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From: larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: Re: HELP!!  Cat litter question (phew!)
Message-ID: <812@kitty.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 15-Feb-86 23:20:46 EST
Article-I.D.: kitty.812
Posted: Sat Feb 15 23:20:46 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 18-Feb-86 03:25:18 EST
References: <984@burl.UUCP> <1039@terak.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, NY
Lines: 44

> > 1) Litter box.  Both these guys are excellently trained to the box, but I
> > can change the litter in the afternoon and by the next morning the whole
> > apartment smells.  Any suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated --
> 
> Try coating the bottom of the pan with baking soda. Thoroughly
> wash the plastic (? I presume) litter box as plastic can
> retain odors. Then begin using a litter box liner. Are you
> putting enough litter in the box? You might want to change
> from an actual litterbox to a dishpan, they are deeper, which
> means they hold more litter and things can be buried deeper.
> Check with a vet about deodorizers, they can supply you with
> ones that work far better than those you can buy at the pet
> store.

	If you are ambitious, check with a medical/hospital supply firm about
room deodorizers which REALLY work based upon chemical action, rather than a
brute force perfume mask.  One tradename to consider is "Ozium".

> Try a diet change, it could help. ...
	
	It WILL help.  We feed our eight cats Iams dry cat food (because of
good quality and low-ash content).  Only a few pet stores in our area carry
Iams, and if we run out and temporarily substitute another brand from the
grocery store, the odor will NOTICEABLY increase within 24 hours.

> > 2) Spraying.  I guess this is what he is doing -- the male started a month
> > won't be the end.  I really hate to have him fixed for no reason, as he is
> > already playful but basically docile (he doesn't really use his claws and
> > teeth even when really excited while playing/fighting), and I don't want to
> > turn him into a fat, boring old man before he is one year old.
> 
> Talk to the vet about this.

	He won't stay docile forever.  To preclude forthcoming frustration on
his part AND yours, now is the time to have him neutered.  All of our three
male cats were neutered at 6-7 months, and none are fat and boring.  [Well,
maybe a LITTLE chubby...]

==>  Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York        <==
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