Cat Litter - A Look At The Different Options Available
May 8, 2008 – 9:34 amHouse training seems to be a major reason many people hesitate to get a family pet. Cats however rarely need much training. Just buy a litter box, add some cat litter, and oftentimes that’s all that is needed.
Most kittens already know how to use a box. Their mother has taught them. Your jobs are few. Keep the box clean, and let your cat know where it is, lest he find someplace else to do his business. The only problem is figuring out what type of litter is best to use for both your new pet and for your home.
If this is your first cat you’ll be a bit shocked when you see all the different types of litter now available. So how do you decide what’s best for you and your pet?
Cost will always come into play, and clay litter is probably the cheapest you can buy. It’s also been around a very long time. But clay does present some problems. It absorbs liquids and odors, which is good, but it will need to be changed more often than most litters. Surely you don’t want your home to have that foul cat waste odor. Clay can also cause problems if your kitten has allergies. When your cat scratches in his box, the dust will fly everywhere.
The most popular litter right now is probably clumping cat litter. That’s because the litter combines with the moisture in the waste to form, as the name suggests, clumps. These clumps are easy to scoop away, meaning there is no need to change out the entire box. Once you scoop the waste, just replace the missing litter with some new litter. And the scents this litter is available in will do a decent job of hiding the smell, although it won’t get rid of the odor all together. The biggest problem with clumping litter is that some cats will actually eat the clumps. Watch your pet carefully.
Silica litters are some of the newest on the market. Silica has been used for years in the small packets you see in pill bottles or in your new pair of shoes. It’s used because it is a great moisture absorber, and silica crystals in your cat litter work much the same way. They are mixed with sand and water to easily absorb any liquids in your cat’s waste. You still have to scoop out the solid waste, and because it does not clump, it can be a bit messy. Another plus is that this litter is biodegradable, and simply returns to a sandy base when it decomposes.
Paper litter is also becoming more popular, especially among those concerned with the environment. It is made from recycled paper or pellets. It’s very absorbent, weighs very little, and of course, is also biodegradable.
Wood litters, in particular pine cat litter, are also biodegradable and quickly growing in popularity. Softwoods are great at absorbing liquids and odors. No chemicals are needed to help with the process meaning you get a more natural litter.
But once you decide on the type of litter you want, it’s always wise to consult with your cat. They will surely let you know if they disagree with your choice by simply not using the litter box. Some cats for example don’t like silica because the crystals hurt their paws. Others avoid pine because they just don’t like the smell. Even though your cat can’t speak, he will definitely let you know if he doesn’t like what you have selected.
The key is to become as informed as possible about all the different options. Then you can make an intelligent selection. Of course you’ll still have to run it by your cat to see if he approves.
Tags: Cat
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