? Testing for ketones in litter

[Karen and Chispa (GA)]

Good morning, everyone!

As advised, I've ordered a box of Keto-Diastix and will start testing Chispa's urine as soon as they arrive. Here's my question:

The author of the article I read said that she used a wood-based litter and pressed the sticks directly into the litter to test (as long as the urine is fresh). Will this work with any kind of litter? I use World's Best Litter, Multi-Cat Formula.

Thank you!

 

[Amy & Herman]

I am curious to hear the answer too.

 

[tiffmaxee]

I don’t know the answer but I put some Saran Wrap over the litter and was able to dip the strip into urine that way. That’s how I diagnosed Max after reading about several on the pancreatitis list were becoming diabetic. I had been thinking ckd starting.

 

[Karen and Chispa (GA)]

I would never have thought of that. Sounds worth a try, but hoping others will weigh in and say just put the stick in the litter and call it a day!

 

[tiffmaxee]

I’m pretty sure you can stick it in the litter. See what others say.

 

[Amy & Herman]

I’m going to do a test with water in the litter and see if there’s any weird results with plain water and if not try to catch a fresh pee in the litter later today. Herman is a sneaky pee-er. He’s in and out of the litter room in seconds. Even though he has access to outdoors all day long he still likes to come in to do his peeing and prefers to poop outside in our horses riding ring. Preferably with an audience. He loves to poop in front of people outside.

 

[Karen and Chispa (GA)]

LOL, @Amy & Herman! Thanks for doing the test -- very curious to hear the results.
I am a horse girl too, though not riding much nowadays.
Is Herman a Maine Coon, by any chance? He has quite the mane! (I am originally from Maine)

 

[Amy & Herman]

LOL, @Amy & Herman! Thanks for doing the test -- very curious to hear the results.
I am a horse girl too, though not riding much nowadays.
Is Herman a Maine Coon, by any chance? He has quite the mane! (I am originally from Maine)

I don’t ride as much as I’d like…taking care of them all is too time consuming especially since it’s not my job but just a “hobby”. Hoping to find time to ride more in the fall when it’s not so hot though.
I don’t know what Herman is….but I don’t think a Maine coon…I adopted him from a shelter….I think just a plain old mixed long hair lol….but my last cat WAS a Maine Coone and he was magnificent. The most dog-like and loyal huge cat I’d ever seen. He was a stray and it took me over a year to “catch” him in my hayloft. Once I caught him he never left my side again. But he never got over his fear of men, he flinched around sudden movements so I think a man must have really hurt him. Because he was a stray for so long his name was “poofy cat” because that’s what he was until we managed to catch him. Herman is very different from poofy cat….but special in his own way! As far as mane goes, he doubles in size in winter in hair alone. What kind of riding do you do?
I took a plain water in litter test and it’s negative. Will test with urine at first opportunity (don’t hold your breath).

 

[Karen and Chispa (GA)]

I clicked on Herman's photo for a closer look and the most stunning array of maned cats appeared on my screen, courtesy of Pinterest. Some that looked quite a bit like him were identified as Norwegian Forest Cats. From his photo, I'd say Herman himself thinks he has royal lineage -- and who are we to argue??

I had a horse of my own for 12 years, up until 2006. He was quite the character -- I swear he had a sense of humor. We did some low-level eventing and lots of trail riding, which he loved, as long as he didn't have to get his feet wet. Owning a horse has become staggeringly expensive in this area in the years since then, unfortunately. Nowadays when I get a chance to ride, it's mostly dressage.

How many horses do you have, and what kind of riding do you do?

Good luck with the pee project ... I hope Herman is feeling cooperative!

 

[Amy & Herman]

I clicked on Herman's photo for a closer look and the most stunning array of maned cats appeared on my screen, courtesy of Pinterest. Some that looked quite a bit like him were identified as Norwegian Forest Cats. From his photo, I'd say Herman himself thinks he has royal lineage -- and who are we to argue??

I had a horse of my own for 12 years, up until 2006. He was quite the character -- I swear he had a sense of humor. We did some low-level eventing and lots of trail riding, which he loved, as long as he didn't have to get his feet wet. Owning a horse has become staggeringly expensive in this area in the years since then, unfortunately. Nowadays when I get a chance to ride, it's mostly dressage.

How many horses do you have, and what kind of riding do you do?

Good luck with the pee project ... I hope Herman is feeling cooperative!

Hilarious, I used to event now dressage. We have 7 horses on the family farm, 4 riding horses, 3 retired hay burners. Horses are too $! But we have them at home and do all the work ourselves (multiple houses on property so we share the work).

 

[Ashleigh & Ares]

I’m going to do a test with water in the litter and see if there’s any weird results with plain water and if not try to catch a fresh pee in the litter later today. Herman is a sneaky pee-er. He’s in and out of the litter room in seconds. Even though he has access to outdoors all day long he still likes to come in to do his peeing and prefers to poop outside in our horses riding ring. Preferably with an audience. He loves to poop in front of people outside.

that is soooo funny

 

[Karen and Chispa (GA)]

It must be wonderful to be around them all the time. I used to marvel at how time would sort of evaporate at the barn -- being there was all-consuming, and there was always something to do. Please give all seven of yours a kiss on their velvety noses for me!

 

[Amy & Herman]

So I tested Herman’s urine the second he stepped out of litter box. I feel it worked. It was very concentrated wet as it hadn’t sunk into litter completely yet. Now the fun part …..detecting if that’s a shade of peachy pink or if my eyes are playing tricks on me. Looks slightly more pink in photo than in person. I would count this as a negative….or am I wrong? I’ve used ketostix a fair bit over the years for myself as an aid when I do keto dieting to lose a few pounds and usually when I see pink, there’s no mistaking it. But open to others interpretation. As an aside, Other than being a bit itchy especially on tail, a bit of dandruff (not bad) and his numbers higher than I’d like Herman otherwise is doing well. Eating well, his usual active self.

 

[Holly and Sunny Bear]

So I tested Herman’s urine the second he stepped out of litter box. I feel it worked. It was very concentrated wet as it hadn’t sunk into litter completely yet. Now the fun part …..detecting if that’s a shade of peachy pink or if my eyes are playing tricks on me. Looks slightly more pink in photo than in person. I would count this as a negative….or am I wrong? I’ve used ketostix a fair bit over the years for myself as an aid when I do keto dieting to lose a few pounds and usually when I see pink, there’s no mistaking it. But open to others interpretation. As an aside, Other than being a bit itchy especially on tail, a bit of dandruff (not bad) and his numbers higher than I’d like Herman otherwise is doing well. Eating well, his usual active self.
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That looks pretty negative! I would count that as negative, but I haven't used the strips for cats before. Just for myself on keto.

We have a blood meter for testing for ketones which is nice but the strips are pricey. But it makes testing for kitty ketones pretty easy.

Herman is a cutie pie!

 

[Karen and Chispa (GA)]

It looks negative to me too. Thank you, @Amy & Herman for confirming that we can do this! Ketostix are on the way. I'm so glad that Herman is doing well, and I hope Sunny Bear is too. They are both adorable! (Who knew that a side benefit of this forum would be seeing so many cute kitty pix? )