Oko Plus litter safe for new kittens?

marvellousaunt

I have been reading and reading all the threads on litter and I'm bemused by all the choice. Here are things I have gleaned:

-People seem to like Oko Plus as it doesn't smell and you can put the cats 'business' down the toilet. Great for me as I'm in a flat with 2 new indoor kittens. It may have a problem with tracking but litter mats are available.

-You can't use clumping litter for new kittens in case they eat it and it causes them damage.

My questions:
1) As Oko plus is natural, even though this is clumping, is this suitable for new kittens?
2) What are the comparable benefits/disadvantages of wood pellets vs Oko plus?
3) I will have a bag of litter that they've been trained on when I collect them in a few weeks, how should I go about changing the litter when they're settled and when should I change it?
4) Is bicarbonate of soda safe to pop in the litter tray with the cheap Tesco value cat litter that I think they've been trained on as a way to tackle the odours?

Any help in streamlining my thoughts to prepare for my little ones would be much appreciated, thank you!

My priority is cost effectiveness - not the cheapest, but a good litter that importantly - does not smell! (Flat! Indoor cats!)

Fridaycat

Yes, it is safe for little kittens. Although it is clumping, it is different to clay-based clumping which can be unsafe for kittens. This is because some kittens like to eat cat litter (for some unknown reason) - with clay based clumping, it gets stuck in their little tummies and can cause blockages and even death. OKO plus doesn't do this as it is made from natural ingredients so pass through the kitten rather than getting blocked inside.

The difference between OKO and wood pellets is that OKO clumps, whereas wood pellets do not. So with OKO, you have to scoop out both wee and poo deposits, whereas with wood, you only scoop out the poo and the wee is absorbed into the litter. It is purely down to personal choice as to which you prefer. I prefer clumping as you are getting rid of the waste, rather than it being absorbed into the litter, so in my opinion it is less smelly.

To change over, gradually mix ever increasing amounts of the new litter into their old litter. I would leave them on their old litter 100% for a week or so, they will have a lot to get used to in their new place, so best not to do everything straight away.

Not sure about bicarb, sorry. Never used it in the way you describe.

con1888

I would read up on the bicarb. I used to sprinkle it in Frankies litter but he got a bum infection. I do NOT know if it is related but have stopped using it just incase as the vet said it was a skin reaction and can't think of what else it would be to.

marvellousaunt

Thank you very very much for the replies.

I think you can leave bicarb in a dish near the tray (eg on a shelf) and it absorbs the smell .. I think! .. or you can put it in the tray itself. However if Oko will do the same job - prevent a litter tray smell - at £25 for a few months then I'm good for that, don't want to risk any skin irritations.

Does Oko clump around their poop too? Or will I just scoop them out separately?

Fridaycat

marvellousaunt wrote: »

Thank you very very much for the replies.

I think you can leave bicarb in a dish near the tray (eg on a shelf) and it absorbs the smell .. I think! .. or you can put it in the tray itself. However if Oko will do the same job - prevent a litter tray smell - at £25 for a few months then I'm good for that, don't want to risk any skin irritations.

Does Oko clump around their poop too? Or will I just scoop them out separately?

Depends how solid it is :rotfl: Normal poo gets a few little bits of litter/dust on, but you just scoop it out quite easily.. If puss does any kind of softer poo (apologies to anyone eating their supper :rotfl:), it will get more clumpy

marvellousaunt

Fridaycat wrote: »

Depends how solid it is :rotfl: Normal poo gets a few little bits of litter/dust on, but you just scoop it out quite easily.. If puss does any kind of softer poo (apologies to anyone eating their supper :rotfl:), it will get more clumpy

Heheheheeeeeee fair enough!

Just made my first zooplus order, kitties are coming in about 3 weeks, feeling nice and prepared

Their kitten starter pack was out of stock though, grrr, I want that little measuring jug and food container. Can't wait for the cheese wedge shaped toy I've ordered to come! *Excited*

Fridaycat

Good luck! I look forward to seeing the pictures that you will no doubt post on here?

marvellousaunt

Fridaycat wrote: »

Good luck! I look forward to seeing the pictures that you will no doubt post on here?

You can see one already - this is my boy, just 3 weeks old! He isn't ready yet though obviously

Fridaycat

Awww... gorgeous little ball of fluff :T

gettingready

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

(slaps herself on the head saying - FOUR is enough)

nomnomnom

One of my cats used to eat worlds best cat litter (I use Oko cats best now though and it's very similar) and he would puke it up but I've not heard that it's dangerous for them to eat because of clumping?!