| Hygiene
Critter cleanup -
safe
and natural hygiene helpers
by
Charlotte Walker
Let’s face it. Whether you’re
scooping kitty litter or vacuuming dog
hair off the upholstery, cleaning up after
your companion probably isn’t your
favorite task. The joy he brings to your
life makes the work worthwhile, of course,
but why not make the job easier by taking
advantage of the many animal hygiene products
on today’s market? From pooper scoopers
to grooming tools to deodorizing sprays,
you’ll find everything you need
to turn critter cleanup into a breeze.
The
low-down on litter
It used to be that clay-based litters
were lauded as the best thing since sliced
bread because they clumped so well and
made cleanup easier. Since then, studies
have shown that clay litters can be harmful
to your cat. The chief culprit is silica,
a component of clay that can lead to respiratory
problems when cats breathe the dust. Clay-based
litter may also cause intestinal problems
if ingested, while artificial fragrancescan
trigger allergic reactions. “If
at all possible, avoid clay litter in
any form,” writes breeder Michelle
Bernard in Raising Cats Naturally. “It
is dirty and dusty…and it is certainly
not desirable for you or your cat to be
inhaling clay dust.”
This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice
convenience to protect your cat’s
health. Many alternatives to clay-based
litters do just as good a job at hygienically
absorbing, clumping and deodorizing, without
the addition of chemicals or the dangers
of silica dust. Examples include wheatbased
litters such as Swheat Scoop, which is
made from naturally processed wheat. The
benefits of wheat as a litter are manifold:
the plant starches make it an efficient
clumper, while naturally-occurring enzymes
have deodorizing properties. “The
texture is attractive to most cats as
they prefer a sandy substance to eliminate
in,” adds Michelle. Wheat litters
are also flushable and biodegradable,
a plus for those who are environmentally
conscious or who live in an apartment.
The same is true of corn-based litters
such as World’s Best Cat Litter.
Made from processed whole-kernel corn,
this product is a porous clumping litter
that absorbs both moisture and odor without
the need for artificial scents or clumping
agents. “It works like a sponge,”
says Jean Broders, Marketing Manager.
“The clumps stay firm and don’t
break apart when you remove them. It’s
great for multiple cat households because
of its ability to control odor.”
Both corn and wheat litters are dust-free
and don’t track through the house
as readily as their clay counterparts.
They’re also long lasting, which
means you don’t have to change the
tray as often as you would with other
litters. “If you remove the clumps
on a daily basis, you can re-use what’s
left in the tray for up to three or four
months in a single-cat household,”
says Jean. You’ll have to pay more
for these products, but the extra cost
is worth it when you consider the health
benefits.
Other alternative litters include newspaper-based
products such as Yesterday’s News,
which are made from recycled newspaper
in either a fluffy or pellet form. Most
are biodegradable, flushable and relatively
dust free. Many companies also de-ink
the newsprint before manufacturing it
into litter. Wood-based litters, meanwhile,
are made from flakes or pellets of various
woods. There is some controversy over
the use of cedar in these products, as
some people feel cedar oil can be harmful
to cats. As well, some products can be
hard on tender feline pads so look for
one that addresses this issue. Other plant-based
litters include those made from materials
like alfalfa or peanut hulls. Both the
latter come in pellet form. One of the
drawbacks with peanut-based litters is
that peanut crops are heavily sprayed
with pesticides, so keep that in mind
when shopping for a product.
Next
Page >
Published
in the October/November 2003 issue of
Animal Wellness Magazine
|
