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Another Litter question

post #1 of 20
12/16/10 at 6:19pm
Thread Starter 
I've been away for a while but shcool's over and it's good to be back In about 3 weeks we will be adding another furbaby to our family and was wondering if Multi-cat litter is best for a multicat home? What makes it different from regular litter? (I specifically use Swheat Scoop and there is a multi-cat available)

Thanks
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post #2 of 20
12/16/10 at 7:03pm
usually multiple cat formulas have a heavier fragrance ... swheet too me had more smell not really more effective
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post #3 of 20
12/17/10 at 1:33am
Perfumes in ANY litter are a bad thing IMO.

Swheat contains none in either formula. On the packaging I have it just says that it includes more starch/enzyme concentration... but how they achieve that, I do not know.

Basically, multi-cat just means "more-clumping".

Multi-cat is better for even a single cat, as I don't see how anyone would prefer a less clumping litter. The more it clumps, the less chance you have of mess on the bottom of the pan, its easier to scoop, and the litter stays fresher since non-contacted litter isn't contaminated.
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post #4 of 20
12/17/10 at 8:55am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharky View Post
usually multiple cat formulas have a heavier fragrance ... swheet too me had more smell not really more effective
okay, yeah i hate fragranced litters! Well I may try it once but if i dont see a difference why pay the extra mktg cents, !! I wonder too if I'd lose out on the "buy 12, get one free" coupons that usu come in the single-cat bag?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducman69 View Post
Perfumes in ANY litter are a bad thing IMO.

Swheat contains none in either formula. On the packaging I have it just says that it includes more starch/enzyme concentration... but how they achieve that, I do not know.

Basically, multi-cat just means "more-clumping".

Multi-cat is better for even a single cat, as I don't see how anyone would prefer a less clumping litter. The more it clumps, the less chance you have of mess on the bottom of the pan, its easier to scoop, and the litter stays fresher since non-contacted litter isn't contaminated.
So you use the same brand? How do you think it works? Did you ever use the single-cat litter? It does clump okay, but breaks apart if too "fresh"... I definitely wouldn't mind more clumping.

Thanks
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post #5 of 20
12/17/10 at 9:03am
Fragrance and perfume are not the same thing...Many Fragrances are in fact naturally occurring from the ingredients( yes enzymes can cause this )

reg swheet did the same job... the multicat has an additional ingredient which IMHO smells alot and the clumping was only slightly better ( by slight maybe 10% better)... I had four cats using it ...

Most companies do the buy 10 ,12 by upc .... yes the multicat would have a different upc
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post #6 of 20
12/17/10 at 9:09am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Sharky! Learned something new I want to stay away from clay so maybe I'll try WBCL, thats the corn one right? Multicat formula? I'll look into it... Any opinions on this one? I wonder if it would feel similiar to Neko's feet... it wasn't hard to transition her to SS.

(Thanks for moving, after posting originial i thought i should have posted here)
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post #7 of 20
12/17/10 at 9:19am
I noted even less difference( clumping) between reg Worlds and the multi cat but I also cant say I remember much smell difference ....


I use chicken feed which is basically the swheet and worlds mixed but far cheaper
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post #8 of 20
12/17/10 at 9:25am
Thread Starter 
WBCL says reg for 1-2cats and multi for 2 or more. Does it stick to the bottom as much as SS? Smell really isn't an issue as Neko NEVER covers her business

How much chicken feed do you buy? Do you take ur own container? I'm interested in going this route since my spending is already going to go up on food!
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post #9 of 20
12/17/10 at 10:16am
I did not have issues with the worlds best outside of the roughly 40$ a month price tag and that was when I just had 2 cats( one with kidney issues)... I dont remember the sticking being too bad ( swheet get s that award )

Chicken feed ( egg layer crumble or chick starter) comes in different sizes depending on store and brand... One local feed store( look at the foods :0 ) has 5lbs, 25lb s and 50 lbs

most have 40 or 50 ( walmart has a 40 lb for 11 $ I think, not the greatest but in a pinch or to see if you like)... In the spring most have 25lbs ..

I use roughly 50lbs a month when it is in all three boxes( note they are two 18 gal and one 10 gal)
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post #10 of 20
12/17/10 at 9:36pm
Thread Starter 
Searching online i found a feed/supply place about 15min away. Walmart carries it? where?
Thanks for all the info Sharky!!
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post #11 of 20
12/17/10 at 11:42pm
in mine it is at the end of the isle with puppy and kitty milk ... In ones with horse stuff it will be there
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post #12 of 20
12/18/10 at 5:20pm
I googled "chicken feed as cat litter" and found this blog:

World's Best Cat Litter Review: The Inside Scoop

http://newcats.blogspot.com/2004/12/...ew-inside.html

Quote:
If you've been reading this blog for a few weeks, you'll recall that my fiancee Liz and I started having a major allergic reaction that would begin the moment we walked into the kitchen. We finally decided to try changing brands of litter from Swheat Scoop to The World's Best Cat Litter.
I was really curious about the chicken feed as cat litter - I learn something new here everyday! Thanks, Sharky.

Does the chicken feed clump?

Here's another blog on chicken feed as litter:
Litters - with info about chicken layer as litter
http://www.litterbox-central.com/lit...topic2618.html

Quote:
I originally was a LitterMaid user, for a few years. While using LM's, I read on this website a post from a guy who was using a type of chicken feed called Chicken Layer in his LM, and that it worked great. He said it was very much like The World's Best Cat Litter (TWBCL)

I picked some up and have been using it ever since, we're talking about 3-4 years now.
Personally, we use WBCL - for multi-cats - but with 8 cats now - I am looking for a good alternative that doesn't break the bank.
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post #13 of 20
12/18/10 at 9:38pm
Thread Starter 
Well now the mold has me a little worried... What do you think Sharky?
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post #14 of 20
12/18/10 at 9:59pm
MOld???
I once had an issue with some eight legged creatures but I was DUMB and left a Full but opened bag in the garage
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post #15 of 20
12/19/10 at 8:41am
Honestly, I think you'd have to worry less about mold (preexisting on it) in chicken feed than in the WBCL because the chicken feed is intended to be fed - the limit on pet/animal foods is 20 ppm. I don't know what standards the FDA has for litters - if any.

As for it growing after the fact... well, urine isn't that conductive for mold growth and I assume you'll be scooping daily?

Grain mites are always a possibility, they can even show up in our flour and corn meal - we still buy these products. Simply check the bag after opening it, the mites are tiny and an off-white color so they'll show up on a darker background. They're harmless to cats, but can make any grain they're in smell funky (even grain mites poop) and can spread to other grain foods in the home.



The mold being allowed at 20ppm (I imagine it's a little lower for human foods) has had me wondering for a while. What if nearly all the grain issues (not just corn) many cats have are not actually an intolerance or allergy to the grain itself at all?
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post #16 of 20
12/19/10 at 9:28am
My Zoey has both wheat and corn allergies , no issues with the chicken feed as she does not eat it and the mats get most off her feet
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post #17 of 20
12/19/10 at 9:36am
^Sho had no problem with the chicken feed if he didn't try to eat it (he tried a few times, which is why I learned to always sprinkle a little used feed on top). Corn foods are pretty promptly vomited up by him - anywhere from 30 mins to an hour later at the most (the more corn, the quicker they came up). He never had stool issues or itching - is why I'm hesitant to say it was ever really an allergy. Other grains stayed down longer, but still cause some vomiting - which has had me wondering about low levels of mold in pet foods and sensitivity in some cats for a couple years. (our peanut conversation had me thinking about it again not to long ago)
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post #18 of 20
12/20/10 at 10:24am
Thread Starter 
yes, scooping daily I think i want to try the chicken feed... as far as storage, I plan to put the bag in our laundry room on a shelf above the dryer. Neko's last bag of swheat scoop had a moth or something resembling a moth! Freaked me out!! I had the bag on the floor in the closet that her litterbox is in with a small hole near the bottom of the bag! Now I have it in a container. Chkn feed won't fit in this container though so hoping the laundry rm will be a good place.
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post #19 of 20
12/20/10 at 12:03pm
Do you have any old plastic litter pails around the house? If not, pick up a plastic container - a bucket with a lid would probably be best since it would have a handle.

Moths, meal moths to be exact, have larvae that can chew through thinner bag type plastics. They're really nothing to flip out over and are more annoying than anything. They sneak into homes either by flying right in through an open door or as eggs (or cocooned larvae) on the crease or bottom of a bag or box.
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post #20 of 20
12/20/10 at 9:02pm
Thread Starter 
ewww Ok, The extra litter box i have is a covered box but i wont be adding the lid when i bring it out to use for 2nd kitty. I could just turn that upside down with door agains the wall. If i have any problems then i'll seek out a bigger container w/lid. I'll try to work w/my limited storage for now
Thanks for the feedback!
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