Cat/rabbit litter tray - calcium deposits

Munkee_2

I am always a little puzzled about these tips that involve mixing vinegar with Bicarbonate of Soda.

Surely all the 'fizz' proves is that the vinegar is reacting with the Bicarbonate of Soda which just neutralises the action of the vinegar. Why not just use the vinegar alone to act with the calcium deposit?

From my 'O' level chemistry days is was a case of:
ACID+BASE = SALT+WATER

Once the acid (vinegar) is neutralised by the base (Bicarbonate of Soda) it cannot act on the other base (calcium deposit in litter tray). I think you are just lucky that the vinegar has time to react with the litter tray deposit before being completely neutralised by the Bicarbonate of Soda!

My guess is you could use vinegar alone (and less of it) to achieve the same effect! If there are any chemists out there please let us know your views!

I have noticed white deposits in our cat litter tray but found that you can get rid of them with boiling water so have not tried the vinegar approach myself.

The only thing I use Bicarbonate of Soda for is to clean out the fridge out the microwave!

We have no vinegar (except cider vinegar) which is mixed with honey and hot water for colds, flu and migraines.

Thanks for the chemisty lesson Paul! I studied GNVQ chemistry at college a few years ago. I don't remember anything as advanced as mixing sodium with acid. My most memorable lesson was the one in which we were asked to make methylnitrobenzoate (don't ask!)
I was utterly hopeless at it and somehow (by some miricle) I passed the course with flying colours ???

I'll try just vinegar and see if it works.

Munkee_2

She's a house rabbit and yes she uses a litter tray


that is one terminally cute rabbit !!

well I never thought you could train a rabbit to do that!!!

mind you  Ive never kept rabbits  just assumed they were thickos

(sorry)    ;D ;D

Terminally cute HA I like it!

I didn't really train her to use a litter tray to be honest. I bought it when she was a baby and just kept sitting her in it (if I remember rightly) until one day she decided it was the perfect place to wee!

Just a tip to rabbit owners who already are or otherwise considering litter 'training' their bunnies. Please DON'T use clay cat litter EVER! Cats can digest clay litter but rabbits can't. If rabbits eat clay litter it can well clog up their digestive system and cause nasty and sometimes even fatal problems.
Use the paper litter instead. You can buy it in supermarkets (it's definately available in Asda). It's made by Bob Martin and comes in a green paper bag. It's very lightweight and easily digestible should your bunny decide to munch. There are no nasty chemicals in the paper so you don't need to worry if it gets eaten.

trafalgar_2

I went and done it with just vinegar :-/

Although it was working I couldn't leave it too long............two cats and it's raining ;D

So I added some bicarb and it worked better.........so completed job quicker ::)

If you have time use vinegar , if not add bicarb too.................for a faster result

Munkee_2

I went and done it with just vinegar :-/

Although it was working I couldn't leave it too long............two cats and it's raining ;D

So I added some bicarb and it worked better.........so completed job quicker ::)

If you have time use vinegar , if not add bicarb too.................for a faster result

And hereby we conclude:

Wot he sed

;D

Caterina

Lovely rabbit you got there!

ciao

Caterina

Munkee_2

She don't sleep with you as well does she?

She has been known to jump on my bed during the night and hop onto my pillow once she'd worked out how to release the catch on the hutch (yes she did!)

Mind you if she did sleep on/in my bed she'd be the only one who would lololol

trafalgar_2

She has been known to jump on my bed during the night and hop onto my pillow once she'd worked out how to release the catch on the hutch (yes she did!)

Mind you if she did sleep on/in my bed she'd be the only one who would lololol

awwwww bless ;D


ahem :-/..........................don't you think my cats are cute then ? ::)

Munkee_2

awwwww bless ;D


ahem :-/..........................don't you think my cats are cute then ? ::)

Sadly I don't think any cats are cute. No sensible rodent owner would...but the looks on their faces is an absolute classic...mischief personified!

I have got quite fond of a friend's cat actually so yes, your two are cute by any cat's standards

cathy_3

If rabbits eat clay litter it can well clog up their digestive system and cause nasty and sometimes even fatal problems.


I was right they ARE thick

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Munkee_2

You'd only need to meet Miffy once to know that not all rabbits are thick. Ask Droopsnout!