Dr Elsey’s has been a family title in cat meals and litter for many years, however simply because they’ve been round for a very long time doesn’t imply they’re outdated information. In a shock choice, the corporate, led by Dr Bruce Elsey, has determined to cease manufacturing of their fashionable Extremely Scented Cat Litter. This isn’t resulting from an issue with the litter itself, however is a mirrored image of analysis that implies that scented cat litter might have a damaging affect on feline well being.
It’s not usually {that a} sales-driven firm prioritises the well being and well-being of their prospects (or on this case, prospects’ pets) over earnings, however this may look like precisely what Dr Elsey’s are doing.
We reply to our values, not revenue margins. Being impartial permits us to behave rapidly and decisively after we uncover higher methods to guard and take care of cats. Discontinuing scented litter is a type of steps.Dr. Bruce Elsey.
The Drawback With Scented Cat Litter
The disagreeable odors that emanate from the litter field are the bane of many cat guardians, with scented cat litter offering a welcome olfactory enchancment. Though the scented litter is a giant winner with customers, analysis has proven that it’s not essentially in the perfect pursuits of the cats utilizing it.
With a way of scent at the least 14 occasions stronger than that of a human, cats depend on their nostril to inform them details about the atmosphere and those who share their house. The chemical substances that enhance the scent-appeal of cat litter for people might masks vital – albeit disagreeable – olfactory cues which might be vital to our feline companions.
Cats depend on their sense of scent to navigate their world, and synthetic fragrances can considerably disrupt their instincts, inflicting stress and discomfort. We’ve all the time been dedicated to doing what’s greatest for cats, and breakthrough scientific research now present us that scented litters introduce pointless dangers. We’re performing on that data and making this vital change, and we hope and advocating that different producers do what is true and comply with our instance.Dr. Bruce Elsey.
The Potential Dangers of Scented Cat Litter
Whereas there isn’t full consensus on the topic, Dr Elsey’s has based mostly their choice on quite a few scientific research which have indicated that scented litter might have quite a few damaging results on cats, together with:
- Disrupting Pure Instincts: Cats use scent to detect threats and talk. Robust synthetic fragrances can overwhelm their delicate noses, resulting in nervousness and stress.
- Triggering Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC): Research present that environmental stressors, together with overpowering scents, contribute to FIC, a painful urinary situation that impacts many cats.
- Home-Soiling and Shelter Surrenders: Stress from litter field aversion could cause cats to cease utilizing their litter field, a number one reason behind feline abandonment and give up to shelters. By eliminating scents, Dr. Elsey’s goals to scale back this heartbreaking concern and preserve cats in loving houses.
Whereas scented litter is a very fashionable possibility with cat homeowners, it’s not the perfect for the cat and the family. The selection for us is straightforward, we’ll solely produce merchandise that assist enhance the lives of cats.Dr Bruce Elsey
Lowering Odor Naturally
Followers of scented cat litter could also be questioning how they’ll scale back the disagreeable smells that go hand-in-hand with a litter field, while placing their cat’s well being and wellbeing first. Fortuitously, there are many issues you are able to do to assist preserve your kitty’s litter from hurting your private home’s olfactory profile.
- Common scooping and cleansing: litter containers needs to be scooped and topped up at the least as soon as every day, litter modified weekly, and containers utterly emptied and cleaned at the least as soon as a month.
- Excessive absorption litter: the extra urine is absorbed, the much less smelly the litter will probably be. There are many various kinds of cat litter, with some being significantly better at odor management than others.
- Litter field location: the best location for a litter field is someplace away from busy, high-traffic areas, in a well-ventilated house. Selecting spots which might be additional away from generally used areas just like the kitchen and front room will assist, too.
- Litter field design: Closed-in litter containers are fashionable for holding the scent, however we should be conscious of how that impacts our cats as nicely. If the litter field scent is overpowering once you raise the lid, think about what it’s like to your cat. Litter containers ought to have air flow to assist scale back the buildup of odors and permit them to evaporate.
- Enhance air high quality: Excessive humidity and low air motion will preserve odors lingering, so take into account inserting a dehumidifier or air air purifier close by.
- Test their weight-reduction plan: very pungent urine and very pungent poops will be an indicator of poor digestion, and a top quality, extremely digestible weight-reduction plan can go an extended strategy to bettering the olfactory presence of your cat’s waste.
Ought to I Cease Utilizing Scented Cat Litter?
Not essentially. Though we are able to agree that scented cat litter has been designed with human wants in thoughts, it’s not essentially a ‘unhealthy’ or dangerous product. Because the outdated saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it,” and in case your cat is utilizing their scented cat litter with no indicators of aversion or issues, there isn’t any must out of the blue make a change. In actual fact, if they’re accustomed to a sure product, a sudden change might additionally result in issues.
Given the selection, nevertheless, it definitely stands to cause that it’s higher to give attention to litter field smells by administration and hygiene than to artificially manipulate the scent of the litter.
Do what’s greatest for the cat—not simply the proprietor. That’s our dedication. We’re devoted to maintaining cats glad, wholesome, and in loving houses.Dr Bruce Elsey
Clever phrases that apply to all features of pet care, not simply litter administration.
