of the scent cats emit from their cheeks and face. A cat's facial pheromone provides comfort and relaxation to a cat. Many cats rub their cheeks on you, the corners of walls, chairs, and even your carpet to spread their scent all over anywhere they consider safe. The Feliway diffuser allows you to fill a room, or even your whole home with this same scent, calming the cat naturally. I've always been skeptical of anything with pheromones that claims to "Really Work!", but I have seen this particular product in action. Feliway is amazing, and can relax an anxious cat enough, that it may come out of hiding and learn for itself what a safe home it has with you.
The Feliway diffuser is easy to use, you just plug it into the wall. It looks just like the newer designer Glade Plugins, and works the same way. There is no odor, the pheromone is a chemical that can only be smelled by the cat, so you don't have to worry about anyone even knowing you use it.
Feliway also works well for cats that scratch on furniture. A well adjusted cat will often scratch items around your home in an effort to spread this same chemical, and provide itself a relaxed environment. By introducing the Feliway Diffuser, you essentially do the work for the cat, and the scratching stops.
If you've got a scared and anxious cat that you would like to socialize with your family, or a well adjusted cat that just wants to relax, then this is the product for you. It's safe, economical, and effective. Feliway Diffusers will help to make both cat owners, and their kitty's happier!
Subscribe in a readerThursday, May 19, 2011
Picture of the Week! Cute Kitties!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Drunk Doggies, Crocked Cats, and Plastered Parrots
Your puppy is an alcoholic! Every time you break out the spirits your pet wants a drink. What's the harm in it? Everyone likes to cut loose every once in a while, and who better to have a beer with than your best friend? Well you better cut off Fido before the first one.
Alcohol when used in moderation can be a pleasant experience for humans. But that "buzz" we chase after to forget our woes, is actually the result of your body being poisoned. In smaller animals this can lead to some unpleasant results. There's no need to panic if your pet ingested a small amount of a forgotten beer. Alcohol is a naturally occurring substance, and many wild animals actually ingest it from time to time in fermented fruit. But don't ever intentionally give your animal a drink from your glass.
Dogs are probably the best equipped to handle a little alcohol, but the effects are greatly magnified, both psychologically and physically. For us, a little disorientation in a crowded dance club can be empowering, but we bring that feeling on ourselves, and know what to expect. From your dog's perspective it could be quite scary. Dogs can become easily confused and the result would be aggression. Their sudden loss of balance would be absolutely terrifying, and I'm sure they would feel as if they are fighting for their life. The physical effects of alcohol on a dog are much worse than a human. As little as a beer or two could lead to severe alcohol poisoning and even death, in even a large dog. Like in humans, alcohol is weight dependent, and in a smaller dog, maybe even a few sips could be very dangerous. We have adapted over thousands of years to be able to process alcohol, dogs have not, and with their increased metabolism, things can go from bad to worse very quickly.
Cats are no different then dogs when it comes to the devil water, with one exception, its worse! Cats are usually much smaller then dogs and as true carnivores, they just do not have the capacity to process grains, which alcohol is made from. A wild canine may run across some fermented fruit from time to time, but your kitty's ancestors never even tried the stuff. A few sips can lead to kidney failure, and it would be a good idea to get your cat to the vet immediately if even a small amount is ingested. A cat's body processes alcohol differently then a dog or human and it can cause some severe damage pretty quickly.
Lastly, I've seen more people try to give their birds alcohol then any other pet. Maybe it's because parrots tend to be more curious then other pets, or maybe because birds tend to be a bit more entertaining and we think they'd be hilarious if drunk, but as they are as bad at handling alcohol as humans are good at it. Even a large bird can not handle more then a few sips. Birds maintain an extremely high metabolism. Their bodies run at a hundred miles an hour all day every day, it's crucial for their survival. Aside from the toxicity of alcohol, it's a depressant. Birds can not handle having their heart rate slow down even slightly.
Alcohol poisoning can happen in all animals just as humans, only much quicker, and with less alcohol. The symptoms are the same, vomiting, frequent urination, confusion, and loss of balance. The best course of action if you think your pet has gotten into some alcohol and showing these symptoms will be to get them to a vet, immediately.
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Alcohol when used in moderation can be a pleasant experience for humans. But that "buzz" we chase after to forget our woes, is actually the result of your body being poisoned. In smaller animals this can lead to some unpleasant results. There's no need to panic if your pet ingested a small amount of a forgotten beer. Alcohol is a naturally occurring substance, and many wild animals actually ingest it from time to time in fermented fruit. But don't ever intentionally give your animal a drink from your glass.
Dogs are probably the best equipped to handle a little alcohol, but the effects are greatly magnified, both psychologically and physically. For us, a little disorientation in a crowded dance club can be empowering, but we bring that feeling on ourselves, and know what to expect. From your dog's perspective it could be quite scary. Dogs can become easily confused and the result would be aggression. Their sudden loss of balance would be absolutely terrifying, and I'm sure they would feel as if they are fighting for their life. The physical effects of alcohol on a dog are much worse than a human. As little as a beer or two could lead to severe alcohol poisoning and even death, in even a large dog. Like in humans, alcohol is weight dependent, and in a smaller dog, maybe even a few sips could be very dangerous. We have adapted over thousands of years to be able to process alcohol, dogs have not, and with their increased metabolism, things can go from bad to worse very quickly.
Cats are no different then dogs when it comes to the devil water, with one exception, its worse! Cats are usually much smaller then dogs and as true carnivores, they just do not have the capacity to process grains, which alcohol is made from. A wild canine may run across some fermented fruit from time to time, but your kitty's ancestors never even tried the stuff. A few sips can lead to kidney failure, and it would be a good idea to get your cat to the vet immediately if even a small amount is ingested. A cat's body processes alcohol differently then a dog or human and it can cause some severe damage pretty quickly.
Lastly, I've seen more people try to give their birds alcohol then any other pet. Maybe it's because parrots tend to be more curious then other pets, or maybe because birds tend to be a bit more entertaining and we think they'd be hilarious if drunk, but as they are as bad at handling alcohol as humans are good at it. Even a large bird can not handle more then a few sips. Birds maintain an extremely high metabolism. Their bodies run at a hundred miles an hour all day every day, it's crucial for their survival. Aside from the toxicity of alcohol, it's a depressant. Birds can not handle having their heart rate slow down even slightly.
Alcohol poisoning can happen in all animals just as humans, only much quicker, and with less alcohol. The symptoms are the same, vomiting, frequent urination, confusion, and loss of balance. The best course of action if you think your pet has gotten into some alcohol and showing these symptoms will be to get them to a vet, immediately.
Subscribe in a readerTuesday, April 5, 2011
The Dirt On Litter
I walked into my local pet superstore the other day to get some cat litter for our three lovely ladies. Holy cow! There is an entire aisle just for cat litter! Isn't cat litter supposed to be the easiest thing to purchase for your cat? It's just litter, right? Well, actually there are many different types of litter, and they all have a specific purpose.
The first type is the most common, clay litter. This is what almost everyone thinks of when someone mentions cat litter. It looks like tiny little rocks, and just as the name implies, is made up of ground up clay. It's very absorbant, and dominates the litter market. Even amongst the clay litters there is a great variety. Decoding the differences can help you make a better decision for you and your kitty.
Price is a great judge in the quality of the litter. The higher the price, generally, the less dust and the better the deodorizers that are used. Is one better then the other? Not really. I'll admit, the very low end litters can be a bit messy when you change the litter box and giant cloud of dust comes out of the bag. But your cat can likely not tell the difference. Most clay litter companies have come up with "multi-cat" versions of their litters. The only difference is the amount of deodorizers. I wouldn't spend a few extra bucks for multi-cat, but often times they are exactly the same price.
The second type of litter is clumping litter. Clumping litter is just like clay litter, except it has Sodium Bentonite added to it. This makes the clay stick together in clumps when it gets wet, how convenient! Now you can use a scoop and remove the waste on a daily basis instead of changing all the litter every couple of days. Clumping litter can be great, but sometimes it should not be used. One instance in particular is when a cat has recently been declawed, or has had any other surgery. Because clay litter clumps so well in moisture, it has a tendency to stick to fresh wounds. It sets up like concrete, which is great if your trying to remove liquid urine from your cat box, not so great if it adheres to your cat's sensitive stitches.
Price again, seems to be the best judge on quality for clumping litters. The higher the price, the finer the litter and the better it clumps. If you use an automatic litter box, that self cleans, you MUST use a high quality clumping litter. Anything less can damage the box's motor.
The third type is a paper or wood based litter. These are made from compressed pine or recycled newspaper. Some consider these a little more environmentally friendly, but what I like about them is their texture. These all come in the form of pellets, that are rather large compared to the tiny pieces of other types of litters. This makes them great for a recently declawed cat. The pellets are too large to get stuck in between the toes, and when they do break down they don't stick to anything. The are probably the worst for odor control, but hopefully it would only be used for a few weeks while your cat heals.
The fourth type is the silicone based litters. These look like little white balls. When they first appeared on the market they seemed like they were something designed by N.A.S.A. An entire bag usually only fills a small litter box about an inch deep, but the absorbancy of these pellets is amazing. You could fill your litter box with water, and within minutes, one bag would absorb every last drop of it. It sounds too good to be true, and it almost is. If all your cat did in the litter box was urinate, silicone based litters would be the perfect solution. However, they are not very good at dealing with solid waste. In my opinion they almost make the solid waste worse to clean up. However great they are in dealing with liquids, they are as equally bad in dealing with solids.
Don't be overwhelmed the next time you try to pick out the equivalent of your cat's toilet paper. Clay litters and clumping litters are the most common, and do the job quite well.
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The first type is the most common, clay litter. This is what almost everyone thinks of when someone mentions cat litter. It looks like tiny little rocks, and just as the name implies, is made up of ground up clay. It's very absorbant, and dominates the litter market. Even amongst the clay litters there is a great variety. Decoding the differences can help you make a better decision for you and your kitty.
Price is a great judge in the quality of the litter. The higher the price, generally, the less dust and the better the deodorizers that are used. Is one better then the other? Not really. I'll admit, the very low end litters can be a bit messy when you change the litter box and giant cloud of dust comes out of the bag. But your cat can likely not tell the difference. Most clay litter companies have come up with "multi-cat" versions of their litters. The only difference is the amount of deodorizers. I wouldn't spend a few extra bucks for multi-cat, but often times they are exactly the same price.
The second type of litter is clumping litter. Clumping litter is just like clay litter, except it has Sodium Bentonite added to it. This makes the clay stick together in clumps when it gets wet, how convenient! Now you can use a scoop and remove the waste on a daily basis instead of changing all the litter every couple of days. Clumping litter can be great, but sometimes it should not be used. One instance in particular is when a cat has recently been declawed, or has had any other surgery. Because clay litter clumps so well in moisture, it has a tendency to stick to fresh wounds. It sets up like concrete, which is great if your trying to remove liquid urine from your cat box, not so great if it adheres to your cat's sensitive stitches.
Price again, seems to be the best judge on quality for clumping litters. The higher the price, the finer the litter and the better it clumps. If you use an automatic litter box, that self cleans, you MUST use a high quality clumping litter. Anything less can damage the box's motor.
The third type is a paper or wood based litter. These are made from compressed pine or recycled newspaper. Some consider these a little more environmentally friendly, but what I like about them is their texture. These all come in the form of pellets, that are rather large compared to the tiny pieces of other types of litters. This makes them great for a recently declawed cat. The pellets are too large to get stuck in between the toes, and when they do break down they don't stick to anything. The are probably the worst for odor control, but hopefully it would only be used for a few weeks while your cat heals.
The fourth type is the silicone based litters. These look like little white balls. When they first appeared on the market they seemed like they were something designed by N.A.S.A. An entire bag usually only fills a small litter box about an inch deep, but the absorbancy of these pellets is amazing. You could fill your litter box with water, and within minutes, one bag would absorb every last drop of it. It sounds too good to be true, and it almost is. If all your cat did in the litter box was urinate, silicone based litters would be the perfect solution. However, they are not very good at dealing with solid waste. In my opinion they almost make the solid waste worse to clean up. However great they are in dealing with liquids, they are as equally bad in dealing with solids.
Don't be overwhelmed the next time you try to pick out the equivalent of your cat's toilet paper. Clay litters and clumping litters are the most common, and do the job quite well.
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