What’s The Best Cat Litter For Your Cat? – Part 3
In Part 1 we covered the history of cat litter and some general points to consider when choosing a litter type and in Part 2 we discussed the pros and cons of clay cat litter. Part 3 examines other popular litter types on the market.
Silica Gel
Those little sugar packets you find in your electronics or camera boxes that have the “Do Not Eat” warning on them contain silica gel which helps to keep moisture from ruining the product.
Now a new type of litter made from silica gel is on the market and seems to work well. Not only is the gel highly absorbent it is also non-toxic and helps prevent bacterial growth. This means that as long as you remove any solid waste you can use the same litter for up to 4 weeks so even though it costs a little more it can be cheaper in the long run to use than a conventional litter. It is also flushable and does not track dust around the house.
Compressed Sawdust
Sawdust is pressed into pellets that absorb liquid as they disintegrate. Usually made from an aromatic tree like cedar or pine the litter will naturally control odors due to the chemicals in the wood. Because this type of litter gives off a pine or cedar odor it could be an irritant to you or your cat’s nasal passages.
Plant Litters
A variety of plants have been used to make cat litters:
Ground corn cobs work very well in absorbing moisture and controlling odors and can be flushed.
Corn based litters also work very well overall but you need to change the litter every few days to avoid mold growth. It is also flushable and dustless and many cats prefer it over other litter types.
Wheat husks are used to create a flushable semi-clumping litter that seems to work well.
Recycled Newspapers
Old newspapers are ground up and pelletized to make a litter that is flushable and biodegradable.
No matter what type of litter you choose for your cat pay close attention to see if they like it. Be prepared to try several types until you find one that your cat accepts and that you can afford and manage.
Try and use at least two inches of litter to start and keep the box clean according to directions on the package. You might need to increase or decrease the litter level a little as each cat has different litter depth preferences.
If picking a cat litter sounds like a lot of work it’s because it is. Having a cat is a big responsibility and if you are going to have one as a pet the least you can do is treat it like you would any other member of your family and take the time to make sure they are happy with their litter box.
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If you are having cat urine problems visit us at Cat Urine Removers where you will find great info about litter boxes and cleaning cat urine.
What’s The Best Cat Litter For Your Cat? – Part 3
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