What kitty litter should i use

This type of cat litter is super-absorbent and biodegradable with great odour control. Some natural litter options are flushable, making them a great option for people living in apartments. Crystal litter is made from percent silica crystals and is non-clumping. It is long-lasting, lightweight, non-toxic and very absorbent.

Find out more about the benefits of crystal litter here. Paper litter is made of recycled waste paper that has been made into pellets or granules. It is chemical-free, ultra-absorbent and suitable for composting.

A great option is to leave a litter box with the original litter around until you know your kitten is comfortable with using the new litter type. Come speak to a friendly Petbarn team member if would like to find out more about the best cat litter for kittens or use our simple Litter Finder tool.

All Rights Reserved. There are a few key factors to consider when it comes to deciding what cat litter is best for your kitten. To help us create more veterinarian- and trainer-approved content, please consider buying one of our web-books for yourself or as a gift. It seems like a new cat litter comes out every day. This article will help you cut through all the fancy packaging and marketing to find the right litter for your cat.

Here are two things that we know generally about cats and their litter preferences:. So, your cat is most likely to prefer an unscented, fine particle, clumping clay litter. Fortunately, there is no shortage of those to choose from. Some cats, and even their people, will require special litters. Most cats and people love it. If you decide to change your cat's litter type, do so slowly.

A quick change could upset the cat and cause litter aversion. That, in turn, can lead to inappropriate urination, and that's not something you want to deal with if you don't have to. Start by mixing the litters together, starting with only a small amount of the new litter. Keep a close eye on your cat to make sure he keeps using the box. Over a period of around two weeks, gradually use more of the new litter and less of the old, continuing to watch your cat's behavior closely.

Cons: Some cats dislike the texture and weight of paper pellets, pellets fall apart over time, odors may increase over time as pellets become saturated with urine. Silica gel or crystal litters are made from sodium silicate sand, a naturally occurring material acquired through strip mining.

They do not contain crystalline silicate or other carcinogenic materials that may be harmful to cats, but the inhalation of microscopic silica dust over time could lead to respiratory issues. Silica gel litters are ultra-absorbent odor-eaters, but as the non-clumping granules saturate with urine over time, they may become less effective at preventing ammonia odors. Some silica litters, particularly crystal versions, may be too sharp for sensitive paws.

Pros: Made from safe, natural silica gel; ultra-absorbent and good at preventing odors; non-clumping formula does not require removal of liquids. Cons: Inhalation of silica dust over time may lead to respiratory issues, crystal formulas may be too sharp for sensitive paws, smells can worsen over time as silica gel becomes saturated with liquids, not environmentally friendly.

Grain, grass, wood, and walnut shells are all used as alternative materials in natural cat litters. According to Satchu, not only are these biodegradable options more environmentally friendly, some have additional benefits, too. Due to their absorption ability, wood litters are typically low tracking and do a good job minimizing odors while grain litters are a safe bet for cats who like to snack on litter due to behavioral issues. Ultimately, the superiority of one style of natural litter over another comes down to a cat's individual preference.

Pros: Many formulas are low dust, natural scent of some varieties controls odors without additives, biodegradable, made from sustainable materials. On average, cats urinate two to four times a day, but according to Sueda, this can vary from cat to cat. Cleaning litter boxes at least once daily can help guardians determine if there's a change in frequency, which may indicate a health problem. Typically, cats defecate one to two times a day, but this, too, can vary from cat to cat.

Like with urination, sudden changes in frequency may indicate a health problem. A litter box should be at least 1. The standard rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat plus one extra, and ideally one on each floor of a home.

A home with multiple cats, however, may be able to get away with fewer extra-large litter boxes as long as they are cleaned at least twice a day, according to Sueda. See our guide to the best litter boxes for more on this. If a cat stops urinating altogether, it is likely they are experiencing a feline urinary tract disease FLUTD such as bladder inflammation or urinary stones or crystals.

Male cats are particularly susceptible to the latter. If a cat is unable to urinate, deadly toxins begin building up. Death can occur if the blockage isn't removed by a veterinarian within 24 to 48 hours. If a veterinarian rules out medical problems like FLUTD, anxiety may be the culprit, a problem a veterinary behaviorist is best equipped to handle. According to Calder, cats that eliminate outside the litter box are engaging in one of two behaviors: toileting or marking.

In toileting also called inappropriate elimination , a cat has found a place to do their business outside of the litter box. Sometimes, this behavior occurs when a cat does not like the location or size of their litter pan, the type of litter in the pan, or the cleanliness of the litter. Other times, going outside the box is related to anxiety for example, a cat who worries about being ambushed by another pet while using the litter box may stop using it altogether or to a medical problem such as FLUTD.

A cat may also choose to go outside of the litter box if they find a spot that satisfies their need to scratch and bury their waste, such as a pile of dirty laundry or a potted plant. Whereas toileting typically occurs on horizontal surfaces, marking occurs on vertical surfaces. Instead of squatting, when a cat marks they back up with a raised tail to spray their pheromones. Cats that mark are typically intact males, but fixed males and females can spray, too. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

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