immac

Any chemists out there?
I have tried to find Baking Soda to add to cat litter to neutralize the ammonia smell. Can't find Baking Soda so have used Washing Soda, which works fine, but I am concerned it may be too caustic as I believe it is much stronger than Baking Soda.
Question 1: Is using Washing Soda (powdered form, not crystals) a problem? Is it different to baking soda?
Question 2: Where do I find Baking Soda? Is it called something other than "soda"?
Cats seem OK with the Washing Soda.

Ian

KayaKoyuOldBoy

You'll find it in small packets in the supermarkets, generally with the packets of spices or sometimes with the home baking ingredients. It's called Karbonat / Sodium Bicarbonate.

Soda is very alkaline and therefore caustic ( Caustic Soda ). Sodium Bicarb is much nearer neutral ph.

Yildez

Washing Soda is very caustic - I use it to clean the drains amongst other things. If your cats get it on their paws and then lick them it could burn them/make them ill. Please don't use it!

no-nem

Immac, we used to use the standard cat litter, but now use ''cat pearls'' or it's equiv.(avail mostly everywhere). They are silica gel crystals, last 1 month per cat,(as it claims on the bag) and does exactly that and does not smell.

Naseeb

What is the diffenence in baking soda and baking powder they are both used in baking in some english recipies

immac

No-nem, do you have a brand name for these 'cat pearls' or is that the name?

Ian

Harem

Ian, they are called "cat pearls" and you can get them at Kent Vets. Alternatively, Eco Cat is good, (and very cheap) although they don't have any today, but expect a delivery tomorrow!!

no-nem

Yes you can get silica gel crystal cat litter from Tansas, Kipa etc.

immac

This is all good advice, thank you. I am using a clay-based litter at the moment, which after 4 days starts to pong. I was going to try to extend it's life with soda but that looks to be a dead end.
I will try the crystal/pearl options - or rather, I will get the cats to try it.

Ian