Hi, I’m considering changing to FP from crystals after a lot of internet research.  We’ve used crystal litter for several years and loved it (no odor for 5 cats) but Wal-Mart no longer carries the inexpensive brand of crystals we were using.  Going with the name brand crystals would double our cost.  With 5 cats that’s a budget-buster so we really do need to find something else.  From what I’ve read on the FP website and in reviews so far, it seems that FP will work similarly to the crystals and will be more affordable, not to mention being healthier.

My biggest question about FP is what to do about the sawdust.  I’ve read about how FP turns to sawdust over time, but haven’t seen any posts talking about how to deal with it.  Do you have to buy a sifting cat box to make this litter work?  Does the sawdust turn to muddy slush in the bottom of the box?  With the crystals, the urine is absorbed and I just scoop the dehydrated solids.  Is that basically how this works?  I’ve read all the material I could find on the website and may have missed it, but am having a problem figuring out how to use FP unless I buy all new litter boxes (ouch).  Any thoughts?

Does anyone have any comments about changing from crystals to FP?

Thanks,
Sylvia from Oklahoma City

Hi Sylvia,

I’m happy to hear you want to transition to Feline Pine Original from crystals.  I’m going to try to answer your questions as best as possible.  You do not need the sifting litter box to use Feline Pine Original although it does make the job a little bit easier.  You could always save up your Pine Perks Points from the packages and use them to try a sifting litter box for free in the future.  The easiest way to use Feline Pine without a sifting litter box is once or twice a day, scoop out the solids and since the pellets turn into sawdust after they absorb the liquids, you simply shake the box to get the sawdust to the bottom and the fresh pellets to the top.  Because of the natural absorbing qualities of pine, the sawdust will not turn “muddy”, but will actually dry up almost instantly.  After about 2 weeks or so, depending on how much the box has been used, you then either empty the remaining sawdust and litter around shrubs and trees like mulch, or you can just throw it all in the trash and start with a fresh box of litter.  As for transitioning your cat from crystals to Feline Pine, you should use the same transitioning instructions for moving a cat from clay to Feline Pine, you can find them at the bottom of this page on the website, http://www.naturesearth.com/felinepine/.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

HI from Maryland -

I have used Feline Pine original for some time now, started using the usual “llitter box”, and decided to get one of the sifting kind, a little pricey, but after using it it is worth the price,I feel. When the box gets used, I scoop the solids out, sift the box (dust goes to bottom). Two or three times a week I empty the bottom tray out to make room for more. No ammonia odor!
I haven’t had a problem with puddles in the bottom tray - the pine dust is really absorbent, and scoops out very easily, minimal cleanup. Also no clay dust all over the house! Wonderful!

I have two indoor cats that use the same litter box.

I hope that helps you with your decision making. Good luck!