Feline Pellets, I mean Pine, Gone Wrong!
Written: Jul 01 '02 (Updated Jul 02 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Safe for the environment
Cons: Cats would not use, ended up all over the floor, need special scoop
The Bottom Line: If you have an adult/senior cat this litter may take some time for your cat to get used to and patience from you.
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| groverchick's Full Review: Feline Pine Cat Litter |
Boxer, my baby girl who is around 11 yrs. old has a litter problem. She will only use the litter box if it is in tip top shape. If the litter is just a tad dirty, she will not use it and will opt for a rug instead. Please note that I have taken her to the vet, and they said everything is fine with her. She's just one spoiled, finicky cat! Personally, I do not blame her since there are 4 other cats living around the house. It gets pretty nasty in those boxes. Litter duty is not fun at this house since in total there are 5 cats and 5 boxes now (including a Litter Maid).
I've tried all different types of litter and when I saw Feline Pine at my local grocery store I decided to pick up a bag and take it on home. It couldn't hurt right?
What is Feline Pine?
Feline Pine is a different type of cat litter that is basically 100% all natural pine pellets! Pine absorbs ammonia, therefore reducing the odor. Ok, so far that much made sense to me...
These pellets are then supposed to break up into sawdust when your cat urinates in the box. If your cat decides to go ahead and do a "number two", the pellets are supposed to absorb the moisture from the logs making it odor free. Since this is not a clumping litter, you no longer have to scoop heavy clumps, but you still have to scoop the logs out! Once all the pellets break up into sawdust it's time to change the litter again!
The product itself does not look appealing and resembles the bottom of hamster or rabbit cages and I've smelled better things!
Product Claims
*No Odor: Pine absorbs ammonia.
*No Dust: Pellets do not create as much dust, but pellets turn into saw dust
*No Tracking: Litter won't stick to kitty's paws
*No Mess: No comment!
*Easy Cleanup: No comment!
*Friendly Disposal: You can just dump it in your garden
Sounds great right? Keep readin'...
Instructions
After I took the bag of this stuff inside the house I decided to read the back of the bag and find out how to use it so I could see if it worked. Here is what the bag of Feline Pine told me to do in four steps:
For New Users:
1. Pour one inch of Feline Pine into a clean litter box.
2. Cover the Feline Pine with three inches of the old litter that your cat is used to. DO NOT MIX! Your cat will mix it as it is used.
3. Reduce old litter each time you change the litter box to wean your cat off old litter.
4. After 3 or 4 changes ALL cats will use Feline Pine by his/herself. (Guess Boxer isn't a cat!)
The Test: Can Boxer Box Pellets?
I was truly excited when I bought a bag of this stuff home because I really thought it would work. I wish I got far enough with this product to test it thoroughly. Oh well, on with the story.
After reading the instructions, I proceeded to clean up one of our boxes and do as told. I then returned the box to it's location in our downstairs closet. The next day when I went to check on the box, I saw a few pellets surfacing in the old litter. Seeing as there were some clumps in the litter, I proceeded to clean the litter as normal with my scoop. I dug the scoop into the litter and sifted out a clump...along with pellets. It was just a mess! OOPSSS!!! You can't use a regular scoop with Feline Pine! Well, gee, they didn't tell me that on the bag or maybe I missed it! No real points for Feline Pine so far...
The next day, since the pellets were mixed in a little bit more I noticed some pellets besides the litter box too. Well, turns out that Boxer did not like the pellets and she was whackin' them out of the box with her paw! It was actually quite cute and funny to watch (I wish I taped it so I could send it in to America's Funniest Home Videos). After watching her episode of boxing pellets, I decided to give up on Feline Pine after the forth day of use. It just wasn't worth cleaning up pellets and I was too lazy to go buy the special scooper!!! Maybe if I stuck with it, I would have ended up liking it, but I still think Boxer is used to using her old litter, so why mess with it if she's happy? She's the boss after all!
My advice to you...
If you have kittens that aren't used to litter yet, give this product a try. It can't hurt because on their website they state: "It's better than what you're using now, we guarantee it or your money back!" - Feline Pine. I should have gotten my money back for my bag, but it just wasn't worth the hassle for me.
Secondly, I recommend this product for people that are allergic to clay based cat litters. You might have to be more patient with your cat(s) than I was. I just knew that it wasn't going to work out when I came home to pellets on the carpet.
Lastly, if your cat is happy and you are happy with the litter you are using now, STICK TO IT! Some cats do not adjust well to Feline Pine. If you are itching to try this product, get the small bag as only 1" is needed to fill the pan and go from there.
As for my all time favorite litter, the winner is...
Cedar Fresh Scoop takes home the blue ribbon! I love this litter for all that it does and most importantly Boxer loves it too. It controls odors, absorbs, and hardens fast. It's a great litter to use with your Litter Maid, if you have one. I would love to write a review about this litter someday. I hope Epinions adds this one soon.
I wish everyone luck on finding that perfect litter! *Meow*
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
groverchick
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Location: San Gabriel Valley, Southern California
Reviews written: 49
Trusted by: 98 members
About Me:
Been really busy lately, will catch up soon!
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