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#1
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Litter Dust / Crystals / Love Bites
It seems as if every time I change my kitten Charlie's litter, I
experience some major allergy symptoms centered solely in my eyes over the next few days. I'm using Fresh Step Clay. Do you think it's an allergy to their particular brand, or to clay litter in general? I highly suspect that it could be due to the dust involved in pouring the new litter; I don't seem to experience the symptoms when raking the litter for poop, for example. I really don't think that it's due to Charlie's dander, although I suppose I could be mistaken. Any suggestions? Should I go get goggles and a dust mask from a hardware store? Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to things (especially since he is a young 'un -- about four months now), but I note that you're not supposed to flush the solid waste from crystals down the toilet. (See http://www.freshstep.com/crystals/faq.html#14.) How do people handle that, then? I'm in an apartment building -- would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] One last thing ... Charlie is beginning to give love bites when he's happy. They're cute as heck, and right now since he has baby teeth they don't hurt that bad at all. But I'd like to discourage the 'love bite' behavior, while not alienating him. I've already adopted the "NO!" (accompanied by occasional water bottle mist) for other bad behavior, which he's reacted to well. But I'm afraid discouraging him right when he's being affectionate might train him right out of *any* affectionate gesture, if you understand what I mean. Any idea? Or is this just something that you just put up with as part and parcel of being a cat owner? Much obliged in advance for your help, folks ... Mike |
#3
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From: Mike Harris
I'm using Fresh Step Clay. Do you think it's an allergy to their particular brand, or to clay litter in general? It could be to the clay, or to the perfumes added. I use Swheat Scoop, an all natural litter made from wheat and I really like it. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm |
#4
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On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 11:14:19 -0600, Mike Harris
wrote: Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to things (especially since he is a young 'un -- about four months now), but I note that you're not supposed to flush the solid waste from crystals down the toilet. (See http://www.freshstep.com/crystals/faq.html#14.) How do people handle that, then? I'm in an apartment building -- would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] I've found the crystals very easy on my allergies (the grain based ones caused me major respiratory problems!). As to flushing, I just shake off most of the crystals and flush the poop - I've been doing that for several years now without any trouble. |
#5
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On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 11:14:19 -0600, Mike Harris
wrote: Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to things (especially since he is a young 'un -- about four months now), but I note that you're not supposed to flush the solid waste from crystals down the toilet. (See http://www.freshstep.com/crystals/faq.html#14.) How do people handle that, then? I'm in an apartment building -- would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] I've found the crystals very easy on my allergies (the grain based ones caused me major respiratory problems!). As to flushing, I just shake off most of the crystals and flush the poop - I've been doing that for several years now without any trouble. |
#6
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On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 12:27:37 -0500, MGW wrote:
On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 11:14:19 -0600, Mike Harris wrote: Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to things (especially since he is a young 'un -- about four months now), but I note that you're not supposed to flush the solid waste from crystals down the toilet. (See http://www.freshstep.com/crystals/faq.html#14.) How do people handle that, then? I'm in an apartment building -- would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] I've found the crystals very easy on my allergies (the grain based ones caused me major respiratory problems!). As to flushing, I just shake off most of the crystals and flush the poop - I've been doing that for several years now without any trouble. I save the plastic bags that are used for vegetables and use them for scooped litter. I scoop several times a day and keep the bag with the scooped litter in a plastic wastebasket. our garbage is picked up 3 times a week and I place the scooped litter in another bag, I used to flush the solids, but it caused plumbing problems, so discontinued that. It's probably the deodorants that you are allergic to. |
#7
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On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 12:27:37 -0500, MGW wrote:
On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 11:14:19 -0600, Mike Harris wrote: Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to things (especially since he is a young 'un -- about four months now), but I note that you're not supposed to flush the solid waste from crystals down the toilet. (See http://www.freshstep.com/crystals/faq.html#14.) How do people handle that, then? I'm in an apartment building -- would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] I've found the crystals very easy on my allergies (the grain based ones caused me major respiratory problems!). As to flushing, I just shake off most of the crystals and flush the poop - I've been doing that for several years now without any trouble. I save the plastic bags that are used for vegetables and use them for scooped litter. I scoop several times a day and keep the bag with the scooped litter in a plastic wastebasket. our garbage is picked up 3 times a week and I place the scooped litter in another bag, I used to flush the solids, but it caused plumbing problems, so discontinued that. It's probably the deodorants that you are allergic to. |
#8
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On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 11:13:39 -0700, m. L. Briggs
wrote: On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 12:27:37 -0500, MGW wrote: I've found the crystals very easy on my allergies (the grain based ones caused me major respiratory problems!). .... It's probably the deodorants that you are allergic to. Nope, it's the grains in litters such as WBCL. I get problems on farms, too. |
#9
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On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 11:13:39 -0700, m. L. Briggs
wrote: On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 12:27:37 -0500, MGW wrote: I've found the crystals very easy on my allergies (the grain based ones caused me major respiratory problems!). .... It's probably the deodorants that you are allergic to. Nope, it's the grains in litters such as WBCL. I get problems on farms, too. |
#10
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My Stella and Delilah are both apartment cats. The clay litter did the same
to me when I first used it when they were first adopted plus it made the apartment smell like litter (not the waste, just litter) I went out and got a store brand clumping litter and a box of Arm and Hammer cat box freshener. It's basically baking soda with a liquid activated scent which is quite mild and pleasant. The girls didn't mind a bit, in fact I think they liked it better because it was a finer grade of stone. Now I just scoop every day as a ritual or once every other day and toss the plastic bag in the trash (grocery bags). It hasn't smelled since. Good luck! It seems as if every time I change my kitten Charlie's litter, I experience some major allergy symptoms centered solely in my eyes over the next few days. I'm using Fresh Step Clay. Do you think it's an allergy to their particular brand, or to clay litter in general? I highly suspect that it could be due to the dust involved in pouring the new litter; I don't seem to experience the symptoms when raking the litter for poop, for example. I really don't think that it's due to Charlie's dander, although I suppose I could be mistaken. Any suggestions? Should I go get goggles and a dust mask from a hardware store? Also, as a possible solution, I had thought seriously about switching to a crystals brand; Charlie's been remarkably adaptive in adjusting to things (especially since he is a young 'un -- about four months now), but I note that you're not supposed to flush the solid waste from crystals down the toilet. (See http://www.freshstep.com/crystals/faq.html#14.) How do people handle that, then? I'm in an apartment building -- would this mean putting poop into a plastic bag and tossing it each time? [Wouldn't you eventually run out of plastic bags? ;-)] |
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