100% Natural! The fastest growing category in cat and small animal litter & bedding. GOING NATURAL is important Important to: Your bottom line. Category growth. Your customer. Their pets and our planet.
Equustock, LLC Natural Cat Litter and Small Animal Litter and Bedding With the recent transition of the Feline Pine cat litter pellet brand, we have experienced incredible interest in our natural line of litters and bedding. Large Retailers, US Distributors and International Distributors had begun to take notice of the natural litter trend, but with the legitimizing recognition from a traditional clay litter manufacturer the activity has exploded. The natural litter industry is still relatively young. Local and regional producers of materials that appear suitable for animal applications have surfaced as the industry begins to consolidate. Unfortunately, these single source producers can be damaging to the industry as a whole because of their lack of understanding of the category and the quality controls and processes necessary for animal litter applications. Equustock, LLC has been producing pine pellets, pine shavings and custom product blends for large animal use for over a decade and during this time we have produced product at several of our N. American plants as private label for other small animal product brands. We are armed with the manufacturing expertise to understand natural feedstock materials, regional variations of raw materials and the equipment necessary to produce the most consistent product possible throughout the country. With multiple plant locations, we are positioned to offer the lowest nationwide average of per bag cost of delivery. Our retailers and distributors can be very competitive and at the same time, offer the consumer a price point that will be necessary to sustain natural product interest during this current and likely long term economic environment. We offer years of experience in producing a quality product. Our capacities are unmatched in the industry.
What is natural? To some manufacturers, natural is the latest trend in cat litter and small animal bedding. To them, it s the next best profit center in their otherwise unnatural product line. They promote natural products that may be environmentally unsound in production and disposal. They produce and sell other products that are hazardous to pet, human and planet health. If you are ready to truly GO NATURAL, Go Natural with the industry experts! At Equustock our full product line is 100% Natural Environmentally Responsible Sustainable Biodegradable In other words, NATURAL isn t a trend, it is our passion!
Our UHCBS³ Technology is a proprietary process that delivers clean, healthy, highly absorbent litter and bedding that is 100% natural and environmentally sound both in its manufacture and disposal. Our raw material is sourced through certified Sustainable Forestry practices or 1 st generation clean, reclaimed wood waste recycled into our premium pine products. Our environmental mission includes reduction of consumption and disposal to fulfill responsible landfill policy. Our products are truly people, pet, planet and pocket friendly.
As a pet retailer, you can t ignore the increasing consumer demand for natural but affordable products. Today, many natural products are, in our opinion, too expensive. An affordable natural product should motivate the responsible and educated consumer to fulfill their desire to use natural products for the health and safety of their pets. Let us help you build your natural litter and accessory program!
Ideal liner for cages and other habitats. Birds, reptiles, etc.
Equustock Pet Brands include: Guardian Horse Bedding Guardian Angel Small Animal Litter and Bedding Guardian Angel Cat Litter Absorb&Clean Paws & Pads Super fast cleanup of messy pet accidents!
Our Story - Naturally Equustock pioneered the improvement of pelleting pine wood fiber for animal applications. In the early 1990 s, a handful of fuel pellet manufacturers in N. America determined that when the fuel market was depressed they could package their fuel pellets in a bag labeled as animal bedding. Yes they were absorbent, but many produced a pellet that was 1. High in dust causing respiratory and dermatological reactions. 2. Produced from hardwoods or demolition woods. 3. Contained additives that were not safe for animals. Our research and development of pellet operations led us to our proprietary process called UHCBS³ Technology. UHCBS³ delivers our premium pine wood pellets and pine cobble litter specifically suitable for safe, non toxic use under animals. Today, many brands of pellets for animal litter are produced by fuel pellet plants that are looking for another income stream. It pays to know the difference!
As Equustock has grown, we ve continued to develop new products that set the trend for large and small animal care and maintenance. In 2001, we developed a revolutionary equipment process to deliver a mix of pine shavings products in 3 fiber size separations. This option provides the diversity to satisfy every consumer of and every application for pine shavings. All 3 pine shaving products are available mixed on truckloads from our mega shaving plants to maximize retailer profits. With 6 pelleting operations in North America, we produce our pine pellet horse bedding & pine pellet livestock bedding In Virginia ( 2 plants), Tennessee, Michigan, Texas, and New Mexico. We produce our revolutionary 100% natural cat and small animal litter product line at our Virginia, Michigan, Texas and New Mexico plants along with our Absorb & Clean brand line of 100% natural absorbents. Our mega shavings plants are located in Jasper, AL / Jackson, MO / Troy, VA
Guardian Angel Small Animal Litter is produced from the highest quality pine fiber. Our 100% pine litter pellets and pine cobble litter and bedding provides natural odor control through fast and intense absorbency. We high heat treat the pine fiber to remove oils and eliminate the risk of molds or microbials. You won t find a cleaner, healthier product for your litter box, cage or habitat liner. Perhaps the best way to show you why our pine litter products are so great is to show you why other commonly used litters and bedding are not.
Clay Litters Did you know that clay litters are mined? The US Geological Society estimates that 85% of the 2.54 million tons of clay used in this country every year is used to absorb pet waste. As with all mining operations, there is a huge environmental impact. The environmental impact of clay litter production aside from the mining process includes the transportation to the processing facility, as well as the use of petroleum products used in the drying process. After clay litter is used, it is typically disposed of in our daily garbage. Clay litter sent to landfills remains there for eternity. High level ammonia retention in clay litter Sticky, messy clay litter
There is a reason today s natural pet foods promote No Corn, No Wheat, No Oats Systemic or contact dermatitis allergies are primary reasons that pets are taken to the veterinarian. Not all natural litter is created equal! Corn based litters : From Cornell University Department of Animal Science the commodities with the highest risk of aflatoxin contamination are corn, peanuts and cottonseed. Pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination of peanuts and corn is favored by high temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, and high insect activity; while post-harvest production of aflatoxins on corn and peanuts is favored by warm temperatures and high humidity. http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/toxicag ents/aflatoxin/aflatoxin.html Next, a pet owner has the concern if the corn ingredient pet food and/or corn cat litter was subject to warm temperature and high humidity after production of the product. This would include warehousing conditions of the product long after it left the manufacturer. With corn cat litter, this could happen right in your litter box. Covered litter boxes with added warm urine.
NO ammonia! Guardian Angel Pine Cobble NO ammonia! Guardian Angel Pine Pellet
We did it! 100% NATURAL & AFFORDABLE. Clumping cat litter debate.. Our 100% natural cat litter promotes physical and emotional health. Millions of cats are surrendered to shelters, euthanized, or worse, turned outside each year because of elimination behavioral problems.elimination behavioral problems primarily stem from either a physical ailment (kidney, bladder, crystals) or rejection of the litter box for a variety of reasons. High quality food, safe and natural litter, regular veterinary care and human contact are the lifeblood for domestic cats. We have compromised the health of our indoor cats by choosing litters that are convenient for us.hundreds of dollars are spent per year / per household in veterinary visits attributed to litter and litter box issues. Odor control and clumping additives that are not found in the cat s natural environment are at the base of so many physical and emotional ailments. Guardian Angel 100% natural litter is high heat treated for extreme absorbency.in turn, this extreme absorbency contributes to the natural caking of the litter at the wetspot.while this litter will not clump as tightly as litters with clumping agents added, ( see danger of clumping litters) wetspot will congeal and the soaked litter can be easily removed.additionally, this high heat treatment removes phenols, oils and potential allergens found in other wood based litters. As an added bonus, by encapsulating the urine through our UHCBS3 Technology 100% natural processing, you'll reduce or eliminate odor and ammonia. This is revolutionary! No clay, no silica, no additives, no worries. A natural environment is a healthy environment!
Plant Locations: Chester, VA: Pine Pellets, Cobble, Absorb & Clean Troy, VA: Complete line Pine Shavings Clare, MI: Pine Pellets, Cobble, Absorb & Clean Reagan, TN: Pine Pellets Jasper, AL (2): Complete line Pine Shavings & Pine Pellets Jackson, MO: Complete line Pine Shavings Nacogdoches, TX: Pine Pellets and Mini flake pine shavings Raton, NM: Pine Pellets, Cobble, Absorb & Clean Allendale, SC: Mini flake pine shavings Test & Research: Loves Park, IL Test Lab: Chester, VA
BENEFITS OF PARTNERING WITH THE EXPERTS 1. INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING NATURAL LITTER, BEDDING AND ACCESSORIES. 2. EXPERTS IN PELLET OPERATIONS AND PROCESSES FOR ABSORBENT WOOD PRODUCTS. 3. PROCESSING EXPERTS OF PINE FOR MAXIMUM ABSORBENCY AND ODOR CONTROL. 4. MULTIPLE PRODUCTION PLANTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO REDUCE COST OF SHIPPING AND INSURE ON HAND, READY TO SHIP INVENTORY STATUS. 4. PRODUCTION AND PACKAGING LINE SPECIFICATIONS TO PROVIDE PRODUCT CONSISTENCY. 5. SECURE NETWORK OF RAW MATERIAL SUPPLY AND SOURCING. 6. EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH ALL LEVELS OF DISTRIBUTION AND RETAIL. 7. PRIVATE LABEL PROGRAM FOR LARGE RETAILERS IN PLACE. 8. EDI COMPATIBLE. 9. IN HOUSE LOGISTICS DEPARTMENT. 10. STRONG RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND RESOURCES. 11. PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS, ON SITE TESTING AND MONITORING AT ALL PLANTS. 12. NATIONAL MARKETING PROGRAM INCLUDING PRINT PUBLICATIONS, TELEVISION, TRADE SHOW SUPPORT, POP, INTERNET, SOCIAL MEDIA, CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM. 13. ENDORSEMENT OF NOT FOR PROFITS, PROFESSIONALS, ATHLETES AND ORGANIZATIONS. 14. MOST HANDS ON, EXPERIENCED STAFF WITH DECADES OF PERSONAL USE EXPERIENCE.
CLEAN, ATTRACTIVE PACKAGING
Guardian Angel Small Animal Litter and Bedding Frequently Asked Questions Q. I have always used clay litter and my cats have done well on it. What is better about your pine litter? A. Excellent question and our most frequent. Most cats do ok on clay litter for the most part. There are several reasons to consider making a change but the first few include: 1. Clay, while an inexpensive product in most areas, is the worst product from a manufacturing and disposal standpoint. Clay does not decompose in any way and has become a terrible problem for landfills. Additionally, as a mined product, it shares environmental issues with other stripped minerals. 2. While as a litter, your cat may be perfectly happy to use clay, it does not create a healthy environment for your pet. Clay itself can cause allergic reactions, the dust is an irritant, it does not absorb and trap the urine like our pine fiber, and while you don t believe that your cat has any health related issues, clay litter can be the leading cause for poor litter box behavior. Additionally, the muddy result of urine soaked clay creates an unclean, unhealthy tracking issue that you may not even see.
FAQ s continued 3. Finally, there is a terrific downside to clay litters especially those containing sodium bentonite. Our 100% high heat treated pine is clean, naturally absorbs and controls odors, without clumping agents: Cats inhale dust from clay litter, or ingest it while cleaning their feet. Kittens, being curious creatures, sometimes eat litter. The powerful clumping abilities of sodium betonite cause the ingested clay dust and particles which, when combined with natural and ingested liquid form a solid mass. (When liquid is added, bentonite swells to approximately 15 times its original volume Inhaled particles could cause similar problems in the moist climate of the lungs. (The dust in clay is silica dust, which is not particularly friendly to either human or feline lungs.) The "clumping activity" in the intestines could draw fluid out of the body, causing dehydration, and possibly consequential urinary tract problems. The clumping substance coats the digestive tract, "attracting the collection of old fecal material, increasing toxicity, bacteria growth and prohibiting proper assimilation of digested food. This can lead to stress on the immune system, leaving the animal susceptible to viral, bacterial, parasitic and yeast infections." (From an article by Lisa Newman.) The problems can also extend to dogs, who sometimes are inexplicably drawn to "litter box snacks."
FAQ s continued Q. Why pellets? A. The pelleting process uses sterilization temperatures. This high heat treatment reduces / removes oils and allergens. Pellets are the perfect solution to litter box, cage or habitat of sensitive pets. The pellet lasts longer than any other litter or bedding. Its powerful ability to absorb, dry, control odor and remain clean is unmatched by other products. It naturally inhibits growth of bacteria for a safer, healthier environment. You ll use less product, you ll throw less away. This will save you money! Our pine pellet is safe, economical, environmentally responsible and are Veterinarian approved for post surgery care. Q. What is the difference between your cobble and pellets? A. Our Cobble Litter is a combination of soft and granular pine fiber that has been high heat treated just like the pellets. But, some animals prefer the texture of cobble - preferred by animals that like to dig and cover their waste. Cobble is incredibly fast absorbing, easy to sift and long lasting. Both products are produced from our high heat treated pine and offer a choice based on personal or pet preference.
FAQ s continued Q. How do I dispose of your litter? A. Our flowering pine pellet and cobble litter will decompose, compost or biodegrade. You can start a compost bin ( excluding cat solids which can be flushed or bagged for disposal) as our fine pine texture will compost very quickly. Or, when you clean the litter box, cage or habitat you can either burn, or bag the waste we recommend bagging in a paper bag to assist in fast breakdown. However you dispose, your volume of disposal will be less and the fiber will decompose over time. Our pine litters are biodegradable and compostable.
Product Comparison 1. What is the difference between GUARDIAN ANGEL and other pine pellet litters on the market? The GUARDIAN ANGEL pine pellet is a superior cat litter pellet. Our manufacturing process was developed to produce a pellet that is less dense and quicker to absorb. ( see video) This quicker absorption quality reduces the potential for ammonia release to near zero. Odor control is superior to the smaller, tighter pellet. We have enlarged the pellet diameter slightly to eliminate the mini diameter pellet complaint that the pellets get trapped between the pads of larger cats. ( see Veterinarian testimonial) Our GUARDIAN ANGEL pine pellet consists of slightly larger particles so the pellet softens to a texture that is attractive to a cat. This slightly larger particle reduces or eliminates tracking as it will not adhere to the pad or trap between the pads. By reducing attachment to the pads, we eliminate the worry of ingestion by the cat while grooming or the risk of carrying contaminated litter out of the box. Our exclusive UHCBS³ Technology was developed to increase on demand absorption, encapsulate the urine to reduce or eliminate ammonia and odors.
2.Why is GUARDIAN ANGEL better than the clay litter? Guardian developed exclusive manufacturing technology labeled UHCBS³ patent pending. This technology has combined the science of the multiple step manufacturing process with an all natural raw material. No harmful additives. GUARDIAN ANGEL is 100% natural GUARDIAN ANGEL is compostable / biodegradable GUARDIAN ANGEL is low to no dust and naturally attractive to a cat Clay litter contains dangerous dust and silica Clay litter is environmentally harmful in both its manufacture as well as its disposal Clay never degrades or composts so you can t use it as a soil amendment or spread it over plant surfaces. Many communities local, county and state are proposing mandates over clay litter disposal. Clay litter is messy wet spots are sticky and attach to the paw and coat Clay litter adheres to the litter box making complete cleaning more difficult. Guardian s exclusive UHCBS³ Technology was developed to increase on demand absorption and encapsulate the urine to reduce or eliminate ammonia and odors. Additionally, this technology removes phenols and oils creating a benign fiber that is safe for use under most animals. Our exclusive UHCBS³ Technology is responsible for the low dust, non tracking characteristics of both our GUARDIAN ANGEL pellet and cobble litter.
3. Does the GUARDIAN ANGEL pellet or cobble clump? While we don t add a clumping agent to our natural product, our GUARDIAN ANGEL pellet and cobble products are naturally clumping. Our clump or cake stays below the surface of the litter ( see proper litter box use). Clumping clay litter absorbs from the top down. This means the clump remains on the surface of the litter. Ammonia levels are high with clumping clay litter because of this surface absorption. Surface clumps create messy boxes paws and pads can easily be contaminated by wet clay which hardens quickly. Ingestion and tracking are of high probability with clumping clay litter. The GUARDIAN ANGEL pellets and cobble absorb from the bottom up. When the cat urinates into the GUARDIAN ANGEL pine litter, it is targeted and absorbed quickly. The surface will actually expand as the litter under the surface quickly absorbs. This keeps the surface dry and safe. The clumping or caking action of the GUARDIAN ANGEL natural pine pellet and cobble allows for easy removal of the urine soaked litter.
4. Natural litters are too expensive. GUARDIAN ANGEL pine pellet and cobble litter is less expensive than clumping clay litters. Pound for pound, GUARDIAN ANGEL pine litters will absorb 3 to 6 times more than clay litters. The average clay litter weighs 4 times more than GUARDIAN ANGEL pine litters. If 25 lbs of basic clay litter is $3.50 each pound costs.14 cents per lb. 30 lb multi cat clay clumping litter $19.99 =.67 cents per lb. If 25 lbs of GUARDIAN ANGEL litter is $8.99 each pound costs.36 cents. Using the worst case scenario and you use 1 lb of GUARDIAN ANGEL litter to every 3 lbs of clay ( this is very conservative and will likely be 4 or more) then the per pound cost of GUARDIAN ANGEL litter is.12 cents per lb. By reducing consumption and disposal with the GUARDIAN ANGEL litters the consumer can save money over inexpensive / basic clay litter. Compared to clumping clay litter the savings can easily be 50 70% Comparing to plant based litters like corn, wheat and soy the savings are even greater. While the GUARDIAN ANGEL litters will absorb better than most, we ll use an equal use scenario here to compare pricing.
Continued: Additionally, these plant based litters are produced using commodity which has resulted in over priced natural litter options. These same plant based litters utilize products that are typically scorned for use in feeds and present risk of contact dermatitis in sensitive cats. All natural feeds regularly tout the benefit of NO CORN, NO WHEAT, NO SOY. Why we would we use these same products in a litter box, cage or habitat? Here are a few examples: Swheat Scoop: $20.99 / 25 lbs =.84 cents per lb. Naturals Corn: $18.99 / 17 lbs = $1.12 per lb. World s Best Corn: $8.99 / 7 lbs = $1.28 per lb. Feline Pine: $12.49 / 20 lbs =.625 cents per lb. Exquisicat: $14.99 / lbs =.36 cents per lb You will save money using Guardian ANGEL litter. We are on a mission to bring premium quality, 100% natural litters to the consumer at a price that will reduce out of pocket expense.
VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED FOR POST SURGICAL CARE