If you’re a cat owner in Gilbert, Arizona, you know that cats are very particular as to where they choose to relieve themselves. And the fact that Fluffy prefers a clean environment ultimately benefits your entire home by keeping the air fresh and helping to prevent bacteria and disease. While your fastidious feline knows how groom itself quite well, it may have certain preferences when it comes to how its litter box is set up. As your local vets in Gilbert, Anasazi Animal Clinic would like to offer a few considerations for choosing the right litter for your cat’s litter box.
Choosing a Cat Litter
There are an endless variety of cat litters on the market, and selecting the right one can make a world of difference in your cat’s happiness, as well as yours—but where to start? You can choose between crystal or pellet or clay components; opt for a litter with scents to mask smell; buy more absorbent brands; or even purchase eco-friendly brands. You’ll also notice that litter brands fall on a spectrum of affordable to more expensive. Wherever your price range and personal preferences land on that spectrum, here are our vetted (pun intended) recommendations:
- Does it clump well? Most cats prefer a litter that clumps well so that liquid waste is contained right away and solid waste can be covered. Clumping litter also makes it a lot easier to scoop out the box a few times a day, and it means you aren’t wasting litter by cleaning the entire box each time your cat relieves itself.
- Will it limit dust and tracking? As an owner, you will likely prefer a litter that does not cling to your cat and soil your floors once kitty’s paws leave the litter box and pitter-patter all over the house.
- Will the material hurt your cat’s paws? This is a major concern that cat owners face when choosing a crystal or pellet form of litter. Generally speaking, finer and softer particles will be more gentle and feel better underneath Fluffy’s feet while she does her business.
- Do you prefer more natural litter with fewer chemicals? It really comes down to personal preference. If it’s important to you, choosing a litter that is biodegradable and contains fewer chemicals can be an overall healthier choice for both cat and family.
Selecting the right litter for your cat’s litter box can mean the difference between proper elimination behavior or a refusal to use the box. At the end of the day, it can be hard to determine which litter your four-legged friend would prefer—until you test various brands. One option is to try a few kinds of litter in different litter boxes around the house and see which one is favored by your furry friend.
If you still have questions about selecting the right litter for your cat’s litter box—or for that matter, about any issue concerning your pet—Anasazi Animal Clinic is here to help. Give us a call today!
Photo by Sarah Pflug from Burst (8/14/2018)