The Invention of Cat Litter
What great event happened between the Great Depression and WW2? The invention of kitty litter! Before 1947, cats were using ashes, paper and even plain old dirt in boxes. At this time, most cats were still not considered house pets and remained outdoors. However, this began to change around the 1940s. Luckily for kitties, in 1947 a businessman named Ed Lowe and his neighbor, Mrs. Draper, were about to change the cat bathroom experience forever. One day, when Mrs. Draper asked for Lowe’s assistance with regard to the cat box he offered some absorbent clay. Lightbulb moment! She loved it. Soon, Lowe marketed his new invention and changed history with his Tidy Cat brand. Thank You, Mr. Lowe! Cat litter remained the classic non-clumping litter style for decades. Fast forward to the invention of scoopable clumping cat litter in the 1980s and the face of the cat litter industry changed for us all. Thomas Nelsen, an inventor, discovered that drying the clay caused it to clump. And thus, another main type of litter was born: the infamous clumping litter. Since Nelsen’s big innovation, the cat litter industry has become more competitive and saturated. Now, many brands are focusing on the newest goal of the millennium: environmental friendliness. There are now many options for eco-friendly litters. Which Kind is Right for You? Cat litter brands have a lot of varieties today, so it's good to know about all of the offerings. Read on to find out about some of the major types of cat litter. Traditional Absorbent Non-Clumping Clay Litter The dried clay has larger pieces that track less than small materials like sand, so it won’t stick to paws as easily and falls away in the box. However, it still tracks a bit and can make a mess. This litter is baked, which helps reduce odor, but it needs to be changed more often. This oldie but goodie can last for up to a week in a box (for one cat) before having to be dumped and completely changed out. Clumping Clay Litter Clumping clay litter can last a little longer, since you can scoop out the solid waste. Most brands recommend changing the litter fully every 2-3 weeks. This is now the gold standard for cats and litter boxes around the world! Environmentally Conscious Litters Many of these newer litters boast several attractive qualities, including being biodegradable and sustainable. Other than these plusses, many of these can also be flushed down the toilet if need be. It’s still recommended to toss the waste in the trash bin as with any other litter.
One of my personal favorites – and I have used it for years – is the paper-based formula. It is made of recycled paper, and I find the no dust feature is a huge plus. As with the above wood litter, it is absorbent but doesn’t clump. I never found there to be an odor issue but for others, they may feel it lacks the odor control they desire. The only drawback to my favorite here is the price. It is much more expensive than the classic clay litter. The texture reminds me of rabbit food pellets and didn’t bother my cat but stepping on one of these in bare feet was a reminder to sweep the floor. This is a great option also if your cat needs to have surgery and needs a larger granule and not a fine texture. Lastly, you could use soil but then every plant you have may become a toilet so be prepared for a surprise in your ficus tree pot! How to Pick the Best Litter for You To pick the best litter, first consider several factors including number of cats, amount of dust, desired odor control, how often you want to change the litter, how much you want to spend, and how important eco-friendliness is to you. For example, ff you have multiple cats, then odor and frequency of changing the litter are going to be high on your list of concerns. Keep in mind that scented litter isn’t always better since some cats simply do not like the artificially added odor and can leave little messages around to ‘tell’ you to turn off the extra odor! Quick Fact: Studies have shown that outdoor cats are most likely to cover their waste in the litter box. Indoor cats often lose this adaptation over time because they don’t feel threatened. If you have an outdoor cat (or a particularly instinctual indoor one!) consider using a low-dust formula. Many companies have studied and tested cats and their litter preference. The preferred litter style is the unscented clumping cat litter. Try out a few and ask your vet, your local pet store and friends what they recommend. You will know quickly if kitty does not like your purchase! Remember, this is as personal to your feline as your toilet paper is to you so give it some thought and hopefully we will never have a cat litter shortage.
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For humans, the connection between a good diet and good hair, nails, and skin is well understood. We try our best to eat a well balanced and healthy diet, sometimes we even supplement our diet with vitamins. from the pharmacy. Luckily, we spend every day in our bodies, so we know when things aren’t feeling great or when we might need to change the way we eat. Read on below to find out more!
How are diet and health related? Cats are almost entirely dependent on us for their food. With endless options out there, it can be tough to find the right food. As with people, cats are unique and have different needs and issues. Two cats can eat the same food and have very different reactions to it. My cat Daphne is also indoor/outdoor so there also is a curveball as she does hunt and eat a ‘raw food’ diet occasionally. Different cat breeds also have varied skin and coat textures that require different upkeep. So, I asked my cousin (a groomer) for her advice and thus began my understanding of the connection between diet and grooming. My cousin explained that her customers often call explaining that their cat needs grooming or a bath because of a certain problem. Usually, the problem is something along the lines of tangled fur, dry skin or excessive mats. While a bath, trim and brushing certainly help, it doesn’t always treat the root issue. Excessive shedding, dandruff, matting, dry pads on their paws, bad breath and poor bathroom hygiene are often linked to inadequate diet. Luckily, good-quality and high-protein foods can be the magic bullet to solve many of these issues! How can I make better food decisions for my cat? Less expensive foods have by-products in them. By-products are essentially ‘fillers’ meant to bulk up the food without costing the manufacturers as much. Common by-products are grain shells and tissue leftovers, which are often not very nutritious. Quick Tip: visit your pet food company’s website to figure out what by-products go into their food. Sometimes, healthy tissues, like liver, are categorized as ‘by-products.’ Liver and other organ tissue can be great in a cat’s diet! When in doubt, do some research and consult your vet. These foods may also be heavy in corn or brewers rice which are low-quality ‘filler foods.’ Even poultry can be hidden as by-products so be careful and take time to brush up on food labels as you would for yourself. Learning how to read a cat food ingredient bag is actually pretty simple and a google search can really help you narrow down the list to what is best for your cat and their lifestyle. Some common questions to consider when choosing the right food for your cat:
The myriad of foods is endless but remember to ask your vet or local pet store. The training the pet store owners and associates have from the brands they carry would surprise you. They can guide you to the right food, amount and perhaps even feeding times. Quick Tip: To ensure you get accurate and unbiased information, it may even be best to visit several pet food stores. Some of them may have incentives to push certain brands over others, so visiting several stores gives you a wider range of information. What health issues can a better diet fix? Dandruff and matting are main concerns that I hear from customers. Greasy coats can cause fur to tangle easier and knot up, which results in matting issues. Dandruff can be another result of poor diet and is easy to spot. Of course, some cat breeds are just genetically predisposed to have dry skin or tangled fur, so don’t expect better food to be a miracle cure-all. However, you should expect to see a marked decrease – that’s how you know the new diet is working! Ever since I started feeding my sweet Daphne top shelf food, she only gets minor mats and dandruff and seems a lot comfier in her skin. I’ll admit it, years ago I was guilty of buying the cheap cat food and jumping brands just because they were on sale. It wasn’t until someone asked me if I’d rather eat steak or McDonald’s that it clicked for me. Skin and fur concerns aren’t the only things that can be helped with a better diet. Sticking to one brand also eliminates stomach and digestive issues. Another unexpected perk of quality food: Top quality foods can result in less aromatic cat box odors and less cat poop to scoop! Quick Tip: When you start to try new foods for your cat, don’t change it all at once. Cats’ systems get used to their diet, so abruptly changing it can upset their stomachs. Instead, gradually blend the new foods into your current brand before switching entirely. What about treats? Who doesn’t have a sweet tooth? Just like humans, cats love their treats. These are great occasionally. Sure, I would love an ice cream cone each day but is it healthy for me and do I really need it? Cats are the same way. Cats will beg for treats and usually deserve them since they are so cute and sweet. However, just like you restrict yourself from rewards, make sure you’re not overfeeding your cat just because you love them. Sure, a few treats are a great way to show affection here and there, but asking your vet and being vigilant on quality food is still important. Spending a little bit more on a quality cat food can save you stress and money in the long run. This is your cat’s health here so fight the urge to skimp on your fur baby. Cats with long fur or other tendencies to mat should be on a 4-6 week grooming schedule. A better diet can make these grooming visits easier and less stressful on everyone. Start by researching cat food ingredients and understanding food labels. Find a local pet store and ask one of the associates what they advise and have a chat with them about any issues and you may be surprised at how quickly your feline is suddenly frisky and glossy coated they become! Finding a new normal for both of you: how to stay busy with your cat during the quarantine:
Since our daily lives are now disrupted with the new social distancing and quarantining, our cats may wonder why we’re at home so much now. They must feel that even their routines are being disrupted! While this current situation is hopefully short-lived, finding ways to keep kitties busy and off your laptop can be challenging. I worked from home for 20 years and struggled with this with my cats. Depending on your cat’s personality, they may welcome or dislike your presence at home during the day. It’s important to keep a good balance for both of you. Humans thrive on routine, and a distracting cat can throw off our focus for the whole day. Similarly, some cats may feel like their personal time is being invaded if we’re constantly disturbing their nap times. I’ve compiled a top ten list of cat-ivities to keep them busy or distracted while you try to get that report in on time!
Also, we’d love to see what ideas you come up with! Please feel free to tag us on Instagram or Facebook, or comment below to show your quarantine cativities! Do cats really need to be groomed?
This is a frequent question for any cat grooming facility, and it’s understandable to be curious. After all, cats are self-cleaning artists. They can take their ruffled coats and turn them into sleek and styled within minutes. Except for persistent hairball issues, many people never think to take their indoor cats to a groomer. However, consistent grooming actually has several upsides – for you and your cat. Get rid of excess hair and hairballs Remove that excess fur and dander! Your cat may need some help de-shedding and managing hairballs. Some breeds have a double coat, which can lead to a lot more shedding. Some breeds have ultra-long fur, which can actually become a health issue if left unattended. For these cats, daily brushing is a necessity. Bathing with a special de-shedding shampoo can help remove some of that fur and help control the loss. Cats also have variable coats that get thicker in winter and thinner in summer. Seasonal grooming around these times can help your cat’s new coat come in beautifully. Mats Some cats are more prone to matted fur than others. My cat, Daphne, gets mats up and down her spine and almost always right between her shoulders. These clumps of fur can be uncomfortable for the cat and even lead to skin irritation. Keeping the mats at bay requires trimming and brushing. Doing this can avoid pulled skin and pain for the cat. Mats need to be managed on a regular basis. And believe me, if you let mats get out of hand they can become a headache for you and your cat. Skin Conditions As mentioned above, improperly groomed fur can lead to skin conditions. Also, some cats just happen to have drier skin than others. Consistent grooming can help manage these skin problems. A special dandruff shampoo that’s gentle on the skin can do wonders! These grooming measures can slough off that dead skin layer. Sometimes, poor health can also cause dandruff. There could be a simple explanation, like allergies, or a more serious underlying issue like malnutrition. If your cat is consistently groomed and bathed, but still has skin issues, it may be time to seek professional help. Outdoor Grime If you have an outdoor cat, you know that felines can be just as grimy as canines! Cats love to roll in the dirt and climb trees. This can also mean coming in contact with other animals, such as skunks. While we hope this doesn’t happen, it can. Regular grooming (especially around mud season!) can help your cat looking, feeling and smelling his best. Regular Checkups Regular brushing can help you and your groomer know your cat’s body better. For example, while brushing your cat you may become aware of issues such as lumps, bumps, scrapes or skin issues. These may even be worthy of alerting your vet. Finding out that your cat has ailments early can help save you both a headache. Personally, I have had this happen twice and while nothing serious ensued, one issue did require a biopsy and minor surgery. I’m glad that I knew my cat’s body well enough to notice the developing lumps. Regular grooming can be done by you or a groomer. I suggest small daily brushes for you and your cat to do together, and then larger seasonal groomings from a professional. Hi everyone! I know your furbabies are one of the most important things in your lives, so I wanted to introduce myself to let you know they’ll be in great hands at Rock the Cat Spa. Please also be sure to check out the About page to learn more about why I started the spa!
Hometown & Education: I was born and raised around Central New York. My undergrad degree is in Psychology and Masters degree in Liberal Studies. Favorite Cat Breed: I love Siamese! Any kind: lilac, blue point, chocolate point … they’re all winners! I grew up with Siamese and have had 3 in my lifetime. My parents also bred purebred lilac point Siamese when I was a child so I have been around that breed more than any other. Plus, I admit, they are easy on the eyes with their striking features and blue eyes and loud yowl that jolts you out of bed at 5 am! Best cat name I’ve ever heard: It’s got to be a tie between Sir Hiss-A lot and Instagram cat Dwight Eisenmeower. I love creative cat names and I had a ton of fun thinking up all of the names for our Suites. Does your family have cats? My 3 siblings have 2 dogs each, but my sister does have a cat added to her mix…. Bandit. Yet they still understand my cat preference vs a dog and I don’t get any judgment. Favorite cat quote: “Beware of people who dislike cats.” It’s an Irish proverb that’s always stuck with me. I love when cats: ...are lap cats! There is nothing more calming than a sleeping cat. I dislike when cats: ...throw up. Especially when you can hear them but can’t see them. Then I am hunting for the mess to clean up, and it’s somehow always at 3 am. I secretly wish my cat: ...could talk. I’d love to hear her voice! I imagine it one way but it would probably be completely different. If I were a cat, I’d be: ...an Abyssinian. Quiet yet can be chatty, low maintenance and loyal. They are always on the move and wanting to have fun! Would I ever consider a dog? No, it has never crossed my mind. I am 100% a cat person. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me! I’m so eager to meet you and your cat! |
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April 2024
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