New Savannah daddy...F1 Portia (4 yrs) & F2B Kaya (8 weeks)

[Brigitte Cowell]

I think using the chicken is a great idea...and most my cats eat a mainly raw diet so I think raw meat a good thing...just wanted to be sure about the supplements. If she's only having a little then there is no reason to be concerned though!

Think of this in another way, we humans tend to value more those things we've had to work hard for...so think how much you will value Portia's love and trust when she finally gives that to you There's really nothing quite the same as the bond from an F1 when they love you (unless it is the bond with a Serval!)... there's something different about them...

 

[John Hemmerly]

I think using the chicken is a great idea...and most my cats eat a mainly raw diet so I think raw meat a good thing...just wanted to be sure about the supplements. If she's only having a little then there is no reason to be concerned though!

Think of this in another way, we humans tend to value more those things we've had to work hard for...so think how much you will value Portia's love and trust when she finally gives that to you There's really nothing quite the same as the bond from an F1 when they love you (unless it is the bond with a Serval!)... there's something different about them...

Wow! I can't wait Brigitte....she is so tall & sexy....just like my wife...
I have heard how special the bond is....and I cannot wait....well, I can, but it's hard...ha! I definitely believe what you said about appreciating what you have worked hardest for...that is a fact. Hey, question...I want to get away from the non-clumpintg litter and go to clumping (much less messy).....I want to try the brand Swheat...I have heard it is awesome...thoughts? I am only using it because of my baby Kaya....my breeder said not to use clumping due to the digestive system of babies...it wasn't healthy YET...but Portia is making a mess and I want to change litters....my breeder said it would be ok to start introducing clumping to Kaya...I don't want to rush it..her health is paramount to us...is a complete change bad? A lot of questions, sorry...love to hear some feedback..

J

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

You didn't mention what litter you are using now that you wish to transition away from. In general the best tactic is to do this process slowly...so start with the new litter in a layer at the bottom of the litterbox and layer on top about an inch of the old litter type, that they are accustomed to. Then they will somewhat mix it as they use it. Then next time you change the litter you use more of the new type of litter and less of the old until it is just the new litter in the box.

There is a lot less danger using a plant-based clumping litter than the clay clumping litter, which is indeed dangerous to kittens as they are more likely to try eating it. But good for you listening to your breeder's advice! Wonderful!

Swheat is one of the better clumping litters, the only thing I didn't like with it is that it tends to stick like concrete to the bottom of the box...so you kinda may have to chip off the lumps when cleaning the box. I think they recommend spraying the bottom of the box with cooking spray to help with that issue...

 

[John Hemmerly]

You didn't mention what litter you are using now that you wish to transition away from. In general the best tactic is to do this process slowly...so start with the new litter in a layer at the bottom of the litterbox and layer on top about an inch of the old litter type, that they are accustomed to. Then they will somewhat mix it as they use it. Then next time you change the litter you use more of the new type of litter and less of the old until it is just the new litter in the box.

There is a lot less danger using a plant-based clumping litter than the clay clumping litter, which is indeed dangerous to kittens as they are more likely to try eating it. But good for you listening to your breeder's advice! Wonderful!

Swheat is one of the better clumping litters, the only thing I didn't like with it is that it tends to stick like concrete to the bottom of the box...so you kinda may have to chip off the lumps when cleaning the box. I think they recommend spraying the bottom of the box with cooking spray to help with that issue...

Ahhhh....thanks for the info....I will do it tonight...the litter I am using now is a cheap Tidy Cat non-clumping, no clay kind (safe for kittens)....it is a mess to clean and the large bits are everywhere...I am going to transition tonight...Swheat has to be safe for kittens, right? It is all natural...is cooking oil bad for cats?

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I don't know but I wouldn't think cooking oil would be bad. You could do a Google search to find out.

I'm a fan of using wood pellets here, I detest clay litter! I'm fortunate that my cats are okay with the texture of the wood pellets... I do use a plant-based clumping litter Nature's Miracle for the kittens but they end up imitating mommy and using the bigger box with the wood pellets in no time...but like them to go to a new home using both types of litter so the new home has a choice too!

 

[John Hemmerly]

I don't know but I wouldn't think cooking oil would be bad. You could do a Google search to find out.

I'm a fan of using wood pellets here, I detest clay litter! I'm fortunate that my cats are okay with the texture of the wood pellets... I do use a plant-based clumping litter Nature's Miracle for the kittens but they end up imitating mommy and using the bigger box with the wood pellets in no time...but like them to go to a new home using both types of litter so the new home has a choice too!

Oh, ok...how does the wood pellets work? so they stick to urine and feces? Clumping like?

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

No, the feces gets scooped out and the urine will dissolve the pellets. They recommend just scooping the poop and then changing the box when most all the pellets have turned to sawdust... but I know other people don't like the sawdust (especially if your cats like to dig in the litterbox it would be an issue, most of mine don't) so after removing the feces they scoop up the litter and sieve out the sawdust and replace the unused pellets in the box.

Mine barely like to even touch the litter (I don't blame them, I don't want to walk in my toilet either!) so I just use a small amount in the box (less than two inches) and change it regularly when looking sawdusty... I find the wood neutralizes the urine odor more effectively than anything else I've tried.

 

[John Hemmerly]

No, the feces gets scooped out and the urine will dissolve the pellets. They recommend just scooping the poop and then changing the box when most all the pellets have turned to sawdust... but I know other people don't like the sawdust (especially if your cats like to dig in the litterbox it would be an issue, most of mine don't) so after removing the feces they scoop up the litter and sieve out the sawdust and replace the unused pellets in the box.

Mine barely like to even touch the litter (I don't blame them, I don't want to walk in my toilet either!) so I just use a small amount in the box (less than two inches) and change it regularly when looking sawdusty... I find the wood neutralizes the urine odor more effectively than anything else I've tried.

Ewwww...Nice! I might try it....I have seen it in Petsmart...thanks for the info Brigitte....I will keep everybody posted on Portia's progress....thanks again!

John

 

[WitchyWoman]

I thought the wood pellets were a pain in the butt. They broke down fairly quickly and I spent too much time maintaining litter boxes. Swheat was a hit here until it got too dusty. Now I use the non-clay Nature's Miracle.

Brigitte gave good advice on how to transition to a new litter. I have 4 boxes in the house for 3 cats. I used her method on 2 of the boxes and used just the new litter in the other 2 boxes. It was a quicker way to find out if they'd accept the new litter.

 

[John Hemmerly]

I thought the wood pellets were a pain in the butt. They broke down fairly quickly and I spent too much time maintaining litter boxes. Swheat was a hit here until it got too dusty. Now I use the non-clay Nature's Miracle.

Brigitte gave good advice on how to transition to a new litter. I have 4 boxes in the house for 3 cats. I used her method on 2 of the boxes and used just the new litter in the other 2 boxes. It was a quicker way to find out if they'd accept the new litter.

Ok...thanks....just curious Deborah...did they use the boxes with the NEW litter at all? Or, stick to the familiar ones?