Computers and Cat Litter

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Max Slowik
Kurtis
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Oct. 12, 2006

Specifications

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Swheat Scoop

Specifications:

Naturally processed wheat
Landfill-friendly, 100% biodegradable
Certified flushable
Safe for sewer and septic systems when used as directed
Silica-free
Soft on sensitive paws
Granular texture means less tracking
Exceptionally low dust
Made from wheat, a renewable resource
Safe for kittens
Veterinarian recommended

First Impressions

Swheat Scoop is available in four sizes: a 14-pound bag that sometimes comes with three free pounds, a 25-pound bag (minimum requirement for multiple cats), a 40-pound bag for survivalists, and a five-pound "I hate my pets, I want them to learn to use the toilet" box.

It's not clay-colored, but the expected amber, wavy color of grain. It has the same consistency as clumping litter, but is less dense: by weight, less is used to fill a pan.

Closer look

Smells like grass and flour. Tastes like steak (seriously, you should try it, MMMmmm). Some cats can be finicky about what they go in, but unlike some fringe litters, all my cats recognize Swheat as cat litter, and use it without hesitation.

In Use

This stuff works as well as any decent clay litter, without dust. That isn't to say it's without drawbacks. It's not as dense as clay, so it seems to stick to paws more easily and spread out in the path of cat traffic away from the pan. But I'd rather sweep the floor every couple of days than disassemble computers, buy new power supplies, replace computer parts, and look for a new television.

Clumping and Scooping

While Swheat does work as well as clay litter, it doesn't work in the same way: primarily, it takes a little longer to clump, so all the clumps form on the bottom of the pan. Swheat Scoop does not favor complicated setups like pan-in-pan rigs or mechanically-assisted litter boxes.

Because of the delay in clump formation, the litter forms little volcano clumps on the bottom. The easiest way to clean the litter is to lift one end of the pan and shake the loose litter to the opposite end, so that it's easy to access and scrape off the clumps on the clear side. Turn it around, repeat the process, and finally sift the stuff out of the loose litter.

Due to the amount of litter that gets stuck to the pan, the pan needs to be washed periodically to prevent complete coating of the pan itself. This is really a requirement for healthy cats no matter what kind of litter is used, so it doesn't seem like an extra step.

Dessication and Odor

Swheat is an unscented litter, a quality most consider to be a plus. Adding a little baking soda to the pan helps any litter, but perhaps helps Swheat in another way. The litter itself, when in use, smells kind of like bread rising, except maybe you forgot it overnight on the floor. It's a very plain smell that doesn't seem offensive (unless you don't like bread) but every odor has a place, and maybe dough doesn't belong everywhere.

All in all, it turns used kibble and clumps into safely disposable waste that can reliably sit in the trashcan for a day or more without guests thinking the place smells funny. Since it's flushable, it might not go in the trash at all.

Price

Swheat really pleases the wallet. There can be some value litter out there that competes or defeats at cost, but not where all the benefits of a dustless litter are concerned. And Swheat is quite a value litter, especially since you get much more volume for the price.

Conclusion

Swheat works more or less like regular clay litter, something that cannot be stressed more. And no dust. None. Nothing. I've gone from wiping down my computers' heatsinks every other month to only when I'm really, really bored.

Jokes aside, this has become a staple for me, and I recommend it with complete sincerity. As a guy with a wired home and 3 cats, I am absolutely comfortable using it.

Now that the dust has been cut down, there is still the problem of cat hair, something I will address in my upcoming barbeque review.

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Page 3 of 3

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

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Add Comment

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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