This month at Petit Pet Care we're focusing on cat care, specifically the litter box. As you can imagine, we have had some extensive experience with cat litter. While setting up a cat box seems simple enough, there are a few important considerations you should be aware of such as size, placement, and of course the choice of a litter.
In terms of size, you want a box big enough so that kitty isn't cramped; in terms of placement, you want to put the box someplace where kitty has easy access (and even a little privacy if possible) to take care of business. Multiple cats require multiple boxes. Of course, once all that is sorted out, the next and possibly most important step, will be filling the box with your choice of cat litter.
With all the different cat litter varieties available on the market it can be difficult to choose which one to buy. We won't get into an extensive explanation on the subject here, but all litters are not created equal. There's the cheap stuff you can get at the dollar store, the eco-friendly kind made from recycled materials, the "light" type litter, the fancy pellet variety, clay, low-dust, scented, un-scented...
Cat litter serves a very specific and important purpose. Besides giving your pet a hygienic place indoors to go to the bathroom, its function is to absorb urine as well as to cover feces, while reducing odor causing bacteria. There are two main types: clumping and non-clumping. The difference between them is fairly obvious; when wet, the particles in the clumping type stick together then dry in a clump, which makes for easy scooping. Another advantage of the clumping variety is that it doesn't have to be replaced every week.
So how do you decide which one you should use? And why is cat litter choice such a big deal? Well, for one thing, some cats are very particular, and if the litter box isn't up to their standards, they'll leave you a little present someplace to let you know it's time to clean the box and/or change the litter.
Here are our top three:
In third place is World's Best Cat Litter, a flushable, eco-friendly variety, which believe it or not is made from corn! It clumps upon contact with urine, making for an easy cleanup, and a small bag can last up to 30 days in a single cat household. (Odor control and clumping are better with the top two.)
Our second place choice is Tidy Cat Scoop - though not the light version. While it is a bit on the dusty side, it has pretty good odor control, and obviously the clumping makes for an easy cleanup.
In first place for us is Arm and Hammer Clump and Seal clay-based. Why is it our favorite? It has small particles, low dust, clumps tight and virtually no odor.
Also, Tidy Cat's Breeze Litter Pellets get an honorable mention here; it does the job with no dust, but it requires a specific type of litter box with puppy pads.
As a responsible pet parent, the last thing you want is a strong odor in your home alerting visitors to the presence of your family pet(s) before they ever actually meet them. Hopefully we've given you enough information to help you make the best choice for your family.
For more detailed information on litter box setup and litter choices see the links below:
6 Best Types of Cat Litter
Clumping vs Non-Clumping Litter: The Pros and Cons of Each
How to Select, Set Up, and Maintain the Litter Box
When it Comes to the Litter Box... Keep it Simple
