Pet Site HQ

Warning: mysql_fetch_array(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home/petsiteh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/textlinks/textlinks.php on line 30

House training seems to be a major reason many people hesitate to get a family pet. Cats however rarely need much training. Just buy a litter box, add some cat litter, and oftentimes that’s all that is needed.

Mother cats are great about teaching their kittens how to use a litter box. Your job is simply to make sure your cat knows where the box is located. Once he learns this, it is unlikely he’ll do his business elsewhere. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some decisions for you to make. And the first one is deciding what type of litter you want to use.

If this is your first cat you’ll be a bit shocked when you see all the different types of litter now available. So how do you decide what’s best for you and your pet?

If cost is a primary factor, clay litter is always a good bet. It’s cheaper and was one of the first commercial litters available. But it does have some drawbacks. You will need to clean it and change it more frequently. Clay absorbs liquid, but it also absorbs odors, and nobody wants their house to smell like cat waste. And if by chance your kitten is prone to allergies, clay may cause some problems. Dust tends to fly up as your pet scratches around in his box.

The most popular litter right now is probably clumping cat litter. That’s because the litter combines with the moisture in the waste to form, as the name suggests, clumps. These clumps are easy to scoop away, meaning there is no need to change out the entire box. Once you scoop the waste, just replace the missing litter with some new litter. And the scents this litter is available in will do a decent job of hiding the smell, although it won’t get rid of the odor all together. The biggest problem with clumping litter is that some cats will actually eat the clumps. Watch your pet carefully.

Silica litters are some of the newest on the market. Silica has been used for years in the small packets you see in pill bottles or in your new pair of shoes. It’s used because it is a great moisture absorber, and silica crystals in your cat litter work much the same way. They are mixed with sand and water to easily absorb any liquids in your cat’s waste. You still have to scoop out the solid waste, and because it does not clump, it can be a bit messy. Another plus is that this litter is biodegradable, and simply returns to a sandy base when it decomposes.

Another biodegradable litter is paper litter, which is becoming very popular with environmental pet owners. This litter is made from pellets or recycled paper. In addition to being biodegradable, it is absorbent and is easy to carry around because it does not weigh very much.

Wood litters, in particular pine cat litter, are also biodegradable and quickly growing in popularity. Softwoods are great at absorbing liquids and odors. No chemicals are needed to help with the process meaning you get a more natural litter.

Here’s the concern; no matter what you think is best, your cat may wholeheartedly disagree. He may hate what you choose and he’ll let you know by not using it. Some won’t use silica because the crystals can irritate their paws. Others shy away from pine just because they don’t enjoy the smell. One good thing about cats is they will let you know what they don’t like and what they do like without being able to speak.

There are other litter options available as well. And with so many choices now, it’s important to know the the good points and bad points of each one before you head to the store.

Popularity: 9% [?]