April 16, 2009

Dear Obie,
Recently, my humans switched my cat litter from my old familiar clay litter to these funny little paper pellets. They say the paper litter is better for the environment. I'm not so sure about this change, as I really like things to stay the same in my life! Please tell me what you think.
Signed, Spooky
Gary, Indiana


Dear Spooky,
It's never easy when your humans force change on you, but this time, it really is for the better. With cats being the favorite pet in America, hundreds of thousands of pounds of clay cat litter end up in landfills every year. Clay cat litter is not biodegradable, which means it will be around forever! Even though most paper cat litter will also end up in a landfill, paper cat litter is biodegradable. And most paper cat litters are made from post-consumer paper; in other words, it is made from paper that has been recycled. That is also good for the environment, and let's face it, this is the only world we have!

That is the benefit to the environment. But why is this a better thing for you? Well, many clay cat litters contain silica dust, which has been linked to feline asthma. Paper litter also reduces the amount of dust that gets tracked through your house. While there is sometimes an increased amount of odor involved when using paper cat litter, this is usually minimal and of little consequence. All in all, paper cat litter is the way to go!

So, Spooky, your humans really are trying to do what's best for you. Hopefully they won't change too many other things in your life!
Your friend,
Obie

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I have a great idea! How about enriching your life by volunteering at Salem Friends of Felines! You will gain so much from the experience. You'll get to meet new people, you'll get out of the house for a while, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that a minimum of effort on your part will have a maximum effect on the awesome cats and kittens at this wonderful no-kill shelter! You can help in the thrift shop, go on an outreach, or help feed the kitties! Even sitting on the floor and petting the cats will help socialize them and increase their chances of going to a forever home. So what do you say? Wanna help? Then take that first step. You'll be glad you did!

*****

"With dogs and people, it's love in big splashy colors. When you're involved with a cat, you're dealing in pastels."
-Louis A. Camuti, DVM (Author of "All My Patients are Under the Bed")

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Folks, please remember that I am not a vet. I am a cat! Please, consult with your vet before ever making any medical decisions!