Tips for choosing cat litter. What is a good cat litter? Reviews, tips, recommendations, prices

The rating of cat litter can be found in specialized magazines dedicated to pets. It takes into account many important factors: ease of use, method of disposal, cost-effectiveness and, of course, price. There are dozens of options on sale, which can be divided into several categories. Among them, it is easy to find one that is ideal for a pet.

The evolution of powder for the tray

More recently, the main filler for the tray was newspapers torn into small pieces, or sand collected at the nearest construction site. Both options were inconvenient to use, required frequent replacement, and gave off an unpleasant odor after the cat visited her litter box.

The only advantage of newspapers and sand could be considered their availability and cheapness. Then appeared mineral filler for clay-based cat litter, but buyers were intimidated by the cost and difficulty of disposing of used waste.

The situation has now changed. On the shelves of supermarkets and pet stores are the most different types cat litter. They are sold packaged and by weight, bright packages have different prices. It is not easy for a beginner to understand this diversity.

Cat litter manufacturers are reluctant to advertise their products widely, with the result that most pet owners only know a few of the most popular brands. Independent ratings compiled by statisticians, veterinarians and pet owners themselves will help you understand which product is better to buy.

Topics with titles like "Choosing cat litter" can be found on blogs and magazines. Before heading to the store, you need to read an independent review that allows you to get an idea of ​​​​the type of infills for trays and the materials from which they are made.

Types of fillers

All cat litters are divided into categories: clumping and absorbent. Both options have their supporters and opponents, and in both groups you can find more expensive and quite affordable brands.

Clumping filler resembles sand or very fine granules. The composition may vary. The principle of operation of the product is clear from the name. When liquid (cat urine) enters, the powdery substance forms dense lumps that are easily removed with a scoop. At the same time, the smell is adsorbed, sticky granules do not stick to the pet's paws and are not taken out of the tray. The height of the sides doesn't matter. A clumping product is more convenient to use in a toilet without a mesh.

Now on the pet market there are a large number of various fillers for. They help to designate a place for a permanent toilet for a cat, as well as to hide unpleasant odors and, thereby, make the life of a person and a cat in one apartment more convenient and pleasant.

Advantages and disadvantages of clumping fillers

One of the most popular types of cat litter is clumping. The principle of its operation is that the moisture that gets on the particles of the filler substance is gradually absorbed into them, causing them to stick together, resulting in the formation of dense lumps that are easy to remove with a scoop with holes. After that, fresh filler is added to replace the removed one. Additionally, flavoring additives are used in such compositions, which exclude the appearance of unpleasant odors.

The advantages of this type of filler are many. Firstly, it is made from natural ingredients that are completely safe for animals and humans. There are woody clumping cat litters, as well as clay-based mixes. The second advantage of this type of filler for the tray is ease of cleaning and low consumption of the substance, because every day you have to clean not the entire tray, but only clean solid waste and the resulting lumps. A third advantage is that many cats like this litter, as it looks and acts similar to where cats go to the toilet in the wild.

The disadvantages of this type of filler include its higher cost compared to many options, as well as the fact that this type may not be suitable for use by several cats. The fact is that when only one cat or cat goes to the tray, moisture has time to soak into the granules of the substance and create a lump. When one toilet is used by several animals, the filler simply does not have time to clump. This, in turn, gives rise to other disadvantages, namely: insufficient protection against smell and the spread of filler granules on the animal's fur and paws around the house. However, if you separate the trays and make sure that only one animal goes to one toilet, this problem is easily avoided.

Rating of clumping cat litter

In fact, many owners have developed personal opinion about which is better to choose a filler for a cat's toilet. For some, price and economy come first when choosing, for others, the result of absorption and the absence of smell. But the owners of long-haired cats will definitely pay attention to how much the filler clings to the wool and spreads around the house. Let's present a list of the most popular types of clumping fillers.

Ever clean. This brand of clumping filler is especially valued for its cost-effectiveness and very high ability form lumps, which are then easy to remove from the tray. It has a unique composition compared to other fillers, which includes mixtures of various clays, minerals and adsorbents.

Fresh step. One of the best modern clumping fillers (although there are non-clumping options in the company's line). Produced from a special grade of clay, which provides excellent absorbency and reliable protection from odors.

clean paws. This is a domestic brand that produces absorbent and clumping fillers. Fairly budget-friendly. This filler based on bentonite clays perfectly copes with its tasks.

Cats Choice also made from bentonite clay. High quality combined with low cost make this litter one of the favorites among cat owners.

Clumping filler from the company Pi-pi bent popular due to its wide range of varieties, in which there are both options with aromatic additives and without them, as well as fillers for kittens and adult cats.

Anastasia Korableva

The instinct makes the cat cover up its tracks and leave no waste products in sight. Having buried the waste, the animal feels calmer and more confident. Do not deprive your pet of the pleasure of tinkering in the litter by providing him with only an empty tray!

How not to hit the sky with your finger and choose the right one? Remember there's nothing for a cat better than earth or sand. Do not start with exotic options: the animal may decide that the tray is not intended for toileting at all.

Important! The best content won't force a cat to use a small litter box meant for kittens. The cat litter should be big.

Ideal filler, according to the pet:

• convenient to dig;
• no foreign odors;
• quickly absorbs liquid.

The ideal filler, according to the owner:

• perfectly neutralizes the smell;
• convenient to clean;
• is cheap;
• does not require frequent replacement;
• does not dust;
• does not spread throughout the house, sticking to the cat's paws.

How it works

There are two types of filler, differing in the principle of action. The components either absorb secretions and odors, or form with urine dense structures in the form of lumps, which are easily separated from the main mass.

Absorbent filler

Convenient for the cat, as it quickly absorbs a large amount of liquid. Manufacturers use natural raw materials that are safe for animal health: special varieties clay, corn, sawdust, pulp.

Most manufacturers do not add flavors, but the composition may include soda, activated carbon or silver ions - these components significantly improve the characteristics of the absorbent filler.

It is inexpensive, but requires more frequent replacement compared to clumping, and regular disinfection of the tray itself. There is a plus in this frequent washing the risk of reproduction in the contents of the cat litter of pathogenic microorganisms is much lower.

Important! Opt for an absorbent if home pet has access to the street (walk him on a harness or take him to the country house). Absorbent litter is the best option when there are several cats in the house.

clumping

Brands of this type are more popular, since the clumping filler is convenient for the owners. For its manufacture, bentonite is more often used - a clay mineral with excellent absorbing properties. Wood, paper and some other materials are also used as raw materials.

Why do cat owners love clumping litter? In addition to the obvious advantages - economy and ease of cleaning, some brands have special additives that change color depending on the composition of the urine. So, if the animal is sick, and external symptoms while absent, the unusual color of these additives will allow the owner to seek help from a veterinarian in time.

A number of manufacturers introduce substances into the composition that change color when urine enters. The purpose of such additives is to clearly define the boundaries of the lump. Therefore, the pet owner can save money by not throwing away clean litter. Many brands contain a variety of fragrances - components that are useless for cats, but pleasant for owners.

Kinds

All fillers are divided into several types according to the composition of raw materials. There is no perfect kitty litter box: choose the right brand for your pet.

Clay (mineral)

Made from different types clay rocks. The quality and properties of the filler depend on what minerals are included in the composition of the clay used by a particular manufacturer. Absorbent and clumping grades are available.

Bentonite ‒ best material to make filler.

Popular brands: Pi-Pi-Bent, Clean paws, Fresh Step.

Carefully! Never throw clay filler into the toilet: this will disable the sewer.

Pros:

• natural structure that attracts a cat;
• harmlessness;
• cheapness.

Minuses:

• fine granules are suitable for kittens, but there is a lot of dust from them;
• large fraction granules do not generate dust, but can injure the delicate paws of babies;
• can stick to the paws;
• do not hold moisture well if an unscrupulous manufacturer uses unsuitable raw materials.

Woody

Made from small sawdust different breeds wood pressed into pellets. There are brands that are 100% sawdust, and sometimes they are one of the components of the filler. Small sawdust will not hurt sewer pipes- the contents of the tray can be flushed down the toilet.

Popular brands: PrettyCat, Homecat, Happy paws.

Pros:

• natural raw materials;
• you can buy a brand with granules right size;
• absorbs liquid well and retains odor;
• low price.

Minuses:

• a pet digger will scatter pellets throughout the bathroom;
• sticks to paws;
• the contents of the tray need to be changed frequently.

silica gel

This type is made from silica (silicon dioxide) - a natural substance that is the main component of almost all rocks processed by special technology. The finished product has almost zero moisture, and due to the high porosity of the internal structure of the granules, it is able to absorb a large volume of liquid.

The high price is not a big disadvantage: it is very economical.

Popular brands: Smart Cat, Cat Step, N1 Crystals.

Carefully! Silica gel should not be thrown into the toilet.

Pros:

• perfectly retains discharge and odor;
• you need to clean the contents once every two weeks;
• aesthetic: beautiful appearance and pleasant aroma.

Minuses:

• not every cat will use such a filler - it is very different from the structure of the earth or sand;
• the crunch of granules scares away some animals;
• its unusual appearance arouses gastronomic interest in kittens, which, if swallowed, can lead to obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.

Corn

Corn on the cob has only recently been used to make cat litter. Such products are convenient for owners and animals like them. It can be flushed down the toilet or used as fertilizer.

Popular brands: Nature's Miracle, Golden Cat.

Pros:

• well absorbs moisture and smell;
• great even for small kittens;
• environmentally friendly: made from natural raw materials without additives.

Minuses:

• a diligent digger can easily scatter light granules around the bathroom and beyond;
• not all stores offer such a product;
• high price.

Paper

Produced by recycling and pressing paper waste. A good option for filling the tray, but slightly inferior in performance to clay or silica gel. The used contents of the cat litter should be thrown into the toilet in small portions.

Popular brands: A'Mur, NeoSuna.

Pros:

• quickly absorbs liquid and odor;
• does not stick to paws;
• even large granules cannot damage the delicate skin of a kitten.

Minuses:

• requires frequent replacement;
• high price;
• rustles when the cat enthusiastically fumbles in the filler.

Carbonic

It is a mixture of clay and activated carbon. It has excellent characteristics and is convenient for cats. Charcoal particles effectively absorb unpleasant odors.

Popular brands: Molly Goddle, Fresh Step.

Pros:

• instantly absorbs moisture and odor;
• economical;
• has antimicrobial activity.

Minuses:

• too hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air) - it is undesirable to place the tray in a bathroom or combined bathroom.

Japanese fillers

The practical Japanese even managed to make the contents of the cat litter absolutely harmless, economical, convenient for the animal and easy to dispose of.

Manufacturers use familiar materials as raw materials: clay, sawdust, soy and corn fibers. But with the help of special technologies, goods are produced High Quality without any serious shortcomings.

Many brands contain additives that kill bacteria and indicators that change the color of the filler. Silica gel products are produced, which can be rinsed with water after use and poured into the tray again after drying.

Pros:

• excellent clumping characteristics;
• instant absorption of secretions and odors;
• safe high quality raw materials;
• does not stick to paws;
• small expense;
• can be flushed down the toilet.

Minuses:

• high price;
• you need to buy with a margin, as sometimes it is not available for sale.

How to choose the right filler

Carefully! The cat may have an allergic reaction to any component of the filler. In the process of replacing one brand with another, monitor the condition of the pet.

1. The animal may refuse to use the tray due to the small amount of content: pour a sufficient layer of filler.
2. The pet may go in search of a more suitable place for delicate matters due to the flavoring that is part of the filler: the desires of the cat should be a priority.
3. If your cat is prone to allergies, look for brands made from wood or corn.
4. Most manufacturers offer several packaging options - do not buy a large volume at once, as neither you nor the cat may like the contents.
5. Some brands are quite expensive, think about monthly expenses before choosing a filler.
6. Think about how affordable the chosen brand is: the constant expectation of an ordered product that is not freely available for sale will be very annoying.

Cat litter is optional, but extremely convenient, so if your budget allows, we recommend using it. After reading the article, you will be able to determine best filler for a cat litter box that is just right for your pet.

CONTENT

Tray with filler: photo

What is the best tray filler?

The best cat litter is the one that suits your cat and you the most. There are no universal recipes here, as in the question of choosing a cat tray, but there are general recommendations.

If several cats in your house go to one tray, then silica gel filler will become indispensable, which lasts for a long time and which does not let in odors.

If you or your cat is allergic to dust and chemicals, wood or corn litter is the safest option.

In the end, the pet itself can give an answer to the question of which filler is better for a cat's tray: if you see that it misses the tray every now and then, it means that it may hint to you that you need to change the type of filler.

paper filler

The Soviet method of filling the tray is simply to cut paper and throw it on. Such a tray for a cat is a little more interesting than an empty one, since the paper partially absorbs water, and the feces can be buried. But newspaperpeople use filler less and less, because it is unhygienic, because the paper gets wet, and then it is difficult to remove it from the tray.

In addition, newspapers are usually allowed on the tray, and this is harmful to the cat due to printing ink. That is, if you are already using paper, then it should be clean. And in this case, no savings are obtained - and any meaning disappears in the paper tray.

clay filler

The most popular filler for trays is clay clumping filler (bentonite). It is made from clay or minerals opalcristoballites. The result is a mixture that, after contact with liquids, clumps and becomes solid. Hardened pieces of filler can be easily removed from the tray with a scoop. If you poured a sufficient layer of filler (from 3 cm), it will not allow moisture to pass to the bottom, so you will need to wash the tray less often.

There are clumping fillers different sizes: one has more grains, the other has less. The caliber is written on the package. If the filler consists of very large pieces, it can pass urine to the bottom and clump badly. Therefore, it is better to choose a smaller caliber. Although it still depends on the manufacturer: you need to try several brands and settle on the most suitable one.

Tailed cats love this type of filler most of all: it looks like earth, so cats are happy to dig holes and bury all their good.

But such a filler also has disadvantages: if the cat loves to dig too much, then the skin on the paw pads can become a little coarse.

In addition, sometimes kittens play with such a filler and eat it. If you see that this problem has become serious, then it is better, at least for a while, to change the type of filler to a more environmentally friendly one, because. eating clumping can result in intestinal obstruction.

Another nuance is that the clay filler, when scattered and digging, raises a cloud of dust, to which a cat may be allergic. Monitor your pet: if he shows signs of illness, such as watery eyes, try changing the litter and see if the symptoms go away.

Tray with wood filler

Wood filler can not be attributed to a number of the most hygienic, comfortable and loved by cats, but it is the most environmentally friendly type. It is a wood block - compressed sawdust granules. Churbachki smell pleasant, do not raise dust when poured, do not cause allergies.

But the filler also has disadvantages: logs do not crumple when moisture gets on them, but, on the contrary, break up into sawdust, so cleaning the toilet with wood filler is rather inconvenient. We recommend using wood filler only with a tray with a mesh (grid), so that all the pieces of wood that have decayed into sawdust seep through the grate into the pan, from where you can remove them.

Also, in wood fillers, there are occasionally found accidentally sharp pieces wood, and this is undoubtedly another minus.

The advantage of wood filler is its low price and widespread availability. In these parameters, it competes with clay.

Silica Gel Tray Filler

Silica gel filler is a relative novelty on the market. It is artificially created white crystals of silica gel formed from silicic acids. These crystals perfectly absorb moisture, they do not even need to be clumped. This is how they differ from absorbent filler. Silica gel retains the smell perfectly. IN Everyday life we deal with this substance when we buy, for example, shoes: the package usually contains a bag of balls. This is silica gel.

Such a filler is available in pet stores and online stores, but it is not always available in supermarkets.The package costs several times more than a bag of clumping litter, but it is more economical: 5 kg is enough for 1 month for one cat.

The disadvantages of the filler are the high price, less love of cats for a toilet with silica gel: it hisses a little when moisture gets in, which is scary, besides, silica gel does not look like earth. There is also a danger if it enters the gastrointestinal tract. The fact is that if silica gel in in large numbers gets into the stomach and intestines, it absorbs all the moisture, resulting in a blockage. Therefore, this type of filler is strongly not recommended for kittens who like to play in the tray. Numerous cases are known when animals died.

Zeolite based filler

Zeolite is a volcanic substance and an excellent adsorbent, having a porous structure in which liquid and odor are trapped and from which moisture does not evaporate and, consequently, odors do not spread. But it is difficult to find such fillers in our latitudes.

The best filler for a kitten's toilet is wood, due to its environmental friendliness. But, on the other hand, cats like such a toilet less, and it doesn’t really keep the smell. Therefore, the owners often refuse it in favor of clay, which is an excellent alternative, although less environmentally friendly.

But the silica gel filler is generally not suitable for kittens, because, although they do not like to go into it when needed, they may love to eat it: we recall that if it gets inside, such a filler will absorb all the moisture it encounters and can lead to blockage gastrointestinal tract. When eating clay filler, this can also happen, but only if the cat eats it in large quantities, and this is unlikely.

Litter for litter box training

People often search the internet for "kitty litter for litter box training". Separate type it does not exist specifically for accustoming to the tray, but clay can conditionally be considered as such. Why? It is he who likes the kittens the most: they jump into such a toilet with pleasure, rummage there, and walking in the tray becomes a kind of ritual and attraction - they rummaged, did their business and carefully buried it. Kittens, as a rule, love this process very much, because it helps to realize important instincts: in nature, cats bury their deeds.

But a tray without a filler will, on the contrary, be uninteresting to a kitten, so the beast long time can ignore it. If you have the financial opportunity, still accustom your pet to the filler - this will remove many problems.

How often to change the filler in the tray?

How often to change the litter in the tray will directly depend on the type of litter, as well as how many cats you have, what gender they are, and what is happening to them now.

So, for example, cats pee very often during estrus - and the tray must be removed as urine accumulates.

If there is not one cat in the house, but a common tray, then which one good filler it was not (except for silica gel), it will have to be changed every day. Not entirely, of course, but only the contaminated part.

In the usual case, when your cat or cat lives in splendid isolation and reigns supreme in the tray, most often you need to sort out the wood filler, because. it doesn't hold the scent. It is advisable to do this once a day. Clumping clay filler can be sorted out 1 time in 2-3 days. You just need to sift the clumped part with a scoop and add a little new sand, that is, you don’t need to change everything. The silica gel filler lasts longer than the rest, which is changed about 1 time in 7 days, if there is only one cat, but everything needs to be changed entirely. That is, do not sort out the waste, but simply pour out the old and pour in the new.

Together with a fluffy pet, a small kitten, a lot of things come to our house for the implementation of its normal life: bowls, toys, sleeping place, feline . The filler of the latter must be carefully selected so as not to leave odors, absorb reliably and please both you and the animal. Often a kitten will show which cat litter he prefers by simply refusing to go to the toilet with a different litter.

How to choose a litter for a kitten?

Cat litter can be made from various materials. A high-quality filler should carefully absorb moisture and lock in odor, be easy to clean and be quite economical, which is especially important if you have several kittens and adult cats at once, in addition, it should not emit any harmful substances. The following types of cat litter are currently the most popular:

1. wood fillers for kittens are made from sawdust compressed into granules. When wet, such a granule disintegrates, and sawdust reliably absorbs odor and moisture. Such fillers are quite cheap, but at the same time, they are very effective. Wood pellets are non-allergenic and can therefore be used on even the smallest kittens. In addition, fillers with a special granule size are produced for them - smaller than for adult cats. The only downside is that some of the bags get large wood chips that can injure the kitten. But they are usually clearly visible to the naked eye and easy to remove when pouring filler.
2. Clumping fillers from minerals and clays. Fillers are very convenient to use, since their granules swell and stick together when exposed to moisture, forming a lump, which is then easy to remove with a special scoop or simply by sifting the contents of the toilet. Most often, special minerals are used as raw materials for such fillers - opalcristoballites and several varieties of clays. The disadvantage of such a filler may be that it can stick to the kitten's fur and spread around the house, and also not always completely eliminate the smell.
3. Silica gel fillers are synthetic crystals, which are superior in their absorbent properties to other types of fillers described above. In addition, other substances are often added to such fillers, which increase the reliability of odor absorption and even freshen the air in the room themselves. However, silica gel litters are more suitable for adult cats and are not recommended for kittens, because the synthetic materials included in their composition can cause allergic reactions.

Types of fillers for kittens

The following brands of cat litter are the most popular on the market.