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Why I think the "New & Improved" Feline Pine is an insult to my intelligence

by Evonn
(Florida)

Feline Pine company RUINED it's fine pine shaving clumping product. All they did was partially break up the pellets of the original version, labeled it "Clumping," added some odor control, and apparently took the good clumping version off the market! It is not a fine powder at all, and my cat refused to use it and peed on the floor.

The fine powder it apparently, god forbid, replaced, was so rump-friendly to my kitty when she had any irritation, such as a bladder infection. It was the BEST litter ever for the cat any for me, the one who cleans up after the cat.

IF you have any influence with manufacturers listed on your Web site, PLEASE let them know that I would prefer to convince them to undo this so-called "Improvement" than criticize the product, but no one answered my letter about this topic last week linked from a store's site, to their Web site, so I don't know if they are ignoring it, or not.

Suggested for You:
A Natural Alternative

The product is much worse, not better. How in the world is it better? The odor control was fine if you scooped daily, and even if it's better in this new product, I would never choose to give up all the other great things about the finely ground pine just to get better odor control. I scooped and flushed the poop as soon as I could, and scooped the urine clumps daily, and even when I waited two days the odor was not a big problem. Maybe other customers disagree, but why can't we have BOTH versions and choose to buy the one we prefer?

Thanks for reading this long letter and for your great Web site.

Evonn

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Why I think the "New & Improved" Feline Pine is an insult to my intelligence

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Apr 27, 2013
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Cedarific as possible replacement for FP Clumping
by: Anonymous

I think the problem with the new version of Feline Pine Clumping kitty litter is that the size of the granules is too large.

My cat loved the old formula and absolutely will not use the new formula. I tried many different types of litter and my cat made lots of protest "accidents", before we finally settled on Cedarific.

It is not a clumping litter so the litter box needs to be completely cleaned and changed more often, but at least our cat is happy with it.

Apr 27, 2013
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The old version was the perfect litter
by: Anonymous

I have tried both the Feline Pine non-clumping and the clumping--the non clumping is too messy. The old version of the clumping style- almost like a pine sawdust--admit it was a bit messy, but had excellent odor control.
The next best is Fresh Results (same as Nature's Miracle, but half the price) sold exclusively by Walmart--IF you can find it. The past 2 years, many Walmart store do not seem to stock it.

Still using up my last box of the old version of Feline Pine clumping--bought the new version in the smaller size, since it did not seem like the same stuff. I have been using. I will try it and see how it is, then report back.

Oct 17, 2012
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Two Miserable Cats
by: Anonymous

I must share my dismay about the changes to Feline Pine litter. The original fine clumping formula was a wonderful product. My two felines loved it and used it with no irritation and never missed the box so to speak. Now with the new Feline Pine, my cats are avoiding the box! They would only use the old product. Now I am at a loss. I can't go back to clays, and I haven't found a similar product to the old formula. This is a bad situation!

Sep 08, 2012
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Where Can I buy Fresh Step Natural Scoop Wood?
by: Anonymous

The new Feline Pine formula has a different texture from the old -- it looks more like Grapenuts or textured vegetable protein than sawdust. Our cat will not use it -- also I am concerned about the sharp splinters of wood I noticed in the bag I bought.

I have been searching for over a month for a place where I could purchase Fresh Step Natural Scoop Wood litter and have had no luck. Fresh Step customer service was not helpful. No stores in my area carry this natural pine scoopable litter. It comes in 3.3 and 4.1 pound bags,and its UPC # is 0044600306370. Has anyone had found an online retailer for this litter? We are desperate.

Aug 06, 2012
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New & Improved Feline Pine "Clumping"
by: Anonymous

I had been using the original clumping formula of Feline Pine for about a year and my cats loved it - never a problem. Then the NEW version came out and - like others have written here - problems started.
I noticed the difference right away - the weight had doubled so it was no longer the light-weight version it had been, the cost went up several dollars, the odor was offensive, and the new version had chunks of pellets in it that were never in the original formula.

Then, one of my cats started going outside the box occasionally, which she never did before - and I scoop it religiously. I still had the old box, so I checked out both packages to see what I could find out and saw that it's now being manufactured by a huge manufacturing company - one that makes lots of other products that are not exactly "earth friendly".

I refuse to buy the product anymore - my cats hate it, I hate it, and I don't think it's as biodegradable as they say it is.

Jul 30, 2012
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Original Feline Pine was the solution to our cat litter problem
by: Anonymous

Our cat was eating kitty litter -- clay, corn, newspaper, wheat -- until we found Feline Pine Scoopable in the original sawdust formula.

The new formula looks similar to Feline Fresh Clumping, which she won't use. I was excited about Tidy Cats Pure Nature, but the Pine scent is too strong so I have been mixing a little into the Feline Pine Scoopable original formula.

I am hoping Church and Dwight brings back the original Feline Pine formula and very soon; we are running out. In the meantime I will buy a bag of the Freshstep Pine with carbon as mentioned by another commenter (thanks!)and will be keeping an eye on this website for other ideas.

Jul 26, 2012
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My cat hates the new formula
by: Anonymous

My husband and I used to buy the old FP clumping formula religiously because it smelled nice, it was flushable, it was safe for my cat, and most importantly, my cat liked it.

I too went to all the shops in town trying to find the clumping kind and then I finally googled it and realized that they have "improved" the formula.

My cat will not use the new stuff. She doesn't like the pellets and she doesn't like the chopped up pellets either. She only likes the fine pine dust. And now she's going to the bathroom on my carpet because she doesn't like anything else I try.

Swheat Scoop is okay, but the litter box just doesn't stay as fresh as with the pine dust.

Jul 25, 2012
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They ruined the clumping Feline Pine :(
by: Anonymous

Oh My Goodness...long story, but I went to my local Petco last weekend to buy new box of the clumping Feline Pine. There was none on the shelf, so I bought another brand that was made of Pine.

My cat refused to use it and went everywhere but her box. The next day, I went to another store and bought another brand made of Pine, but it was the same. By the third day I called Petco, which is one hour away from my home, and asked them if they weren't selling it anymore or if they just happened to be out of it when I came by on the weekend. They said they had two boxes and I was so thrilled I asked them to hold both of them for me. This was the first time I noticed how expensive this litter is, $15 vs. $6 for the other brands I tried, but I did not care; nothing but the best for my Lacey Bell.

I just got home with it and poured it into her litter box and it is exactly the same as the other two brands I bought made from Pine. It is much heavier and just horrible. There is NO REASON for anybody to spend that much on this cat litter anymore. They have completely ruined it; unbelievable! If anybody finds another brand that is like the Feline Pine before they changed it, please make a post.

Jul 23, 2012
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new and not improved.
by: Anonymous

I feel the same way! The old version was perfect for me...clumped just as good as the clay litter, has NO smell and was not heavy.

I hated this "new improved" version so much I complained to the company and told them that if this was the way they planned to keep it and not change back then this would be the last box I bought.

They sent me a check for $11 and said that this was their new formula to prevent "tracking" of the dust and enhance the clumping. Granted there is no tracking but it doesn't clump, it doesn't reduce the odor much and it's heavy. I am beyond mad.

Jun 18, 2012
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HATE the "new and improved" Feline Pine
by: Laura R

The original Feline Pine scooping was the PERFECT litter! I had been using it exclusively for over 4 years and recommended it to all my friends, until today.

I got what I thought was a "bad batch," but soon discovered that the formula had been changed when the next box I opened was the same crap.

My cats had been tolerating it to some extent for the first couple of days, but its super messy to scoop and just yesterday one of my cats pooped in my bed! Talk about sending a message.

I am now forced to find a new natural kitty litter.... DAMN YOU ARM & HAMMER for taking a wonderful product and completely ruining it!

Jun 15, 2012
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Agree
by: Anonymous

I typed the question in my search bar: Why did they change feline pine?

This is how I found you, and I can not agree more.

Have you found any ideas on how to convince them to go back to the old and unimproved?

The new litter is also much heavier. I liked that the sawdust style was so lightweight and easy to carry out with the trash.

Apr 26, 2012
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Update
by: Christina

I hope that you guys will read this update - I saw at the store today another pine litter with carbon by Fresh Step - I looked up reviews for it and they are the same as feline pine used to be!

I am going to try it and hope that they don't change their formula like arm & hammer did to FP. Hope this helps you all!

Apr 23, 2012
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Feline Pine is Unbelievable!!
by: Anonymous

I knew something was wrong when I picked up the box of Feline Pine. It was too heavy and it made noise when I shook it.

Sure enough I open the box today and it's crap. Half ground up original Feline Pine. Great. Now I have to find something else as well as some of the old FP clumping so I can gradually change brands.

Thanks a lot Arm & Hammer. Like I need one more thing to do.

Apr 14, 2012
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Ruined Ruined Ruined
by: PangurBan

I too thought something was wrong - and something is wrong - they took a great product and completely ruined it. First of all my cat doesn't even like it - I don't know what I'm going to do about that - then on top of that she is old and has had a stroke and Feline Pine was the ONLY litter that didn't stick to her and was soft and comfortable. Next, how are you supposed to scoop it when the branches or whatever they are - are caught by the scooper.
This is insane! Shame on them!

Apr 12, 2012
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Don't like the new and improved formula at all.
by: Sue

I was so disappointed when I opened the box of new and improved clumping, hoping for the same fresh pine scent and improved clumping, only to find ground up pellets and a stinky smell.

After a bit of internet research I discovered the story about Arm and Hammer buying it, so I immediately went out to a local store and bought up all the old stock of litter pre the new and improved formula. At least I have a few months to find something else.

Arm and Hammer has a habit of reworking their own clay formulas, which I used to use but don't anymore because they messed up the formula I used and made it smell awful. I see a pattern here.

Apr 05, 2012
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I Was Wondering What Happend to the Clumping FELINE PINE
by: Christina

I thought maybe I just got a 'messed up' box of Feline Pine at the store the other day... Like, maybe by accident, the pellets weren't ground properly.

I used it anyway, as I had already cleaned out the box and only had this new litter to use. So, because my cat, too, peed on the floor instead of the litter box, I had to run out late at night to get some more.

After the first store didn't carry Feline Pine clumping, just pellets(which obviously is what the problem was with the first box), I went to target where they had the clumping dusty kind. I was kind of worried because it still sounded clumpy but I got it anyway because I needed some litter my cat would use.

Got home, cleaned out the old & go to pour it to find that it was the same, half-ground pellets & smelled awful. I nearly cried. Then, I searched to see if this 'new' product was going to be like this, or if I somehow got two bad batches.

Apparently, they've just lost another customer because I refuse to use this anymore, especially since I can't because my cat WONT use it. Sigh.

Thank you for your review & confirmation.

Apr 02, 2012
Rating

"New and Improved" Feline Pine a Friggin' Outrage
by: S. Austin

How dare you people, Feline Pine People??? Knowing full well that cats get used to one thing and you have to go through a bunch of crap to get them to use new litter?

Do you think we're that stupid, really? Chopped up pellets? And WHAT "odor control"??? If the only ingeredient is pine (I don't even see baking soda listed) what's NEW?

Oh, boy, big mistake, friends, BIG mistake. Not only will I not purchase the product again. I'll BE SURE to take the big box I bought back for a refund, and I beg everyone else to do the same.

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