Comments on: My next mission: cat litter http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/ More jabbering from Caroline. Read at your own risk. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:04:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Mo http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5149 Mo Thu, 01 May 2008 16:44:27 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5149 I'm not entirely sure if this is "environmentally friendly" or not, but I am loving the cat litter I'm currently using. I am pretty sure the box says it biodegrades, so maybe check it out next time you're at the store. It's the crystal kind that absorbs the peepee. It doesn't clump, but it's super easy to clean as the kitty poo is just kind of there and easy to spot and scoop out. Apparantly one box of this stuff lasts one month for one cat. I got mine at Trader Joe's. Another item I cannot live without is my Litter Locker. It's a handy little devise that you scoop your kitty poo into and then turn the handle...it "locks" the used litter inside the locker and you only have to change it when you run out of plastic bag. Seriously it lasts my cat a couple of months or more, especially now that I'm not dumping out tons of clumping litter each and every time. I guess it's like a Diaper Genie for cats? Good luck! I’m not entirely sure if this is “environmentally friendly” or not, but I am loving the cat litter I’m currently using. I am pretty sure the box says it biodegrades, so maybe check it out next time you’re at the store. It’s the crystal kind that absorbs the peepee. It doesn’t clump, but it’s super easy to clean as the kitty poo is just kind of there and easy to spot and scoop out. Apparantly one box of this stuff lasts one month for one cat. I got mine at Trader Joe’s.

Another item I cannot live without is my Litter Locker. It’s a handy little devise that you scoop your kitty poo into and then turn the handle…it “locks” the used litter inside the locker and you only have to change it when you run out of plastic bag. Seriously it lasts my cat a couple of months or more, especially now that I’m not dumping out tons of clumping litter each and every time. I guess it’s like a Diaper Genie for cats?

Good luck!

]]> By: cousin becky http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5148 cousin becky Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:46:28 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5148 I'm on to Swheat Scoop now, but just started; I'll let you know. Harvey (aka, the world's most laid back, adaptable, 15 year old cat) doesn't mind it at all so far, but I just put some on top of his regular litter. we'll see. I’m on to Swheat Scoop now, but just started; I’ll let you know. Harvey (aka, the world’s most laid back, adaptable, 15 year old cat) doesn’t mind it at all so far, but I just put some on top of his regular litter. we’ll see.

]]> By: Mermaid Mom http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5147 Mermaid Mom Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:54:35 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5147 As an update--I tried the Swheat Scoop and am back to clay. For one thing, I don't think my old cat Klark appreciated me messing with what he'd be accustomed to for the past 13 years, and he communicated this by spraying several pieces of furniture. :-( I don't think the litter change was the only factor, but I think it might have contributed. Also, while I liked that there wasn't any dust, the smell was very barnyard-like. That's the best way I can describe it. The clumping was adequate but not great--it made kind of gummy clumps which barely held together. I did love being able to flush it. But all in all, I don't think I could have tolerated the smell for the long haul. So, keep looking and let me know if you find anything else that really works well. As an update–I tried the Swheat Scoop and am back to clay. For one thing, I don’t think my old cat Klark appreciated me messing with what he’d be accustomed to for the past 13 years, and he communicated this by spraying several pieces of furniture. :-( I don’t think the litter change was the only factor, but I think it might have contributed. Also, while I liked that there wasn’t any dust, the smell was very barnyard-like. That’s the best way I can describe it. The clumping was adequate but not great–it made kind of gummy clumps which barely held together. I did love being able to flush it. But all in all, I don’t think I could have tolerated the smell for the long haul.

So, keep looking and let me know if you find anything else that really works well.

]]> By: cousin becky http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5145 cousin becky Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:45:55 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5145 1. Feline Pine makes a clumping litter now; haven't tried it, but it might be worth a shot. I agree-- it totally smells good and "neutralizes" that nasty ammonia smell. 2. Yesterday's News, made from old newspaper, may be a good option. About the same price as Feline Pine; I don't think it smells quite as good, but my mama disagrees. It comes in clumping now too. Congratulations on making the journey to earth-friendly cat partnership. (It's not really ownership, is it?) : ) 1. Feline Pine makes a clumping litter now; haven’t tried it, but it might be worth a shot. I agree– it totally smells good and “neutralizes” that nasty ammonia smell.
2. Yesterday’s News, made from old newspaper, may be a good option. About the same price as Feline Pine; I don’t think it smells quite as good, but my mama disagrees. It comes in clumping now too.
Congratulations on making the journey to earth-friendly cat partnership. (It’s not really ownership, is it?) : )

]]> By: Brian http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5140 Brian Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:53:58 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5140 First, this was knee-slapping funny: "I will willingly shove a large piece of plastic up my hoohah when I’m on the rag, but I will not dump cat litter. Don’t judge me." Second, the worst thing about having cats is the litter. I despise scooping it every evening, but it's a necessity. We have three cats and two big boxes. The money that we spend in litter, vet bills, and expensive cat food is rather substantial. On a related note, uur eldest cat, Blu, has decided that she is too good to pee in the litter box, so she pees in the carpet. I know that it isn't an infection or anything serious because she has done this off and on the whole time we've had her. She is very finicky about litter boxes. She refuses to cover her poop and she always wipes her ass on the carpet after finishing. We've pretty much decided that we are going to have to find another home for her. It's hard, but we simply can't have a pet that urinates where she pleases. First, this was knee-slapping funny:

“I will willingly shove a large piece of plastic up my hoohah when I’m on the rag, but I will not dump cat litter. Don’t judge me.”

Second, the worst thing about having cats is the litter. I despise scooping it every evening, but it’s a necessity. We have three cats and two big boxes. The money that we spend in litter, vet bills, and expensive cat food is rather substantial.

On a related note, uur eldest cat, Blu, has decided that she is too good to pee in the litter box, so she pees in the carpet. I know that it isn’t an infection or anything serious because she has done this off and on the whole time we’ve had her. She is very finicky about litter boxes. She refuses to cover her poop and she always wipes her ass on the carpet after finishing. We’ve pretty much decided that we are going to have to find another home for her. It’s hard, but we simply can’t have a pet that urinates where she pleases.

]]> By: Mermaid Mom http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5122 Mermaid Mom Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:31:37 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5122 Find me the right product and I'll get on board. I know that Aunt Donna used to use "Yesterday's News" which was litter made from recycled newspaper. But the smell was AWFUL. Again, I'm not sure if that could have been cured by more frequent scoopings, but like you, I don't want to have to change the litter completely every day. I'll be anxiously awaiting the results of your research on this topic. Find me the right product and I’ll get on board. I know that Aunt Donna used to use “Yesterday’s News” which was litter made from recycled newspaper. But the smell was AWFUL. Again, I’m not sure if that could have been cured by more frequent scoopings, but like you, I don’t want to have to change the litter completely every day.

I’ll be anxiously awaiting the results of your research on this topic.

]]> By: Jessica D. http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5121 Jessica D. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:15:12 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5121 caroline, i love your blog! you're a great writer. i'm always laughing out loud at my computer. :) caroline, i love your blog! you’re a great writer. i’m always laughing out loud at my computer. :)

]]> By: Caroline http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5120 Caroline Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:25:24 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5120 @Manda: You hit the nail on the head. Especially here in Boulder, eco-friendly = boutique, and frequently eco-friendly = judgemental hippie. I am already judgemental (ha) but I do tend to shy away from the "hippie" and "boutique" part. I will keep you informed. It's been a fun challenge finding eco-friendly AND cost-friendly alternatives to stuff. @Manda: You hit the nail on the head. Especially here in Boulder, eco-friendly = boutique, and frequently eco-friendly = judgemental hippie. I am already judgemental (ha) but I do tend to shy away from the “hippie” and “boutique” part. I will keep you informed. It’s been a fun challenge finding eco-friendly AND cost-friendly alternatives to stuff.

]]> By: amanda http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5119 amanda Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:21:38 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5119 dude, i am SUPER interested in hearing what you end up doing. ola and i would love to find something more eco-friendly, but it's really hard to find something that works for our 2 cats! (and as you mentioned, cost is a huge problem) why does eco friendly seem to have to equal boutique and expensive??? dude, i am SUPER interested in hearing what you end up doing. ola and i would love to find something more eco-friendly, but it’s really hard to find something that works for our 2 cats! (and as you mentioned, cost is a huge problem) why does eco friendly seem to have to equal boutique and expensive???

]]> By: Amelia Royko Maurer http://knownknowns.org/2008/03/27/my-next-mission-cat-litter/#comment-5118 Amelia Royko Maurer Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:01:03 +0000 http://cturpen.wordpress.com/?p=553#comment-5118 You may be right about the Sigg bottles. Sigg's bottle liner is made of a water based epoxy, which may be sexy and Swiss on the outside, but it is not guaranteed safe on the inside. One ingredient in epoxy is BPA. And if you read the Vom Saal interview below, you know that in order to properly test for leaching BPA, you have to test on something with an endocrine system over a period of time because the leaching could be undetectable by tools, but detectable by and damaging to the endocrine system. Sigg has not done this, and until they do, they cannot honestly claim to be safe. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/nature/interviews/vomsaal.html Sigg will not disclose the ingredients of the liner, but they do test for BPA Sigg claims they are testing for leaching BPA only to separate themselves from other water bottles out there and the controversy surrounding BPA, but that it doesn't necessarily mean the bottle liner contains BPA. This is clearly a bunch of excrement. Why then isn't Sigg testing for formaldehyde or cadmium? Why not parabens or say...e-coli? Where would this potential leaching be coming from if not the bottle? The sky? I know this is hard to take. Especially after purchasing two myself but they make for pretty vases too. I am sad for the retailers out there who bought 100 of them. I almost did. But i am wondering, when discussing Sigg, why is it that no one (some retailers, many reporters) calls into question these three details: the liner is water based epoxy = BPA the liner is tested for leaching BPA = BPA they won't tell you that BPA is NOT an ingredient in the liner = BPA Lastly, BPA is in every corner of our lives and only now are we being allowed to know how damaging it is and has been. PVC- same thing. Sigg uses FDA approval as if it is a reliable source of safety. I have one word for them: rBGH For more info on conversations with the president of Sigg and many green retailers, check: http://www.freemarketorganics.com/coabsi.html I do sell Klean Kanteen, which are stainless steel, and I encourage everyone to either drink out of glass as much as possible and then stainless when breakage is an issue. Amelia Amelia Royko Maurer Free Market Organics LLC 342 S. Madison St. Evansville, WI 53536 ph: 608-332-5042 fax: 608-882-0397 e: amelia@freemarketorganics.com http://www.freemarketorganics.com You may be right about the Sigg bottles.

Sigg’s bottle liner is made of a water based epoxy, which may be sexy and Swiss on the outside, but it is not guaranteed safe on the inside. One ingredient in epoxy is BPA. And if you read the Vom Saal interview below, you know that in order to properly test for leaching BPA, you have to test on something with an endocrine system over a period of time because the leaching could be undetectable by tools, but detectable by and damaging to the endocrine system. Sigg has not done this, and until they do, they cannot honestly claim to be safe.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/nature/interviews/vomsaal.html

Sigg will not disclose the ingredients of the liner, but they do test for BPA

Sigg claims they are testing for leaching BPA only to separate themselves from other water bottles out there and the controversy surrounding BPA, but that it doesn’t necessarily mean the bottle liner contains BPA. This is clearly a bunch of excrement.

Why then isn’t Sigg testing for formaldehyde or cadmium? Why not parabens or say…e-coli? Where would this potential leaching be coming from if not the bottle? The sky?

I know this is hard to take. Especially after purchasing two myself but they make for pretty vases too. I am sad for the retailers out there who bought 100 of them. I almost did.

But i am wondering, when discussing Sigg, why is it that no one (some retailers, many reporters) calls into question these three details:

the liner is water based epoxy = BPA
the liner is tested for leaching BPA = BPA
they won’t tell you that BPA is NOT an ingredient in the liner = BPA

Lastly, BPA is in every corner of our lives and only now are we being allowed to know how damaging it is and has been. PVC- same thing. Sigg uses FDA approval as if it is a reliable source of safety. I have one word for them: rBGH

For more info on conversations with the president of Sigg and many green retailers, check:

http://www.freemarketorganics.com/coabsi.html

I do sell Klean Kanteen, which are stainless steel, and I encourage everyone to either drink out of glass as much as possible and then stainless when breakage is an issue.

Amelia

Amelia Royko Maurer
Free Market Organics LLC
342 S. Madison St.
Evansville, WI
53536

ph: 608-332-5042
fax: 608-882-0397
e: amelia@freemarketorganics.com
http://www.freemarketorganics.com

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