Posts tagged "cat litter"

Zootoo Review - 5 Cleanup Solutions for Cat Owners

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Nov 11th 2011 9:00AM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Product Reviews

One feline characteristic that many cat owners appreciate is their pets' tendency to groom themselves. But even the cleanest cat still leaves behind a mess or two for his human to handle.

Whether you're in search of a better way to manage your cat's litter, or some assistance when trying to "de-fur" your home, certain products on the market can help. To keep your feline-filled home as neat as possible, our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite cleanup solutions for cat owners.

sturdibag carrier Pledge

A solid addition to the cat lover's fur-fighting arsenal, the Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair from Pledge is a durable sweeper that can handle cleanup jobs that are just too big for sticky rollers. Simply roll the sweeper back and forth over furniture, curtains, cat beds, or any other surface covered in hair, and let the stiff fibers of the product's two rollers lift off the fur hassle-free.

pet carrier Bissell

Featuring softer bristles than an ordinary broom, the Smart Details Pet Hair Broom from Bissell cleverly gathers up fur from a variety of surfaces in your home. On hard floors, the Bissell broom effectively collects hair along the bottom of the bristles, rather than just sweeping the fur around. And the broom's adjustable rubber teeth allow you to dig up hairs from rugs into a neat pile.

bergan pet carrier Bionaire

Using both a pre-filter and an electronic air purifier to combat the dust and smells coming from your cat's litter, the Odor Grabber Litter Box from Bionaire effectively helps to control unwanted aromas. Owners will appreciate that the filters are quiet and easy to use, and cats will appreciate the privacy of the box's roll-top lid.

pet carrier Roomba

Spend less time cleaning up after your pet with the Roomba Pet Series 532 Vacuum Cleaning Robot from iRobot. Like other Roomba products, the Pet Series model is easy to operate, and features several conveniences - such as two interchangeable cleaning bins - designed with pet owners in mind. And you may find that your pets enjoy playing with the Roomba almost as much as you enjoy having it clean.

pet sling Booda

An easy-to-use scooper at a bargain price, the Litter Scoop from Booda features a built-in front rake for those clumps that are hard to get, and vertical slits to allow owners to filter clean litter pellets out of the scoop. And at a retail price of just over $3 during some online sales, this jumbo litter cleaner is a true value.

Kitty Litter Lawsuit Dismissed: 'Cats Do Not Talk'

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Feb 3rd 2011 2:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pets News

The cat fight between two leading cat litter companies has come to an end. The makers of Arm & Hammer's Super Scoop cat litter has dropped its lawsuit against Clorox, maker of Fresh Step cat litter, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The suit, as you might recall, claimed that Fresh Step's commercial (below) showing kitties choosing Fresh Step over Super Scoop maligned the Super Scoop product. It also stated that Fresh Step's study claiming cats prefer Fresh Step was flawed, reports ABA Journal. The complaint stated that "cats do not talk" and that there were many factors involved in which litter box a cat chooses outside of litter preference.

Clorox has pulled the Fresh Step ads, and it is unclear whether the case resulted in a settlement.

Kitty Litter Lawsuit Filed Over Commercial Claims

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Jan 6th 2011 5:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pets News

The fur is flying between two leading sellers of cat litter, Clorox and Arm & Hammer. The makers of Arm & Hammer's Super Scoop cat litter, Church & Dwight Co., have filed a lawsuit against The Clorox Co., which makes Fresh Step cat litter, because of a commercial showing cats rejecting the Super Scoop litter. The Super Scoop people claim is "false and deceptive" and their own research tells a different story, reports the Wall Street Journal.

The commercial, which also features everybody's favorite box-loving cat, Maru, shows several cats choosing a litter box filled with Fresh Step litter over a litter box filled with Super Scoop, which the Super Scoop makers say is hurting their product. According to the ad, cats prefer Fresh Step litter because of its superior odor-blocking technology. The New York Post reports that papers filed by Church & Dwight claim that, since "cats do not talk" and have a different "perception of malodor," this claim is unsubstantiated.

Zootoo Review - 5 Types of Cat Litter

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Nov 24th 2010 4:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Product Reviews

The wide variety of cat litters on the market can confuse any pet owner. To clump or not to clump? Silica, corn, or pine? The choices for cat lovers seem endless. To help you decide the best litter option for you and your kitties, our friends at Zootoo rounded up their favorite products in a range of litter categories.

Pestell

A solid entry in the non-clumping, crystal category, Clear Choice Low-Track Silica Cat Litter by Pestell keeps litter boxes so tidy, our tester was able to stop using a liner. Like other crystal products, Pestell's litter is not entirely dust-free, but the crystals do a superior job controlling odor and absorbing waste.

Naturals

Completely free of chemicals and additives, Naturals Corn Cat Litter is made from natural waste and can also double as a fertilizer - a bonus for pet owners who want to keep their litter boxes eco-friendly. The litter's sand-like, non-clumping texture appeals to cats, and the potent absorbency rivals that of non-natural products.

Countdown to Meet the Breeds - Win 80 Pounds of Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Oct 5th 2010 2:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Giveaways

preciouscat.com

Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Litters offers seven different solution-based cat litters guaranteed to help you overcome any potty-time issues your cat is experiencing. As sponsors of Meet the Breeds, and in honor of the upcoming event, Dr. Elsey's is giving away 80 pounds of Cat Attract Litter (in the form of vouchers, don't worry!).

Cat Attract is an all-natural litter that has the combination of texture, particle size, clumping ability and herbal ingredients to bring cats back to the litter box. Litter box aversion is a fairly common issue with cats, and this is a simple step toward the solution.

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us where you keep your cat's litter box.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, October 15, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive vouchers for 80 pounds of Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter (valued at $60).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Giveaway - ScoopFree Ultra Automatic Litter Box

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Jun 21st 2010 10:00AM Filed Under: Cats, Giveaways

scoopfree.com

No matter how much you love your kitty, you probably don't love cleaning his litter box. What's to like? It's stinky, it's messy, and it takes up your time. But it doesn't have to!

The ScoopFree Ultra Automatic Litter Box takes care of this icky chore for you. The self-cleaning litter box uses disposable litter trays filled with odor-controlling blue crystals. Once it's time to change litter, you toss the tray and crystals and replace it, no scooping or bagging required. Plus, it offers three great bonus features: a privacy hood, an adjustable rake delay (choose five, 10 or 20 minutes) and a health counter (so you can keep track of how many times each month you're kitty is using the litter box and monitor any changes in bathroom behavior).

This week, we're giving away a ScoopFree Ultra Automatic Litter Box (which comes with one tray) and a 6-pack of Premium Blue Trays. If you have just one cat, this could last you up to seven months! Ready to change the way you feel about cleaning your cat's litter forever? Make sure to enter!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us your favorite thing about your cat.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, June 25, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive a ScoopFree Ultra Automatic Litter Box and a 6-pack of Premium Blue Trays (valued at $269.90).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Monday Squee - Mommy Makes It All Better

by Paul Ciampanelli (Subscribe to Paul Ciampanelli's posts): May 31st 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Cats

Is there anything more universally understand than the healing power of a hug from Mom?

We're not sure what brought this on. Maybe one of this kitten's littermates was picking on him. Maybe he misjudged a leap from the counter and got an owwie. Or maybe he's so cute that his mommy just had to give him a big hug. In any event, it's our Daily Squee. And it makes us miss our moms. We're gonna call them up right now just to tell them we love 'em.

Cat Litter Myths

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Nov 2nd 2009 5:00PM Filed Under: Cats

Cat in a litter box picture

jupiterimages

When considering life's great mysteries, many folks wouldn't include cat litter. But they'd be wrong. Misinformation -- or even total ignorance -- abounds when it comes to just what constitutes a clean, comfy, and problem-free litter box. "Quite simply, nobody has ever fully funded any sort of research to determine what litters are healthy for cats or preferable to cats," says Dusty Rainbolt, author of Kittens for Dummies. To help us do away with litter myths once and for all, we looked to three of our favorite feline experts: Rainbolt; Celia Kutcher, a Brooklyn-based holistic health counselor; and Animal Behaviorist Dr. Peter Borchelt.

1. Myth: A quality cat litter eliminates odor so well that you can go days without cleaning the litter box.

Fact: Litter boxes really should be cleaned out daily, regardless what kind of litter you use. Infrequent cleaning isn't fair to the cat, says Kutcher. It also limits your chances of finding your pet's perfect brand of litter. You could sacrifice other important factors, like the cat's comfort or the litter's digestibility, if you're overly concerned about odor control.

"You shouldn't have to use an odor-controlling product if you keep your box clean enough," Rainbolt seconds. "When it smells, clean it. Scoop once or twice a day, minimum."

2. Myth: Cats that are picky about their litter are just extra-finicky.

Fact: Felines are known for their fussy nature, but that probably isn't why your cat rejects one kind of litter over another. It could be their toe tufts. Persians, for example, have extra-sensitive ones. "When they pee, the litter might form clumps beneath their paws that then get stuck in there," explains Rainbolt. "You've got these painful mud clumps stuck to your pads, and your choice is peeing on the carpet or being in pain."

Kutcher recommends finding a pet-store owner or employee who really knows different breeds. "If they hand you a bag of litter without asking you 10 questions about your cat, they don't know what they're talking about."

3. Myth: You should scrub the litter box vigorously with your toughest household cleanser, like Pine Sol.

Fact: Pine scent is a cat repellent, so do not wash the box with Pine Sol. Rainbolt says all you need to do is rinse it well with warm water. Another trick: If you use a clumping litter, spray the bottom of the box with Pam before filling it. No more sticky litters!

Pet Product Review: Cat Attract

by Sonia Zjawinski (Subscribe to Sonia Zjawinski's posts): Oct 16th 2009 1:30PM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Training

Photo: Amazon.com

Many litters are made with humans in mind -- masking smells with fragrances, using materials that are easy to clean-up -- rather than cats. That's great for owners, but it's the cats that need to use the litter box. With that in mind, veterinarian Dr. Bruce Elsey developed Cat Attract, a litter that encourages even the most hesitant kitties to properly use their bathroom box.

Cat Attract has a smell similar to fresh foliage, effectively mimicking the great outdoors within the 1-by-2 foot confines of your litter box. The litter kernels are small and similar to dirt, but unlike the natural stuff, Cat Attract clumps so you can scoop soiled litter and throw it out.

A cat rescuer friend of mine filled up two litter boxes with the stuff and soon found that the boxes with Cat Attract were being used more than those with her previous litter. It didn't stop the kittens' out-of-box peeing completely, but it did cut down on it. She liked that it was able to control odors within the box as well, so if she missed an afternoon dump, she didn't come home and get hit with odor.

And while the 20 lbs. bag lasted quite a long time (2.5 weeks for four cats), it's expensive -- $25 at her local pet store. Luckily, you can get it cheaper online.

Other than the hefty price, the only other negative she found is that if you've got a digger who enjoys shoveling down to China before squatting, you're going to have to deal with a glue-like residue at the bottom of the litter box, which can be frustrating to remove.

Price and paste aside, she was happy with Cat Attract's results. "When people come over, it's hard not to see that I have four cats," she tells Paw Nation, "but everyone has said, 'Wow! It doesn't smell at all.'"

Learn more about Cat Attract at the upcoming Meet the Breeds event in New York City on October 17th - 18th. For more information, visit MeetTheBreeds.com.

Cat Product Review: CatGenie

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Sep 1st 2009 5:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Product Reviews, Photo Galleries

"Always wash your hands after using the potty." Photo: CatGenie.com

Ready for yet another newfangled gizmo that claims to take the manpower out of litter cleaning?

The CatGenie bills itself as "the world's only self-flushing, self-washing cat box." Hook it up to a water source, a power source and a drain, and the only time you'll ever touch it (or its smelly contents) again is to hit the cleaning cycle's start button. Poop is scooped into the CatGenie's tank, where it is liquefied before being banished down a drain. In fact, the CatGenie is so sci-fi futuristic, it doesn't use actual cat litter; instead, the machine comes with a box of plastic, non-toxic washable granules that simulate the feel of litter but need no replacement or freshening. Too good to be true, right? Read on...

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CatGenie: Good Idea that Needs Tweaking

We take this self-flushing, self-washing litter box for a test run. Find out what wishes this genie can grant.

Rose Martelli

CatGenie Litter Box Review

Genies come in bottles; the CatGenie comes in a huge, heavy box! Note its size compared to this large laundry basket. The bowl is actually wider than that of a regular toilet.

(Not that you'd try, but if you sat on the CatGenie, you'd fall in.)

Rose Martelli

We wanted to set up our CatGenie in the bedroom, but its cords and hoses (each about seven or eight feet long) wouldn't reach the closest water line, electrical outlet and drain system, which were all in our bathroom around the corner.

Rose Martelli

Sadly, CatGenie is not a great fit for an apartment bathroom. Above is what our 8-by-5 foot restroom looked like once this monster was ready to go. The top hose ran under the sink to the water line, and the power cord snaked behind the toilet and up the wall to the nearest outlet. The bottom hose ran to the toilet, up its side and under the seat, making it difficult to use the loo the CatGenie is housed in. Based on user comments I've read online, along with my own assessment, the CatGenie is best suited for a spare/guest bathroom or in a laundry room that has a floor drain.

Rose Martelli

Sadly, CatGenie is not for one bathroom apartments. Above is what our 8-by-5 foot W.C. looked like once this monster was ready to go. The top hose ran under the sink to the water line. The power cord snaked behind the toilet and up the wall to the nearest outlet -- have you ever noticed that most bathrooms don't have outlets by the baseboards? The bottom hose ran to the toilet, up its side and under the seat, so you can't really use the loo the CatGenie is housed in. Based on user comments I've read online, along with my own assessment, the CatGenie is best suited for a spare/guest bathroom or in a laundry room that has a floor drain.

Rose Martelli

The washable granules, like little tubular pellets, reminded me of ditalini, the type of pasta often found in minestrone and pasta e fagioli soups. I apologize if I just ruined your appetite or your love of Italian food.

Rose Martelli

Our inaugural, poop-free test run! The sifter/scooper lowers itself into the bowl. The basin rotates, moving granules through the sifter and catching poop along the way. It's kind of like that thing that sweeps away knocked-over bowling pins crossed with a Zamboni.

Rose Martelli

After dry sifting, water streams into the bowl much like it does in a toilet. Cleansing solution is automatically dispensed to wash the reusable granules.

While the CatGenie comes with a spare box of granules (and more can be ordered online), replacing them is meant to be a very rare occurrence since they are washed clean with each cycle and are supposed to remain within the CatGenie bowl.

Rose Martelli

Mayday! Mayday! It seemed to us this bowl was getting way too full. Suspicions were confirmed when the CatGenie temporarily stopped working and an error light and beeping ensued. We never figured out what was wrong; we just left it alone for a while, started it up again and it worked just fine. I'm sure glad there's a fail safe that stops this thing from overflowing.

Rose Martelli

Thanks to our flooding incident, many granules escaped over the lip of the bowl, down the CatGenie's waste chute, and ultimately in our toilet. It never happened quite so badly again, but we did see a few deserters with each subsequent cleaning. (Also, the granules track out of the bowl like most litters. Technology can only do so much.)

Beware, the next slide contains intimate photos of nature's waste.

Rose Martelli

When it comes to number two, the scooping/sifting process was quite successful; only one tiny piece of poop got left behind... until a previously-scooped ball of dookie shot back up the poop chute! It lodged itself under the scooper's robo-arm for quite some time before eventually falling back into the bowl.

Another item of note: In our toilet bowl, we found not only liquefied feces, but furballs. Since Rena had only set foot in the CatGenie once, we could only conclude that she's been ingesting and depositing her own fur all along. I must admit, I'm thankful for the inadvertent heads up. No wonder the CatGenie instructions strongly recommend that a CatGenie cat be an oft-brushed cat.

Rose Martelli