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Cat litter: all options from classic litter box to self-cleaning box
Choosing cat litter or litter box is a crucial aspect of ensuring kitty’s well-being and keeping your home clean and free of unpleasant odors.
There are many types of bedding, made of different materials, each with its own characteristics.
Agglomerating and non-agglomerating
Bentonite clay-based agglomerating and encapsulating bedding (those that make the “ball”) are among the most absorbent, and there are also some with activated charcoal added to retain odors.
Composed of natural materials such as sand or sawdust, nonclumping bedding, on the other hand, does not form clumps and requires more frequent cleaning as urine leaches into the material.
Although they are generally cheaper in price, they may be less effective in controlling odors.
Some cat litter is enriched with scents to mask odors however, it is preferable to opt for litter that has good natural absorbency, as artificial scents may be unpleasant for some cats.
Silicon crystal bedding and environmentally friendly
Another type of bedding is that made of silicon crystals that absorb moisture and control odors.
It is very absorbent, lasts a long time and requires less frequent changes.
However, some cats may not like the texture.
Increasingly popular, there are also eco-friendly litter boxes, made from recycled and biodegradable materials such as paper, corn, wood, tofu, and barley.
How to avoid bad odors
To avoid bad odors from the litter box, it is essential to follow some practices, including proper ventilation of the room where the litter is located.
Remove lumps and feces from the container daily to maintain freshness and hygiene, and completely change the litter box at least once a week.
Be sure to clean the container with a mild detergent free of harsh chemicals and strong odors, as these may cause the cat not to use the litter box.
Consider using absorbent litter mats that help capture sand and urine, keeping the surrounding area clean.
Cat litter boxes: where to place them in the house
The location of the litter box is just as important as the choice of litter material.
Cats prefer quiet, stress-free places to do their business so, the litter box should be placed in a quiet, low-traffic area of the house.
If you have multiple cats, consider having a litter box for each of them, plus an extra one, to avoid conflict and ensure that each cat feels safe using it.
Open or closed bedding
The choice between an open or closed litter box depends on your cat’s preferences and the space available in your home.
First, if your cat has mobility problems or is elderly, take care to choose containers with low edges that are easily accessible.
Open litter offers easy access and ventilation, but may pose a greater risk of sand and odor spills.
The closed one helps contain odors, however, some cats may feel claustrophobic and refuse to use it.
The self-cleaning litters
Currently, a trend in vogue is the use of innovative self-cleaning litters.
They are usually made of sturdy plastic: the design is often domed or cube-shaped to maintain an enclosed environment and reduce sand spillage
Infrared or weight sensors detect when the cat has entered and left the litter box.
The cleaning cycle starts after a short (often programmable) period of time to allow time for the litter to clump and the cat to move away.
A mechanical arm or rotating ball separates dirty lumps of litter from clean sand.
The excrement is deposited in a sealed container, which retains odors effectively.
However, some cats may be wary or frightened of automatic mechanisms so it is a purchase that should be considered carefully also because the prices of self-cleaning litter boxes are quite high.
When the cat avoids the litter box, it is symptomatic of discomfort
Self-cleaning litter box aside, if your cat begins to avoid the litter box, there may be several reasons, and this behavior is symptomatic of discomfort.
The cat may not like the type of litter box or the location of the box.
First, then, try changing the type of litter box or moving the box to a quieter and more accessible place.
Also make sure the litter box is always clean and free of unpleasant odors, as a dirty environment can discourage its use.
And if the abnormal behaviors persist, with feces and urine scattered outside the litter box, the kitty’s discomfort could be a symptom of a disease therefore, report to your trusted veterinarian for evaluation.
If your cat also urinates or defecates outside the litter box, request a checkup from the medical veterinarians on our staff who are always available to you.
We would also like to remind you that Clinica La Veterinaria is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
