I have a question about your nap time routine. Do you herd kittens on the bed before you lie down, or do you lie down and all of them snuggle up with you?
They come to me – and they almost always come to me from the very first time. Usually they start out flopped down around me, but after a few days they start laying on top of me and purrr like crazy. Nap time is the best part of the day!
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I’ve a question for your Friday post about kitty litter. Years and years ago when clumping litter was newish to the market, I had a kitten with urinary issues. The vet recommended filtered water and clay particle litter (like the regular kitty litter but no crystals or added ingredients). Another friend of mine lost a young cat with urinary/digestive issues and that vet said never to use the sandy, clumping litter because cats lick it off their paws during grooming and it’s bad for them internally. And so we’ve stayed with old-fashioned kitty litter for now decades. But it’s getting harder to find that stuff. So going to the wisdom of the very-special-L&H-crowd, are the clumping litters generally safe? Have any issues with them for cats above a year old? Any hints on brands to avoid? TIA for your sage advice.
I’ve never had an issue with the clumping litter, and have heard/read that they’re perfectly safe.
I currently use Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat and though I occasionally try other litters, the Precious Cat is what I keep coming back to. It’s unscented (well, they have a scented version that I don’t use) and as close to dust-free as I’ve found. (I do fear that, as I age, I’ll need to switch to a lightweight litter to save my back. I’m not at that point yet, thankfully.)
(Other people chimed in in the comments, you can see those responses here.) Anything to add? Please chime in, I always like to know what litter y’all are using!
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What is the story about the street lamp behind Archie?
I bought that in New Orleans earlier this year. It was painted by a local artist on slate from the Lower 9th Ward.
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So, have they been making good napping partners?
Those kittens are EXCELLENT napping partners. And they come by it honestly, there was no intensive training required!
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Ha, I LOVE that letter from Tom Cullen in the 2005 entry. I think the best part is that “refrigerator” is written vertically.
That always cracks me up, too!
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I am surprised that Mercury is not skin and bones like most mama cats get. Or….did the camera just add 5 lbs to her?
She never got skin and bones – she’s not a tiny cat, but held weight in her belly after she had the kittens in a way most mamas don’t.
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Hubble in the window seat.
He’s such a pretty boy.
Pretty Mercury.
Aurora seems to be just a wee bit cross-eyed.
Telstar gets to know the ceiling fan.
Mercury keeps an eye on the babies.
Aurora talking to the ceiling fan. I love that you can see her shadow on the wall.
Sunlight through earses.
These kittens LOVE that Ripple Rug (which was a gift from Winnie and has been a hit with all the kittens since we got it. Jake and Stefan like it, too).
Mercury also enjoys that Ripple Rug.
Sleepy baby.
Care for a cuppa Telstar?
Telstar, bonding with his mama.
“Lady. Is time for nap, yes?”
Mercury, Telstar and Hubble will be headed off to Petsmart (the one in Jones Valley, if you’re local) later this morning after the potential adopter comes to meet Stardust and Aurora. Depending on how that meeting goes, Aurora and Stardust will either be here for a few more days (if she decides she wants to add them to her family) or they’ll head off to Petsmart too.
I’ll have more pictures of Mercury and her kittens in Monday’s post.
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Inspector Maxi examines the well house and finds it lacking. She finds most things lacking, honestly.
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Previously
2016: These kittens spend a LOT of time swatting, grabbing, and biting each others’ tails.
2015: Buster thought otherwise, obviously.
2014: Trader Joe gets his loon on.
2013: No entry.
2012: No entry.
2011: “HURRY UP LADY WE WANT OUR SNACKINS!”
2010: They’re like characters in a sitcom – Starsky’s the annoying neighbor who pops over with a “Hallo!” and Corbett’s the tolerant yet annoyed title character who puts up with his pesky neighbor’s shenanigans.
2009: It was like he was popping a wheelie!
2008: Claudette does her Jack LaLanne impression.
2007: “Pls not to be looking at me unless it is snackin’ time, thx.”
2006: No entry.
2005: Poor, tortured Booger.
I use Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat, too, but the scented version. I love it and have found it the best that I have tried…which is many.
Safe travels Missions and Mama Mercury! Fingers and paws crossed for successful adoptions for all!
Oh, I hate this part of the fostering! Have wonderful lives, babies and Mama!
I left this comment over on the original post but I’m putting it here too in case Carol doesn’t go back to that one —
Over the years, I’ve tried almost every litter on the market and I used to use Dr Elsey’s Precious Cat fairly exlusively after testing them all… but I began to have issues with my ancient long-haired cat getting the litter clumped around her floofy mittenpaws and it being very difficult to remove (it was turning into an almost concrete-like substance).
So, after having her at the vet to go through the process of getting all the clay litter removed from every crevice of her feeties, I switched to World’s Best Cat Litter (corn based) and haven’t looked back since. It is my absolute favourite because it is lightweight, unscented, dustless. clumps perfectly (not like rock) and my ancient kitty no longer has problems with it sticking to her fur (she’s 24 now) and because of that it also tracks much less through the apartment.
Here’s the link to the one I use (green bag): https://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/clumping-cat-litter/
That is what I use as well, and you can flush it . But I wouldn’t recommend that if you have a septic system.
Dollar tree and 99cent only stores carry the clay kind. We use it in the garage.
fingers crossed for a good meeting – behave kittens!!
Nap time is always the best time with my hefty boy Malcolm, but I can only dream of one day having nap time with a bunch of kittens keeping us company. (And I wonder why I’m single, lol.)
Speaking of Uncles Jake and Stefan… That beyooootiful picture of Mercury next to the Ripple Rug makes me think that she probably could lay a pretty good beat down to those boys when they get too sniffy and pawsy with her babies (referring to yesterday’s post).
Right now I am on a very strict budget. I have tried the World’s Best Cat Litter as well as other corn and wheat-based alternatives and liked them, but they’re too expensive for me right now. I do like the natural ingredient-based litters though.
For anyone who can use a savings tip, what I use right now are pine pellets exactly like Feline Pine, which is itself not cheap. However, I get my pellets from Tractor Supply Company. There they are called Pelletized Horse Bedding. Since it is meant as an animal litter (just for a slightly different animal) it is of course completely natural and safe. There, a forty pound bag costs only $5.99.
Oh YES – we don’t use World’s Best (the cats don’t like it and I could never get them to use it), but I’ve heard that exact tip and have meant to mention it, so thanks for reminding me!
I can’t use the wheat and corn based litters because Jack eats them. When he eats too many starches, his urinary PH rises and he has issues.
In looking into Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat, I see there is a Classic and an Ultra version…which do you use? They both seem to be clumping litter, but the Ultra is mixed with medium grain clay. I’d love to know which one you prefer.
Also, look at those big ol feet on Telstar in that pic of him and Mercury in the hammock, bonding with his momma! Precious boy!
The cover of your calendar definitely reminds me of this:
https://www.petcha.com/one-cardboard-tube-away-making-cat-moon-cat-trending/
Phoenix is a real snuggler, especially for her naps. She absolutely loves to crawl on me anywhere she can find a spot. Right now I am laying here with Phoenix curled up sleeping on my lap!
What is this lightweight litter of which you speak?
I keep forgetting to ask, why is Paul Simon back? Did something happen?