Conference misery::feline_v1

    I don't recall ever seeing it in any of my stores.
    
    Is it supposed to be good food?
    
    Would my 9-Lives junkies eat it?
    

    That was the first time I'd seen it, but I buy the Old Mother
    Hubbard by the case, 14 oz. cans (24 cans) right at the O.
    M.H. plant in Lowell, Ma. on Rogers Street.  I buy 15 cases
    (300 lbs.) for $11.25 a case.  
    
    I caught sight of the label as I passed by to the litter.  I 
    think it must be similar or the same as the Kal Kan - it has
    the same pull top, which is nice. 
    
    It's funny, when I used to feed Friskies Buffet, with the pull
    tops, my guys reall missed the can opener!  They really glad I'm
    using cans that need the opener.  Some traditions should remain,
    I guess.
    
    They may like it if they like Kal Kan.  BTW, 9-Lives is on sale
    I think, at Market Basket - 4 for $1.00 along with another brand,
    I forget which one !!   $$$$$
    
    E.T.

    When 9-LIves goes on sale at one store, it's on sale at all the
    stores.  Because it's the food distributor who puts it on sale to
    the retailers.
    
    I bought $20.00 worth last nite!!!
    
    	-Nancy-mother-of-3-9-Lives-junkies
    

    Very good!  Get lots while the price is down!  That's why i
    get 15 cases - I get it for $11.30 a case rather than $12.00
    per case if I only buy 3 or 4 cases.  I use 4 cans a day -
    so I only need to go there a few times a year!
    
    BTW, I did a survey last weekend - before I left for New Jersey,
    I put down a huge bowl of IAMS (guilt treat for leaving them for
    3 days) a huge bowl of Blue Seal, and 2 huge bowls of S.D. Light
    Formula - well, the little slugs turned their noses up at everything
    EXCEPT the Light Formula!  I couldn't believe it!  The Blue Seal
    was left when I got home, there even was "some" IAMS left, but the
    2 bowls of light were EMPTY!  They really love that stuff! Hope
    I can afford to keep buying it for them.  It was funny to watch
    Katenka do the sniff test down the row of bowls - she, then,
    settled in in front of the light also!  She eats 3 bites, then
    leaves - the rest of them settle in for the day! (just kidding).
    
    E.T.

    While we are on the subject of food, the next logical subject
    in my mind, is Litter!!  What goes in must come out!
    
    Anyhoo, is anyone out there getting any real good prices
    on kitty litter?  If so, what stores, what brands, and
    how much for how many pounds?  
    
    Has anyone seen Cat's Pride (red bag - plain clay) on sale
    lately at K-Mart (25 lbs.) for $1.99 ?  If anyone sees it,
    would you please let me know?  Thanks!
    
    E.T.

    Okay - here's a litter topic:
    
    A friend of mine just purchased the Everclean Cat Litter which you
    order directly from the distributors in Texas.  It comes in jugs
    and is of the consistency of fine sand.  They claim you never
    have to change the litter box because the sand absorbs the urine
    into little balls which you simply scoop out and flush.  And since
    nothing sinks to the bottom and the litter neutralizes orders before
    they can surface, you never have to change the box, just add more
    litter.  They deliver directly to your door and base the schedule
    on the amount of cats you have (you always have to have two inches
    of litter in the box).  For instance, two cats would require two
    jugs of litter every six weeks.  They claim the cats love it and
    advise it for problem cats who don't use the litter box faithfully.
    Oh - price:  each jug costs $10.00, but they say when you break
    down the numbers, it equals out if not saves you money, not to mention
    the joys of no more litter box changing.
    
    Anyone out there using it?  There was a display at the Boston show.
    My friend loves the litter and would never go back to store bought
    brands.
    
    Would be interested in hearing other people's thoughts.
    
    /Roberta
     

    I am replying to E.T's comment about the pull top cans.
    
    We buy Sheba every week with 3 cans of Friskies thrown in for Mocha.
    Every moring I have to pull the seal back on the Sheba or Friskies
    I get so angry. With all the senior citizens that have their faithful
    feline friends and arithitic hands there is no way they can open
    those kinds of cat foods.
    
    I have written a letter to Friskies and Sheba. No answer as yet
    from either.  I did talk with the folks from Sheba at the Boston
    Cat show and told them my views on our senior citizens and how about
    the kids who are trying to show some responsibility in feeding and
    caring for a cat?  If the two generations don't cut their fingers
    off or slice their hand in the process it would be a miracle.
    I told them by their packaging they automatically discriminated
    against those two generations, but if it didn't matter then forget
    about my correspondance.
    
    Boy, I sure can get steamed on that. (Guess it because it makes
    me think of my Mom and if she were still alive she would be in
    that situation.) She always wanted her cat to have the best (Sheba
    fits that catagory) and Tia loved Friskiees but she never could
    have opened those cans. My supervisors little girl can't feed her
    new kitty by herself either.
    
    Does anyone else feel like I do, or am I a weirdo?
    
    Barbara

    Hi Barbara,
    
    I've got arthritis (and I'm not a senior citizen!) and I also find
    those pull top cans a pain--literally!  But I have found that I
    can open them with my trusty electric can opener.  As for Sheba,
    which my neph-cats, the VanGraysons eat while visiting, I use a
    fork to puncture the top and peel it back, but boy, is that foil
    sharp!
    
    Anyway, I've got a gizmo from the Arthritis Association that slips
    under the tab of soda cans, which makes life easier, but till there's
    an easy way to rip the lid off, I'll keep using my can opener!
    
    Mary
    

    Hi Barbara, keep those letters going!  I agree about the packaging
    of some products.  I sometimes use Sheba for Katenka at the shows
    to tempt her to eat - she seems to like the salmon.  When I pull
    the tab back I usually spash whatever juice is inside all over 
    me and the area.  I have to admit that it does save us from
    having to carry a can opener to both the show hall and the
    hotel, BUT, they really should consider folks that have problems
    using their hands.
    
    One thing I get really upset about is the quality of the cans
    that they pack wet food in - they are so soft, that they dent
    if you breathe on them.  The cases get tossed around and the
    cans dent quickly - I don't trust a dented can.  
    
    E.T.

    Back to the question on cat litter.  I have to use 99% dust free
    since my blue eyed cats seem to be sensitive to the dust in regular
    litter.  I buy Tidy Cat III in the 25lb. bonus bags on sale for
    $1.99 a bag.  It doesn't come on sale like that very often so when
    it does, I usually buy about 50 bags.  It seems to last just until
    the next sale.
    
    I have considered the sand litter but didn't like the marketing
    strategy that they are using.  I don't want anyone to automatically
    ship me anything every month without checking to see if I really
    need it.  I like to be in control of how much I need to buy, and
    when I need to buy it.  The litter itself seems to be the greatest
    invention of all time, but they need to offer different buying options
    to the public.
    
    That new cat food is being marketed in the same way.  The name of
    it is Perform.  They are calling it the only cat food on the market
    "that comes to you when you call it."  It is only available through
    the mail and once you commit and buy that first bag, they will keep
    shipping it to you every month.
    
    Jo 	

    re: .6, Roberta,
    
    Your note said the litter is the consistency of fine sand--do you
    happen to know what it's made of?  We're using a type of reusable
    litter now but it's made of dried corn or corn cob and I think the
    sharp little edges hurt our cats' feet (I know it hurts mine and
    I don't even use the litter!!).  Our Abys were raised using sand
    for litter before we got them and I think the product you mentioned 
    would be right up their alley.  Their pads are extremely soft and
    with the way Sage tiptoes around the edge of the litter box (yes,
    she does use it), I think her pads are pretty sensitive.  I'm
    interested and would appreciate any info you could send me on it.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jill (I thank you, Sage thanks you, Gandalf thanks you, Merlin thanks
    you, and so on, and so on...  :-) )

    Jill, the "sand" is a synthetic material that is actually even finer
    than normal sand.  The great part about it is that the urine creates
    a ball of sand when it hits the litter.  It doesn't absorb into
    the sand so there is no litter box smell.  It shouldn't hurt your
    cats feet at all.  We saw a demo of it at a show in Pasadena.  I
    felt it and it doesn't feel gritty like real sand does.  They even
    give you a special scoop to scoop the balls out with, kinda shaped
    like a catchers mitt (;^}).
    
    Jo

    What about an address and phone number for the Everclean distributor?

							-- Nina

    Jo,
    
    Thanks for the description.  The consistency sounds like just what
    I'm looking for--and better yet, perhaps what the cats are looking
    for! I, too, would like to know the phone number--or do they by
    chance advertise in either Cat Fancy or Cats Magazine and I've missed
    it?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jill

    I will log into my system at home tonight and post the information
    about Everclean.  Jill - call the distributor in Texas and they
    will send you a pamphlet with a coupon for a special introductory
    offer (2 jugs of litter and a scoop for $10).  The catch is that
    once you order the litter from the introductory offer, they
    automatically set you up on a shipment schedule based on how many
    cats you have.  I spoke to one of the representatives of the company
    in great length and in no way did they make me feel obligated to
    continue receiving the litter if I didn't like it.  You can cancel
    at any time.  They seem very reputable and stand behind their product.
    
    As an example, I had them set me up on a two-cat schedule.  They
    estimated that I will need two jugs of litter every six weeks. 
    This will cost me $20.  For 3 cats, I believe they recommend 2 jugs
    every 4 weeks.  When I break down what I currently spend for litter,
    liners and deoderizer, I feel I am saving money in the long run.
    
    As I said in a previous reply, my friend who has 2 kittens (and
    soon will have 3) absolutely loves the litter and the pleasure of
    never having to change the box.  That, to me, is the greatest benefit
    of all!
    
    
    /Roberta
    
    P.S. - Jill, since your cats go outdoors, you might not want to
    put yourself on an 8 cat schedule.  The reason I only said 2 is
    because both Chauncey and Nikki prefer to "go" outside.  I will
    have 2 litter boxes but only 1 with Everclean.  If I find that Chauncey
    and Nikki start using the Everclean box, then I will change my
    schedule.  Right now, they hardly ever use their litter box -- I
    only change it once a month and even then, it doesn't smell!!
    

    The phone number for Ever Clean (A & M Pet Products is the company
    name) is (713) 973-1471.  They will send you a pamphlet with
    information.
    
    To clarify my previous reply, I called the company and would like
    to stress that just because they put you on a schedule based on
    the number of cats you have, *does not mean that you're committed
    to stay on that schedule.*  You can change your order to more or
    less litter at any time and are under no obligation to receive a
    specific amount.  If you're receiving too much, then you cut back;
    if you're not getting enough, then you increase.  The litter is
    just starting to be sold in pet feed/supply shops, so it might be
    worthwhile to ask your favorite store if they ever plan to carry
    it.
    
    The company sounds reputable to me, and I don't feel as if they
    are trying to take advantage of the buying public at all.
    
    
    /Roberta
    

    re:16
    
    Thanks for entering the info, Roberta.  I called them and the
    woman I spoke with was very nice.  When I explained by home
    situation (15 cats plus 3 visitors) she figured out that for
    a large multicat household, it would be very expensive to
    do.  The convenience of not having to empty out the pool
    every week was very tempting, but it seems that it works
    best for the 1, 2 or 3 litter box family.  
    
    Thanks again - it was interesting!
    
    E.T.

    sorry about that, tried putting too much on a line!
    
    The breeder price for the 5 lb. jug (which is usually $7.99 is
    $5.99 .
    
    E.T.

    Roberta and Elaine,
    
    Thanks for the info.  I would probably set up two litter boxes with
    this type of litter and see how it goes.  Although the cats are
    indoor/outdoor, 5 of them only go out when we are home--that means
    that for most of the day--they use the litter in the house instead
    of going outside (in the garden--ARGH!)  Last night when we got
    home, we found that someone (no one is talking, though) liked the
    litter box with the shredded paper well enough to use it and then
    to move the box to the other side of the room!  That and a merry
    chase through the house with five pot holders must have made their
    day!!
    
    Thanks again and I'll give them a call,
    
    Jill

    re:19
                                                        
    I have a feeling that my brood is too large to use it - it does
    sound good, though.
    
    Jill, potholders, you say?  My Pashenka has his very own pair
    of potholders - he would have/own all of them in the house, but
    the rest are either in drawers, where I can't reach them when
    I need them , or hung so high he can't reach them!  He really
    loves his pair, and drags them all over the house.  Every day
    I find one in a different room.  When he was a show boy, I
    used to bring one to the show to keep in his cage so he would
    feel more at home.  He would sleep on it when he was in his
    cage!  
    
    This little red boy is really something else!  He's the best
    daddy in the house - I have the cleanest kittens in Candia, NH,
    thanks to my Pashenka!!  and does he take his duties as daddy
    seriously?  Once he starts the bathing process, the youngster
    being bathed stays put until Pashenka is finished - wraps his
    arms around the kitten and holds the baby in place. 
    
    E.T.

    
    RE: .19, .20
    
    	I wonder what it is about pot holders!!
    
    Bandit used to have one until I took it away.  It was falling apart
    so bad and he must have been eating pieces of it and it made him
    sick.  He too would like to have ALL the potholders if I let him.
    I think I'll have to get him a new one for X-mas!
    
    Karen

    You know, I, for the life of me, can't figure out
    why he likes his so much either.  Of all things
    to settle in on.  The funny thing is that some
    of the other kids will play with one of them
    once in a while also, but when Pasha sees
    someone else with HIS potholder, he usually
    manages to grab it back and run away with it!
    MINE MINE MINE.  
    
    Another weird item my kids like, is leather.  They have completely
    ruined one of my leather belts (my all-time favorite belt).  So,
    when I was at the Deerfield Fair in September, I stoped at one of
    the leather vendors and bought a narrow leather belt, which had
    not yet been made into a belt - no buckle, no dye, no holes punched-
    just the hole where the buckle would be placed.  I used that hole
    to hang the strip of leather and they love to chew on it.  It seems
    to be working because my purses are not quite as ratty as usual!!
    
    Another thing they really love (my kids are easy to please) are
    shoe laces, well, actually ice skating boot laces - they are longer.
    I leave  a couple of them around and they have a grand time dragging
    and playing with them - two cats can play tug-of-war with one lace.
    I just bought a new pair for Katenka to take to the shows - one
    for the show hall and one for the hotel!!  Laces are her favorite
    toy next to the little rabbit fur covered mousies!  They play with
    the inexpensive stuff, and leave the 2 or 3 dollar toys ignored!
    Guess kids will be kids!
    E.T.

    
    
    Re: .22
    
    Strings make me nervous.  I found T.K. eating a shoelace once, only
    a couple of inches of it was hanging out of his mouth.  Not thinking,
    I pulled it out of his mouth and it was down his throat!!!  So now,
    I am very careful about hiding clothes with ties on them.
    
    Karen

    Back to the Everclean company.  I don't think that they are trying
    to rip off the buying public by automatically shipping litter to
    them every month.  I just know from experience (book clubs, bottled
    water, etc.) that this method is not good for me.  By the time that
    I realize that there is a problem, I will have 20 gallons of their
    litter crammed into my closet (along with 15 six gallon jugs of bottled
    water and 20 unread books ;^})  
    
    With both my husband and I working, being away at shows on the
    weekends, attending three cat club meetings a month, being club
    secretary for one club and show secretary another, vet appointments,
    playing midwife, and taking care of 14 cats, I tend to let some
    things slide in my life, namely, keeping track of who is sending
    me what and billing me for it once a month whether I need it or
    not.  I have been meaning to call the water company for weeks to
    tell them that 1) 3 six gallon jugs of water every two weeks is
    a *little* too much for two people to drink.  2) Our dispenser is
    on the fritz and the jugs are piling up since we can't put them
    in the dispenser anyway.  3) I have around 17 empty bottles on my
    back deck that I keep forgetting to leave out for them.
    
    Now, tell me honestly... do I sound like a candidate for automatic
    delivery or what?  I really do want to buy the litter but not until
    they make it available individually at shows and not on a shipment
    schedule.
    
    Jo
    
    PS - Yes Elaine, I really do have fourteen cats now!  It is all
    your fault too.  If you hadn't set such an example in your own house
    this never would have happened!  And guess what?  I have two more
    litters on the way.  (four of the fourteen are only 4 days old)
    

    re: 24
    
    Boy, can I relate to all of the above - I sometimes don't have
    time to trim MY nails, let alone writing checks to pay bill
    (I sure don't forget to send those show entries in, though).
    I am club secretary and show manager for our April 1/2 show,
    which ought to keep me hopping, along with publicity, which
    is fun, our show itself is always a fun show so that makes
    it a bunch better.  Of course, every time I come home at
    night to the kids, who fly down the stairs to meet me, it's
    worth every minute of vacuuming, delumping, etc.  All i have
    to do is look at those little trusting faces, and pull those
    long tails, and the cares of the day fall away.  Who could
    ask for more than that?????
    
    E.T.

    PS to .24:
    
    I finally called the bottled water company and they are coming out
    today to take care of my empty bottles/full bottles/no dispenser
    problem!
    
    Maybe there is hope for me afterall.
    
    Next, to call the book club...
    
    Jo

    Good Show, Jo.  I am going to try getting the oil changed in
    the truck tonight, change the litter, and vacuum.  Have
    to pack before Friday am - we are off to Poughkeepsie 
    early Friday morning!!
    
    E.T.

    Jo and Elaine,
    
    Well, the work the two of you do has put me in quite the state to
    do some myself.  Tonight, I'm going to go home and pick up
    the potholders!!!  And I mean it this time!!!  ;-)
    
    Couldn't help poking fun--both of you do a lot of work!  
    
    Seriously, I'm going home to help my son.  I went to his (and my)
    first parent/teacher conference last week and learned that as a 
    kindergartener, he has to learn to cut better with scissors.  Honest--
    I'm not making it up!  So I have the evening all cut out for me.  
    (No pun intended -- well, maybe a little bit. :-))
            
    Jill
    

    Don't give me too much credit - if the cat S^(t is there it has
    to be dealt with.  I would much rather being a veg on the couch
    in front of the TV or off to the local Pub.  But, as I said
    before, when I look into those little trusting faces & eyes........
    Good lord, 20 more years of delumping the swimming pool.....groan
    I am going to take out stock in Sears Vacuum Cleaner Bags...
    
    Speaking of pot holders, Pashenka must have had quite a time
    with his the other day - I found it under my pillow that night
    at bed time....  IS NOTHING SACRED ???????//
    
    E.T.

    I did *my* bit--I picked up 3 of the 5 potholders!
    
    Jill

    Way to go, Jill!!!  I only let Pashenka have ONE PAIR!  Of course,
    these poor kids only have 10 large mice, etc.....  poor dears
    have nothing to play with - they reall "need" those ugly 
    potholders.
    
    E.T.

    I wanted to post an update for people who are thinking of purchasing
    Everclean Cat Litter:
    
    I am currently using it for the two kittens.  It is everything they
    say it is except for two things:
    
    (1)  Even though it is a fine sand and very soft, it is dusty and
         we can feel it in the air after the kittens have done their
         thing or I've cleaned the box.  Right now, the box is in the
         bathroom right off the master bedroom.  When the babies get
         older, we plan to move it to the basement, so perhaps the
         dusty feeling and heaviness in the air won't feel as prominent.
    
    (2)  The box *does* start to smell after awhile.  I am very good
         about keeping the box scooped since it resides in my bathroom;
         however, I have noticed an odor in the sand after almost two
         weeks of consistent use.  This could be due to the fact that
         they're kittens and "going" a lot.  Despite what the company
         says, I will probably make it a point to clean and disinfect
         the box at least once a month and pour in new sand.
    
    What I do like about Everclean:
    
    (1)  The urine never sinks to the bottom of the box like in regular
         litter.  If a "pee ball" breaks, you simply mix it in with
         the clean litter and it instantly becomes dry again.
    
    (2)  Going weeks on end with practically no litter box maintenance
         except for scooping.
    
    Speaking of scoops, the company never sent me their "special" scoop
    to use with the litter, so I've been using my own.  This could also
    be part of the reason why the pee balls are breaking and the box
    is starting to smell.  One is forethcoming so I will post an update
    if I notice a change.
    
    My friend who uses the litter for her four kittens experiences none
    of these problems and loves it.
    
    Perhaps it is just a matter of opinion, but thought I'd share my
    viewpoint with fellow feliners.
    
    /Roberta
    

    
    	Thanks for posting your reply. I've been waiting for them to
    	send me some info (which I requested about two weeks ago). Do
    	you think the dust hangs in the air because the air is so dry
    	at this time of year? Do you have a covered litter box? I'm
    	thinking about getting a humidifier, maybe that would help with
    	the dust problem.....
               

    Replying to the original base note (imagine that :-)  Wiskas is
    the exact same thing as Kal Kan for cats.  I buy Kal Kan and noticed
    that Wiskas is being mixed in the same bin.  Not only is it produced
    by Kal Kan, it has the exact same flavor selection and almost exact
    same package layout.
    
    So it looks like Kal Kan is just marketing it under a different
    name.  Perhaps because people associate Kal Kan with dog food and
    it was hurting business...who knows?
    
    So you can get it at DeMoulas in Westford, 4 small cans for a $1
    or 2 big cans for a $1.  And I hope they continue with the pull
    top cans, my can opener is broken. :-)