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:
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.
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:
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:
You can now see the current price of cat litter and buy it right here:
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 - it is not recommended to flush them down the toilet, and besides, this is not best filler 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 are more expensive than sawdust, but they retain the smell 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 buyers, these are:
The most practical, but also the most expensive hygienic sorbent. Made from dried solutions silicic acids. The result is crystals with a huge surface area - 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 deter unpleasant odors for a long time, which means there is no need to change 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. It is prohibited to dispose of it by flushing it down the toilet - it is guaranteed to lead to clogged sewer pipes, and cleaning such a plug is very problematic.
The most popular manufacturers in our country are:
More than half of humanity loves gentle, cute, playful, graceful, independent cats, and those who have the opportunity are sure to keep them at home. Cats (if they are not spoiled) are quite unpretentious, very clean and know how to give their owner a lot of unforgettable moments. Very good quality The advantage of these animals is that they do not need to be walked outside. They go to the toilet at home.
It’s great if the owner taught his pet to use the toilet. If not, the question arises of purchasing his own personal toilet for the fluffy. The simplest solution is a plastic tray. This seemingly ordinary household item exists in several variations. The first is a tray with a grid. It is also called “dry paws” because a cat’s paws always remain dry. During the process, the animal’s urine passes through the grate directly into the tray. This type of toilet is very economical, as it does not require constant purchase of filler. But it also has disadvantages. One of the most significant is that the contents of the tray must be removed periodically, otherwise the smell will spread throughout the apartment. And a cat may refuse to go to the dirty potty.
If the option with a lattice is not suitable, you need to buy a pot and filler. Cats have a genetic characteristic of digging a hole for their toilet, and after the process they must bury it. It will do the same with the filler, so the pot is preferably deep and with a side around the edge. You will also need a scoop to replace the filler. It is better to take it with medium cells, since everything necessary falls into the large ones, and everything unnecessary gets stuck in the small ones, thereby preventing sifting.
What litter to buy for cat litter?
There is no point in choosing the cheapest one, because, as a rule, you will have to change it much more often than an expensive one. As a result, there is a lot of hassle, but zero savings. But even the most expensive one does not guarantee an easy life. The manufacturer can increase the price for a well-promoted brand that the cat cares little about. If she doesn’t like this litter, even if it’s gold, the pet will choose a corner in the house and relieve herself there.
So how to choose cat litter? Experienced cat owners advise trying several and settling on the one that the cat likes and suits its owner.
There are synthetic and natural fillers by type. Synthetic ones include silicone and silica gel. They have a lot of advantages. The main thing is that they last a long time. In a house with only one cat, a 3-kilogram bag of silicone litter is enough for a month. In addition, these fillers absorb the odors of the cat's needs, do not have dust and do not create dirt, that is, they do not stick to the paws. Some sellers of cat products claim that the best litter for cat litter is synthetic. However, this product has two big drawbacks. The first is the high price. The second is a danger to the health of both the cat and all family members. There is very little chance that litter, especially for a cat, is made from environmentally friendly materials. Then its price would be such that it would only suit royal cats. Most famous brands synthetic fillers "Kotiks", "Fresh Step", "Etiquette", "Trixie", "Siliket".
Natural granular fillers are more affordable. They are made from clay and sawdust. Clay cat litter is available with different fractions of granules. Large granules are less likely to clump, but are better suited for long-haired cat breeds. Small ones clump well, but they create a lot of dust. In general, when a cat digs a hole in such litter, debris scatters meters around. Another disadvantage of this product is its stickiness to the animal’s paws. It's small and spreads throughout the entire apartment. But he has more advantages. This litter is not very expensive; it costs approximately 10 kg per month per cat. It absorbs urine well and neutralizes odors. The most well-known brands of clay fillers are the domestic “Bars and Murka”, and the foreign “Prestige” and “Vitacraft Compact”.
For cat litter, if it is not scented, it does not neutralize odors well. Another inconvenience is the quick soaking of the tyras, which will have to be changed several times a day.
Wet tyrsa clings to the paws and easily spreads around the house, which is also not very convenient. But this filler is environmentally friendly and quite cheap. The most popular brands are “Lesok” (has a pleasant smell of pine needles), “Clean Paws” and “Superket”.
Feedback from cat lovers can help you choose cat litter. These people are on personal experience made sure which product is better. Many of them advise taking a combined filler consisting of pressed sawdust and silicone granules. This mixture lasts longer than pure sawdust, and the smell is also absorbed well. And the price is not bad. However, you can’t completely rely on the opinions of others, because everyone’s cat is different.
The first filler appeared only in 1947, and later a short time has become an indispensable assistant for almost every cat owner. The variety of materials, methods of use, economically attractive prices and the general availability of litter undoubtedly make it easier to keep pets.
First of all, when choosing a litter, you should take into account the cat’s preferences. Carefully observing your pet's behavior will help you understand whether she likes the new toilet. If you ignore this point, the owner may find himself in an unpleasant situation: the cat, being stubborn, will refuse to use the tray, considering the mat or flower pot more attractive.
The safety of raw materials also influences the choice. An unintelligent kitten can eat delicious-smelling granules. Dust flying while digging gets into the lungs. Scented and/or silica gel litter can cause allergies in both the cat and the owner. Priority should be given to products whose packaging says: “environmentally friendly” pure product", "no additives", "not chemically processed", "safe if swallowed".
Another important point– price. There are a huge number of fillers at bargain prices. However, as a rule, cheap products do not differ in quality: the filler has to be changed after each visit to the toilet, which increases material consumption. High-quality expensive fillers do not require daily replacement.
Based on their properties, fillers are divided into absorbent and clumping. The first include adsorbent granules, which absorb moisture without changing shape. The advantage of this filler is that it only needs to be changed once a week if you pour enough granules into the tray (about 5-8 cm, indicated on the package). Clumping filler requires constant, but partial replacement: granules, having absorbed moisture, form a dense lump that is easy to remove with a scoop. Low-quality clumping fillers do not “keep their shape” well, becoming limp and smeared throughout the container.
Fillers are made from various materials, each of which has its own pros and cons. Some fillers can be mixed, as indicated on the package. The size of the granules depends on the cat's preferences, but in most cases does not play a special role. However, for long-haired cats, large granules are more suitable, as they cling less to the fur.
A new product in the pet industry is biological filler made from wool, grain husks, corn cobs or paper. Safe, environmentally friendly product, can be thrown into the sewer, inexpensive. Cons: lightweight, scatters around the apartment, sometimes stains paws and sticks to long fur.
Wood filler is a little more expensive, but no less harmless. The granules consist of pressed wood shavings, absorb moisture well, do not spread throughout the house, do not stick to paws or fur, and smell pleasantly “forest”. Cons: in large quantities should not be thrown into the sewer; it does not hold the smell of mature animals well. It is excellent for kittens and neutered animals, as their urine does not have a strong odor.
Mineral fillers are made from different varieties clay, sometimes with the addition of other natural materials. They are both absorbent and clumping. Today this is the most popular type of filler. Relatively inexpensive natural material, perfectly retains moisture and odors. Most cats like it. High-quality clay fillers do not create dust and do not stick to paws or fur. Cons: cannot be thrown into the sewer; sometimes the cat leaves white marks on the floor after visiting the litter box.
Silica gel filler consists of granules that have very high absorbency. Moisture is removed from the silicate gel (silicon acid salt) and crushed to form granules. In some cases it is used chemical treatment to increase adsorption. Pros: aesthetic appearance(light crystals suggest cleanliness and freshness), the granules perfectly hold their shape and do not stain the tray, retain moisture well (almost 100% of their weight) and lock out odors, and do not require frequent replacement. Minuses: high price, may be harmful to health if swallowed. In addition, some cats do not like silicate litter because it creates a peculiar crunch when using the tray.
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.
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Tray with filler: photo
The best cat litter is the one that best suits your cat and you. There are no universal recipes here, as well 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 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.
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.
The most popular litter for trays is clay clumping litter (bentonite). It is made from clay or opalcristobalite minerals. 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.
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 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 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 of the gastrointestinal tract. tract. This can also happen when eating clay litter, but only if the cat eats a large amount of it, and this is unlikely.
People often search online for “kitten litter for litter training.” There is no separate type specifically for litter tray training, but clay 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 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, but there is a common litter box, then what good filler no matter what 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.
Anastasia Korableva
Instinct forces the cat to cover its tracks and not leave waste products in sight. Having buried waste, the animal feels calmer and more confident. Don't deprive your pet of the pleasure of tinkering with the litter by giving him only an empty tray!
How not to miss the mark and choose the right one? Remember that there is nothing for a cat better than earth or sand. Do not start your selection with exotic options: the animal may decide that the tray is not intended for toileting at all.
Important! The best contents will not force your cat to use a small litter box designed for kittens. The cat litter box should be large.
The ideal filler, according to the pet:
The ideal filler, according to the owner:
There are two types of filler, differing in their principle of action. The components either absorb secretions and odors, or form dense structures in the form of lumps with urine, which are easily separated from the main mass.
Convenient for cats as it quickly absorbs large amounts of liquid. Manufacturers use natural raw materials that are safe for animal health: special varieties of clay, corn, sawdust, pulp
Most manufacturers do not add flavorings, but the composition may include soda, activated carbon or silver ions - these components significantly improve the characteristics of the absorbent filler.
It is inexpensive, but requires more frequent replacement compared to clumping ones, and regular disinfection of the tray itself. There is a plus in this - when frequent washing the risk of pathogenic microorganisms multiplying in the contents of the cat litter is much lower.
Important! Opt for an absorbent one if your pet has access to the outdoors (you walk it on a harness or take it to the dacha). Absorbent litter is the best option when there are several cats living in the house.
This type of brand is more popular, since the clumping filler is convenient for owners. For its production, bentonite is often used, a clay mineral with excellent absorption properties. Wood, paper and some other materials are also used as raw materials.
Why do cat owners love clumping litter? Except obvious advantages- economical and easy to clean; some brands have special additives that change color depending on the composition of urine. So, if the animal is sick, and there are no external symptoms yet, the unusual color of these additives will allow the owner to seek help from a veterinarian in time.
A number of manufacturers include substances that change color when exposed to urine. The purpose of such additives is to clearly define the boundaries of the lump. Therefore, the pet owner can save money by not throwing away clean litter. Many brands contain a variety of fragrances - components that are useless for cats, but pleasant for owners.
All fillers are divided into several types based on the composition of the raw materials. There is no ideal content for cat litter: choose a brand that is suitable for your pet.
Made from different types clayey rocks. The quality and properties of the filler depend on what minerals are included in the clay used by a particular manufacturer. Absorbent and clumping grades are available.
Bentonite ‒ best material for the manufacture of filler.
Popular brands: Pi-Pi-Bent, Clean Paws, Fresh Step.
Carefully! Never throw clay litter into the toilet: this will damage the sewer system.
Pros:
Minuses:
Made from fine sawdust different breeds wood compressed into pellets. There are brands that are 100% sawdust, and sometimes they are one of the filler components. Small sawdust will not harm sewer pipes‒ the contents of the tray can be flushed down the toilet.
Popular brands: PrettyCat, Homecat, Happy Paws.
Pros:
Minuses:
This type is made from silica (silicon dioxide), a natural substance that is the main component of almost all rocks, processed by special technology. The finished product has almost zero humidity, and due to the high porosity of the internal structure of the granules it is able to absorb a large volume of liquid.
High price is not big drawback: It is very economical.
Popular brands: Smart Cat, Cat Step, N1 Crystals.
Carefully! Silica gel should not be thrown down the toilet.
Pros:
Minuses:
Corn cobs have recently been used to make cat litter. Such products are convenient for owners and animals like them. It can be flushed down the toilet or used as fertilizer.
Popular brands: Nature’s Miracle, Golden Cat.
Pros:
Minuses:
Produced by recycling and pressing paper waste. A good option for filling a tray, but is slightly inferior in characteristics to clay or silica gel. Used cat litter contents should be thrown into the toilet in small portions.
Popular brands: A’Mur, NeoSuna.
Pros:
Minuses:
This is a mixture of clay and activated carbon. It has excellent characteristics and is comfortable for cats. Coal particles effectively absorb unpleasant odors.
Popular brands: Molly Goddle, Fresh Step.
Pros:
Minuses:
The practical Japanese even managed to make the contents of cat litter absolutely harmless, economical, convenient for the animal and easy to dispose of.
Manufacturers use familiar materials as raw materials: clay, sawdust, soy and corn fibers. But with the help of special technologies, goods are produced High Quality, which has no serious drawbacks.
Many brands contain additives that destroy bacteria and indicators that change the color of the filler. Silica gel products are produced that can be washed with water after use and put back into the tray after drying.
Pros:
Minuses:
Carefully! The cat may have allergic reaction on any filler component. In the process of replacing one brand with another, monitor the condition of your pet.
