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How to Manage Litter Box Odors
Cat Litters Classification
Types of Cat Litter
What Type of Litter Is Best?
Litter field obligation is the least favourite each day job of each cat father or mother, and it’s vital to search out the precise sort of litter. But what’s the greatest litter for cats? Well, it comes right down to your cat’s wants. Cats are specific, and for those who get a litter they don’t like due to its scent or texture, you run the chance of them not utilizing their litter field and doing their enterprise elsewhere in your house.
Before shopping for cat litter, think about whether or not your cat is delicate to scents. Also, think about your cat’s age as a result of some varieties, resembling clumping clay litter, aren’t really helpful for kittens. If your cat has respiratory points, it’s best to search for manufacturers which might be low in mud, resembling paper or tofu litter. We know choosing just one choice might be overwhelming, so we are going to talk about the completely different litter varieties and show you how to select one of the best one for you and your cat.
What To Do About Litter Box Odors?
As all cat house owners can attest, litter packing containers can have a really pungent scent. Apart from having the precise cat litter, recurrently cleansing the litter field and having it in a well-ventilated space, utilizing a litter additive or deodorizer can considerably assist fight litter field odors. An enzyme cleaner works wonders for pet messes and odors making it a terrific addition to your kitty cleansing routine.
Combating powerful cat litter smells is an ongoing battle for pet dad and mom however fortunately, there are merchandise on the market designed to assist! Two merchandise that considerably scale back odors are the Hepper Litter Additive and the Hepper Enzyme Spray.
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For Cleaning | Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray | Works on a number of surfaces Gentle but efficient Lifts stains & set-in odors | CHECK PRICE |
| Best Litter Additive | Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer | Neutralizes odor inside cat litter Cat-safe Unscented | CHECK PRICE |
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for a few years and determined to take a controlling possession curiosity in order that we may benefit from the excellent designs of this cool cat firm!
How Are Cat Litters Classified?
Some forms of cat litter use supplies resembling clay, pine, silica crystals, wheat, walnut, paper, corn, tofu, and grass. Of all the categories, cat litter might be labeled into two principal courses: clumping and non-clumping.
Clumping cat litter types clumps when moisture from urine or poop makes contact with it. People get pleasure from this sort as a result of it’s simpler to scrub and requires much less work as a result of the clumps might be scooped out with out pouring out and changing all of the litter. Unfortunately, it’s not perfect for kittens, as they’re extra prone to ingest a bigger quantity by means of grooming and play, which may very well be problematic for his or her tiny digestive tracts.
Non-clumping litter is protected for all cats, however as a result of it doesn’t clump, it doesn’t management the odor as properly, and requires common cleansing. You’ll want to exchange all of the litter and wash the underside of the litter field as a result of the urine seeps to the bottom. However, non-clumping litter is extra inexpensive.
Image Credit: lermont51, Shutterstock
Top 9 Types of Cat Litter
1. Clay Litter
Image Credit: Imageman, Shutterstock
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Both |
| Biodegradable: | No |
| Cost: | Low |
As the commonest sort used, you’ve probably seen or used clay litter earlier than sooner or later in your life. It is utilized in many properties as a result of it’s extensively obtainable, low-cost, and provides selection. You can select between scented and unscented clay litter and clumping and non-clumping varieties.
The draw back is that it may be dusty and might get in your cat’s paws after they enter their litter field. When they get out, they could monitor the mud throughout your private home. It additionally isn’t probably the most environmentally pleasant litter choice, and is sort of heavy.
If you choose a clay cat litter, search for a clumping low-dust sort. However, in case you have a kitten, go for the non-clumping choice as a result of it’s harmful for them to ingest clumping litter, and kittens are more likely to nibble their litter out of curiosity than grownup cats.
2. Pine Pellet Cat Litter
Image Credit: frantic00, Shutterstock
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Yes |
| Cost: | Low |
If you’re in search of an eco-friendly and non-toxic choice, pine pellet litter is an efficient one. Although it’s in pellet kind, it’s extremely absorbent and prevents urine from working straight right down to the bottom of the litter field.
Although it’s a pure and unscented choice, it has a woodsy scent that may be overbearing for some cats, particularly in the event that they’re delicate to scents. However, some cats is likely to be drawn to the woodsy scent; it simply is determined by the cat.
Pine pellet cat litter isn’t a terrific choice for cats with nail accidents or delicate paws as a result of the pellets aren’t as comfy to stroll on as different varieties.
3. Silica Crystal Litter
Image Credit by: Axel Bueckert, Shutterstock
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Most are non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | No |
| Cost: | High |
Silica litter is protected for cats, however is the least environmentally pleasant choice as a result of it’s mined from quartz sand, and it isn’t biodegradable. However, the sort of cat litter is nice at controlling odor. It doesn’t clump, but it surely absorbs liquid and dehydrates solids, permitting you to scoop out the poop with out a lot mess. Because of that, it’s nice at controlling odors. You’ll additionally have to stir the litter day-after-day.
Silica litter is marketed to soak up moisture for as much as a month, so it doesn’t must be modified usually. Although it’s dearer than different choices, it can outlast a bag of the identical dimension of clay litter. It can also be a low-dust choice for cats (or house owners) with respiratory points. Last however not least, silica litter is inorganic, so that you don’t have to fret about it turning into moldy.
4. Wheat Cat Litter
Image Credit by: Andriy Blokhin, Shutterstock
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Yes |
| Cost: | Low |
For a softer different, wheat cat litter is pure and flushable*. This litter is freed from dyes, chemical substances, and fragrances and is biodegradable. Although it has a tender texture, it isn’t significantly dusty. However, it does monitor to some extent. It incorporates enzymes that fight odor-causing micro organism and does properly at neutralizing odors. Wheat cat litter clumps, so you possibly can scoop waste out with ease.
Like most different pure litters, it’s vulnerable to mould and might entice bugs, which isn’t perfect. Although it’s perfume-free, it has a pure scent, which can repel your cat or entice them to nibble at it. Keep a watch in your cat when introducing this litter to them for the primary time, and discourage them from ingesting it.
5. Walnut Cat Litter
Image Credit by: Strigana, Shutterstock
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Both |
| Biodegradable: | Yes |
| Cost: | Low |
Walnut cat litter is accessible in clumping and non-clumping varieties. It has a granular look as a result of it’s constituted of the shell of the walnut, which has been crushed down. It has an analogous feel and look to clay litter, and for those who’re transitioning your cat from clay litter to one thing biodegradable, it’s a good choice to strive.
Because of the fabric the litter is constituted of, it’s light-weight, making it simpler to hold and clear out. Your cat might also like how simple it’s to maneuver about to cowl their waste.
It does a good job at odor management and is low in mud. However, it could actually monitor and make a multitude in your house and change into moldy if not modified recurrently sufficient. It has a darkish look, which might make recognizing your cat’s waste a bit tricker. However, some house owners might recognize this function as a result of it disguises their waste.
6. Corn Cat Litter
Image Credit by: Nynke van Holten, Shutterstock
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Yes |
| Cost: | High |
Corn litter is one other well-liked choice that’s environmentally pleasant and tender in your cat’s paws. It clumps properly, isn’t as dusty as clay litter, and controls the odor out of your cat’s waste. If your cat isn’t delicate to scents and you want fragranced litter, it could work greatest for you and your cat as a result of there are scented and unscented varieties to select from.
If you’ve been having hassle getting your cat to make use of their litter field, corn litter incorporates attractants, which emit a scent that’s interesting to cats and will draw them to their litter field.
Unfortunately, corn litter isn’t proof against mould progress, and though most manufacturers declare their litter is protected from aflatoxins, the litter does include this danger. Thankfully, aflatoxins are solely lethal if ingested, and since most cats don’t eat their litter, they need to be protected even when it does develop.
7. Paper Litter
Image Credit by: Douglas Cliff, Shutterstock
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Yes |
| Cost: | Low |
Paper litter is constituted of recycled paper and is mostly offered in pellet kind. It is likely one of the greatest choices available on the market for cats with respiratory points or these recovering from surgical procedures as a result of it has one of many lowest mud contents of all of the litter varieties. It can also be a step in the precise route in direction of sustainable residing. being environmentally pleasant and biodegradable.
Paper litter can also be an inexpensive choice, but it surely has disadvantages. Paper litter is non-clumping and, due to this fact, must be modified usually. As the pellets change into saturated with urine and waste, the litter can change into mushy and arduous to scrub out the litter field. It additionally doesn’t management odors in addition to different litter varieties, however there are manufacturers with deodorizers.
8. Tofu Litter
Image Credit by: Anciens-Huang, Shutterstock
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Yes |
| Cost: | High |
For one thing a bit completely different, as a result of it’s nonetheless comparatively new to the market, you possibly can strive tofu litter. It is constituted of soybean fiber, so it’s one other pure choice. One of the thrilling options of this litter is that it’s biodegradable and protected to flush down your rest room*.
It can also be a really low mud choice, which is crucial for cats and members of the family with respiratory points. It is available in massive pellets, and it’s not a litter that your cat will monitor round your private home simply, aside from a number of pellets right here and there that will have been kicked out of the litter field.
Because tofu litter is clumping, it’s simple to scrub, and also you’ll simply have to scoop out the clumps every day and flush them down the bathroom. It’s additionally a long-lasting choice. However, as a result of it’s natural, it’s vulnerable to mould for those who don’t retailer it in accordance with its care directions.
9. Grass Cat Litter
Image Credit: yarm_sasha, Shutterstock
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Yes |
| Cost: | High |
The texture and look of grass litter might shock you; relatively than filling your cat’s litter field with grass clippings, it resembles corn litter. It’s made up of dried grass seeds that clump instantly after they come into contact with urine and waste, which traps micro organism and odors.
The texture can also be tender on paws, which is likely to be extra inviting to your cat than pellet litter varieties. Grass litter doesn’t include fragrances or perfumes that may irritate delicate cats and is a low-dust choice.
It makes use of a renewable materials and is biodegradable. However, grass litter is likely one of the newer varieties available on the market, so it isn’t as extensively obtainable and is offered at a better value than many different choices.
*Check that your pipes/drainage system can address flushing this materials. May be unsuitable for arrow pipes or septic tanks and so on.
What Type of Litter Is Best?
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As you’ve seen above, several types of cat litter attraction to completely different cats and their house owners, so one of the best litter comes right down to your cat’s likes and desires, and what your priorities are. If your cat likes tender litter, wheat, corn, and grass litter are a few of the greatest choices. If your cat has a respiratory difficulty, search for low-dust choices resembling wheat and paper litter.
You can select between clumping, non-clumping, or low-tracking litter. However, it is important to maintain their litter field clear since a unclean litter field is unhygienic and will trigger your cat to keep away from utilizing it altogether.
We advocate selecting a litter low in mud and free from sturdy perfumes, chemical preservatives, and sodium bentonite, as they will irritate your cat and trigger sinus and gastrointestinal points.
Conclusion
Remember, all cats are completely different, and what appeals to at least one cat might not attraction to a different. There are varied litter varieties available on the market, together with clay, pine, silica crystals, wheat, walnut, corn, paper, tofu, and grass. They’re additionally labeled as clumping or non-clumping litter. You may choose scented or unscented litter, low mud, biodegradable, low-tracking, and good odor management choices.
See Also:
- How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Cat
- How to Switch to Eco-friendly Cat Litter: 6 Steps to Make the Change
Sources
- https://www.prettylitter.com/blog/clumping-vs-non-clumping-litter
- https://www.tuftandpaw.com/blogs/cat-guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-different-types-of-cat-litter
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
The put up What Type of Litter Is Best for Cats? 9 Vet Approved Choices by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over whole articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You will not be conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought of public area. However, we recognize that you simply just like the article and would like it for those who continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
