Cat Litter and Pellets - which is right for my cat?

Cat litter

Could anything be more essential to you and your cat than the right type of cat litter? Whether you live on acres of green land or in a high rise, the right cat litter is a necessity. Cat litter keeps your home clean, tidy and fragrant especially if you have a large crew of kitties to care for.

Why is cat litter so useful?

Cat litter is designed to trap the physical poops and odours in one place so your environment stays fresh and your cat’s delicate sense of smell is not overwhelmed. Cats are fastidious creatures and using litter keeps things tidy and odour-free which keeps your cat-family in happy harmony. Our kitties have retained a few wild habits, including burying their ‘evidence’, so litter also gives them the freedom to demonstrate this natural behaviour which reduces stress and is a less messy alternative to the soil they would use outside. Read on to find out which litter would suit your cat, yourself and your household best. 

Different types of litter: 

● Clay-based 

● Silica or gel crystals 

● Recycled newspaper 

● Wood pellets 

● Wheat 

● Coconut husks 

● Corn 

● Walnut or nutshell

Each has its own benefits and characteristics and you might want to consider the texture, eco-friendliness and your cat’s individual preferences.

To clump or not to clump?

Clumping litter forms into solid chunks that can be scooped or picked out easily and quickly. It traps moisture and smells, leaving behind clean litter that can be reused instead of changing the whole tray, so is especially useful for the time-pressed cat parents. It is ideal if your cats are long-haired.

The scent of success?

Unscented litter is super effective at absorbing the odours from urine and stool, using clay, plant ingredients or carbon. If you like specific fragrances or are sensitive to natural odours you may prefer a scented litter to mask the smell. However, some cats can find even natural perfumes offensive so it is worth doing a test run.

Health benefits

A cat who feels comfortable to wee and poo as needed is much easier to monitor and at much lower risk of stress, and urinary and constipation issues.

A good litter tray is:

● sturdy, non-toxic 

● easy to turn around in 

● filled to 2 - 4 inches depth with litter 

● in a quiet location 

You should have one more litter tray than you have cats. Regular health monitoring for cats in recovery, geriatric cats or cats with conditions such as kidney disease, bladder issues or diabetes is easier if they happily use an indoor litter tray.

Safety

If you live in a high rise or near busy roads then you are likely to need to keep your cat indoors overnight. Using a good quality litter and tray allows your cat to overnight comfortably and happily while avoiding any morning surprises for you.

General Monitoring

We notice quickly if Kitty goes off her food or changes her eating habits because we know it can be the first sign something is not quite right. Well, the same can be said for our cat’s ‘output’! The first signs of an illness or upset can show up with abnormal poo and some more serious diseases may have symptoms of chronic stool changes or a change in urine output. In general, if you notice any changes in frequency, amount, consistency or effort regarding your cat’s poo or pee, are concerned about parasites or your cat begins to toilet outside the litter box, you should contact your veterinarian or get a consult withFirstVet.