Cat experts believe cats have a weird and complicated relationship with their litter boxes. It’s not just a toilet to them. It’s a very part of their makeup. That’s why you really don’t have to train a cat to use a litter box.
But you might have to use a lot of tricks to get a cat, who has decided to boycott the box, to use a litter box.
Vets often suggest changing the type of litter if your cat isn’t using the box consistently. But changing the litter can also put a perfectly behaving cat right off using the box.
The Web site www.pawnation.com polled cat experts Dr. Peter L. Borchelt, animal behavior consultant; Dusty Rainbolt, author of Kittens for Dummies; and holistic health counselor Celia Kutcher about the pros and cons of litter. Here are their suggestions.
They report there are several materials used for litter — clay, silica, corn, pine, wheat, soy, aspen and tea leaf.
Clay is the most common, having been around since the 1940s. Aspen and tea leaf are the newest materials. Good luck finding them.
• The experts say clay is easy to find, inexpensive and most cats will use it. But it comes from strip mining, a questionable environmental procedure. And clay isn’t as dusty as in years past when people said it was harmful.
They like Scoop Away, Ever Clean and Fresh Step.
• Silica is the same stuff that keeps pills fresh and is sometimes called crystals, according to the experts.
Cats like the texture, and it lasts longer but can be difficult to tell when it needs to be changed.
The experts like Target’s house brand, Space, which is carried by Trader Joe’s and Tidy Cats Crystals.
• The experts say corn litter is made from cobs or kernels and is naturally porous, absorbs ammonia and is even digestible if your cat licks it off her paws. Some say it’s flushable — but check with your sewer authorities. It lasts a long time but costs more.
They like World’s Best Cat Litter. Period.
• Pine litter comes in little pellets, has no chemicals, no odors and is biodegradable. But the experts say it can be pricey and you have to change the whole box instead of scooping.
The experts like Feline Pine, and Nature’s Miracle.
• Wheat litter is nontoxic, it clumps and is easy on the environment. But the experts say it sticks to the litter box,
They like Swheat Scoop. But look for corn starch as an ingredient and you will have less sticking.
• Soy is a new litter the experts say has a natural odor absorbing enzyme. It’s natural, biodegradable, and flushable. But it’s only available at The Organic Farm Store’s Web site — www.theorganicfarmstore.com — and selected places and soy might have a bad effect on female cats because the experts say it can affect estrogen levels.
The experts say Close to Naturenow is the only soy litter on the market. On the Web site, a 10-pound bag sells for $8.39.
• Aspen litter comes from trees and doesn’t have the pine smell that might repel some cats, according to the experts. It controls odor.
The experts say it’s hard to find and not many brands out there but look for Gentle Touch.
• Tea leaf litter came from a home remedy of sprinkling dried green tea leaves on litter to absorb the smell, the experts report. It also is flushable, biodegradable and even kills bacteria. But it’s hard to find, pricey and you should look for the clumping kind.
The experts suggest using Green Tea Leaves Clumping Cat Litter. I found a six-pound bag selling for $13.99 at www.forotherlivingthings.com.
• Last week, the amount for a Greene County dog license was not correct. A dog license in Greene County for 2010 will cost $15. A kennel license will cost $75. After Feb. 1, the amount doubles.
For more information, call 562-5065,
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2248 or ldenger@Dayton DailyNews.com.
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