9 Cat Litter Tips and Advice | The Family Handyman
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an chapter commission if you lot buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock equally of time of publication.
Cat litter is essential to your true cat'south health. Hither'southward everything you should know about cat litter, co-ordinate to experts.
True cat litter does more than simply fill up in your cat's litter box. It can play a large role in maintaining your true cat's concrete and behavioral wellness.
Cat litter helps you keep rail how often your cat urinates, which tin can alert you to potentially dangerous issues like urinary tract infections. Having clean true cat litter on paw can also prevent your true cat from picking up leaner from their litter box, or urinating elsewhere to avoid a dirty box.
Simply choosing and using cat litter isn't as straightforward every bit it seems. We spoke with experts for the top cat litter tips and advice.
What Is True cat Litter?
Cat litter is absorbent filler for the box where your cat does its business. Information technology's fabricated of various materials, sometimes formulated with special ingredients to aid absorb aroma from cat urine and feces.
What Type of True cat Litter Should I Buy?
That depends on your cat's preference. The following are the four near common types. Dr. Sara Ochoa of Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital in Texas recommends a low-dust diversity. "The dusty litter tin can crusade your cat to have upper respiratory issues," she says.
-
Clay cat litter: The nigh popular kind, this comes in 2 forms: clumping and non-clumping. Clumping clay litter forms lumps when your cat urinates, making it easy to scoop out and dispose of. Not-clumping dirt litter, on the other paw, tends to reduce odour improve thanks to its absorbing properties. Clay litter is often the nigh affordable.
-
Silica gel true cat litter: This is made of tiny chaplet of sodium silicate sand, a porous material that allows it to absorb liquid. This kind a great for those sensitive to clay litter dust, although it tends to be more expensive.
-
Wheat cat litter: Similar to clay litter, wheat litter comes in clumping and non-clumping forms. The difference is that wheat litter is made from footing wheat, so it'south flushable. biodegradable and easy to dispose of. Await to pay more for this type of litter.
-
Recycled paper cat litter: Those looking for a greener and more sustainable litter pick may consider recycled newspaper litter, created from recycled newspapers. Recycled newspaper litter comes in granule or pellet grade. Granule litter may be easier on your true cat's paws, while pellet litter tends to bring up less dust. Though good for the environment, recycled paper cat litter can be pricy.
Where Are the Best Places To Purchase True cat Litter?
At that place are many places to buy it online and in-person. Here'south where to find it:
-
Big box stores: Top-name pet stores similar PetSmart and Petco ever carry different cat litter varieties. Yous tin can also find true cat litter at retail giants like Target, Walmart, Kroger, CVS, and Meijer. In-shop true cat litter shopping offers the convenience of fast pickup, without the aforementioned deals as online shopping.
- Small pet stores: Smaller pet stores or brick-and-mortar shops aimed towards pets may deport cat litter. The benefits of shopping here include supporting local businesses, merely you may not always become the discounts larger retailers can offer.
-
Online retailers: Amazon and Chewy chop-chop and hands deliver true cat litter to your door, often on an automated schedule. Yous tin also find more diverseness online and/or coupons to help yous save. Notwithstanding, due to its weight, cat litter may be damaged in shipping, so it's always all-time to open delivery boxes outside to prevent whatever indoor spills or mess.
-
Veterinary offices: Depending on your veterinary, their office may sell true cat litter. While this can exist convenient, peculiarly after an engagement, variety will likely be express and the true cat litter may be more expensive than in-store or online.
How Many Boxes Should I Typically Buy?
Purchase i litter box per cat, plus 1 actress. If you ain 2 cats, consider ownership 3 litter boxes. Keep ane or two packages of cat litter on manus depending on your available storage and so you're always set for a litter change-out.
Where Should I Put a Litter Box?
This depends on the size of your domicile and the convenience of you and your pet. "You lot want to find a place that is quiet and out of the mode and then your cat has some privacy," says Dr. Chyrle Bonk of Clearwater Valley Veterinary Dispensary in Idaho. "But y'all as well want an area that is easily accessible so your kitty doesn't take to work difficult to get there."
Options include a bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, basement or mudroom. There are as well types of litter boxes that double every bit modern furniture, Ochoa says, allowing you lot can consider your living room as well.
How Much Litter Goes Into the Box?
Many cat litter manufacturers recommend ii to three inches. If your cat tends to dig deeper or make a mess, consider three to iv inches instead.
How Do You Keep a Litter Box Clean?
"One of the best ways to keep cat litter boxes clean is to scoop at least one time a twenty-four hour period," Bonk says. "Just keep it on a regular schedule, as yous would if feeding them." Information technology's smart to place a mat around a litter box to option up excess litter or dust kicked up by your cat upon entering or exiting.
How Often Should I Change a Litter Box?
Change a litter box from in one case a week to once every few weeks. This helps keep your cat healthy and prevents potential behavioral issues, similar inappropriate urinating. "Cats are more than likely to use a litter box that is clean and easy to get to," Bonk explains. "If a kitty has to work to get to their litter box or it's constantly dingy, they are going to terminate using it."
How Practise I Dispose of Cat Litter?
Scoop it direct into the trash or a special litter waste matter-collecting bin. The latter may be more convenient for temporarily storing cat litter waste until the bin is full, rather than putting it into a main trash can with each scoop.
If your true cat litter is biodegradable, you can flush information technology. Otherwise, flushing is not recommended, as it can cause major plumbing issues over time.
Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/cat-litter-guide/
0 Response to "9 Cat Litter Tips and Advice | The Family Handyman"
Post a Comment