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RE: Using sand/mixed with baking soda as cat litter.

MiniBeast — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:09:27 GMT

There are litter deodorizers, I use Fresh Step for my cats' litter box.

RE: Using sand/mixed with baking soda as cat litter.

PantherPride — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:59:24 GMT

But what about oder, how would you control urine, ect smells in sand.

RE: Using sand/mixed with baking soda as cat litter.

cats_dolls — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:48:24 GMT

I just realized that I misread your original question - you were asking about sand, not about baking soda, but I answered about baking soda! Sorry 'bout that.

Sand was commonly used before clay litter was developed. So no, I don't think you'd have any problems using it if your cats accept it.

RE: Using sand/mixed with baking soda as cat litter.

hvv — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:11:12 GMT

I have heard that baking soda can increase the risk of urinary crystals for male cats, but I don't know how true that is. Also, the cats will lick the baking soda off their paws, I can't help but think that can't be good for them. If you walk down the pet aisle they have all kinds of Arm and Hammer products that are basically scented baking soda and are designed to be sprinkled in the litter box to help with odor. I personally don't trust that these companies have my animals best interest in mind, so I'm careful about buying stuff like that. I don't think that sand would hurt the kitties and they shouldn't mind as long as you keep it clean for them. I'm just not sure about the baking soda.

RE: Using sand/mixed with baking soda as cat litter.

cats_dolls — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:10:25 GMT

Arm & Hammer does make a cat litter with baking soda in it - not sure why it doesn't create problems for cats, nor how well it works. Best bet is to keep the boxes very very clean, no matter what litter you use!

RE: Using sand/mixed with baking soda as cat litter.

PantherPride — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:52:32 GMT

what can/could I use in the sand to stop/help with the oder then?

RE: Using sand/mixed with baking soda as cat litter.

cats_dolls — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 08:03:32 GMT

No, not a good idea - baking soda isn't kind to cats. Others on here can tell you more than I, but I've read that it doesn't mix too well with their body chemistry - seems like I remember something about burned paws?

Using sand/mixed with baking soda as cat litter.

PantherPride — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:09:00 GMT

I live near a river that has vast stretches of sandy beach, basically its clean, dry and very fine

I was wondering to save money on cat litter if mixed with baking soda (to control oder) if this would be an okay cat litter subsatute IF I cleaned the boxes daily, filled the bottom with newspaper, and threw out the entire thing once a week

I have 2 cats and plan on having either 1 litter box or 2 I also plan on having the boxes in areas of the home where people are not fequenting by as much, my room, and a patio (a room sorta in between the outside backyard and inside).

Is this a bad idea.