Scoop All You Want, The Kibble Recycling Will Continue...
Written: Jun 23 '04 (Updated Jul 06 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Quick and easy to clean up, keeps odor down
Cons: can be dusty
The Bottom Line: As far as I've used, the Fresh Step Scoopable has performed the best - easy and quick to clean, and the cat won't use anything else.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Fresh Scent Fresh Step Scoop |
There are really two kinds of cats in the world - those who wander outside to do their business, and those who prefer to turn a room in your house into a hot zone, a place only safe for those with respirators and a hardy constitution. My cat is a member of the latter group - she wouldn't know what to do in the great outdoors, so she's relegated to the corner of the basement to recycle her kibble. But, for someone who is doing the equivalent of pooing in gravel, she can be quite particular about what's in the litterbox.
[ • kitten TRAINING • ]
I have to admit that I started Miko out on Fresh Step Scoopable from prior experience with my old cat (all 30+ pounds of him). She took to it fine, and hasn't wanted to change since - but you know what they say about your first litter, I guess. I tried cheaper versions (they made more of a mess) and cedar litter (she wouldn't use it), all to no avail. So, time has proven Fresh Step to be the Official Litter Product of Miko, Queen of her Domain and Cutest Cat in the World™.
Cats - unlike us 'smarter' humans - know instinctively how to use a litterbox - so that part was easy. Show her where it was, put her in it to get the two of them acquainted and it was done. Training me to change it regularly took more time (hey, I was a bachelor!).
[ • not the same old SANDBOX • ]
Fresh Step is a litter made of finer particulates than most - the kitty equivalent to white sand beaches in a world of mountain road gravel. The litter is made mostly of bentonite clay (90-100%) with lesser amounts of amorphous silica (1-5%), quartz (<10%), a fragrance and borates. The advantage of this is that it makes the litter very scoopable because it clumps so well. Any moisture is locked in quickly and forms an easily cleanable litter box. I've found that it does wonders for making her box a snap to clean. The litter also has "Paw-Activated Fresheners" in the form of encapsulated fresheners that are released every time the cat scratches through the litter. Additionally, the litter contains 'anti-microbial agents' to control bacteria that create unpleasant odors.
However, this isn't a perfect solution (perfect would be the cat learning to use the toilet, flush and put the seat back down, but that isn't going to happen). Still, I find that the product's claims are a little optomistic in some cases. The company claims that the litter is 99% dust-free, but I can tell you from the start that when you are pouring it, it is far from dust-free. Granted, they state on their site that if it has been handled roughly, the clay may have broken down further, but that seems like more of an excuse. Also, the fresheners can take a little while to cover the scent of a recent deposit, although eventually they do seem to work. To help with that, we've taken to using Arm & Hammer Pet Deoderizer as well.
[ • using the STUFF • ]
Using Fresh Step Scoopable is simple - with your box cleaned, add at least 3 inches of litter to the bottom of the pan and spread smooth (we have a deep pan and add about 5"). Then clean with a litter scoop daily to control odor, and completely replace the litter once a month. That simple.
Cleanup around the litter box is another issue. Because of how fine the litter is, Miko often ends up shaking out her paws when she gets out to shake loose litter from between her toes. We have a cheap bath mat under the litter box and extending some distance out to make our clean-up easier. 95% of the shaken litter ends up on this mat which we can then quickly dump into the trash and wash the mat.
By the way, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not clean used litter boxes. The dirty litter can cause Taxoplasmosis, a flu-like disease that is relatively harmless to most people, but can cause birth defects in pregnant women.
[ • getting IT • ]
Fresh Step Scoopable is available in nearly every supermarket or pet supply store known to man. They come in a variety of sizes (7, 14, 21 and 28 pounds) running about $5 - $16, although with sales, I haven't paid more than $12 for the 28-pound bucket. Coupons are also available at different places.
[ • bonus POINTS • ]
One nice feature of Fresh Step is their Fresh Step Paw Points program, in which you get points for each purchase you make toward free Fresh Step stuff or other cat-related merchandise. You get anywhere from 1 point for a small bag of litter to 4 points for the 28-pound bucket. Once you get enough points, you can get free cat food or Pounce treats (6 pts), free 14-lb. cat litter (16 pts), a kitty perch (32 pts) or even a cat drinking fountain (52 pts). We only get the litter, but figuring that we get the big bucket, we end up getting 1 out of every 5 buckets free - and even the free one has 4 paw points in it!
[ • final THOUGHTS • ]
If you have a cat who doesn't go outside, you have already discovered the wondrous experience of litter and litter boxes. While it isn't perfect, it does make the job of cleaning up a lot easier. I've tried others but in the end, Fresh Step Scoopable is our choice.
[ • related REVIEWS • ]
• Give Me The Treats and No One Gets Hurt - Whiskas Crunch Snacks
• Kitten Training in 216 Easy Steps - How to have a Happy Cat
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martytdx
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 481
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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