They've always used bargain clumping litter. When I got old enough to really have a concept that their care was decidedly NOT up to par, I tackled the food issue first. Now that I finally seem to have that perfected, I'm moving on to other issues. Like litter. That clay dust CANNOT be healthy for them. I use Yesterday's News for my ferret and picked up a small bag of Feline Pine to try today, but the problem is they are totally stubborn. My mom tried using yesterdays news once before when we ran out of cat litter and couldn't get to the store-which resulted in a wet, yellow couch and poop on the living room floor. they are both totally healthy spayed females except Tigger HAS always breathed funny, kind of harsh, my mom says it was ever since she was spayed (I was too young to remember) the vet says it's just how she breathes and she's fine, but I just don't like it and would like to potentially help her out . I'm also getting an air purifier for the same reason and we do not smoke indoors or burn candles or use anything aerosol
Good for you for getting the cats on a healthier diet.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com You have to remember for 15 yr old cats changing their litter to something very different may be stressful and it would be best to make changes gradually. (And might be a good idea to continue to have one box with the old kind until you see that they are using the new). At least now they're using the box. But maybe if they wont 'accept something so different as the Feline Pine you could get them to change to an unscented clumping litter with less dust? and if you have covered litterboxes try taking the covers off. (or try it on one and see if they will use it that way.)
Here is an article by a vet about litterboxes and litters, I have not read the whole article for a while but i think she goes over the pros and cons of some different kinds and it might give you some ideas.
http://www.catinfo.org/?link=litterbox BTW she also has a great article on feline nutrition on her site.
Does your mom think the anesthetic during the surgery had some effect on Tigger's breathing? Ever asked another vet? If Tigger is a flat faced cat her breathing may be because of her extreme facial conformation and not big enough nostrils.
My cat breaths the same way, and it is just natural for her (shes a Himalayan) Check with your vet for the best litter for her. yesterdays news is absolutely horrible, (well I personally do not like it), the same with the pine, it is going close to her bum which can not be good. pine shavings or anything of that sort is not good for rabbits so I can't see it be good for cats.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Try a kittylitter that is made of corn. (They come in different brands, and vary in prices) they are awesome. They smell good for us, good for the environment and none of the dust issues.
All the best with your kitty:)
I've heard the healthiest is natural (potting) sand mixed with two tablespoons of baking soda. (I have indoor-outdoor cats who never use their box, so we just have leftover litter that we use when we're out of town.)
The best way to switch is to start mixing it in slowly - adding handfuls to what you have all ready and stirring it in, adding a handful every three days or so until you've completely switched over.
