Which litter tray is best for a kitten? How to choose a quality product for your cat? What qualities should a filler have from the owner’s point of view?

Have you got a new family member in your home - a four-legged tailed pet? This means that now you just need to take care of the cleanliness of your home and purchase cat litter. But what good filler Is it suitable for cat litter? That's what we'll talk about.

Main selection criteria

Kitty litter is a must-have item that every cat owner is forced to buy. It is he who will control the absence (or presence) of the unpleasant and very specific aroma of cat urine. Also, the animal’s behavior when visiting the tray, and, in general, the convenience for the owner when the time comes to clean it depends on the quality of the filler.

The main task of such materials is to absorb liquid efficiently and very quickly, ideally completely “locking in” all unpleasant odors. This is very important point, since the waste product of the pussy includes quite a lot of ammonia, which during the decay period emits a very pungent odor. Both natural and synthetic materials have the ability to retain such aromas.

Currently, manufacturers use only a few types of substances that, in addition to a high-quality “aroma lock,” meet certain requirements:

1. Cat litter must be good adsorbents. Otherwise, they will not be able to collect liquid and retain the smell.

2. Environmental friendliness. The material must be completely safe for both humans and pets.

3. Convenience. The filler should not cause inconvenience either to the animal when it performs certain actions, or to its owner when he gets ready to clean up after the pussy.

So, what is a good cat litter? Let's talk about existing lines in more detail.

Cat litter

Manufacturers offer a huge range of products, but in such diversity it is still possible to distinguish several individual categories. The differences between them are quite significant. And first of all, this is the composition.

Wood fillers

Wood cat litter is the most popular option among cat owners. For the price it's quite budget material, but at the same time very effective and does not cause trouble to animals during use.

The classic version of wood filler is granules, which are compressed sawdust very small size. When the granules get wet, they again disintegrate into sawdust, which then clumps and tightly covers the smell. Some wood fillers remain loose after the pussy has visited the tray.

The advantage of wood filler is that it is completely hypoallergenic, which is very important, which is why it is recommended for animals prone to allergies.

Wooden cat litter may vary in granule size. Large granules are perfect for adult animals, while small ones will be more convenient for kittens and smaller animals. But such a gradation is very arbitrary, since after use the granules turn into a homogeneous sawdust mass.

The disadvantages include the fact that in rare cases, pieces of wood, chips or sharp splinters can get into the bags, which can cause injury to the animal. To avoid this, you need to more carefully inspect the contents of the package when pouring it into the tray.

Clumping fillers

Clumping cat litter is the largest class of cat litter produced today. They are based on clays and certain types of minerals that can clump when exposed to liquid. It is this class of materials for filling cat litter boxes that is very popular.

Bentonite clays are used as production substances. When they come into contact with moisture, they instantly clump, tightly locking the liquid. To clean the tray, just remove these lumps.

But this filler has a significant drawback. It may not completely block odor and also produces fine dust and wet clumps that stick to cats' paws.

Another option for raw materials for such fillers is opalcristobalite. During special processing they acquire necessary qualities. This type of cat litter, the price of which is affordable for many consumers, is in no way inferior to bentonite litter.

Silica gel fillers

Silica gel cat litter is far superior in its characteristics to the previously discussed options. Silica gel is a synthetic substance that exhibits excellent absorbent properties.

Gel cat litter is very economical. To ensure cleanliness cat litter box for two weeks, it will be quite enough to pour a thin layer of filler on its bottom. This type of cat litter, which has only positive reviews from pet owners, is much more expensive than others.

Fillers of this class most often include components that enhance their properties and additionally flavor the room. Silica gel ones are the best cat litters that have received worldwide recognition.

Corn fillers

In the West, fillers based on corn cobs are widely used. They are very rare in our pet stores. This is probably the most perfect option for cat litter, since the granules perfectly absorb liquid, do not allow the smell to escape, and they last a very long time for a long time. The only thing that spoils this picture is the low weight of the granules. Therefore, cats can scatter them.

Such excellent qualities of this filler are due to the fact that the finely porous core of the cob acts as the basis of the granules. This is what determines such unique absorption. Since corn litters for cat litter boxes have an environmentally friendly base, it is recommended to use them for small kittens.

Mineral fillers

Zeolite fillers are made from special minerals of volcanic origin. They absorb liquid perfectly and do not allow unpleasant odors to escape. This may be due to the fact that the zeolite granules are dotted with tiny channels, which provide instant adsorption.

What good cat litter to buy is up to you, dear tabby lovers, to decide. Here the characteristics we have given will help you, which can easily be used as recommendations. But in some situations, when purchasing, you need to focus on certain circumstances.

The most environmentally friendly, and therefore not capable of provoking an allergic reaction, are wood fillers. They are the most preferable if the pussy suffers from allergies or has a skin disease.

Gel ones will help you out perfectly if you are the owner of a whole family of furry animals. This option will help not only save your own budget, but also your personal time, making cleaning cat litter boxes a less common procedure. This cat litter (reviews about it, by the way, are extremely positive) are best used for sexually mature individuals. It is best to pour kittens natural materials, for example, the same wood or corn fillers.

Pay attention to how the cat behaves. She can tell you what is a good cat litter. If an animal refuses to use the contents of the tray for its intended purpose, then this is a clear hint that she does not like it. With this method of trial and error you can choose the most best filler, which will perform all its functions.

Cat's Best belongs to German manufacturers. It is distinguished by high quality and complete environmental friendliness, since fir waste is taken as the basis.

Fresh Step is owned by an American company. Fresh Step includes several filler options: clumping and gel.

"Clean Paws" belongs to Russian manufacturers. This brand has several variations of fillers: clumping, wood pellets and bentonite.

Ever Clean is a US manufacturer specializing in clay litters. Clumping products have a unique composition. Additionally, it is enriched with activated carbon, which ensures even more perfect adsorption.

Cats Choice produces several categories of litter. These are bentonite, including flavorings, fillers from paper industry waste and wood pellets. The company is distinguished by excellent quality products at an affordable price.

Cats are by nature cleaner than dogs, which makes keeping them in an apartment much easier than keeping “human friends.” In addition, there is no need to walk cats, unlike dogs, because they easily get used to going to the toilet in a specially designated place.

All cats generally prefer a litter tray. Today, a huge number of manufacturers produce different fillers for cat litter. They are all different, but which one is better?

Previously, owners of furry pets used newspaper scraps or sand from a nearby sandbox. But now there is no need for this, because special fillers for trays have appeared on sale.

A toilet without it has the only advantage - it is price. As for all other points, this option is:

  • does not take into account the animal’s need for burying;
  • requires the owner to constantly clean and wash the tray after the cat goes there. After all, if you don’t regularly clean the cat’s litter box, then especially clean cats may refuse this litter box and go “by.”

What kind of litter will your cat like?

The cat will like the composition, which is comfortable to step on with its paws, and also contains should be convenient to dig around. If it creates dust, the cat will obviously not like it. The toilet should not smell of foreign odors. A good filler should not cause allergies - this manifests itself in the form of cracks on the pads. It must be absolutely safe for your pet.

What kind of litter will a cat owner like?

It should retain the “aroma of cat activities” and should not be carried by the cat’s paws throughout the house, and when the owner fills the tray with it, it should not generate dust. Also important ease of cleaning. Safety for the animal is important not only for the cat itself, but also for its owner. Due to the fact that the filler is consumables, then it is necessary that its consumption be economical.

Almost at all times the owner’s ideas about the ideal toilet, and the cat's are the same. Only the cost does not matter to the purring creature. At that time, a scented composition that the owner will like is unlikely to please the cat.

These were the general nuances regarding cat litter, and now let’s look at Various types filler.

All of them are divided into two types:

  • absorbent;
  • clumping.

Absorbent filler

This toilet does not change its structure when moisture is absorbed. It will need to be completely replaced with a new one when all the granules are saturated with liquid, otherwise the tray will begin to “smell” with an unpleasant aroma.

Since the cat, at the moment of burying “its tracks,” mixes the soaked litter with new one. Therefore, it will not be possible to keep the tray clean by adding a new portion of filler - it will have to be changed completely. This type of toilet is suitable for one or two cats. And if you intend to use big amount animals, you will need to change it every two to three days. Of course, this option is not particularly economical. In addition, when cleaning the tray, you will have to inhale all the aromas that the filler previously held.

Clumping filler

With this type of toilet, when liquid enters, small lumps, which are quite easily removed from the tray. When using this option, you can remove “bad” lumps and solid waste every day and add new litter. For economical and productive use, it must be poured into a tray in a layer, not less than 8-10 cm. Ideally, you should purchase at least 2 packs of filler. The first should be poured immediately, and the second should be used to update the tray. By the way, this option is ideal for a large number of cats:

According to the material from which the fillers are created, they are:

  • clay;
  • woody;
  • silica gel;
  • from grain and corn;
  • from cellulose.

Cats really like the clay version, as it is most similar to her innate ideas about what a cat's litter box should look like. The quality of this filler depends on the clay.

The best material from which cat litter is made is bentonite. This is a type of clay that swells when liquid comes into contact with it. Clay cat litter can be either absorbent or clumping.

Sawdust is used to create wood filler coniferous species trees. These sawdust is pressed into pellets.

Since it contains no chemical additives, it is considered environmentally friendly. Wood filler granules absorb moisture well and retain bad smell. But it happens that as these granules absorb the liquid, they begin to crumble into sawdust, stick to the cat’s paws, and spread throughout the house. But wood, unlike other types of cat litter, can be flushed down the drain. In addition, the composition made from pine sawdust is cheaper compared to the same bentonite toilet.

Most often, wood options are absorbent. Although there are manufacturers who create clumping fillers .

It is made from dried gel polysilicic acid. Silica gel has excellent absorbing (sorbing) properties. Therefore, they began to use it to produce cat litter. In order for this composition not to lose its qualities, it must be stored tightly closed. This is necessary so that it does not absorb moisture contained in the air.

Such cat litters are made exclusively absorbent. As for its cost, it is more expensive than other types, but manufacturers claim that it is more economical. But the more economical one is the one that comes in the form of old and opaque balls. But those that have a translucent appearance become saturated with liquid much faster and have to be replaced.

Cats don't always like this litter box:

  • stepping on it is not very pleasant;
  • the granules hiss when liquid hits it.

Despite the fact that the silica gel composition for cats is created from natural raw materials, it can still cause a chemical burn. This may happen because acids are used in the production of silica gel. If the granules get on the mucous membrane, this can lead to the following consequences. Cats can taste it, especially small kittens. Therefore, a silica gel toilet is not the best option. In addition, silica gel belongs to substances of hazard class 3 (moderately hazardous substances).

Fillers made from grain, corn or cellulose

These cat litters are not as popular as others and their advantage lies in their low price and they can be disposed of through the sewer system.

To summarize and conclude which litter is best suited for a cat's litter box, we can say that best characteristics has clumping clay toilet.

A litter box for a cat is not a necessary item, but it is extremely convenient, so if your budget allows, we recommend using it. After reading the article, you will be able to determine the best cat litter that is suitable for your pet.

CONTENT

Tray with filler: photo

Which litter tray is best?

The best cat litter is the one that best suits your cat and you. There is no universal recipes, as in the matter of choosing a tray for a cat, but there are general recommendations.

If several cats in your house go to one tray, then silica gel litter will be indispensable, which lasts a long time and does not allow odors to pass through.

If you or your cat is allergic to dust and chemicals, the safest option is wood or corn litter.

In the end, the answer to the question of which litter is best for a cat's litter box can be given by the pet himself: if you see that he keeps missing the litter box, it means that he may be hinting to you that you need to change the type of litter.

Paper filler

The Soviet method of filling a tray is to simply cut up some paper and throw it in. This cat tray is a little more interesting than an empty one, since the paper partially absorbs water, and feces can be buried. But newspaperPeople use filler less and less because it is unhygienic, because the paper gets wet and then it is difficult to remove it from the tray.

In addition, newspapers are usually allowed on the tray, and this is harmful to the cat due to the printing ink. That is, if you are already using paper, it should be clean. And in this case, no savings are achieved - and any meaning disappears in the paper tray.

Clay filler

The most popular litter for trays is clay clumping litter (bentonite). It is made from clay or minerals opalcristobalite. The result is a mixture that, after contact with liquids, clumps and becomes solid. Hardened pieces of filler can be easily removed from the tray using a scoop. If you have poured a sufficient layer of filler (from 3 cm), it will not allow moisture to pass to the bottom, so you will need to wash the tray less often.

There are clumping fillers different sizes: one has more grains, the other has less. The caliber is written on the packaging. If the litter consists of very large pieces, it may leak urine to the bottom and clump poorly. Therefore, it is better to choose a smaller caliber. Although it still depends on the manufacturer: you need to try several brands and settle on the most suitable one.

Tails love this type of litter the most: it looks like earth, so cats happily dig holes and bury all their stuff.

But this type of filler also has some disadvantages: if the cat likes to dig too much, then the skin on the paw pads may become a little rougher.

In addition, sometimes kittens play with this filler and eat it. If you see that this problem has become serious, then it is better, at least temporarily, to change the type of filler to a more environmentally friendly one, because Eating clumping can result in intestinal obstruction.

Another caveat is that clay litter, when scattered and dug, raises a cloud of dust, to which the cat may be allergic. Monitor your pet: if he shows signs of illness, such as watery eyes, try changing the litter and see if the symptoms go away.

Tray with wood filling

Wood filler cannot be classified as the most hygienic, convenient and loved by cats, but it is the most environmentally friendly clean look. It consists of wood blocks - compressed sawdust pellets. The logs smell pleasant, do not raise dust when poured, and do not cause allergies.

But the filler also has disadvantages: when moisture gets on them, logs of wood do not clump together, but, on the contrary, disintegrate into sawdust, so cleaning a toilet with wood filler is quite inconvenient. We recommend using wood filler only with a tray with a mesh (grid), so that all the logs that have broken down into sawdust seep through the grate into the tray, from where you remove them.

Also, wood fillers occasionally contain random sharp pieces of wood, and this is undoubtedly another disadvantage.

The advantage of wood filler is its low price and widespread availability. According to these parameters, it competes with clay.

Silica gel tray filler

Silica gel filler is a relative newcomer to the market. It is an artificially created white crystals of silica gel formed from silicic acids. These crystals absorb moisture perfectly, they don’t even need to clump. This is how they differ from absorbent filler. Silica gel retains the smell very well. IN Everyday life We deal with this substance when we buy, for example, shoes: the package usually contains a bag of balls. This is silica gel.

This filler is available in pet stores and online stores, but it is not always available in supermarkets.The packaging costs several times more than a bag of clumping litter, but it is more economical: 5 kg is enough for 1 month for one cat.

The disadvantages of the filler are the high price, the less love of cats for litter boxes with silica gel: it hisses a little when it gets wet, which is scary, and besides, silica gel does not look like earth. There is also a danger if it enters the gastrointestinal tract. The fact is that if silica gel gets into the stomach and intestines in large quantities, it absorbs all the moisture, resulting in blockage. That's why this type litter is strictly not recommended for kittens who like to play in the litter box. There are numerous cases where animals died.

Zeolite filler

Zeolite is a volcanic substance and an excellent adsorbent, having a porous structure into which liquid and odor are locked and from which moisture evaporation and, consequently, aromas do not spread. But such fillers are difficult to find in our latitudes.

The best litter for a kitten is wood, due to its environmental friendliness. But, on the other hand, cats like this kind of toilet less, and it doesn’t really hold the smell. Therefore, owners often abandon it in favor of clay, which is an excellent alternative, albeit less environmentally friendly.

But silica gel litter is generally not suitable for kittens, because, although they do not like to go to it when they need to, they may love to eat it: let us remind you that if ingested, such a litter will absorb all the moisture it encounters and can lead to blockage gastrointestinal tract. This can also happen when eating clay litter, but only if the cat eats a large amount of it, and this is unlikely.

Litter for litter box training

People often search online for “kitten litter for litter training.” A separate type There is no litter specifically for litter box training, but clay litter can be considered as such. Why? This is what kittens like most: they happily jump into such a litter box, rummage around there, and going to the litter box becomes a kind of ritual and attraction - they rummaged around, did their business and carefully buried it. Kittens, as a rule, love this process very much, because it helps realize important instincts: in nature, cats bury their little things.

But a tray without filler will, on the contrary, be of no interest to the kitten, so the animal can ignore it for a long time. If you have the financial opportunity, still accustom your pet to the litter - this will solve many problems.

How often should I change the litter in the tray?

How often to change the litter in the litter box will directly depend on the type of litter, as well as how many cats you have, what gender they are and what is currently happening to them.

For example, cats pee very often during estrus - and the litter box needs to be removed as urine accumulates.

If there is more than one cat in the house, and there is a shared litter box, then no matter how good the litter it contains (except for silica gel), it will have to be changed every day. Not the whole thing, of course, but only the contaminated part.

In the usual case, when your cat lives in splendid isolation and reigns supreme over the tray, most often you need to sort out the wood filler, because... it doesn't hold the smell. It is advisable to do this once a day. Clumping clay filler can be sorted out once every 2-3 days. You just need to sift the clumped part with a scoop and add a little new sand, that is, you don’t need to change everything. The silica gel filler lasts longer than others, which is changed approximately once every 7 days if there is only one cat, but the whole thing needs to be changed. That is, do not sort through the waste, but simply pour out the old and add in the new.

It seems that there is nothing simpler than cat litter, but with the development of the pet industry, many types of this product have appeared, which are radically different in composition and properties, but all serve the same purpose. And understanding all this diversity, at first glance, is not so easy. Today we will look at the main types of litter for cats, find out their pros and cons, and also try to find out which cat sorbent is better, and what causes this.

All commercially available hygienic granules for cats can be divided into three large groups:

  • wood (made from wood waste by pressing);
  • mineral (obtained from natural clays and materials);
  • silicate (or, as they are also called, silica gel).

All of them are designed for the same thing: to absorb the liquid waste of the animal, preventing the smell from escaping. However, the effectiveness and operating principle of each type of sorbent differ.

Wood pellets

This type of product is made by pressing sawdust, and the output is neat, high-density granules. When moisture gets on them, they instantly absorb it, swelling and crumbling into a homogeneous mass. This great option litter for kittens - even if the baby chews a few pieces out of curiosity, he will not receive any harm.

However, such granules also have disadvantages - the smell of cat urine is too strong for wood shavings to contain. It is best to remove swollen lumps immediately so as not to get the characteristic “amber” throughout the house.

Positive points:

  • environmentally friendly, safe for pets;
  • absorbs quickly a large number of moisture;
  • the cheapest from the assortment of any store;
  • can be flushed down the toilet (in small portions);
  • economical (due to the increase in volume, a fairly thin layer at the very bottom of the tray).
  • does not retain the smell of ammonia (the main “flavor” of urine);
  • lightweight, and therefore capable of flying outside the tray of particularly “diligent” cats when burying.

There is one more nuance - many manufacturers, trying to improve their products, add flavorings to sawdust to make it smell more pleasant. However, not all cats agree with this state of affairs: some particularly sensitive natures may completely refuse such a “fragrant” tray and choose another place in the house, which is not good.

When trying to figure out which wood filler is best for a cat, you can easily get confused: there are a lot of manufacturers of this type of granules. Many consumers believe that there is no point in overpaying for an imported pack - and they are partly right: the composition of imported wood granulates will be identical to the composition of any Russian manufacturer. Among the most popular domestic brands of pressed wood chips are:

  • TM “Kuzya” has been produced by the Arkada company for 18 long years. According to the manufacturer, the technology has been improved all this time. Judging by the reviews, it’s a really high-quality product. Price – from 120 rubles per 4.5 kg.
  • "Barsik" is a product of Intel, known on the market since 1991. For such a long time, the company has managed to earn the trust of many thousands of consumers, and is a leader among domestic manufacturers of wood pellets for cat litter boxes. The cost of granules is from 140 rubles per pack of 4.5 kg.
  • “Clean Paws” is a product of a Ukrainian plant located in Dnieper. It has been produced since 2008, and has occupied a leading position in the zoosorbents market for a long time. Price – from 170 rub. for 4.5 kg.

You can now see the current price of cat litter and buy it right here:

Mineral fillers

All mineral sands can be roughly divided into bentonite (palygorskite, made from clay) and zeolite. These sands are much more practical than wood pellets, and retain the odors of feces well. However, there are a number of disadvantages - they are not recommended to be flushed down the toilet, and they are not the best litter for kittens. If the granules are swallowed, the baby can get a blockage of the esophagus and more serious injuries.

Clay-based minerals clump very quickly, forming a dense, sticky structure. Thanks to this, the animal’s paws remain clean, and the smell is securely retained inside the lump.

Zeolite granules have a very porous structure, due to which they are able to absorb much more liquid than they weigh.

Many animals like this type of sand for the cat potty - it reminds them wildlife, and they start digging into it as best they can. Therefore, when choosing such a hygienic filler, it is necessary to choose a tray with a high side, or even a closed one. Such sands cost more sawdust, however, the smell is retained better.

Opinions regarding disposal vary: some experts (and even the manufacturers themselves) claim that clay sands can be flushed down the toilet, while their opponents are afraid of inevitable sewer blockages. The truth is approximately in the middle: small lumps can be flushed down the toilet, but you cannot pour out a full tray of clay - this is almost guaranteed to lead to a clogged pipe.

The best mineral adsorbents for cat litter, according to reviews from Russian customers, are:

  • Catsan – white mineral granules, sold at any pet store. The manufacturer, Mars, guarantees that the granules will reliably retain the odor and will not stain your pet’s fur. Requires complete replacement times 5-7 days (in addition to removing lumps and solid waste). The cost of such pleasure is from 400 rubles for 5 liters. pack.
  • "Siberian Cat" is one of the leaders in the filler market in Russia. Produces many types of both wood pellets and mineral cat sands. The raw material is high-quality bentonite clay mined in Khakassia. Price 5 kg. packs start from 210 rubles.
  • Fresh Step is a product of Clorox, which is headquartered in the USA. Many breeders from all over the world have already determined for themselves which cat litter is best, because Fresh Step is very popular in many countries, and has long been recognized as one of the leaders in this market. Cost – from 750 rubles for 6.35 kg.
  • Pi-Pi-Bent is a Russian product made from bentonite clay. It is produced by Liding LLC, and judging by the reviews, this sand is one of the most popular domestic products in this area. The cost of a pack is from 270 rubles per 5 kg. The flavored series is a little more expensive (from 290 rubles).

The most practical, but also the most expensive hygienic sorbent. It is made from dried solutions of silicic acids. The result is crystals with huge area surfaces – up to 800 square meters in 1 gram (!) of product. Due to this porosity, this material is capable of absorbing liquid 30 times larger in volume than the sorbent itself. This is guaranteed to hold back unpleasant odors for a long time, which means there is no need to change the granules frequently. You just need to remove solid waste, and this portion of crystals will last for 14-25 days (depending on the size of the pet).

The disadvantages of this type of granules include the high price, as well as the fact that the crystals make quite a lot of noise when an animal walks on them. This can scare away timid cats and also disturb owners at night. In addition, silica gels are not recommended for use in the toilet of kittens - they can become poisoned by swallowing the crystals out of curiosity. Disposal by flushing into the toilet is prohibited - it is guaranteed to lead to clogging sewer pipes, and cleaning out such a plug is very problematic.

The most popular manufacturers in our country are:

  • Fresh Step made in USA. Its price starts from 714 rubles per pack of 1.81 kg. Despite the high price, this filler is in constant demand among Russian consumers.
  • “Our Brand” are popular and inexpensive crystals manufactured in China by order of the company ZAO Gatchina KKZ. This product costs from 430 rubles per 1.66 kg, which makes it worthy competitor more expensive brands.
  • TM "Kotyara" is a domestic silica gel, very popular among Russian breeders. The cost of this product is from 470 rubles per 1.5 kg package. In addition to silica gel crystals, the composition contains so-called “magic balls” designed to remove unpleasant odors.
  • “Siberian Cat” is a brand already familiar to us. The cost of such crystals starts at 390 rubles per 1.85 kg.

Cat litter - how to choose and use it so that there is no characteristic unpleasant odor in the house.


When a new pet appears in the house, you should take care of purchasing a suitable tray and backfill. A capricious animal may refuse to use sand or finely cut newspaper. Commercially available special fillers are easy to use and effectively eliminate unpleasant odors. You can familiarize yourself with the main types of product and ratings of the most popular cat litters to make the right decision.

Types of cat litters

You can find it on sale the following types cat litters:
  • Mineral. They are the most popular in their niche. Clay is used to make them; they are of the clumping type. The advantages are reasonable price and ease of use. Disadvantages include the inability to retain the smell, ease of spread throughout the apartment on the animal’s paws, and the impossibility of disposal into the sewer.
  • Clay. It can be both clumping and absorbent. It is made in the form of granules, so it will not be difficult for the owner to choose the right product for both adult animals and children. The advantages of such backfill include low price and natural composition. The disadvantage is the increased formation of dust from the product; animals easily carry it around the apartment on their paws
  • Silica gel. It is an opaque granule and is an expensive type of filling for trays. It has many advantages: it needs to be changed a couple of times a month, it absorbs odors and moisture well, bacteria do not multiply in it, and animals do not carry it around the house. Disadvantages include the high price and loud crunching sound when the animal starts rummaging in the toilet. It is not used for kittens, since if swallowed, the animal’s life is in danger
  • Woody. Made from pressed sawdust. Refers to clumping products. The main advantages include: reasonable price, natural composition, safety. Animals quickly get used to this filler; it can be used for kittens and washed down the drain. The only drawback is increased dust formation and spillage of the product on small pieces as used
  • Corn. Rarely found on sale, the price can be high. It is made from corn cobs and is a clumping type. TO positive aspects the product refers to its naturalness and good consumer properties. The only drawback is the difficulty of purchasing
It is impossible to say definitively which of the products presented above is better or worse. Much depends on individual characteristics animal and owner preferences.

How to choose the right cat litter? What to pay attention to



When choosing litter for a cat litter box, you can be guided by the following rules:
  • The owner needs to calculate his financial capabilities. When an animal gets used to a certain type of such product, it will not be easy to switch it to a cheaper analogue
  • If there are many cats living in the house, it is better to give preference to an absorbent composition, since the clumping compound will be constantly wet, and the animals will be able to spread it everywhere on their paws and fur.
  • The age of the animal should be taken into account. For kittens, formulations with small granules and natural composition are preferred. For adults, coarse-grained fillers of mineral or silica gel type are suitable.
  • You should not purchase products with fragrances. Firstly, the flavor itself can cause allergic reaction at the cat's. Secondly, the animal may simply not like the smell and refuse to use the litter box.
  • For cats with allergies, it is better to use natural compounds to avoid exacerbations of the disease.
  • The cost-effectiveness of the product must also be taken into account. For example, clumping types retain their functions longer; they are gradually poured into the tray as they are used. Absorbent compositions must be thrown away completely and replaced with a fresh portion weekly.
  • The pet should like the filler. If the cat is reluctant to use the litter box and throws the product out of the toilet, you should think about replacing the composition.
Important! You should not immediately buy a large pack of filling, since it is not known whether the product will suit the animal or not.

How to use cat litter? detailed instructions



Below is step-by-step instruction How to use cat litter:
  • First, you should choose a cat litter box in which the animal can fit freely, can row without hesitation and bury the litter.
  • The toilet is filled to a maximum of 10 cm with the selected filler
  • If you use clumping types, then it is necessary to remove the lumps formed from cat excrement after each trip to the potty. In the case of absorbent types, the contents of the toilet should be completely changed every 5 to 10 days
Properly selected backfill can greatly simplify animal care and eliminate unpleasant odors in the room.

How often should you change cat litter?

How often to change your cat litter will depend on the number of pets in the house, as well as the type of product used. For example, absorbent fillings are changed approximately once a week, when they become visibly damp in appearance and the animal refuses to use the tray or expresses obvious displeasure: hitting the side with its paw, meowing loudly. In the case of clumping species, owners can add the missing amount of product after each removal of excrement.
However, just cleaning the litter is not enough; you should also periodically wash the cat litter itself. To do this, the pot is cleaned of residues and washed with water. For cleaning, you can use disinfectant cleaning agents by applying them to small quantity on the bottom and walls of the toilet. Then you should thoroughly wash away traces of litter and excrement using a rag or sponge. After this, the tray is washed several times under running water, wipe dry and fill with a fresh portion of the product.

Is it possible to flush cat litter down the toilet?



Typically, manufacturers of wood and corn formulations allow small portions to be flushed down the drain. In the case of mineral, clay and silica gel fillers, this is prohibited.
The best method for disposing of such waste is to dispose of it separately. plastic bag in the trash. Thanks to this, it will be possible to avoid clogging of sewer pipes, and the smell of used filler will not be felt in the house.
Information on whether cat litter can be flushed down the toilet should be found on the packaging.

Rating of the best cat litters



Below is a rating of the best cat litters according to consumers:
  • Fresh Step Extreme Carbon Plus. It is of the absorbent type, retains unpleasant odors well, and does not spread throughout the house. Contains Activated carbon, due to which the development of pathogenic bacteria in the tray is suppressed. It should be changed once a week
  • Kuzya Woody. Backfill made from sawdust. Consumers note good quality product, its profitability. Many are attracted by its naturalness and ease of use.
  • Crystals No. 1. Silica gel litter for cat litter boxes has antibacterial effect. It retains odors well, does not generate dust and does not spread throughout the apartment. Economical, a pack of 12 liters is enough for a medium-sized animal for almost 3 months

Filler for small kittens – which one is better?

If a kitten appears in the house, then the question may naturally arise: what cat litter is best for kittens? To begin with, you can use the product that the breeder uses, as it will smell like mom and will help the kitten get used to the new litter box faster. For babies, it is better to choose formulations with small granules and avoid using silica gel types, as their creaking and rustling noise can frighten the kitten. A good optionwood composition, since it is natural and will not cause negative reactions in a small pet.

Making cat litter: video

Below is a video about making cat litter:

There is nothing complicated in choosing the optimal backfill for a cat litter box. It is important to consider not only your own preferences, but also your pet’s willingness to use a particular type of product.



Did you like the article? Share with your friends!