Clumping clay filler. How to choose cat litters - rating the best in terms of composition, ease of use and prices

Cat litter performs several functions at once:
- absorbs moisture (dampness in the tray can cause the cat to stop using it);
- absorbs bad smell;
- allows the animal to realize its natural desire to “bury” excrement;
- simplifies cat care by making litter box cleaning less frequent.

If a cat does not want to “hide” traces of its vital activity, you can do without any filler at all by installing a tray with a grid: all the moisture will drain to the bottom. True, in this case you need to constantly monitor the condition of the tray, try to rinse it after each use and wash it thoroughly at least once a day - otherwise the stench cannot be avoided. If such careful control of the tray is not possible, you will have to resort to one of the “folk” options for fillers.

Sand

Sand absorbs moisture quite well. It copes with the smell somewhat worse: it weakens it, but does not absorb it completely. Therefore, if you use sand as a filler, you will have to come to terms with the fact that the toilet will almost always smell like cat urine. In addition, the grains of sand are very light - therefore, when the animal buries traces of its vital activity, the floor next to the tray will be covered with sand. However, this trouble can be avoided by using high trays with sides. The sand in the cat litter is replaced every 2-4 days.

Newspapers

Newspapers torn into small pieces are an old “folk” way of arranging a cat’s litter box, very popular, but at the same time quite troublesome. To make it convenient for your cat to use the tray, you need to tear the paper quite finely, but it gets wet very quickly. You have to change the paper in the tray every day, or at most every other day, and it doesn’t cope with the smell very well.

You can buy a tray with a grid - then the moisture will flow down and the newspapers will get wet more slowly. To avoid odor, such a tray should be emptied several times a day.

Sawdust

Sawdust is a good alternative to factory-made fillers. They are easy to dig, they retain both moisture and smell well - such a tray begins to smell only when all the sawdust becomes wet. Therefore, sawdust is one of the best views"folk" fillers. If you use a tray with high sides and sprinkle sawdust in a layer of 8-10 centimeters, you can clean the cat litter box every 5-7 days. True, there are also some inconveniences: sawdust generates dust, in addition, the smallest particles of wood “stick” to the cat’s paws and are spread throughout the apartment.

You can place a thin layer of pieces of newspaper on top of the sawdust - then there will be less dirt on the floor. Wet paper should be changed daily.

Fuel granules (pellets)

Wood pellets intended for solid fuel boilers are wood processing waste pressed into granules and are practically no different from wood fillers for cat litter. When wet, they crumble into small sawdust and absorb moisture and odor just as effectively. The pellets are poured into the tray in a thin layer; as they are used, their volume increases 4-5 times. If you use pellets, you can clean the tray once every 7-10 days.

Cats are cleaner than dogs and rarely shit anywhere. However, when you take a cat into your home, you should take care in advance of having a cat litter box. If you don’t want to spend money, make a tray yourself.

You will need:

Plastic pallet or hard cardboard;

Self-adhesive film or piece of oilcloth;

Mosquito net.

The easiest way to make a toilet is from plastic pallet. Take mesh material ( mosquito net or etc.), cut out a rectangle according to internal size pallet, cover the edges with tape or self-adhesive film to avoid injury when changing toilets. Pour a 1-2 cm layer of sand or sawdust into the tray, cover with a homemade mesh and the tray is ready.

Instead of metal mesh You can make a mesh out of cardboard: cut out a suitable rectangle, cover it completely with film and make holes with an awl. The distance between the holes should be no more than 1 cm.

The mesh is needed to prevent the animal from getting its paws wet when urinating. It is easier to remove solid excrement from the screen than to flush it down the toilet along with lumps of sand. Simply brush the screen over the toilet and rinse.

The toilet can also be made from cardboard - cut a box of suitable size, strengthen it by covering it with film or oilcloth. A simple tray isn't enough? Decorate the toilet with a cat's head and letter stickers.

Cutting out a tray from cardboard box, make one side slightly larger than the rest. Cut out something like a cat's head (semicircle and ears) from the remaining cardboard and glue it to the elongated side. Cover the tray with film or oilcloth, and stick letters on the head element in the form of a cat’s name.

There is a need for cat litter. Modern cat litter is a tray with granules. Their main task is to absorb and “lock” persistent aroma. The range of cat litters in pet stores is large. It is difficult for a beginner to understand the variety of names and prices. All mixtures differ in composition and properties. When making a choice, you need to take into account their characteristics and understand how important it is to choose a good cat litter.

Varieties

According to the principle of action, granules are of two types: absorbent and clumping.

Absorbent

This type perfectly absorbs moisture and neutralizes odors, but does not lose its structure. Change the contents of the tray only when all the granules are saturated. During replacement, it produces an unpleasant odor of urine. This is its disadvantage. Suitable for use by multiple animals.

Did you know? A cat uses as much fluid to lick its fur as it does to urinate.

clumping

The principle of operation is the formation of lumps when urine gets in, which are easy to throw out of the tray with a special scoop and add the required amount of clean granules. Its advantage is that it is economical and easy to clean. It does not stick to the paws of animals and is not carried out of the tray. Clumping litter is considered the safest for cat litter, since it is non-toxic and consists of natural raw materials. Ideal for kittens.

Types of fillers

Cat litter is distinguished by the material it is made of.

Mineral

This species is in high demand among cat lovers due to its low cost. It contains natural minerals - zeolites. Thanks to the loose and porous structure of the granules, it quickly absorbs moisture; when wet, lumps form. It is enough to change it once a week. Has no foreign odor. Mineral litter is ideal for cat litter during the period of accustoming the animal to the tray.

In clay granules

Granules from natural clay are considered the most natural for cats. They are close to natural conditions. When wet, they form hard lumps and are able to completely absorb specific odors. When replaced, it gathers dust and is scattered around the house by paws.

Important!Clay litter must not be flushed down the toilet!

Woody clumping

Wood clumping litter is often chosen for cat litter. It is distinguished by its low price and ease of use. In addition, it is the most environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic, without additives. Its granules are made from pressed sawdust. Wet granules separate and the sawdust turns into lumps. It doesn't take long to neutralize unpleasant odors. There are no difficulties with cleaning. Lumps can be thrown out of the tray with a special shovel and disposed of through the sewer system. It has one drawback - fine dust from sawdust spreads throughout the apartment.

Silica gel

Silica gel litter has recently begun to be used for cat litter. These are white transparent granules of dried silicate gel. They absorb large number moisture and prevent the growth of bacteria. They absorb unpleasant odors well and are absolutely harmless. The granules do not spread and do not gather dust. They can be replaced once a month. Disadvantages: high price; when urine gets in, it produces a slight hissing sound, which can alert and frighten cats.

Corn

It can rarely be found in our pet stores; it is more popular in European countries. Made from corn cob waste. It is reliable in combating strong odors, forms clumps and is easily removed from the tray. It is enough to replace once a month. It can be flushed down the toilet. Cons: The granules are very light and spread far from the tray.

How to use it correctly

Fillers must be poured only into a dry and clean tray. A layer 5-7 cm deep is allowed. Absorbents require replacement once every few days, but solid excrement must be removed from the tray every day. If you use clumping ones, then partially clean the contents of the tray every day. Only lumps are removed, and new granules are added. General replacement of the entire tray is carried out once a month. Used granules are thrown into the trash or washed down the drain. But you need to remember that clay granules cannot be disposed of in the toilet. They swell greatly in water and can clog the drain. Cat litters should be stored in dry rooms, away from food. Avoid proximity to chemicals.

Choosing the right one

To make the right choice and understand which cat litter for the toilet will be the best for pet, it is necessary to take into account a number of features.

Ability to absorb moisture

Not all compositions reliably absorb moisture. Clumping granules cope best with this task. Under the influence of liquid they form a dense lump. The leader in this group is gel cat litter, it long time can stay dry. Wood and corn pellets are slightly inferior in quality. When exposed to water, they disintegrate and need to be replaced more frequently.

Odor absorption and retention

The mixtures must have good odor elimination properties. Silica gels have this property. More natural granules absorb odors less well.

Did you know? The cat has approximately 12 whiskers on each side of its face.

Possibility to flush down the toilet

When choosing, consider ease of disposal. Many manufacturers indicate this information on the packages. Wood pellets are allowed to be disposed of in the toilet in small quantities. But clay ones can clog sewer pipes.

Presence of flavoring

Some manufacturers use flavorings. But not all cats like them, and the animal may refuse the “fragrant” tray. Foreign scents can cause allergies in cats, so don’t rush to buy them.

Hypoallergenic

Some substances in fillers can cause an allergic reaction in a pet. The safest mixtures are made from natural materials: sawdust, clay, corn.

Economical

When choosing, cost and frequency of use play an important role. It is important to choose here best ratio price-quality. Mineral and wood ones will be more economical in price. The cost of silica gel and corn ones is higher, but efficiency is achieved due to their infrequent replacement.

Filler rating

When compiling the rating, the following are taken into account: important factors: ease of use, ease of disposal, efficiency and cost. The most environmentally friendly are wood ones. They do not cause allergic reactions in animals. They are inexpensive. Gel ones will help you save money cash due to rare replacement of the contents of the tray. Capable of absorbing a lot of liquid. Mineral and clay ones are liked by cats because of their similarity to ordinary soil or sand.

A pet kept in the house requires constant care. The main question concerns keeping the home clean. If your favorite animal is a cat, then the primary task in caring for it is organizing a toilet. To ensure that your cat does not pollute everything around you, cat litter will help, which will solve problems with hygiene, you just have to choose the right type.

What is cat litter?

More recently, cat litter consisted of sand poured into a tray or cut up pieces of paper. Modern industry quickly adopted a new direction for production, and it was invented special remedy, which copes with the task many times better than sand. It consists of small granules that imitate natural natural environment and do not cause rejection among representatives of the cat family. Granules are made of materials that, once exposed to liquid, absorb it, and some even absorb odor.

Granule sizes

Cat litters differ in granule sizes, which is convenient when choosing products for small and adult cats. After getting wet, the granules may change size or clump together. In this case, there is no need to change the entire composition, you just need to throw away the crumpled elements. The size of the granules (their photos can be seen on the packaging) is chosen based on age, coat length, and sensitivity. If you have a kitten or an adult with sensitive skin, choose small granules. For long-haired cats, it is better to take large or medium-sized litter.

Which cat litter is best?

There are two main types of cat litter: clumping and absorbent. They absorb moisture differently and will take different amounts of time to clean. Any of the types can be made from sawdust, silica gel granules, minerals. The main difference is that after use, a clumping product gathers into lumps that will have to be thrown away immediately, while an absorbent product absorbs moisture and crumbles, which does not require daily replacement.

clumping

According to the manufacturers, this type of mixture should absorb moisture and turn into lumps. The owner will have to remove them along with solid waste daily, adding the required amount of granules to the tray. Problems with the fact that the product does not cope with the task, that is, it does not absorb moisture, but lets it pass to the bottom of the tray, are due to improper use. It is important to pour only 8-10 centimeters of the composition so that it can turn into lumps in time and eliminate the odor.

Absorbent filler

The principle of operation of this type of mixture is completely different. It does not change structure after use, but also absorbs moisture and retains odors. The entire contents of the tray must be changed after it is completely wet. The cat itself will let you know about this when it refuses to go to the dirty toilet. This litter is chosen by owners who have several pets and those who do not want to bother with cat litter every day.

Types of litter for cats

Pet stores can offer about eight varieties of cat litter for you to choose from. They differ in price, materials of manufacture, and absorbent properties. One product may last for a month without any replacement, while another will have to be changed a couple of times a week. In addition to the financial capabilities of the owner, you will have to pay attention to the needs of the pet.

Mineral

One of the most popular products for a cat's litter box is mineral fillers. They are made from pieces of clay. The average price is 100 rubles per kilogram. When choosing, start from following features:

• Pros: perfectly absorbs moisture, forming lumps that are easy to remove, reasonable price.
• Cons: does not cope well with odor, produces fine dust, sticks to cat's paws, spreads throughout the house, cannot be washed down the drain, is not suitable for kittens.

In clay granules

This type of product is available in two types: clumping and absorbent. The most best brands are made from bentonite clays, which swell with moisture. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the size of the granules. Large granules can injure your pet. Small and medium grains are suitable for kittens. The cost varies from 50 rubles per 1 kilogram. Sold packaged in 3, 5, 10 kg. When choosing, consider:

• Pros: natural product, large number of species, cats like it due to its similarity to ordinary soil, suitable for kittens.
• Disadvantages: when using and filling the tray, dust may rise and is partially carried around the house by the paws of animals.

Woody clumping

These products are compressed wood pellets made from sawdust. Mainly used in production conifers trees. Cats easily get used to this type of product. It is considered one of the most environmentally friendly. For pet owners, the mixture will cost about 100 rubles per 1 kilogram. When choosing, pay attention to:

• Pros: environmentally friendly, pleasant smell of pine needles, which animals like, allowed to be thrown into the sewer, suitable for kittens.
• Cons: The only drawback is that small particles of sawdust can be carried throughout the house.

Silica gel

One of the latest developments is silica gel filler. It is made of polysilicic acid, photos show that it is cloudy white balls with inclusions. Costs from 190 rubles for 3.8 liters. This product has the following characteristics:

• Pros: changes once or twice a month, harmless, prevents the spread of odor, quickly absorbs moisture, always remains dry, bacteria do not multiply in it, does not spread, does not generate dust.
• Cons: high cost, makes a crunching sound that repels many pets, the sound can also irritate people, especially when heard at night, can be dangerous for kittens if it gets into the esophagus.

Corn

Another material for making cat litter is corn cobs. Their finely porous core is used to make corn filler. This species is similar to woody, but is much less common on sale and is more expensive. The starting price is approximately 160 rubles per 1 kg. When choosing, consider the following data:

• Pros: perfectly absorbs moisture, odors, natural raw materials, economical.
• Cons: very light, which makes it easy to scatter around the tray, has a specific smell that the animal may not like.

How to use cat litter

Cat litter is easy to use. Needs to be poured into a tray even layer mixtures 5-10 centimeters high. Some manufacturers may indicate exact quantity mixture that must be followed. Then the product correctly absorbs moisture and forms a lump. The clumping variety is cleaned daily to remove debris and hard excrement. Then add a new portion. The absorbent type is changed completely as it gets dirty (once every 5-10 days). Before replacing the tray, wash it thoroughly. Some products can be flushed down the toilet, others can be thrown away.

How to choose

Often, owners of furry pets have to try more than one type of litter tray mixture before finding one best option for convenience and suitable for the cat itself. Each composition has its own characteristics. The mixtures differ in their ability to absorb moisture and retain odors. They can be hypoallergenic and scented. You should pay attention to these indicators when choosing a filler.

Ability to absorb moisture

Best ability absorb moisture is observed in clumping mixtures. They not only absorb it, but form a solid lump that does not crumble and does not stain the clean product. The leader in this area is silica gel filler, which remains completely dry for a long time. Wood and corn compositions perform no worse, but they crumble and require frequent replacement.

Odor absorption and retention

In the fight against the unpleasant smell of cat litter, owners are ready to go to great lengths, including not skimping on expensive mixtures that are distinguished by their ability to neutralize odors. Blends made from chemical compounds, they are again in the lead in this parameter. More natural types, due to their natural qualities, eliminate unpleasant aroma worse, but a mixture such as corn has an unpleasant odor in itself.

Possibility to flush down the toilet

For many owners, the ability to flush used litter down the toilet is decisive. You don't have to bother with a garbage bag if you buy wood, corn products. Manufacturers warn that the used mixture should be put into the toilet in small portions to avoid blockages. Minerals are not included in this number. They must not be flushed down the drain.

Presence of flavoring

This technique of aromatizing cat litter mixtures is used by many manufacturers. This is one way to combat unpleasant odors, but often it leads to the opposite result. Many pets simply refuse to go into a nice-smelling litter box. Even if the packaging attracts you with the words “with the smell of lavender” or another popular plant, do not rush to purchase such a mixture. Your cat may not appreciate the noble aroma.

Hypoallergenic

The safety of your pet's health will be ensured by those mixtures that are made from natural materials, such as wood shavings, corn cobs, and clay. The silica gel product loses in this regard, although it is positioned as completely harmless. Even those natural materials that raise a cloud of dust when used can cause allergies, since the cat will have to inhale it.

Economical

The most economical mixture is considered to be a mixture for trays made from mineral components. Next comes wood. Expensive products include silica gel and corn products. When purchasing, you need to consider not only the cost of packaging, but the frequency with which you will have to empty the tray. Thus, expensive silica gel mixtures turn out to be cheaper than others, because they require replacement only 1-2 times a month, while wood ones, for example, will have to be changed every three days if your cat refuses to go into the already soaked, although still usable, litter.

Rating of cat litter

One of the first in the line of popular products in this category is Fresh Step Extreme Clay cat litter. Buyers note that it does not cause rejection in cats:

• name: Fresh Step Extreme Clay;
• price: 1498-1768 rubles;
• characteristics: 15.8 kg, clay, absorbent, antibacterial, protects against odor;
• pros: flushes down the toilet, easy to clean;
• cons: not found.

In second place is N1 Crystals. This is a silica gel filler, one package of which will last for a long time:

• name: N1 Crystals;
• price: 1845-1925 rubles;
• characteristics: volume 30 l, absorbent, silica gel, protects against odor, hypoallergenic,
• pros: retains moisture well, does not stick to paws;
• cons: very dusty.

Third place goes to Catsan Hygiene Plus. He is chosen when he appears in the house little kitten:

• name: Catsan Hygiene Plus;
• price: RUR 392-836;
• characteristics: volume 10 l, absorbent, consists of chalk, quartz sand, has antibacterial unique properties, protects against odor;
• pros: suitable for a small kitten, micropores perfectly absorb odor and seal moisture;
• cons: not found.

In fourth place in demand among buyers is Cat Step cat litter. It is purchased in small quantities because it does not require frequent replacement:

• name: Cat Step;
• price: 240-304 rubles;
• characteristics: 3.8 l, silica gel, absorbent, protects against odor, hypoallergenic, for long-haired cats;
• pros: perfectly absorbs large amounts of moisture and odor;
• cons: not found.

Another product that cat owners prefer to buy for their pets is Pi-Pi-Bent Classic. This filler is made from natural material:

• name: Pi-Pi-Bent Classic;
• price: 399-589 rubles;
• characteristics: 10 kg, clumping clay, protects against the smell of cat urine;
• advantages: prevents the spread of bacteria;
• cons: not found.

Where to buy litter for cats

The easiest way is to buy cat litter in one of the many online stores. They provide a wide range of products at affordable prices, where detailed characteristics and photos are indicated, which will make your choice easier. Delivery is paid and free of charge. The first stores on the list are: UniZoo, Zoo1, ZOOshef, Magizoo. You can personally visit the chain of stores “Four Paws”, “Beethoven”, Zoo City and others.

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