Conference misery::feline

	Prices are based on my last purchase. Not all "gallon" containers 
weight the same, read the label. More brands are coming on the market every 
day. I've talked to the folks from one of the suppliers below and they 
informed me that all clumping litter is manufactured from only two locations.
	Recommendations: EVERCLEAN was the first one I used and forms hard 
clumps that are easy to dispose. But for price/performance, SCOOP AWAY 
works very well.

BRAND NAME	COST/lb		     COMMENTS
----------	-------		---------------------------------------------
EVERCLEAN	.99		net wt. 7lbs. forms firm clump, found only
				in pet type stores, can be purchased in bulk.

EVERCLEAN ES	.99		net wt 7lbs. multiple cat use. forms firm 
				clump. I found no difference with the plain
				EVERCLEAN.

EVERCLEAN FG			net wt 7lbs. never used this one. has 
				formula to neutralize orders

EVERCLEAN HD	.99		forms a very hard clump, can not be flushed, 
				found only in pet type stores. can be 
				purchased in bulk

SCOOP AWAY	.57		net wt. 7lbs. has green things in it to help
				control order. forms a  firm clump. found 
				in supermarkets.

LITTER GUARD 	.67		net wt. 6lbs. forms soft clump. clumps dry 
				up fast and break easy. found in dept. stores

TIDY SCOOP	.57		net wt. 7lbs. contains baking soda, very 
				dusty, tracks more than others. forms firm
				clump. found in supermarkets

CATS PRIDE	.70		net wt. 5lbs. forms firm clump. did not last
				long due to its size. found in supermarkets
	

    I will ONLY use Cat's Pride.  Yesterday my husband bought 2 huge 2
    gallon containers.  We've had no problem with dust, and the clumps form
    very solid (so wonderfully easy to pick up!)  We "scoop" every other
    night...that's usually all we need.  Rico is usually very particular
    about his litter (if he disapproved of a brand, he simply would NOT use
    the box) and he loves this.  Alex likes to "help" with the scooping -
    she's always right there when we start!
    
    There IS a problem with "tracking", but no more so than regular litter
    (I've found).  If anything, stepping on a bit of sand is a HECK of a
    lot more comfortable than stepping on a bit of regular litter.  ;^)  We
    put a newspaper under the box (there is no room for a rug where there
    box is).
    
    We used to use SCOOP AWAY, but find that the clumps don't form as
    solid.  More often than not the clumps would just sift right thru our
    scoop.
    
    And on a side note, every container of "Cat's Pride" comes with a cents
    off coupon.  ;^)  We've also noticed one very, VERY endearing thing
    about this brand...no smell whatsoever!  My landlady (who isn't a cat
    person in the least) stood less than 5 feet from the box, and couldn't
    smell it (and she was TRYING to - she once told us to get rid of the
    furbs because of box smell.  She settled for the compromise.  Thank
    goodness...we didn't feel like moving.)
    
    K.C.

	Where do you find Cat's Pride?  About how much does a one
	gallon container cost (and how many pounds are in a gallon)?

	Also, how much do you need to fill up the litter box the
	first time and how much is needed weekly to replenish?

	I'm still kinda skeptical about this type of litter.  What
	happens if the cat steps on the clumps?

	Karen

    Jonny Cat also makes a clumping litter.  It is not marketed in a gallon
    plastic jug.  The time that I used it it came in a bag just like the
    one that their regular litter did, I think it weighed ten pounds.  It
    is new to the market.  I liked the Jonny Cat.  I am not sure on the
    cost as the bag I had was given to me as a sample at the pet fair.
    
    At our Tails & No Tales show this weekend one of the vendors had two
    pallets of clumping litter brought to the show and gave one gallon for
    every cat that was entered.  That means I came home with three gallons,
    plus the ones that exhibitors carelessly left in the show hall.  The
    company name was Premium Pet Supply, but I can't recall the brand of
    litter.  Will try it out and give you a full report.
    
    Jo

    I find Cat's Pride at my local Market Basket (Nashua, NH), and it costs
    (before coupon) about $2.99 for a gallon.  I didn't ask how much the 2
    gallon containers cost, but I'm willing to bet that it is probably,
    pound for pound, a bit cheaper.  I don't know how many pounds per
    gallon.
    
    For my 2 furballs, it takes most of one to first-time fill it, and the
    rest can be stretched to about 3 weeks to a month.
    
    And if a cat steps on a clump, he steps on a clump.  Nuthin'.  It
    doesn't break up (not unless you have a VERY Heavy cat...and Tiki was
    20 pounds when we started using this stuff).  Usually they step AROUND
    the clumps.
    
    It is recommended that you scoop regularly.  Like I said, I scoop every
    other evening.  We bought one of those little metal deep-fry scoops to
    use for just the occasion (and keep it right next to the box...so as
    not to be confused with our REAL deep fry scoop).  (Sorry)
    
    K.C.

    I thought this type of clumping litter had to be scooped *daily* in
    order to achieve maximum effectiveness.  I have three litterboxes for
    three cats (the other two do their business outside), non clumping type
    litter, and you should see the messes they can create in one day, let
    alone every other day.  All three boxes are always in use and I find
    myself scooping them at least 2 to 3X daily.
    
    When I used the Everclean, I found it to be very dusty and the clumps
    would break up easily, causing odor.
    
    -Roberta
    

    Jo,
    
    I think it was called Premium Cat Litter but I could be wrong.  When
    they guy checked in to set up he mistook me for you (him and 6-7 other
    people during the weekend) and introduced himself.  I'm pretty sure 
    that's the name of the company he said he was from.
    
    Do you remember the name of the litter that the Fromm's guy was
    displaying?  It sounds like a neat thing for people who's cats have
    problems with FUS.  When the cat pees in the litter and the ph
    content is normal the litter will appear slightly yellow.  When ph is
    off by some small amount the litter will turn a lavender color and you
    know it is time for a vet check.  One small problem he noticed though.
    Seems by giving his cats tap water, the minerals or whatever in the
    water were causing the litter to show lavender even when things were
    okay.  When he switched them to bottled water this stopped.  I think
    this stuff was called Fussy Kitty or something like that.  I have the
    brochure at home.  Has anyone heard of this before?
    
    Jan
              

    I used Scoop Away for a couple of months.  I found after the first
    month the ammonia smell permeated the rest of the litter, even when I
    scooped on a daily basis.  I've gone back to Johnny Cat regular.  The
    cats seem happier now also.
    
    Karen

        How often do you clean the litter boxes when you use this stuff.
    I remember reading in some other note that someone didn't like using
    this kind of litter because of the bacteria that build up in the litter
    box.  (or something like that)  
    
        

    That was me that put in that I thought that this litter gave people the
    impression that they never had to clean the box again.  Bacteria and
    parasites can live in the litter pan, so when the litter is finally
    dumped, the pan should be scrubbed with a bleach/water solution and
    then refilled with fresh litter.  I have known folks that just kept
    adding litter to the box and *never* actually cleaned the box.
    
    This litter is supposed to last you a month if I remember the adds
    correctly.  I don't think that disinfecting once a month is often
    enough, but that is just my opinion.  For optimum safety, we disinfect
    all our litter pans once a week.
    
    Jo

    	I scoop out the box twice a day and keep at least three inches in
    it even though it says on most of the instructions that only two are
    required. This way the urine never makes it to the bottom of the pan. I
    clean out the pan once a month. I do this by letting the litter run
    low, so I don't have to dispose of to much. Clean up is easy and I
    never have any dirty litter waiting for trash day. 
    	This type of litter is not for everybody. Some cats have problems
    with using it and it does need to be cleaned more offen than other
    types of litter, or the cats will break up the clumps in time. 
    Mike

    Ever since I brought Chief home I have used this type of litter.  I
    use the scoop away from the supermarket.  I scoop at least once a day.
    I also have a heavy towel under the box and I keep the dustbuster in
    the same room.  I guess he likes it since he has never gone anywhere
    but the box (and once in a while outdoors).  If I had more than one cat
    using the box though it might become hard to keep it clean and scooped.
    An advantage of scooping every day is that I know exactly what he
    "bowels" are, and if something is different I can tell immediately.
    Not that you cant with regular litter, but I dont think I would be as
    attentive if I used it.  I know a coworker who tried it with her 3,
    but it did not work out.  
    					Sandy

    We prefer Cat's Pride also.  I used Scoop Away in Chicago, but I can't
    find it in my supermarket here.  I had a coupon for - I think - Tidy
    Cat? with the yellow label - but we didn't like it as much.  Cat's Pride 
    has a finer texture, the hockey pucks don't break up, and it doesn't smell!
    I have been buying it in a 10 pound bag which is convenient and recyclable.
    
    Farg also enjoys scoop time.  He has to investigate everything I remove
    from the box - and then after it is refilled he gets in, lays down, and
    relaxes for a while.
    
    **Deb

    I brought in a flyer for the litter I mentioned in 123.7 that is 
    pH oriented.  I have never tried this litter.  If anyone does try 
    it, please post a note and let us know how it works.
    
    
    
    FUSSY CAT HM (Health Monitor Cat Litter)
    
    Fussy Cat Health Monitor is a premium clumping cat litter that changes
    colors to warn of possible urinary infections or improper diet.  With
    Fussy Cat Health Monitor, the color change is from yellow to purple
    with the "triggering point" set at 7.5 pH.
    
    The instructions on the Fussy Cat Health Monitor says that the purple
    color must be seen for 3 to 4 days running before it becomes necessary
    to consult your veterinarian.  Other conditions may temporarily change
    a cat's urinary pH (i.e. a change in diet).
    
    	FUSSY CAT HM CAT LITTER		3/10#		33.09
    					4/5#		25.95
    
    FUSSY CAT D (Indicating Cat Litter)
    
    Fussy Cat D is only available to the veterinarian trade.  It is a  more
    sensitive indicating cat litter that can make several determinations
    for you and/or your client by visual colormetric methods.  You can
    learn to interpret the colors in 5 minutes.
    
    FUSSY CAT D CAT LITTER		3/10#		41.75
                                                             
    
    
    (the info below was on the top of the flyer)
    James Grain Company, Inc.  408-293-5732    1-800 OK GRAIN
    Wholesale Catalog * Vet edition * August 1, 1991    Page 3

    I had to stop getting this kind of litter for my cats because it
    aggravated Sweetie's respiratory problem.  Also in the old FELINE
    file, someone reported that it had caused a severe eye problem in
    her cat.
    

    Well, I've been using the Premium Cat Litter I took home from the
    show for almost a week now with very good results.  I only had 
    enought Johnny Cat litter to refill 2 of the 3 boxes in the house
    so I opened the Premium stuff and dumped it into one of the boxes.
    That box is the freshest smelling box in the house and I think it
    is the most used.
    
    I've been keeping an eye out for any problems with breathing or
    eyes.  In fact, I think I'm hypersensitive to it.  If anyone so
    much as sighs or has anything around their eyes, I have to check
    it out.
    
    When I first put the Premium litter in the box and set it out for
    the cats Onyx got inside and just went nuts digging.  He wasn't 
    doing it for any purpose that I could see he just was having a 
    blast digging in the sand.  I think he thought I'd given him his
    own personal sand box to play in.  I had to drag him out of there
    or he'd have been in it all night.
    
    Jan

    Re: .16
    
    With one of the brands of clumping litter, it has a pamphlet.  It says
    that some cats (especially kittens) may play in the box like it WAS a
    play place, digging and such.  They recommend just letting the novelty
    wear off.
    
    The other night when it was time to scoop, both Rico and Alex were side
    by side, digging, covering, digging, scratching...  Talk about subtle
    hinters!  ;^)
    
    K.C.

    Well,  Were back to 3 litter boxes with Johnny Cat litter in them
    now.  The Premium Cat litter lasted over a week but by Sunday it
    smelled pretty bad even though I'd been scooping out the lumps and
    clumps regularly.  I didn't have any more sand to add to it so I
    had to change it.
    
    I kind of like the sand litter, so did the cats.  But, I can't see
    how you could go for more than a 1-1/2 to 2 weeks without changing
    it.  A month would be way too long.
    
    Also, I have been having a lot of allergy problems for the last 1-1/2
    weeks.  I'm going to monitor and see how I do now that the sand litter
    is gone.  I have an allergy to dust and since the cats were probably
    spreading the sand around the house, I may have a problem with it.
    How odd that I would have to stop using it because it causes me 
    respiratory problems instead of the cats.  I didn't notice any of
    the feline household members having any trouble with either the
    eyes or breathing in the length of time we used it.
    
    Jan
    
    P.S.  The novelty did finally wear off for Onyx.  He didn't spend 
          nearly as much time digging after the first couple of days.
          Of course, when it was fresh and clean, that was the best time
          to play.  Who wants to play with it after it becomes more used.

    Hurrah for the Premium cat litter.  I have had six little poo-heads using
    my spare bedroom as their personal litter box, and I decided to let
    them try the sand litter.  Lo and Behold, not one single little
    "present" was left on the carpet in there since the switch was made!!!
    If the stuff can litter train six poo-heads, it has my vote!!
    
    Guess I better get another jug or two...at least enough to survive the
    poo-head stage. ;')
    
    Jo

    Guess I will add my 2 cents worth to this note. I have used Fresh
    Step litter since we got our first cat 4 + years ago. I just thought
    all litter was 99% dust. Our grocery store that we shop at regularly
    has been adding different brands and eleminating other. One week they
    didn't have Fresh Step and I bought Tidy Cat/MC. I WILL NEVER USE
    ANYTHING ELSE. Not only have my allergies been helped (litter boxes
    are in the cellar) but the kitties eyes don't have the guppy stuff
    in the corner of their eyes anymore.
    
     Ming always had sort of a squinty look to her semi pushed in face
    but now is wide eyed. She had a terrible scratch on her cornea when
    we got her but it had healed. However, there were times her eye had
    a sort of milky look to it. The Vet told us to use the ointment when
    this happend till it cleared up. He said the injury would manifest
    itself occasionally. Well, since we got Tidy Cat/MC no more milky
    look has shown up.
    
    My daughter did use the sand type until I told her about the eye
    problems some of the feline owners were having. She also went to
    Tidy Cat/MC and loves it.
    
    Barbara & her 3M's

reality note:

with any type of litter, bacterial buildup, and the resultant odors, occurs
whether you clean up the clumps or not....any litter will require
replacement due to odor, more frequently when the weather is warmer, because
the bacteria grows faster.  If you have one cat using the box, the clumps
WILL stay together better, and less bacteria will get to the litter, but
some will get there.  The sand-type litters claims that you never have
to change your cat box are bogus.  Depending on your cat(s) and their use
habits, it may last 2 weeks or so.  However, in my opinion, it is pretty
expensive to replace that often when you are paying the prices they charge
for clumping, sand-type litters.

Now, as a kitten litter-box trainer....it is well worth it!  8^}

My husband and I switched to using the clumping-type litter and are very
happy with it.  My 16-year-old long-hair, Cinderella, had developed a nasty
habit of "doing number two" on the basement carpet.  No amount or frequency
of changing the clay litter seemed to help.  We bought Everclean in desperation,
but have not had a problem with anybody going outside the litter since we
started using it.  We use the extra-clumping in one box and the odor-guard
in the other.  We have 3 cats and we scoop it every night and change it 
entirely about once a month.  I'd suggest using a litter box with a lip-type 
cover to keep the tracking down (not the kind with a full hood, just some kind 
of snap-on cover).  We also prefer to keep about three inches of litter in 
the box, instead of the two inches that the manufacturer recommends.

We do like the Everclean better than the "clumping" litters you can buy in the
grocery.  I like the clumps to stay together until I get them out of the box!
We're in Michigan, so we buy at Pet Supplies Plus (sort of a supermarket for 
discount pet supplies).  Also, our local humane organizations sell a 
"Pets and Their People" coupon book.  It costs $15, but has coupons for
all pet-related supplies, including food and litter.  We use the coupons for
a discount, then really stock up on the Everclean -- it doesn't spoil!

As far as allergies go, I've noticed that I have less sniffles & sneezes 
since we got rid of the regular Tidy Cat (the one in the yellow bag).  Also, 
Pixel, our 9-month-old blue point Apple-head Siamese kitten loves to be the 
first one to use the clean litter.  We feed the gang and then scoop the 
litter, but Miss Pixx prefers playing in the newly cleaned sand to eating!  
Our 5-year old Ruddy Abby, Flakey, doesn't seem to know the difference between 
the clay litter and the sand.  We've never had a problem getting him to use 
either one.

All in all, though, we're glad we made the switch to the Everclean!  

P.S.  (Now I just hate to ask a co-worker to watch the cats when my husband
and I both have to travel at the same time on business -- it seems so tacky to
ask a friend, to shovel the clumps out of the litter).  :^)

    THAT is something else I like about the clumping litter...
    
    Although Rico is a "mature" furball (5 years old), he would still have
    a tendancy to pee wherever there was paper if the box was the SLIGHTEST
    bit in need of changing.  This meant mail left on the couch, newspapers
    on the bed, etc.  Sometimes he would do it on piled clothes.  AND his 
    aim wasn't always that good.  We would wake up in the middle of the 
    night to "scratching"...the sound of Rico attempting to bury his 
    whoopsies.
    
    Then we started to buy the clumping litter.  Now the only scratching we
    hear is Rico scratching the edge of the box (his aim at scratching
    still needs work...instead of digging in the litter, he scratches the
    overlap rim of the box).  There has not been ONE whoopsie since!!!
    
    K.C.

    Not to change the subject, but in Rico's case, it might have been
    territorial marking.  Seems I remember from a previous note that he is
    unneutered.  Spraying doesn't have to be done standing up in order to
    be spraying.
    
    Jo

    Re: .24
    
    Maybe...maybe not.  All _I_ know is that Rico is 5 years old, and the
    moment we started using the clump-litter, he stopped.  Completely.
    
    K.C.

    RE: the dusty litter
    
    Since I'm sure that you folks already know I'm a bit "soft in the head"
    when it comes to THE FIRM, I guess I'll pass along this little tidbit.
    
    When I use one of the "dustier" litters like Johnny Cat (which my cats
    love), if it is warm enough, I pour the litter into the box OUTSIDE,
    and play witht he litter (turn it over a few times) to get most of the
    dust out. I"m very allergic to dust, and this seemed to help a great
    deal before I got my Alpine Air filter. (If you are concerned about
    what your neightbors might think, you could just open a window while
    you "play" with the litter inside.)
    
    Deb
    
    

    
    Deb, I do not think that you are soft in the head at all!  My vet
    told me that friends of his that have their practices in the UK
    RECOMMEND that people handle their litter outside to dissipate
    all of the dust that litter generates.  It is much healthier
    for both humans and felines!
    
    

    Hi,
                                           
    I tried Cat's Pride (clump litter) and the smell was pretty bad even
    though I cleaned the litter daily.  I'm now trying Johnny Cat and like
    it a lot.
    
    I have a question...when I clean the box I find plenty of stools but no
    sign of urine.  Is it possible that the litter is absorbing the urine
    or is my kitten using another part of the house for his litter box?
                                       
    ...Rania

    Just to clarify, you are now using the Jonny Cat brand of clumping
    litter?  If so, and you are not finding pee balls, I would start
    checking around your house for wherever he *is* going.  
    
    If you are using plain Jonny Cat clay litter, there would be no pee
    balls, and you would have to judge if he was using it by the ammonia
    smell of urine, and by any wet litter you might find when stiring the
    litter around.
    
    Jo

Has anyone tried that new clumpy type litter called "Tidy cat 3 Multi cat".
It's supposed to be for when you have "multiple cats" and from what the
ad on TV says, the "clumps" of pee become extra hard, making it easier
to scoop.

Any comments?

Holly

    Hi Jo,
    
    Nope, it's not the clump type of JC.  And I have been stirring the
    litter to find any wet spots but nothing.  I think I need to inspect my
    house tonight....darn!  
    
    Would this kind of thing be common?
    
    Thanks,
    Rania

    Depends on the age of the kitten.  When we raise our litters, it is
    common for them to "forget" litterbox training at about 8 weeks to 10
    weeks old (give or take a week on each side).  We switched our current
    litter of poo-heads to the clumping litter so we could see if they were
    using the litter at all! (we knew they weren't having their bowel
    movements in it. ;'p)  The result was that suddenly they were cured of
    the poo-head stage.  They have been using the litter exclusively (as
    opposed to my carpets and cat beds) ever since.
    
    Jo

    I have tried the Tidy Cat 3 Multi Cat litter (clump type), but I don't
    like it as well as the regular Tidy Cat clump litter.  It does make the
    clumps harder, but just like the regular Multi Cat it smells a lot
    more (it is scented).
    
    Debbie

    I was talking to a vendor at the San Mateo cat show over the weekend.
    She said she handles wholesaleing for several different types of litter,
    and when I asked her if she had heard about any connection between
    clumping litter and respiratory problems, she said Cornell had
    a study out that reported that some cats got severe respiratory and eye
    problems from it, and that there were suspicions about it's being a
    carcinogen because it has a very high content of silica.
    (Silica is a component of sand, I think.  Presumably sharp particles
    accumulate in the lungs, but I'm just guessing.)
    
    Take this for what it's worth....
    
    She was selling Gentle Touch litter and one or two other types, I
    think.  I bought a bag of the GT but haven't tried it on my cats yet.
    
    Anyone get the Cornell newsletter?  Maybe they mentioned this in there?
    

    
    Karen, there was no mention of it in the last newsletter.  I will look 
    for it in the next issue.  Cornell puts out 2 newsletters.  One to the 
    vet community and another to the general public.  I'll check with my
    vet.
    
    

    
    There was a reference to the Cornell litter study (Feb. newsletter) in 
    the April issue of Cats Magazine.  A company is studying utilizing peanut 
    shells as litter.  The shells are processed to a granular texture and are
    proving to be quite absorbant.  This is what I call recycling.... :')  
    
    

    Maybe the silica causes a feline version of asbestiosis? Not exactly
    cancer, but definitely a life-threatening respiratory disease.  My Dad
    has asbestiosis from years of handling asbestos without protection. It
    causes little slivers of asbestos to lodge in the lungs. It's
    untreatable.  I can't believe nobody bothered to find out if other
    substances act the same way when inhaled.  Gosh, the way Spike throws
    the litter around when he finished it looks like a dust cloud!
    Sarah

    I had never tried the Clumping litters with my crew...but since
    Van Gogh's operation we have noticed he pee's atleast 4 to 5
    times a day and he was flooding the litter.  We were to the
    point that we had to change the box every day.   So...we decided to
    try a clumping litter to see if that works better for him.
    
    It seems to be working well...and I am keeping a close eye on VG
    to ensure he doesn't have any eye problem or respitory problems...
    but I do have a question.  the litter says it is flushable...but
    when we tried to flush it...the toilet almost backed up.  Now
    you need to understand VG does not leave us little tiny pee
    balls...but more like huge pancakes of pee!!!  Does everyone flush
    this stuff when scooping???
    
    Sandy
    
    Sandy

    We don't.  We just put it in a trash bag and put it out with the trash
    like we did with REGULAR litter.
    
    We finally got the opportunity to test Fresh Step's scoopable litter. 
    Rico recognized the smell at once, and loved it.  Alex loves to play in
    it now.  It is a tad powdery and has a scent, but the pee hardens it OK
    (not as hard as I'd like, but harder than I'd be disappointed with).
    
    K.C.

    	ref.38
    
    	My rule of thumb is: three urine balls and I flush. Any more than
    that and it seems to want to back up.
    	I just purchased some new litter at Sam's Club in Hudson, N.H. 22
    pounds for $5.99. I'll be reporting on it in a few weekds.
    
    Mike

    I just got my California Vet Supply Specials flyer and they have that
    special litter listed on sale.  It says:
    
    CatScan Urine Screening Tests by Health-Check
    
    This unique, new product allows you to minotor "problem cats" at home,
    either following a visit to the vet, or early warning before the
    problem becomes critical.  Simply sprinkle the contents of the CatScan
    packet over the cat's litterbox - a change in color alerts you to a
    possible problem as soon as it starts - each packet clearly explains
    all color variations - there is a test for: BLOOD, PH, PROTEIN &
    GLUCOSE - please indicate which one you want when ordering.
    
    1 packet  Reg. $3.39  SALE $3.15   Buy two or more $2.95 each.
    
    The phone number for CA Vet Supply is in topic 9, the addresses and
    phone numbers topic.
    
    Jo

    I tried it, and we all (3 kitties) liked it, but I eventually gave it
    up anyway.
    
    Pooh also produced great pancakes instead of balls, so I transfered the
    pancake into a plastic bowl, broke it up, and then flushed it.  Worked
    for quite some time until the day I had to buy a drain snake, as I did
    block up the toilet with too much litter.  Then I started putting it in
    the trash and it wasn't around long enough to smell.
    
    The reason I gave it up was because I was finding traces of it embedded
    between [shorthair] Misty's toes; between [Persian] Pyewacket's toes,
    and stuck on her fur (in the important places).  I don't remember it
    being stuck on Pooh (Persian) anywhere, but then he never digs at all,
    just runs away like he done somethin' bad...
    
    Whereas both Misty and Pyewacket are always grooming, I didn't want
    them eating any, and went back to my favorite Kleen Kitty (plain). 
    While they do track it, at least it doesn't stick to them.
    
    p.s.  Yes, I did try wiping/combing it off their feet, etc. but was not
    satisfied with the results.
    
    p.p.s. I bought the "permanent" corncob litter and contraption that
    allows the urine to drip down to newspaper.  Not only was it kinda
    messy (with Pooh's big volume), but he got so he didn't want to use it
    after the first few days.  I guess it hurt his feet.  Misty used it ok
    (no Pye at the time) but I couldn't see running 2 different kinds of
    boxes...
    
    andrea

    I have the clumping litter horror story of the year.  We had used this
    in our kitten room for a litter of kittens last year.  This year, we
    decided to turn the kitten room into a guest bedroom.  We have an old
    vacuum that doesn't work too well.  Evidently, it didn't pick up all
    the clumping litter that was on the floor.  When we steam cleaned the
    carpets in the new guest room, the clumping litter that was down deep
    in the rugs clumped, turning the carpet into cement!!  STill haven't
    been able to get it out.  Be forewarned.
    
    Jo

    Jo,
    
     If you end up with a cement rug, does that mean your rug doesn't wear
    out as fast? ;-)
    
     Just kidding. That must have been a real shock when you went to clean!
    
     But I may get some of the clumping kind to fix the driveway! ;-)
    
    Love,
    
     Y

    You could probably use it as spackle.  We waited until it was dry and 
    then tried to "rake" it out of the carpet. :')  Didn't work.  We may
    have to try chiseling, or maybe sandblasting the stuff out.  People
    who stay in the guest room always want to know, "gee, what kind of
    carpet is this?"  Haven't thought of a good comeback yet, other than
    telling them that I am sure it will last a lifetime.  We could probably
    put it in one of those time capsules. :')
    
    It was a REAL shock to see the carpet turn to concrete before our very
    eyes.  Thank goodness it isn't the whole carpet, just one area that is
    about 2 square feet.
    
    Jo

    Thanks for sharing that JO...I use this type of litter for
    Van Gogh...and I went home and took the box off of the rug!!
    
    I can see how this could happen.....that stuff is like cement
    when its wet.  Thank god that even though they say it is
    flushable...I stopped flushing it!  

    Is there one brand that turns really hard?  I can't remember the kind
    I"m using, but I seem to have trouble getting the clumps out without
    breaking them.  I keep the box very full, since both of my cats "hold
    it" until they come in the house at the end of the day, and then go. 
    So they usually leave a considerable puddle in the box.  I though maybe
    I wasn't putting enough in there, and the urine was spreading too thin
    in the bottom of the box, but now I wonder if it's the particular
    brand. I bought it in a 1-gal container, royal blue label. Kleen-kitty
    maybe???  
    Sarah

    
    I find Scoop Away (no-track) works the best for me and my two cats. 
    I've had pretty good luck with this clumping type litter.  It seems to
    keep together and not stink.
    
    Cleo's got an amazing bladder and leaves me at least 2 record breaking
    balls of urine a day.  What I do is lift and shake one end of the pan
    so that I don't have to search for the balls which I will otherwise
    break (and repeat for the other end). 
    
    ...Rania
    

    On the other hand, I've found that I don't like the scoop away (sorry
    Rania!).
    
    the best one with the "extra hard clumping" is Tidy Cat MC.  It's for
    more than one cat in the household, so the "peeballs" are extra hard.
    
    What do I use??  Either Tidy Cat MC or Fresh Step scoopable.  I love
    the stuff!
    
    HOlly
    

    
    No reason to be sorry Holly.  I think I tried every brand (clump/no
    clump) that noters recommended and then stumbled upon the Scoop Away. 
    
    The one to go with is the one that works best for you and the cats. 
    For awhile I didn't think I'd ever find a clumping brand that we liked.
    
    ...Rania

how about a blind scoop test?8^>

    	After all the research I've done, I've settled on KITTY LITTER
    MAXX. It is a scooping litter with maximum clumping and minimum
    tracking. And it works. We used to find litter all over the house, but
    since changing to this, it stays on the rug next to the box. The
    granules are bigger than standard clumping litter. The only draw
    back..it can not be flushed. It took me a while to work out a system to
    dispose of the urine balls, but now that I've used it for almost 4
    months, I will never switch back (I did once because the store was out
    of MAXX, purchased it next week and threw out the other litter). I've
    used the EVERLCEAN maximum clumping litter and it works just as well,
    except it costs more and does not have any odor control. These clumps
    do not break up and they scoop out easy. I think the cats like it because 
    it does not stick to their feet. And one more thing, the granules do
    not settle into the rug, they are to big, they sit on top and can
    cleaned up very easy.
    
    Mike

    My husband just bought some type of clumping kitty litter for our 4
    cats.  The stuff works great in terms of reducing odor but we have one
    major problem.  The urine clumps get so hard and stick so tightly to
    the bottom of the litter box that we just about need a hammer and
    chisel to remove them from the box.
    
    We have tried putting just a few inches up to as much as 6 inches of
    litter and nothing seems to change.  This stuff is like glue.  Has
    anyone else had this problem?  If so, is there a fix?
    
    Thanks,
    
    
    Jeanne
    

    try cutting a sheet of newspaper the same size as the litter box and
    placing it under the kitty litter.  The litter will stick to the paper
    but, unlike the bottom of the box, you can remove the paper and replace
    it with some fresh.
    
    The disadvantage, if kitty is a deep digger, the paper can get
    shreadded.

    Another option is to use the litter box liners, the plastic kind that
    slip over the box.  Then you can grab the edge and lift to loosen the
    hard stuff.  Can you tell I've had the same problem?  This works well.
    
    Linda

    How about spraying the bottom of the box with no stick PAM!? Sorry, I
    couldn't resist, and I feel in a silly mood today.
    
    Yonee