Computers and Cat Litter

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Max Slowik
Kurtis
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Oct. 12, 2006

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Introduction

Dust, especially clay dust, is a very real threat to electronics. Clay is naturally capacitive and conductive. In addition to its ability to short or damage electronics, it acts as an "insulation" of sorts and it will hamper the normal cooling of a computer. This extends to any electronic device: monitors, speakers, stereos, televisions - anything that's exposed to the air is exposed to dust.

I have five computers in my home. No matter what the airflow through the cases, or what quality the air filters (even in passively cooled computers), the computers all ended up caked in dust. Grey dust like cement coated the fans, every static producing, conductive, or highly sensitive voltage-regulating MOSFET, capacitor, and electrolytic in every machine.

When it came time to clean the dust out of them, I didn't even bother to use canned air. I used a compressor.

Unfortunately, my situation is dustier than most. Why? I have cats, which means I have a litter pan full of dust and very little alternative save for tolerating the worst in messes. There are tons of different cat litters, though if you've ever tried non-clay litters, you know they suck. Well, I've gone through these alternatives to clay and found one that sucks less. Matter of fact, I'd have to say I like it a lot.

Testing Methodology

I carried out my tests in the low-pressure, dry atmosphere readily available here in Colorado. While these conditions generally accelerate the rate of desiccation of any given litter, they exacerbate its dust volume.

All litter was dispensed in the same litter pan, a PetSmart Large. Anything larger, while potentially requiring less attention, simply won't fit comfortably in most enclosures.

The litter was stressed with three "processors' running at a combined twenty years' digestive capacity and renal activity. These are not kittens, but their ability to perform is astonishing for their mass.

Tests were run, each litter was observed and rated over the course of one or more bags (in the case of multiple litter manufacturer's similar products), and all output was filtered and discarded.

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Page 1: Introduction & Testing Methodology
Page 2: Non-Clay Litters
Page 3: Swheat Scoop & Conclusion

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2 User Comments

1 - Posted by rflowers on October 13, 2006 - 7:10 pm

I wondered if the 'rolled paper' product was 'Yesterday's News?' I use it for ferrets, but not for cats (it creeps some of our cats out... go figure). I don't believe "Yesterday's News" is as inferior as the one you tested. For one thing, it does not exhibit the properties you describe for pressed paper (although that's what it is). I really like it.

I would recommend staying away from the 'pine' products though. I leaves an unnattractive pile of urine-soaked sawdust.

2 - Posted by Max Slowik on October 15, 2006 - 1:31 pm

I'm surprised at how much feedback I've had for this article. It's pretty damn silly. . .

I used to work at an animal shelter and have probably tried nearly every single cat litter out there at one point or another. I don't know that I've tried the World's Best, but I do know that I hate pine litters, and wouldn't use them in my house. We had an informal policy to not use pine at the shelter because it would stick to the metal of the kennels, and we were also under the impression that it wasn't particularly sanitary.

I did use the other litters that I covered in the article specifically for it. There were a couple brands for each to make sure that one wasn't just a bad example of the style of litter. I didn't use Yesterday's News, so maybe it's a little different than PaPurr or the other brand that seems to be discontinued.

When it's time for another schlock news article I'm sure I can elaborate in greater depth for three more pages ;)

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