How To Choose The Ideal Cat Litter

How To Choose The Ideal Cat Litter

 

The decision of cat litter is mostly affected by its vital properties. For example, dampness retention capacity, scent avoidance, sans dust and usability. It is great to attempt various choices and pick the best cat litter that suits both your kitty and your own requirements.

If this is your first time owning a kitty, you are probably amazed by the different types of cat litter and may be struggling to decide which one is best for your kitty. Many people like you are still looking for the different ones available to stop using dusty mud litters. If this sounds like you and you need help understanding the different types of cat litter, you've come to the right place.

We've created an overview of the relative multitude of the common types that you can find, and we'll address your additional concerns to help you choose the best type of cat litter.

Clay Cat Litter

Clay is by far the most popular type of litter, and you can find it wherever you buy cat supplies. There are hundreds of brands for everyone and you can get them scented or unscented, clumpy not. Clay is natural and easily available, so it makes excellent litter. The downside is that it is extremely dusty and some marks a film on everything that is in the room.

We recommend using a brand that specifies its dust level with your kitty, especially if it is a covered litter box where dust can remain. Some kitties may develop respiratory problems if they inhale concentrated clay dust. We also prefer clumping litter because it is easier to clean and retains odors better than non-clumping litter.

Silica Gel Litter

Silica gel is another modern litter is probably the strangest one on this list. Silica gel is a highly absorbent material can quickly absorb and retain any moisture it comes in contact with, it absorbs therefore well moisture and odors although it is non-clumping litter. The disadvantage of silica gel is that it is necessary frequently to distribute the urine so that it is better absorbed, and it is quite expensive.

Grass Litter

You make grass litter from grass seed and, like clay litter, you buy it in the form of clumping litter or not. It is biodegradable and renewable, so it will not harm the environment. You can even flush some brands down the toilet. Besides being difficult to find in some areas, there is no disadvantage to using grass in the litter box.

Diatomaceous Earth Cat Litters

Diatomaceous earth litters are another extremely absorbent non-clumping litter. It works quickly to absorb urine and, by stirring occasionally, it also absorbs moisture from stools, which can help reduce odor. The disadvantage of this type of litter is that it is costly and the larger size of the stones can be hard on the paws of some cats.

Walnut Cat Litter

Walnut litter is an excellent alternative that contains very little dust. As you might have guessed, walnut litter is made from crushed walnut shells. It is very absorbent and renewable, therefore good for environment. Walnut litter is gentle on your cat's paws and does not hang around your house.

The disadvantage of the walnut is that it does not clump, which means you have to stir it frequently to ensure that the walnut shells can absorb completely and if the urine remains too long at the bottom, it starts to smell bad. Walnut litter also tends to be dark in color, which makes it difficult to find the goodies our cat leaves and retrieve them.

Corn Litter

Corn is inexpensive and renewable, it is an excellent alternative to clay. It is relatively light and forms tight clumps for removal. We found that the tight clumping helped us with less litter, so this pays for itself over time.

Tofu Cat Litter

LZ Biodegradable Tofu Cat Litter

Tofu cat litter is one of the newer clay litter alternatives you can buy. It is a clumping litter, so it is easy to clean and the clumping helps reduce odors. It's a little more expensive than most options, and it can be hard to find, but uses renewable materials and it's a good alternative to clay if you need to 'a dust free clumping litter.

Paper Litter

Paper litter is highly absorbent and non-clumping. Just like silica gel, you have to stir it to distribute the urine evenly and frequently. We love paper trash for traveling, but found that it wasn't enough to combat odors in our home for regular use. If multiple cats use the same box, the paper can become a soggy mess.

Pine Cat Litter

Pine litter is unique because it gives off fresh pine scent which can help mask odors and keep your home smelling fresh. Pine litter is similar to grass and can be found in both clumping and non-clumping varieties to suit your needs. The only downside is that some people might not enjoy the smell of Christmas all year round.

Choosing The Best Cat Litter

Finding the cat litter best suited to and for your cat depends on many factors, such as the preferences of the cat and its owner, the and functionality of the cat litter or the price of the product.

The choice of litter for cats is often by its very important properties such as humidity capacity, odor prevention, absence of dust and ease of use. It is good to try different options and choose the type of cat litter that best suits your cat and your own needs.

7 Tips On Setting Up Your Kitty Cat Litter

  1. A messy and smelly cat litter box certainly does not excite the cat. By testing, you can find the most suitable litter and toiletries for your kitty.
  2. The cat must have a safe place and an easy litter box, so pay attention to the litter box in your home. A place that is too agitated can be a source of stress for the cat - and it can therefore do its work elsewhere than in the cage.
  3. Each cat must have at least one box that is clean, i.e. in households with several cats, there must be several boxes. Cat litter boxes should be placed in different locations.
  4. You need to put enough cat litter in the box, the instructions are usually on the packaging. Cat litter may melt and stick to the litter box, or odors may not transfer properly to the litter box if there is too much cat litter in the litter box. It is also natural for cats to calve and in order to cover their excrement, this is why cat litter must also be reserved for this need.
  5. The litter box requires daily cleaning, i.e. removal of solid waste, regular cleaning of the bin and all rubbish. Disinfection of the litter box is necessary when changing litter, especially if the cat has recently had an infection.
  6. When you test a new cat litter , you proceed to the tests little by little. Switching to a brand new cat litter can help the cat avoid the box altogether.
  7. For example, when a kitten comes to a new home, use firstly the old familiar litter box to which it is accustomed. You need to get used to the new litter by mixing it with the old cat litter first.

Finally, you should also always trust your own kitty. Sometimes the cat simply refuses to use a certain type of cat litter. For example, the cat may shy away of the smell of litter or the feeling of too coarse grain under its paws. In this case, it is preferable to switch the cat litter, accepted by your kitty, in order to keep it in the toilet!

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