Currently too many options of cat litter in the market, picking a right cat litter for my furry friend become very tricky. How to choose right cat litter? Which one is more suitable for our puppy?
A right cat litter is the one our cat likes and will use. Why it is very important? Here listed several reasons.
- Related to our cat health-Cheap litters often have a lot of dust that can irritate cats’ respiratory systems.
- Odor control-Good clumping litter traps odor inside clumps so ammonia doesn’t spread. This keeps our home smelling fresh.
- Easy cleaning-Litters that clump hard make scooping waste quick and easy. Less mess sticks to the box too.
- Reduced tracking-Dense, heavier litters don’t stick to cats’ paws as much, cutting down on litter tracked through the home.
- Environment-Quality litters often have lower dust, better for our cat to breathe.
- Cat acceptance-Our cat would be more likely to consistently use the litter box if the litter appeals to their preferences.
- Saving cost-Although the price is high at the beginning, good litter can actually save money by lasting longer and controlling odor better from time to time.
- More convenient-Easy litter box maintenance from effective clumping and tracking reduction, saves our time and hassle.
So how to choose a right cat litter? Believe many like me at the beginning would have follow questions. Clumping or non-clumping? Scented or unscented? Natural or clay? Lightweight or heavyweight? Organic or standard? Below I will share some my experience, also some suggestions to you, how to choose cat litter mostly suites our cat.
Vet Advice for Cat Litter
First up, chat with your vet to see if they recommend any specific types or brands. They know our cat’s health situations best. If our cat has respiratory problems, like sensitive paws, or allergies, we may need a special type of litter, like we need to avoid scented litters, the natural dust and fragrances can be irritating, something like this we need to consider, so better to speak with our vet beforehand.
More Texture Cat Litter
Think about texture – it’s particularly important, noted against ASPCA, cats is very picky, sensitive to what the litter feels like on the paw! Need to avoid anything too dusty or with sharp bits that’ll hurt their paw pads. Finer grains or lightweight clay are usually comfy for kitties to dig in.
Absorbency
Absorbency matters too. Clumping litter is best for us to soak up all the pee and trap the smell. Silica beads or crystals work well if your cat’s box gets swampy.
Low Scent
Watch out for heavy perfumes or deodorizers. Cats have sensitive noses, so go light on scent. Fragrance-free is often best.
Natural Litters
Natural litters like wheat, pine, or corn cob are earth-friendly options. But keep an eye out for any allergies or asthma issues.
Easy Cleaning
And don’t forget ease of cleaning! Lighter litters are less back-breaking to scoop. Auto-cleaning boxes help cut the chore of changing it out.
If you are under change into a new cat litter, here list some tips want you to attention.
– Transition slowly – Mix a small amount of the new litter in with the old litter at first, gradually increasing the ratio over 2-3 weeks. This allows your cat time to adjust.
– Understand your cat’s preferences – Note factors your cat liked or disliked about previous litters regarding texture, scent, tracking, etc. Choose a new litter tailored to their preferences.
– Consider any health issues – Respiratory problems, sensitive paws, or allergies may require specialized litters. Get vet advice if needed.
– Read reviews – Check reviews of the new litter for insight into quality, dust levels, odor control, clumping, ease of cleaning, and cat acceptance. Look for common feedback.
– Compare costs – Calculate the per pound or per use cost between old and new litter. Higher costs don’t always equal better performance.
– Check package date – For the best results, make sure any clumping litter you purchase is fresh, not sitting in storage for months already.
– Buy small first – Get a small package to test out the litter before committing to a large, costlier container.
– Have patience – It may take your cat some trial and error before they accept a new litter. Don’t give up after just a few days.
The 11 Best Cat Litters of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, if you are really don’t know which one you can choose, reference for you, we can choose according to our budget. Like Dr. Elsey‘s Clumping Litter is a premium product that does an excellent job minimizing smells and making scooping easier, but has a higher price point than regular clay cat litter brands. Most standard sized bags (18-40 lbs) of Dr. Elsey’s clumping litter tend to cost between $0.50 – $1.00 per pound. This is more expensive than typical clay litters which may cost $0.20 – $0.40 per pound. But it would be a good option for multi-cat homes where odor control is top priority.
Wish my experience could help you on choosing the right cat litter, if you have any good idea, feel free to leave a comment.
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