Wellness Cat Food

Minna has been eating Wellness dry and canned cat food because it has added cranberries & flaxseed and no meat by-products. She even got a can of chicken & lobster formula. But the nice lady at The Animal Connection II store told me Evo is very "hot" now and gave me some Innova & Evo cat food samples which prompted me to generate a premium dry cat food review. I am planning to review Innova, Evo, Wellness, and Pet Promise but I might add more. I am grateful that Minna doesn't have a very sensitive stomach and open to different favors of dry food (canned food is completely another issue).

Pineapple

Minna has been rubbing her cheek against the pineapple leaves, not exactly sure she is marking it as her property or using it as her cheek groomer.

Gift wrapping assistant

Minna helped me packed yesterday and she was really interested in the packing tape. I can see her to be my gift wrapping assistant this Christmas.

Rotating Teeth Comb

I recently purchased a rotating teeth comb for Minna since it is much gentler than a regular comb, but it became her favorite chew toy. She really likes to chew on the plastic handle, good that the comb is quite strong although it seems fragile.

Natural Cat Litter Review

During my search of best natural cat litter for Minna, I found out there is no perfect cat litter out there, but managed to try four of them so far and each one has its pros and cons. Regardless, I think the most important thing is to clean the litter box as often as possible.

One Earth Premium Cat Litter

Pros:

• Made from corn cob granules so it is light weight with fine texture

• Clumping is mediocre and dust level is acceptable

• Scent is not too overwhelming and odor control is good

• Price is okay, not the most expensive one

Cons:

• It is light so it tracks, but not as bad as Feline Pine Clumping Litter

• I bought it from Whole Foods and most local pet stores in San Francisco don't carry it

• Note: Since both One Earth Premium Cat Litter and Nature's Miracle Odor Control Clumping Cat Litter are made from corn cob granules and by 8 in 1 pet products, I assume they are very similar.

World's Best Cat Litter

Pros:

• Available at all pet stores in San Francisco

• Made from whole-kernel corn so it is light weight

• Clumpable

• Texture is not as fine as One Earth and Feline Pine Clumping so it doesn't track as bad

Cons:

• More expensive than the other three

• I really do not like the scent of this litter so I cannot comment on scent and odor control

• More dusty than the other three

Natural Cat Litter Review Continues

Feline Pine Original (Pellets)

Pros:

• It is widely available at reasonable price
• Light weight compares to clay litter (won't break my back)
• Scent is not overwhelming, odor control is great
• No dust nor tracking if use with Feline Pine self cleaning litter box and wide slot scoop

Cons:

• Not all cats will use pellets and transition period can be long
• It is non-clumping
• Note: Additional cost for Feline Pine self cleaning litter box and wide slot scoop for better result
  

Feline Pine Clumping

Pros:

• Reasonable price
• Lightweight
• Fine texture
• Clumps really well
• Execellent odor control
• Low dust

Cons:

• Pine scent is extremely strong
• Since texture is so light and fluffy, litter gets all over Minna's fur and tracks everywhere

Color Point

When we first adopted Minna, we were told that she's calico himalayan, but her vet told us that's not right. After looking at pictures of himalayan cats on Google, I thought she is blue point himalayan. However, my boyfriend found out she should be seal tortie point himalayan because of her speckles and splashes.

Why we name her Minna?

Minna (明娜) is short form of Wilhelmina in German and Williamina in French. When we first adopted her, we were trying to find the perfect name for her. We considered Princess Leia or even Sith Fluffy to be silly. When I saw Minna street on our way home, we found the perfect name for her.

Being a ballerina

Not sure what she is dreaming about, but I guess she is dreaming to be a ballerina.

Grooming

Minna just had her grooming and teeth cleaning done today. She didn't have a haircut but I am really happy that she got her ears and teeth cleaned. I was told by the groomer that she is one of the best cat he groomed and this place is in business since 1966.

Whole Foods

This post is not related to Minna but I just want to get it out of my chest. I went to Whole Foods on Saturday to purchase 8 in 1 One Earth Cat Litter for my litter review. The litter is currently on sale for $7.99 (original price $8.99) according to the tag on shelf, but I am still charged for $8.99 at cash register. I received a refund when I saw it on the receipt before I left the store. I went back to get one more on Sunday because I actually need two bags for Minna's jumbo litterbox, it is still on sale and I still get charged for $8.99 and the cashier adjusted it after I pointed it out. So always double check the price of sale items at cash register.

How much do cats sleep everyday?

Feline spends approximately 2/3 of its entire life in dreamland, what a life.

Favorite hiding place

Minna likes to hide in my closet and give me this innocent look everytime I found her in there. I don't mind her checking out my clothes but she sneezes everytime she is in there.

Cleaning

Do all cats spend a lot of time cleaning themselves? I just wonder how much is too much?

I miss my catnip...

FURminator

I wouldn't be happier with the purchase of FURminator, it works wonders on Minna, her hair is getting softer and fuller everyday and I rarely see fur on furnitures or carpet. Minna seems to enjoy it while having a little catnip.

Nasal Allergies

This blog has not been updated for past couple days because both Minna and I have been suffering from nasal allergies since Sunday. I have already ruled out the catnip plant we bought on Saturday, it is either the feline pine cat litter I bought on Friday or other allergen from outdoor. Since we only live two blocks away from Yerba Buena Gardens, it could be pollen trees and weeds.
I am planning to test Feline Pine and Nature's Miracle Cat litter, will post my result in several weeks.

Cat Food Again

I'm still trying to get Minna to eat wet food, but she will only eat wet food when I hand feed her, I start to wonder who is training who here.

Kitty Treat

Minna loves dried bonito flakes from Nijiya Supermarket, it's her second favorite besides catnip.

Litter issue

My cat lover friends,

I notice Minna sneezes every time when she is in the litter box and we use Fresh Step Perfume & Dye Free Litter. I am considering other litter such as Feline Pine, Nature's Miracle Clumping Cat Litter, or Yesterday's News since they are not as dusty as clay base litter. I also bought the tracking mat to catch litter but she won't use it, any suggestion is welcome.