Cat Litter: Which is the Best of 2021?

Cats are very neat animals. And an advantage they have is that you should not take them out to the street to relieve themselves. But even if they do their things indoors, they need a clean and pleasant space. At the same time, for you and your family, a litter box can be a source of unpleasant odors. And you need tools to help you avoid this hassle.

And this is when the different types of cat litter that the market offers you and that will help you avoid unpleasant odors come into play. At the same time that these felines have become famous as pets, the market for them has increased and there is a wide range of products in this sector. In the following lines you will find out. We started!

The most important

• There are several types of sand with very different characteristics. The choice will not depend solely on you, since cats can be very maniacal and you should see how your pet reacts to the product that you put in his litter box.
• Mainly, the market has four main types of sand (all of them with different variants), which you should choose according to your habits and preferences, and according to the tastes of your pet: basic or sepiolite sand, clay binder, ecological or silica gel.
• Cats are very intelligent, so you probably won’t find any major problem when you want to get them used to using their litter to relieve themselves.

The best litters for cats on the market: our recommendations

In this section you will see a compilation of the five most popular sand packages that you can find this year on the market. In addition, we have summarized and highlighted its main characteristics to make it easier for you to know each of the products. Thus, you can choose what type of litter will best suit your cat’s litter box.

• The best cat litter to avoid bad smells
• Online users’ favorite cat litter
• Best Silica Gel Cat Litter
• The most practical cat litter
• The best eco-friendly cat litter

The best cat litter to avoid bad smells

These two packages, which together have 20 liters of sand, last about 12 weeks. It is a vegetable bed and binder for cats. It has been created by applying an innovative biotechnology to the granules of the corn cob that turns them into binders and prevents bad odors. These granules are obtained by grinding the internal part of the vegetable.

This sand is biodegradable, does not emit dust and is obtained from raw materials that regenerates naturally. Also, of course, it is not toxic. The already used sand can be thrown into the toilet, the urban waste bin or the domestic compost bin. Buyers note that it’s eco-friendly and how well it can neutralize cat urine odors.

Online users’ favorite cat litter

This clumping sand has a fresh talcum scent and creates little dust. A 5-kilo package is estimated to last about three weeks. The price is high, but users appreciate its high quality. Even cats sensitive to allergies are protected with this mark. When the cat urinates, very compact balls of sand are created which makes them easy to remove.

Users appreciate the ability of this sand to mask bad odors without becoming too perfumed or annoying. The manufacturer firm recommends filling the tray with between 5 and 8 centimeters of sand. The formed agglomerates and solid excrement can be removed daily with a shovel to add a little more new product.

Best Silica Gel Cat Litter

This silica sand lasts for a month, saves odors and does not raise dust. If the cat takes something out of the box it is large crystals, so it is easy to clean. They are transparent and bluish balls that, as they absorb the urine, they turn yellow. As long as there are white crystals, it should not be changed, only the solid excrements should be removed.

It is a 7.5 kilogram package and users value its quality and absorption capacity. Lasts longer than normal sand. This makes buyers believe that it is a good option when they leave home for a few days and leave their cat alone and well equipped. The same product can also be purchased in a small size.

The most practical cat litter

This 6 kg pot of litter is agglomerating and has the ability to form compact balls with your cat’s waste. It also neutralizes odor and prevents dust. It is a scented sand that makes the room where the sandbox is kept does not smell like urine. It should be noted that the balls that are created do not stick to the ground or the walls of the sandbox.

Buyers advise to throw the sand in the trash, and not in the toilet, because the toilet does not swallow well this material that is not biodegradable. The package lasts two months, according to the seller, although most users comment that it has lasted less. Another feature of this product is that it promises to control bacterial growth.

The best eco-friendly cat litter

This sand is binder, ecological and biodegradable. The remains can be flushed down the toilet or in the organic waste container (depends on local legislation). It has a natural aroma with no artificial additives and is made entirely of vegetable fibers. It has been created with plants and therefore this sand dissolves in water, like toilet paper.

In the manufacture of this sand, pure vegetable fibers obtained from untreated fir wood have been used. These trees are constantly replanted. The bag is made of paper, according to its ideology of respecting the environment, without plastics. It also stands out for being soft in contact with your pet’s paws. This package lasts about two months

Shopping Guide: Everything You Should Know About Cat Litter

Next, you will have the possibility to learn more about the variety of products in this cat litter market. And, in addition, we will do everything possible to help you discover secrets of your cat’s behavior that can make your coexistence even more beautiful. Do not miss what is to come because we will answer many questions.

Why do I need cat litter?

This product is practical for your pet and also for you and your family. Helps keep the home clean. At the same time, cats are very neat animals and will not accept to relieve themselves in dirty places. Therefore, if you want your pet to be happy and have its urine collected in one place, you must offer it a suitable space for it and with sand.

There are remedies beyond sand, such as newspaper, but they are not really efficient. The sand absorbs the smell, the urine and leaves the stools well collected. And it also helps your pet to bury their defecations, something that these felines do instinctively. There are also many sands that compact these wastes, making them easier to clean.

How much cat litter do I put in the litter box for it to do its job?

It is recommended to put between 5 and 7 centimeters of sand in the box. The amount you put in the sandbox must have the capacity to bury the animal’s excrement. And it is that a cat does not feel comfortable leaving this solid waste in sight. If there isn’t enough, the cat will likely scratch the tray and that can lead to ripping or tearing.

At the same time, do not overfill it, since you will stain more sand than the account and that will lead you to use more and, therefore, to spend more money on this product. Also, if there is too much sand, it can easily end up outside the box when your pet digs. It is convenient to gradually replace the product with clean sand when removing the dirty part.

How often should I change the cat litter?

It depends a lot on the type of sand you choose and the smells that remain in the room where the sandbox is. Solid waste is removed daily and the dirty sand you remove can be replaced by clean sand in small quantities. But in addition, it must be changed with different frequencies, depending on whether it is a binder or not.

The absorbents or binders that do not prevent odors are changed in their entirety between 1 and 3 times a week. Silica litter can be changed in its entirety much less frequently, such as every 4 weeks, also depending on the number of cats that are using that “toilet.” Or if you see that the smell is very unpleasant before.

Where should I dispose of dirty cat litter?

Taking into account that the sand that is discarded smells bad, it would be best if it does not remain at home. That’s why many people flush the sand down the toilet so that the water can wash it away, but that should only be done if you have a product made of biodegradable material. If not, what you are doing is polluting rivers and seas, which is where what is flushed down the toilet goes.

Also, if you flush non-organic sand into the toilet, it can easily get clogged. Sands that are not biodegradable, such as silica gel, should go to the trash. If you dislike having it in your home because of the smell it gives off, you can lower it to a container where it is allowed to deposit waste at any time of the day.

How do I get used to a baby cat to relieve himself in the sand?

Cats are intuitive animals and they will likely learn early that the litter box is for them. If you see that he does not recognize it as the place to relieve himself, stir the sand in front of him. Also, if you see him urinate outside, you can take your kitten with your hand and put him on the indicated place. If he defecates outside, scoop his stool back to the box.

The box should be of adequate height so that the kitten can access it and sufficient sand so that it can bury its waste. When placing the litter box, find a place that your pet likes. If she’s not comfortable, she’s going to refuse to urinate in her litter. Another trick is to play with the cat near its litter box so that it associates it with a pretty feeling.

Should I clean the sandbox in addition to changing the sand?

In addition to the need to change the sand to keep the space clean, it is necessary to clean the tray periodically. More often when you’re not using clumping litters, as urine can create puddles on the base. For proper cleaning, do it when you go to change the sand and the container is empty. Use plenty of soap and water.

It is better that the chemical product you use does not give off very strong odors so as not to disturb your pet, but if you feel that the smell of urine does not go away, you can use bleach for cleaning. If the sandbox has scratches that create small cracks, also try to clean them very well, since they can keep a lot of bacteria inside.

Why doesn’t my cat like her litter?

It may happen that, even if the animal knows the right place to perform its needs, it avoids it. There are several reasons for this. The box and litter may not be clean enough. And your cat likes neat spaces. They may also dislike the type of stones in the sand. Or the smell of the product you have chosen.

The common thing is that a cat does not have trouble getting used to its litter. If so, just try another brand or another type of sand. If you have a scented one that your pet rejects, buy one that doesn’t smell. There are cats that cannot stand artificial odors. Keep changing until you find the article that you both like.

Is liters the same as kilos when we talk about cat litter?

It is not. Therefore, when you go to buy a cat litter and you want to make a comparison between the different products, note that you look at the same measurement. In case the quantities in liters and kilograms are not indicated, then you should know that 10 liters is about 4.3 kilograms.

At the same time, it should be noted that five kilograms of one style of sand will not spread the same amount of time as another type. That will depend on the absorption capacity and the ability to avoid the odors of each of the products. Manufacturers typically state these specifications on the labels of the product they sell.

Can dirty litter from my cat be harmful to health?

Obviously, it is necessary to keep the litter clean because feces and urine from a cat can bring infections. It is very important to know that pregnant women should not clean the litter, or even go near it, since they would run the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that is transmitted through the excrement of cats.

If you have a dog, keep the litter in a closed container. Eating your cat’s poop is very bad for your dog’s health, and some do. For your pussycat, keep its waste away from its food. Don’t put his bowl near the sandbox. The clumping litter, which uses chemicals for this agglomeration, can harm you and the animal’s health, according to scientific studies.

Are there tricks to keep cat litter from smelling bad?

No matter how high the quality of the litter is, cat urine can have very strong odors that can spread outside the room where you keep the litter box. This can be very annoying for both you and your cat. And give a bad impression to the visitors who come to your house. Here are some basic tips to avoid those bad smells:

• Change the sand frequently. As recommended, and remove dirty parts and solid excrement daily.
• Use scented litters that have a smell that is pleasant for you and your pet.
• Use closed sandboxes. There are many types of sandboxes, but some have a lid, which prevents the smell from coming out.
• Clean the tray often. More or less once a week empty the tray where the sand is and clean it with water and suitable chemicals.
• Use a room with ventilation. If possible, store the litter box somewhere in your home that has a window or is outdoors to prevent the smell from concentrating in an enclosed space.
• Use air freshener or sand deodorizer. There are products designed to hide the smell. But you must be careful because many cats find these chemicals very annoying.

Purchase criteria

You have already seen that the cat litter market is not as simple as it might seem. You must attend to a number of important aspects before deciding on a brand or style. Always according to your tastes and those of your pet so that you are comfortable. To make your purchase easier, we remind you which criteria are the most important:

• Materials
• Weight
• Duration
• Your priorities
• smells

Materials
It is very important to choose the type of litter that your cat likes because otherwise it will reject it. You should also choose based on the cleanliness of the space, where you prefer to throw it and what you want to spend. There are many different brands and types on the market.

Weight
Clay materials are relatively heavy, therefore the clumping sand is the heaviest. An advantage of silica sand is its lightness. The same weight will bring many more pebbles than if you buy another type of sand. It should be remembered, as we mentioned earlier, that liters and kilos are two different measurements when we are going to buy sand.

Duration
Most commonly, packets of sand indicate on the bag labels how long the sand inside is expected to last. You should also look at the evaluations of the buyers on the Internet portals in this regard. And, based on that, think about your particular case: the age of your pet, its weight or if you have more than one cat at home.

Keep in mind that silica gel sands and binders last longer than absorbent and eco-friendly ones, generally speaking. This is not an absolute truth, as it varies by brand. The reason is because it requires changing the entire contents of the sandbox less frequently when you use the first mentioned ones.

Your priorities
The arenas are not only adjusted to the tastes of your pet, but also the variety depends on what your priorities are. If you prefer a clean house over caring for the environment. If you prefer to save or if what matters most to you is that it requires little maintenance. In this table we give you a summary so that you know which sand suits you.

smells
A sandbox is a source of strong and obviously unpleasant odors. It is still a place where stool is stored. Depending on the type of sand, these will be stronger or more controlled. We are going to analyze this purchase criteria according to the styles of sand that we have previously known:

• Ecological litters have the positive that they give a natural aroma to the room, but they do not hide the smell of your pet’s urine well. The good thing about it is that you don’t have to leave dirty sand in the trash at home. You can easily flush it down the toilet and the water will wash it off safely.
• Silica gel sands, in many cases, in addition to absorbing urine, usually neutralize the odor. The structure called a tetrahedron, which is a silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms, helps neutralize odors. On the downside is that you can’t flush the waste down the toilet, so the dirty sand should go to your bucket. trash.
• Sepiolite usually comes with some artificial perfume. That will be indicated on the package. It normally masks the smell of urine.
• Binder Clumping sand can also come with added perfumes. Its level of agglomeration of the liquids makes its collection easier, but not necessarily to avoid the stenches.

Summary

A cat comes from the hand of several additional expenses necessary for its well-being and for the best coexistence at home. Fortunately, as these felines have increased their fame as pets, the chances of finding products on the market that suit our tastes have also increased.

There is a wide variety of cat litter to choose from. It is very necessary for something so everyday for all living beings as urinating and defecating. Therefore we have no choice but to buy sand. The good thing is that you can choose it based on the tastes of your little friend and according to your preferences and lifestyle.