Friday, November 18, 2011

Choosing the right cat litter

By Sara Gutierrez


In trying to figure out what constitutes the best cat litter, it would seem that the easiest answer comes from your cat. What does he or she like? What will kitty use, and what keeps your house smelling clean?

You would think it would be easier, but when you arrive at your pet store, there are endless brands and many touting their remarkable advantages. The surest way to succeed is to keep trying until you find the winner.

While making your selection, make note that there are several types of cat litter. The main types are clumping, those that do not clump and then further divided by substrate materials such as clay or natural (eco-friendly) choices.

If you want to be more environmentally conscious then you will want to go for biodegradable litter such as the corn, paper and wood based varieties. Be forewarned, your cat may not like this "new" litter so ease into it slowly.

If you really want to make the change permanent then mix the new litter into your old one little by little at first and as you clean the box, replace with more of your new brand.

One of the favorites among cat parents are the clumping brands because they are easier to clean up after and because there are less lingering odors.

As a reminder, the litter box should be filled to no less than two to three inches for the litter to work the best. In addition, to keep dust and litter scatter to a minimum, add a litter mat beneath your box to help you keep the area clean.

Clay litter is cheap and functional but remember that some do not clump. Most often scooping isn't an option with these types - you have to change the whole pan. In the long-haul this may end up costing more particularly for multi-cat households.

It may be best to steer clear of litter with strong perfumes. Remember that your cat's sense of smell is much stronger than yours. This is also a good idea if you have anyone in your family with allergies as it may just aggravate them.

Prior to the use of clay based litter, folks used to put sand in their litter bins. Due to the discovery of the remarkable absorbency properties of clays, it is the most used because it lasts longer and is available cheaply. For an even better cleaning experience add a litter mat and you will most likely be pleased with your setup.

As always, make sure your cat can always reach her litter box easily without having to travel too far. If you have a new kitten, make sure she is aware of where her box is and keep it close by.

You should always have one bin per every cat in the house to keep your household in great shape.




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