Thursday, May 13, 2010

Feline Pine in the litterboxes

I know that Dr. Addy did a study on cat litters that killed/reduced/had no effect on the FIP virus in the litterbox. A big area where the thought is most of the transmission cat to cat occurs.

Over the years I have tried a variety of litters. Including those on the list that I could get here in the USA. Dr. Addy's results here

I have to say that time and time again, I come back to the feline pine. While she did not include feline pine in her study, she did post some results on wood pellet litter.

I found that the everclean was hard to get, I could only get it with the charcoal added, and it was not the exact type listed. I also tried the sophisticat, and the cat country.
while I do not dispute the findings, because I do not have the equipment to run a similar test, I find my cats are all together healthier with the pine litter. The clay litters...I really don't find them very sanitary litters, and the cats get more stuck on their pads.
The pine litter tracks....and it's best to dump as soon as it disintegrates because it can make a big mess, but the cats never are cleaning it off their feet, and perhaps that is where they are healthier.

So I continue with the use of the pine litter, and the cats continue to be as healthy as I think they are going to get.
Lily is still separated, as she still shows neurological signs periodically, wobbly, and while she is thin, she gained some weight a while ago and has kept it on. She's about 3.5 years old now.

Minga has lost a bunch of bottom teeth, and is thin, but has a nice coat and is otherwise healthy. She's been stable healthwise for over a year now and I think we will spay her finally. She is 3 years old.

Fo has severe mouth problems and has lost weight in the last year, but his weight has stablized. His weight loss is related to his eating issues and he is otherwise healthy. He has been neutered for 2 years. He is on the zyrtec and we hope that improves his mouth.

Dude and Hoggle both have severe mouth issues as well and are on the zyrtec trials. And it is a TRIAL to get a pill into Hoggle....

will keep updates.