The litter that you choose for your cat is an important decision. You want to find the best option for your pet, but you also need to think about how it will affect your home. There are a number of different types available, many more than most people realize. Check out these options to decide which is right for your home and your feline friend.
Crystal Litter
One of the newer options on the market is crystal litter. Crystals are made from silica gel, which is a naturally occurring substance that absorbs moisture. This makes them great for odor control, as they absorb any smells left behind by your cat’s urine or feces. One of the downsides is that the crystals can get stuck in your cat’s paws and get left around the house. However, they are easy to clean up and a small carpet under the litter box can alleviate this problem. This litter is generally suitable for kittens and older cats alike, although some older cats may take more time to transition.
Clumping
Most people think of litter that clumps together when they think about cat litter options. The best clumping litter is made from bentonite clay—a natural mineral that forms a sticky mass when wet. When your cat urinates, the urine instantly triggers this reaction, and the clay becomes hard and traps urine and fecal matter inside. This means you can scoop out the poop and pee mess, and be left with clean litter in the box. These come as scented or unscented. And while the fragrance can be a nice touch, it can also be harsh on a cat’s lungs. Look for unscented options if you don’t want to take the risk.
When selecting a clumping formula, look for one that has been certified by an independent testing organization. These companies will test out different products to see how well they work at trapping odor and preventing leaking through the bottom of their boxes.
Non-Clumping
If your cat doesn’t like to cover his poop or is one to dig and bury it, this type of litter may be a good option for you. It’s also a good choice if you have cats that are prone to throwing up or urinating outside of the box. They also tend to be more affordable, and they are lighter. Because these litters don’t form clumps, they can be easier on the environment than clay litter and other types of clumping litter. They often dry out the moisture in fecal matter, but sometimes require you to dump the entire litter box when you need to clean it instead of just being able to scoop the poop.
Natural
Natural cat litter is made from materials such as pine, corn, or wheat. It is biodegradable and usually compostable. Some natural cat litters are affordable if you can find them in bulk. Otherwise, many of these are more expensive and are not very good at clumping.
Pine Bedding Pellets
Many farm supply stores sell large bags of pine bedding pellets for farm animals. They are used in horse stalls, for rabbits and guinea pigs, and other animals. In recent years, many cat owners have discovered that these pellets work well as a litter option. Fine pine shavings are compressed into tiny pellets. When they get wet, they expand. The fine shavings absorb moisture and help to reduce smell and are effective to use as cat litter. They do not clump, which can be off-putting to cat owners, and also require dumping the whole litter box to clean up. But for an affordable cat litter solution, they are a great option and one that is worth mentioning.
Conclusion
There are a lot of options when it comes to cat litter and each type has its own benefits. It’s important for pet owners to do their research before choosing one for their cat, so they can ensure they’re getting the right product. The most popular types are clumping clay and non-clumping clay but there are many other options available such as crystal litter, pine bedding pellets, and even recycled paper. Many of these might work better depending on your specific needs.
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