When it comes to cats as pets in homes, their littering and managing their litter can be a great task for the cat owners, if the appropriate measures are not considered. While litter boxes are readily available to allow cats to litter in them, instead of being taken out of the home every time they have to poop or pee.
However the choice of the litter can be confusing unless the right products and their features are known.
Natural cat litter is on the highest demand among the cat owners. Since there are a number of products made from different components, and based on different formulas, it is essential to choose the product that would be both effective as well as reasonable in price.
So what is an ideal litter base for the cats?
Plant based materials are used for making the natural cat litter. Thus products such as corn and wheat are used to make the litter, which makes the litter completely safe for the animal. With natural items being used in the process, the disposals of these litters also become easy and convenient for the cat owners to manage.
The need for a safe product is more essential for the kittens who need to be protected from any negative impacts of the litter, such as which may be expected if silica or cloy particles are used.
The different types of materials that can be used to make the natural products of litter include corn, wheat, pine, walnut and paper.
Features –
The natural product has some of the key features that make it all the more attractive to the pet owners. These features also need to be known well to the cat owners, to allow them to purchase the right cat litter for their cats.
Control of odor – The product is such that is capable of reducing the smell of the wastes littered by the cats, and minimize them as much as possible. The cats would not use the litter box if the odor in the box is not well controlled.
Clumping to be good – It is essential that the litter material allows good clumping of the wastes produced by the cats. The natural products are such that allows easy clumping between the urine and the litter and thus forming a hard lump, which can be easily and effectively scooped for removal and clean-up.
Low level of dust – Even natural litters can have dust particles. However depending on the formulas and the product, the level of dust may be low. The low dust products are the ones that need to be used. Little or no dust is also recommended because if the dust is more, the cats may prick them with their paws which can lead to a mess.
Size of the granule – Both the soft and coarser grains have their pros and cons. The softer grains are suitable for the cats who prefer the softer ones while the coarser ones are more effective to keep track of the litter in the house. As far as kittens are concerned, the coarse granules have also been found to be safer for them.
Cost-effectiveness – This is an essential feature as costs vary with the varying products, and a reasonable product needs to be chosen to afford it well by the owner of the cat. Generally the natural products are cheaper than other. And, the purchase of a cheaper product also makes it more cost-effective as the litter can be frequently altered and replaced with new ones.
Advantages and Disadvantages –
There are both advantages and disadvantages of the natural products for cat litter. In general the natural litters are better than the clay or silica based materials. The natural products are harmless and does not make use of any chemical, which makes the litter completely safe.
The natural products are also environment friendly and hence preferred more by the cat owners.
As far as the flush ability of the product is concerned, the natural products are the only litters that may be considered as safe for flushing out and not damaging the sewer system of the house.
One major disadvantage of the natural product is that in comparison to the other products, the price is slightly higher, although reasonable to afford.
However the choice of the litter can be confusing unless the right products and their features are known.
Natural cat litter is on the highest demand among the cat owners. Since there are a number of products made from different components, and based on different formulas, it is essential to choose the product that would be both effective as well as reasonable in price.
So what is an ideal litter base for the cats?
Plant based materials are used for making the natural cat litter. Thus products such as corn and wheat are used to make the litter, which makes the litter completely safe for the animal. With natural items being used in the process, the disposals of these litters also become easy and convenient for the cat owners to manage.
The need for a safe product is more essential for the kittens who need to be protected from any negative impacts of the litter, such as which may be expected if silica or cloy particles are used.
The different types of materials that can be used to make the natural products of litter include corn, wheat, pine, walnut and paper.
Features –
The natural product has some of the key features that make it all the more attractive to the pet owners. These features also need to be known well to the cat owners, to allow them to purchase the right cat litter for their cats.
Control of odor – The product is such that is capable of reducing the smell of the wastes littered by the cats, and minimize them as much as possible. The cats would not use the litter box if the odor in the box is not well controlled.
Clumping to be good – It is essential that the litter material allows good clumping of the wastes produced by the cats. The natural products are such that allows easy clumping between the urine and the litter and thus forming a hard lump, which can be easily and effectively scooped for removal and clean-up.
Low level of dust – Even natural litters can have dust particles. However depending on the formulas and the product, the level of dust may be low. The low dust products are the ones that need to be used. Little or no dust is also recommended because if the dust is more, the cats may prick them with their paws which can lead to a mess.
Size of the granule – Both the soft and coarser grains have their pros and cons. The softer grains are suitable for the cats who prefer the softer ones while the coarser ones are more effective to keep track of the litter in the house. As far as kittens are concerned, the coarse granules have also been found to be safer for them.
Cost-effectiveness – This is an essential feature as costs vary with the varying products, and a reasonable product needs to be chosen to afford it well by the owner of the cat. Generally the natural products are cheaper than other. And, the purchase of a cheaper product also makes it more cost-effective as the litter can be frequently altered and replaced with new ones.
Advantages and Disadvantages –
There are both advantages and disadvantages of the natural products for cat litter. In general the natural litters are better than the clay or silica based materials. The natural products are harmless and does not make use of any chemical, which makes the litter completely safe.
The natural products are also environment friendly and hence preferred more by the cat owners.
As far as the flush ability of the product is concerned, the natural products are the only litters that may be considered as safe for flushing out and not damaging the sewer system of the house.
One major disadvantage of the natural product is that in comparison to the other products, the price is slightly higher, although reasonable to afford.