HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: krw@prg.ox.ac.uk (Kenneth Wood)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Compressed Wood Cat Litter
Date: 13 Oct 92 13:42:42 GMT
Distribution: rec.pets.cats
Organization: Oxford University Computing Laboratory

So we've moved to our new flat, bought a covered litter box (see
articles passim) and so far have continued to use the clumping
sand-like cat litter.  Unfortunately, the new flat is so small that,
even with the covered box, the dust problem is quite bad.  (The
clumping litter--Forever Fresh in our case--seems to produce an
extremely fine, almost vapour-like, dust which can even penetrate the
filter mask I use when scooping.)  Although we don't see any actual
particles of litter anywhere except right near the box, we can
smell (and sometimes taste!) it almost everywhere.

Which leads me to my question.  Although we could just go back to
ordinary litter, I've heard some good things about the compressed
wood stuff.  I don't know any brand names, but one type comes in
little half-matchstick cylinders of processed and compressed wood.
Apparently it's flushable, lasts a long time, and most importantly has
NO dust whatsoever.  Is this just advertising hype, or is the stuff
really a good alternative to the clumping litter?  Also, I've heard
vague rumours about wood oils being bad for cats.  Is this a reason
not to use the compressed wood litter?  (I have read the Litter
section of the FAQ, but there's only the briefest of blurbs on
this type of litter.)

Reports from current or past users of the stuff will be gratefully
received.  As always, I'll post a summary.

Cheers,

Ken (and Lisa, and Hilary & Trin)
 ^        ^          ^        ^
 |        |          |        |
 |        |          |        --- Totally fat, completely black,
 ----------          |            continually motionless, and
      |              |            indispensably amiable.
      |              |
      | 	     ------------ Lithe, aloof, ginger-pointed
      |                           silver tabby, picture-postcard
      |                           beautiful and well aware of it.
      |
      --------------------------- Humans: seen one, seen 'em all.


+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Kenneth R. Wood                          |  Tel: 0865 270550          |
| Programming Research Group               |  Fax: 0865 273839          |
| Oxford University Computing Laboratory   |----------------------------|
| 11 Keble Road, Oxford, England, OX1 3QD  |  Net: krw@uk.ac.oxford.prg |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: krissie@locus.com (Krissie Griffiths)
Subject: Re: Why Do Cats Lick Humans?
Organization: Locus Computing Corporation, Los Angeles, California
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 21:40:47 GMT

In article <1992Oct13.202911.7234@unislc.uucp> erc@unislc.uucp (Ed Carp) writes:
>Krissie Griffiths (krissie@locus.com) wrote:
>
>: i have to tell you though, paddy is a classic b/w in personality, a coward,
>: and afraid of everyone but his mom ( ;-) ) and to have him butz karl, the
>: first time he met him was just to weird..........
>: 
>: does he know something i don't?  paddy?  paddy?
>
>Yes, he does.  Animals are very discerning, and don't care about what you look
>like, how much money you make, or what kind of a car you drive.

is it netiquette to post to your own post?  

i think perhaps paddy senses the way i feel about karl.  he still to this
day some l6 months later, butts karl and generally makes a fool of himself
when karl is visiting.

what paddy is not too sure of is alex, the 86.5 pound golden that is known
as "our son" to karl and i.  it is karl's dog.  paddy cannot decide whether
to be aggressive or passive and sometimes is both at once.  he likes to 
bait alex by tempting him and then he makes for the high country when alex
wants to have a "look."

meggie on the other hand OWNS ALEX.  she is such a cat.

-- 
so what if i am a vegan?  so what if i try to live a cruelty free lifestyle?
i'll tell you what, i sleep better at night knowing that nothing suffers for
anything i eat or wear and i try to use products that have not involved 
animal testing.  
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: maverick@topgun.b29.ingr.com (Mike Sorrelle)
Subject: Dog fleas != cat fleas?
Reply-To: maverick@topgun.b29.ingr.com
Organization: Intergraph Corp., Dullsville (as in Huntsville), AL
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 22:14:11 GMT

In article <1992Oct14.171010.1856@zia.aoc.nrao.edu>, rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner) writes:
|> 
|> I think dog fleas and cat fleas are different, so you don't need to worry

Um, I'm no expert in these matters, but I thought "fleas = fleas = fleas".
The fleas, after all, are merely sucking blood, and they probably don't
care whether it comes from a cat, dog, or other similarly furry critter.

Perhaps some entomologist out there can answer this one?

-- 
Warning: above article may contain flammable material.  Do not expose to heat.
	 In case of accidental ignition, immerse keyboard in water.
                 _   |  Mike Sorrelle, Intergraph Corp., Huntsville, AL 
  /| /| |     / / \  |  Opinions expressed here are a daemon's, not mine.
 / |/ | | /| /   \   |  Internet:  maverick@topgun.b29.ingr.com
/     | |/ |/  \_/   |  UUCP:      ...uunet!ingr!b29!topgun!maverick
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Subject: sad realities of cats running free
Organization: The MITRE Corporation
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 18:46:46 GMT

As a tribute to the poor cat that made a bad decision Monday 10/5 in Vermont.
We tried to stop for you kitty but you ran directly in front of our car going
55 mph. We hit the breaks as we saw you
dart out but it was too late. The thud brought tears to our eyes.  More tears
came as we thought about your owner when they learned of your demise. I then
though of my own dear cats and am glad I made the decision to keep them inside
where they are safe from the automobile.  

This was the 1st animal my husband has hit and it was a tough experience.  So
for all you animal lovers - keep your loved ones safely in your home and spare
yourself the heartache of learning of their death and spare folks like us who
were victims of circumstance just like the kitty.
From: marie@guppy.ai.mit.edu (Marie Lamb)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: not quite cruel
Date: 14 Oct 92 17:16:47 GMT
Reply-To: marie@ai.mit.edu
Organization: MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory

Yes, very young children are often not cruel, just ignorant.  I 
count myself--I don't have any memory of this, but my mother
told me that I once put a kitten in a trash can with the lid on, "so 
it wouldn't run away."  Mercifully, she heard its cries, and let
it go before the poor thing suffocated.

I've always sworn to myself since I heard this story that any 
progeny of mine would be thoroughly educated very early on about
how to treat animals.

Marie
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: re: sad realities of cats running free
From: oberland@vax.sonoma.edu
Date: 12 Oct 92 15:15:31 -0800
Organization: Sonoma State University

> ....This person actually went out of their way to hit the
> cat.  Since then, I've spoken with another person who also thinks this is
> great fun--hitting cats with cars.  Not everyone adores cats.  Some of the cat
> haters of this world relish the excitement of snuffing out one of our feline
> friends.  The logic (as it was explained to me) was that it's only a stray cat
> and nobody will miss the nasty thing anyway.
> So, please, keep in mind the horrors that await an animal roaming about the
> streets.
> 
> --Gina Novak

Not to mention diseases.  My cat got a good dose of some virus(made hair fall
off in patches) from the cats down the street.  I just about cried to see her
hair falling out.  She got over it, but it was a month until the hair grew
back.

As for people who purposely hit cats/enjoy it, I have some ideas on how
to get even....(evil grin).  I have lost one cat that way(my first one,
when I was 8).  The cat was hit 6 inches to a foot from the curb, on the WRONG
side of the road.  I still can't believe that someone would do such a thing,
especially since the area I grew up in was a nice, upper-middle-class area,
where every animal was obviously a pet/companion.

I intend to keep my cat for another 10+years, thankyou...
Joe
From: christie@porgy.dfci.harvard.edu (Linda A. Christie)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: does your cat do this?
Date: 9 Oct 1992 16:57:51 GMT
Organization: Cats Who Watch TV Too Much
NNTP-Posting-Host: porgy.dfci.harvard.edu

Mine likes tennis.  But most of all she likes the nature shows
on PBS, especially ones with bird sounds but also ones with
lions (like the ones they show from time to time with a lion
stalking a zebra, wrestling it to the ground and devouring it)
and insects.

Occasionally she will watch an old western.  Just last night
she was very interested in Madonna's new video.

Linda, Thelma and Louise

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: coimay@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu ( LAURA CARRIERE)
Subject: Re: Kitten with foot fetish
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-21918]: sn01.sncc.lsu.edu
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Reply-To: coimay@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu
Organization: The unofficial LSU news node
Distribution:  world
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 18:19:03 GMT

In article <1992Oct7.172624.10119@zia.aoc.nrao.edu>, rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner) writes...
>I sometimes think cats (at least some cats) don't always realize that your
>feet are actually part of you. They seem to think they're a separate animal.

After watching two litters of kittens I've come to the conclusion that it
takes a while for kittens to figure out the concept of "up".  A kitten
will chase a toy dragged along the ground forever, but if you pick the
toy up into the air the kitten stares straight ahead or looks side to
side.  If you drop the toy back down the kitten sometimes jumps, as if
to say, where'd that come from?  So I guess feet are just another moving
beastie to chase and attack.  The fact that there's a big monster right
above those feet doesn't occur to them.

Laura Carriere

P.S.  Hi Ruth!
From: kjc7435@ultb.isc.rit.edu (K.J. Cater)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Why do some mother cats eat their newborns?
Date: 16 Oct 92 14:06:51 GMT
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Originator: kjc7435@ultb

Several years ago, I helped a young mother cat deliver several newborn
kittens.  It was a normal labor and the mother came through quite well.
However, I had to look away for a minute when the phone rang, and when I
got back to her, the kittens were gone!!  She had EATEN them!!

I've wondered for years after this heartbreaking episode...WHY do cats
do this?  Anyone else had this happen?

Please send e-mail (replies) to: "kjc7435@ritvax.isc.rit.edu". 

Thanks...

K. Cater.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: snoopy@spacemanspiff.den.mmc.com (Cindy Newell)
Subject: Re: Has my cat gone mad?
Organization: Denver, Colorado
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 22:06:48 GMT

In article <1992Oct15.112034.3685@memstvx1.memst.edu> nvonstein@memstvx1.memst.edu writes:
>In article <1992Oct15.070959.20852@unislc.uucp>, erc@unislc.uucp (Ed Carp) writes:
>> nvonstein@memstvx1.memst.edu wrote:
>> 
>> : Yes!!  My bed!!  And with 7 (yes - seven) cats it gets rather messy!  But I
>> : love everyone of them.
>> 
>> Just 7???  Hell, the more, the merrier! :)
>> -- 
>> Ed Carp, N7EKG                  erc@apple.com                     801/538-0177
>
>BTW, one of my kitties is handicapped.  His name is Elvis - his front paws did
>not form properly - just didn't bud out like they were supposed.  Don't pity
>him - he can jump as high as anybody else, when he runs, the back legs are like
>turbos and the front paws scoot ahead of him - he is really fast.  He also sits
>up like a rabbit for long periods of time.  He's spoiled, independent as hell,
>and he has my heart.  Anybody else have any handicapped cats?
>
>Nancy VonStein


I have a handicapped kitty as well, her name is Heidi.  She had distemper
as a little tyke, and it damaged her nervous system (at least that what
her doc seems to believe).  She has no sense of balance...she will fall
over for no reason, except she lost her balance.  She can run, but for
the most part, her hind end ends up in front of her head and she ends up
somersaulting across the floor.  I hate to admit it, but it is kind of funny,
is a sad sort of way.  But then again, she is a very happy kitty, she has
a sister (who is fine) and an adopted mom who take care of her and also
will play rough with her.  For the most part, the other 2 treat her like
any other cat...which I think is good.    She doesn't have any other
problems and is growing like a weed.  She too has my heart!  

Cindy


-- 
 Cindy Camp - Usual disclaimers apply   |  Just waiting for a good quote
 Martin Marietta  (303)977-9804 	|  or lyric right now.
 snoopy@spacemanspiff.den.mmc.com  or	|  
 cnewell@azum.den.mmc.com		|
From: rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: an embarrrassing tail
Date: 9 Oct 92 16:30:22 GMT
Article-I.D.: zia.1992Oct9.163022.2245
Reply-To: rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner)
Organization: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro NM

In article <1992Oct9.104350.18235@gdr.bath.ac.uk> ccspjs@gdr.bath.ac.uk (Pete J Suters) writes:
>In the referenced article, hannah@pomponio.ai.sri.com (Marsha Jo Hannah) writes:
>>
>>This is not uncommon, especially with long-haired cats.  
>>Seems one day the lady of the
>>house noticed that "Suzy Cream-cheese" was washing a clearly male
>>appendage....  
>
>Well, it turned out to be male
>(after going off on a long trek in search for ladyfriends, and
>coming back days later with a smile on its face!).  

I've known long-haired cats, but never one that had so much fur at the back 
that an intact adult male couldn't be recognized as such. Are there some
breeds that are "worse" than others in this respect? More fur and smaller
"accessories"? :-)

It would be pretty easy to miss with a young kitten, and especially a neutered 
male. But even with the kitten hanging around our place, who is only about 3-4 
months old, whenever he lifts his tail, those furry little balls are instantly 
obvious.
-- 
Ruth Milner                          NRAO/VLA                  Socorro NM
Computing Division Head      rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: afdenis@lims01.lerc.nasa.gov (Stephen Dennison)
Subject: Re: not quite cruel-Really Cruel
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: Ancient Souls Inc.
Date: 15 Oct 1992 12:25 EST  

In article <1992Oct14.205742.23407@infonode.ingr.com>, farland@outland.b24a.ingr.com (Theresa McFarland) writes...
>I used to work with a guy who hated cats. 

[Munch .... story deleted]

>You really have to teach kids early.  

In an apartment complex I used to live in, two kids (around 10 or so years 
old) took 3 young kittens and dropped them into a hole in the ground filled 
with water and covered them up. They apparently stayed afloat until they 
tired and drowned. When I found these children, I taught them a thing or 
two about psychological terror... no *physical* retribution, but they were 
totally convinced that I was the boogyman by the time I got through with 
them. In the middle of the game, I informed their parents of what they had 
done and what I was doing to try to straighten them out. Both sets of 
parents (predictably since they were lousey parents and didn't want the 
responsibility of getting the message across themselves) gave me their 
blessing. These kids lived in fear for about a week, upon which I took them 
out and bought them lunch and explained the entire game to them . I likened 
it to the terror those kittens felt. 

I reached one of them. The one who came up with the idea in the first place 
seemed to be more gratified that the kittens might have been terrified. 

You are right, this mentality is an abomination and makes these kids a 
serious threat to society. If it can't be eradicated, steps should be taken 
to monitor their actions. 

> 
>What really bugs me is the guy didn't feel bad about it!

I think that the mentality that leads to this kind of abuse is quite rare 
and, even though many children participate, usually the `leader' is the one 
with the problem. If they don't grow out of it in adulthood, they should be 
sterilized to prevent them from passing on their evil either genetically or 
environmentally.

And that's my *moderate* view... you ought to hear what would be done to 
them in a world I controlled...


-- Stephen

     Though *believing* in things often wounds the spirit, *not* believing 
     in anything will eventually kill it. Therefore, *dream* ... and accept 
     the costs as reasonable.
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: is this flea spray toxic?
Date: 8 Oct 92 16:26:45 -0500
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

bonnie@rat2.njit.edu (Bonnie MacKellar) writes:
> I have been using aproduct called Ovitrol on my cat
> to prevent  fleas.  This is on the advice of my vet.
> The product contains Methoprene and pyrethrins,

Methoprene is the generic name for Precor.  Very non-toxic.  Also breaks
down rapidly under exposure to UV light, so it's gone if the cat goes
outdoors...

Pyrethrins are also fairly non-toxic (they are extracts of a species
of chrysanthemum), but can cause problems with people (or cats I
suppose) who are allergic to them.

> and some other stuff I don't recognize.

Ah-hah!  How about checking the label and getting back to us on this?
Also, what is the carrier (solvent) for the pesticides?  Manufacturers
don't have to tell you what the "inactive ingredients" in a pesticide
formulation are-- but IMHO, this is a big mistake.  Some of the toxicity
problems are probably attributable to those "inert" ingredients.

> The directions say it is approved for use on cats.
> The directions also say to rub the stuff thouroughly
> into the animals coat, which I do.
> The problem is, my cat becomes extremely lethargic and
> out of it for a day or more after application.
> Am I doing something toxic to my cat?  

Maybe.  Let's find out more about the other stuff.  Piperonyl butoxide
is commonly used to "jazz up" a pyrethrin formulation -- some animals
are sensitive to that.  You may well have a kitty who's going to have
to cope with flea combing, and maybe household vacuuming and environmental
spraying with just Precor and water...

Kay Klier  Biology Dept  UNI
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: erc@unislc.uucp (Ed Carp)
Subject: Re: Coincidence or conspiracy?
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1992 04:23:54 GMT

Jonathan Byrd (jon@zeus.med.utah.edu) wrote:

: 	I was eating lunch today when my two kittens, Molly and Angie,
: came in from outside.  Angie jumped on my lap (as she usually does) to
: greet me, and obtain some scritching.
: 
: 	Molly, usually a very mellow kitty, went straight to the
: scratching post, and began furiously attacking it.  She spun around
: and around on her side, clawing the post and making high-pitched
: little growling noises.  She did this so frantically that I started to
: laugh.  Soon tears were coming from my eyes.
: 
: 	As I wiped my eyes, I looked down and noticed that Angie was
: dragging the meat out of my sandwich.

It's a conspiracy, Jonathan.  You just have to learn to live with it... :)
-- 
Ed Carp, N7EKG                  erc@apple.com                     801/538-0177
"This is the final task I will ever give you, and it  goes  on  forever.   Act
happy, feel happy, be happy, without a reason in the world. Then you can love,
and do what you will."           -- Dan Millman, "Way Of The Peaceful Warrior"
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: smhawkin@quads.uchicago.edu (stephanie mia hawkins)
Subject: cat's eye
Reply-To: smhawkin@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 19:51:40 GMT

hi!  i have a question for all you knowledgeable cat people out there.  

finnegan is a 9 month old devon rex.  a few days ago i noticed that one
of his eyes was looking a bit strange -- it seemed to be catching the
light differently, and had a sort of "glow" to it.  on further 
investigation, i noticed that the white of the eye was definitely 
bloodshot.  other than that, i could see nothing wrong.  

it still has that odd glow to it today, although the white doesn't 
look as bloodshot as it was.

he doesn't seem to be favoring it *that* much.  in fact, he seems in
good spirits and good health in general, jumping in the air to catch
his favourite toy (a plastic eyedropper, highly recommended by two out 
of three rexes) and retrieving it with his usual alacrity.

anybody have any ideas?  

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats,rec.gardens
From: jpaul@locus.com (James Hensley)
Subject: Re: Herbal repellants?
Organization: Locus Computing Corporation, Los Angeles, California
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 00:52:13 GMT

In article <ejmdwbu@Unify.Com> ceb@dbrus.Unify.Com (Caroline E. Bryan) writes:
>In article <1992Oct13.111433.973@telerama.pgh.pa.us> kristen@telerama.pgh.pa.us (Kristen McQuillin) writes:
>
>Can you recommend something to repel spiders?
>


Now why would you want to do something likle that?  Spiders are one of
nature's most fascinating, and (imho), beuatiful creatures that exist.
There are only a few species that are harmful, and they're not common.
Consider the fantastic symmetry of nature's architects' webs.  They are
one of the only things that build rather than destroy.  They eradicate
harmful pests.  I love spiders.  Have you ever seen a dew-covered spider
web in the morning?  An absolutely gorgeous sight.

Give our 8-legged friends a break.

That said, you may to want to spray some OFF on yourself, but spiders aren't
really after you.
-- 

jpaul@locus.com  | ..ucsd!lccsd!jpaul   :  all views expressed are mine.
Clouds filled with blood rain on the water
While Nightime's fingers clench the light shut...
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: kudra@hubcap.clemson.edu (sallie j kudra)
Subject: Re: Second Cat, Following Death of Mother...
Organization: Clemson University
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 17:37:06 GMT


Jeremy,

Get a kitten.  It can't hurt and could very well help.  

Just my .02 worth.

Sallie, owned and operated by Arielle, Melanie and Cali 


You can wait til morning comes              | Sallie Kudra     
You can wait for the new day                | Information Systems Development 
You can wait & lose this heart              | Clemson University, Clemson SC 
You can wait & soon be sorry - Tracy Chapman| kudra@hubcap.clemson.edu
From: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Subject: Re: Need help - traumatic flea removal situation
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Reply-To: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Organization: ICS Dept., UC Irvine
Date: 14 Oct 92 20:38:19 GMT

In <2ADC8444.5078@ics.uci.edu> tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore) writes:

>I post the rec.pets.cats FAQ (in two parts) every 25 days.  To get the FAQ:
>ftp to pit-manager.mit.edu and look under /pub/usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/*
>(part1, part2), or send email to mail-server@pit-manager.mit.edu with
>send usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/part1
>send usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/part2
>in the body (leave subject line empty).  Send contributions and comments
>to me; send questions not covered in the FAQ to the newsgroup.

Sigh.  Change alla that to three parts.

--Cindy
--
   Cindy Tittle Moore & Noisy Underfoot (bird watcher extraordinaire)

I post the rec.pets.cats FAQ (in three parts) every 25 days.  To get the FAQ:
ftp to pit-manager.mit.edu and look under /pub/usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/*
(part1, part2, part3), or send email to mail-server@pit-manager.mit.edu with
send usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/part1
send usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/part2
send usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/part3
in the body (leave subject line empty).  Send contributions and comments
to me; send questions not covered in the FAQ to the newsgroup.