How to choose a cat litter

All owners of cats will certainly think about the fact that the pet needs a designated place for the tray. This begs the question, which filler to choose for a cat's toilet? After all, modern manufacturing companies supply many options to the shelves. Sometimes choosing the right composition is quite difficult. We will try to facilitate your task, highlight the popular types of fillers and their properties.

Type No. 1. Wood filler

As the name implies, this type of filler is based on sawdust. Subsequently, they are pressed and form dense granules. Such a filler smells like needles and absorbs odors.

Benefits:

1. ecologically pure;
2. suitable for cats and kittens, regardless of age;
3. perfectly absorbs cat urine;
4. prevents stench at the place of distribution of the tray;
5. It is cheap, unlike other fillers, similar in properties;
6. suitable for flushing in the toilet, because it does not clog the sewer pipes and easily passes through them;
7. it smells nice of needles, which is especially noticeable when the tray is located in a small room (bathroom, toilet).

Disadvantages:

1. it has the ability to absorb a lot of moisture into the cavity of the granules, so when swelling it increases in volume and falls out of the tray;
2. fits snugly to the legs of the animal, which leads to the spread of material throughout the apartment;
3. filler change should be carried out at least once every 3-4 days, which is not very convenient and not economical;
4. when urine is absorbed, it soon crumbles into its cavity, and does not curl up into a lump, like other analogues;
5. when the pet begins to delve into the tray, he spills all the filler out of the box.

Type No. 2. Corn filler

This type of cat litter is very common in European countries, as local people like environmentally friendly materials. In the vastness of our homeland, such a composition is quite rare, but if desired, it can be found on the shelves of large pet stores.

Benefits:

1. holes are clearly visible in the cavity of the granules, due to which the filler absorbs all moisture in a short time;
2. does not allow the smell to go outside even after crushing of the granules, which ensures relative hygiene;
3. light granules are suitable for a kitten's tray;
4. made from a completely natural component;
5. suitable for flushing into the toilet, because it does not get stuck in the sewer pipes, forming a blockage.

Disadvantages:

• the lightness of the granules is contradictory, even a small kitten will easily throw the granules out of the tray;
• sticks to the paws of the animal, which leads to the spread of small particles throughout the living area;
• It costs much more than a wood counterpart.

Type No. 3. Mineral filler

This type of filler is considered the most common. He fell in love with the "cattalkers" for the optimal balance of properties and pricing policy. To have an explicit idea, take a look at the pros and cons of the composition.

Benefits:

1. the product is based on hardened volcanic lava, therefore it is completely natural and safe;
2. It is relatively inexpensive, profitable in terms of pricing policy;
3. the filler should be changed once every 6-7 days, which can significantly save;
4. the cat feels the filler well, because it is similar in structure to ordinary sand;
5. accustoming the animal is comfortable and fast, both for the owner and for the pet itself;
6. absorbs stench and does not allow it to spread throughout the room;
7. absorbs moisture quickly;
8. when wet, crumple, cleaning is done with a spatula, which is convenient for the owner;
9. it does not stick to its paws and, as a result, does not spread around the apartment;
10. Due to the wide variety of options, you can choose a filler taking into account the age of the pet.

Disadvantages:

• when it gets very wet, starts to emit an unpleasant odor;
• requires careful cleaning exactly as described in the timing recommendations;
• when licking, the animal can swallow the granule, which will lead to blockage of the esophagus;
• not suitable for flushing in the toilet, as it can cause clogging of sewer pipes.

Type No. 4. Fill Silica Gel

This kind of filler belongs to the premium segment, respectively, and its price will be rather big. However, the special production technology lives up to its value.

Benefits:

1. some companies add flavorings to the balls, so a pleasant aroma is emitted from the tray;
2. perfectly restrains the smell of cat urine even with a rare change in the filler;
3. change should be carried out once in 3-4 weeks, which is very economical;
4. look beautiful in the tray, this advantage is more suitable for the owner;
5. when urine is absorbed, bacteria do not develop in the cavity of the granules, despite a rare change in the filler;
6. There is a line with antibacterial effect, which is suitable for neutered cats and sterilized cats;
7. when absorbed, the granules harden, so you can easily determine which particles need to be removed from the tray.

Disadvantages:

1. expensive, but the price is justified by the fact that the filler needs to be changed less often than other types;
2. in the process of use it makes a rustling sound, it can scare away small kittens;
3. not recommended for use by kittens, because babies sometimes confuse gel balls with a toy;
4. not suitable for discharge into the toilet, as it contributes to clogging of pipes;
5. if an animal swallows a pellet, it can cause blockage and poisoning.

Type No. 5. Clay filler

The most common type of filler. It is inexpensive, you can buy everywhere.

Benefits:

• when moisture enters, it is collected in a lump, so cleaning is easy;
• change is needed 1 time in 8-10 days;
• ecologically pure.

Disadvantages:

• do not use for kittens;
• if the animal swallows a granule, obstruction of the esophagus is possible;
• when the host puts the compound in the tray, a clot of dust appears.

Filler Tips

1. Pet owners will soon come to the question of what subtleties exist when choosing a filler. The owner buys the composition, based on the price category and quality of raw materials.
2. It is worth considering some criteria when choosing a composition. For example, the filler should consist entirely of natural and safe ingredients. Some compounds can provoke the development of an allergic reaction in the cat and even the owner himself.
3. It is not necessary to purchase raw materials with silica gel components, especially with flavorings. If you want to protect yourself and your pet from such an adverse reaction in advance, give preference to wood fillers. Often such raw materials are labeled as hypoallergenic.
4. After acquiring the first batch, monitor the behavior of the pet. In some cases, the cat may not like the filler for unknown reasons. If you ignore this urge, the cat will simply spoil everywhere except the designated place. Therefore, for the first time, do not acquire large volumes.
5. If the pet suffers from some kind of skin ailment, corn or wood filler should be preferred. Such formulations are the safest for animal health.
6. Otherwise, you should do it if you have several pets. Consider silica gel fillers. So you can save time on cleaning the toilet.Such a composition in most cases is intended for adult pets. Buy a natural product for babies.
7. After purchase, you can mix the fillers. It is recommended to lay wood material on the bottom of the cat's toilet, and add a composition of minerals and clay on top. The result is a double effect. Sawdust completely absorbs the smell, and the mineral filler prevents the composition from spreading around the apartment.

The choice of filler for a kitten

1. The choice of filler for kittens requires special attention. It is worth considering what is best for the pet and you. Do a little analysis, after which you will already have a rough idea of ​​the product.
2. You can imagine yourself as a cat for a second and think about what you would like for better comfort. Surely you need raw materials, which will gently become. The filler wants to be raked without labor and dust.
3. In addition to everything, the composition should not cause allergies and have an incomprehensible smell. Keep in mind that it is necessary to fill up to choose completely natural. If the pet decides to try it, poisoning should not occur.
4. The filler must completely contain odor. The product should not stick to the paws of the animal and spread throughout the house. The composition can be easily disposed of without dust, for example, flushed down the toilet. Do not forget about the low price, calculate the budget.
5. If you conclude from all of the above, you can understand which filler is right for you. The product must be clay, from wood pellets or bran cereals. Such compositions allow you to easily accustom your baby to the toilet. In addition, the filler perfectly inhibits the smell and can be washed off in the toilet.

In order to choose a quality cat litter, you need to compare several factors. The composition must fully comply with the requirements of the animal. Choose a hypoallergenic filler. Lastly, focus on the price. Also, the product should not be toxic.

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