Most often, cat breeders buy open toilets for their pets and pour clumping, silica gel or wood filler into them. Below we will talk about how to properly use these three types of litter in combination with the most common trays and toilet houses. Also in the article we will look at the question of how to properly use clumping litter and how often you need to change the litter in your cat's litter box.
Basic steps
► select the desired filler and a suitable tray► pour and level the filler
► keep the tray clean and clean it
► wash the tray periodically
► We change the tray once every 1-3 years
Precautionary measures
Of course, precautions must be taken when selecting and using a tray.
- Be sure to use filler. It will definitely make life easier for both you and your cat. Change it more often, change types. You will definitely find something you like.
- Do not use or display substances that a kitten could easily eat. Kittens are very curious and if substances get into the respiratory and digestive tracts, problems cannot be avoided.
- Keep it clean. Cats are clean and also do not like to go to dirty places.
- Never add fragrances to attract the animal or to block unpleasant odors.
- Replace cheap plastic pots once a year. More expensive trays can be replaced every three years.
By the way, in order to remove the pot quickly and without hassle, you can use one piece of advice. Place a garbage bag on the tray of the pot and pour the filler into it. This option fights unpleasant odors and does not deposit urinary stones.
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What should you pay attention to when choosing a tray with a grid?
As soon as you come to the store, you will immediately be confused by the variety of litter boxes for cats. In order to choose a high-quality tray for your pet, take a closer look:
- Material. Smell the plastic right in the store, there is nothing shameful here. There are trays that are made of low-quality plastic, and these emit an unpleasant odor that can be dangerous for your pet.
- Height. There are low trays, there are high trays with wide sides. It is more convenient to use tall trays in everyday life, as they allow you to pour more filler. And the wide sides will save the area near the tray from contamination.
- Size. It is worth giving preference to medium trays. Small trays will be convenient for kittens at first, but as they grow, you will have to buy a larger tray. Some cats find large trays very uncomfortable.
The main thing is the cat's comfort, so make your choice of tray based on your pet's preferences and characteristics.
Varieties
Clumping: what are the features?
Bentonite clay and minerals are used to make these cat litter products. This hygiene product is widely known among cat owners and is often used. With its help, it is easy to absorb excess moisture, which turns into a lump. Using a spatula, the owner can easily remove used lumps of cat urine or feces from the toilet. It is recommended to buy clumping litter for a cat litter box if there is only one animal in the house, since if there are a large number of pets, the owner will have to remove the clumps throughout the day.
Veterinarians warn that this type of product is not suitable for a kitten who is constantly trying everything. If the filler gets into the animal's stomach, dangerous problems and complications may occur.
How is wood different?
Compressed sawdust granules retain odor well and are hypoallergenic, so they are suitable for both adults and small animals.
It is most profitable to fill a cat's litter box with this type of litter, since it is inexpensive and only a small amount of it needs to be placed on the bottom of the litter box. The product is compressed granules of sawdust, which become soaked upon contact with urine. A special feature of this litter intended for cat litter is its ability to retain odor well. Suitable not only for kittens, but the hygiene product is also used for adult cats. Since wood is a natural component, this filler almost never causes an allergic reaction in a cat.
Silica gel
Although this product is one of the most expensive, it does not require filling the cat's entire litter box. The filler consists of synthetic crystals of a transparent shade that absorb moisture well. The advantage of this product is the possibility of infrequent cleaning. If you fill the tray with a large layer of silica gel, then you will need to dispose of your cat’s litter box no more often than once every 2-3 weeks. The disadvantages of the litter are the sharp edges of the crystals and the loud rustling sound when the cat visits the litter box.
Features of mineral
The Fresh Step filler is a mineral filler, and when moisture gets in, it forms a lump, which makes it easy to clean the tray.
The composition includes clayey bentonite and palygorskite rocks. Popular brands of similar fillers:
- "Fresh step";
- "Murka";
- "Leopard";
- "Katsan";
- Jimpet Biocats;
- Vitacraft Compact Ultra.
After urination, a lump forms in the tray, which can be easily removed with a spatula. The main advantage of the hygiene product is that it is easy to clean, and it does not stick to the animal’s paws and does not spread around the house. It is possible to purchase filler with granules of different sizes. Experts do not recommend buying it for kittens who can swallow it. The disadvantage of mineral hygiene products is that they cannot be disposed of in the sewer.
Where is the best place to put a cat litter box?
Cats are very particular about their litter box, so choosing the right location for it is very important. And you, most likely, will not dare to install a tray on the carpet in the living room or kitchen. Remember the “one plus one” rule - you should have one “main” tray and one additional one. Accordingly, if you have two cats, there should be four trays, etc. Why is that?
These are such interesting animals - cats. They will never share their litter box with other animals. Many of our furry pets go even further in their requests - they prefer to urinate in one tray and defecate in another. Moreover, this requirement may appear suddenly! Therefore, always keep a spare tray ready.
So, let's try to find the right place for the tray
To do this, we must know something important from the nature of these beauties!. Place
Cats like to relieve themselves in solitude, out of sight. Moreover, they do this not at all out of modesty, but out of elementary fear: what if they are caught in such a vulnerable position by an insidious enemy! Based on this, we recommend, if you have one, to find a place in the guest bathroom. Problems with space in your apartment? Then find a quiet, non-traffic place if possible. If you don’t have any, buy a protective screen and place the tray in the corner of the living room or bedroom. You can successfully install the tray in both the bathroom and the toilet. Don't be afraid, the noise of the washing machine will not scare your pet
Place.
Cats like to relieve themselves in solitude, out of sight.
Moreover, they do this not at all out of modesty, but out of elementary fear: what if they are caught in such a vulnerable position by an insidious enemy! Based on this, we recommend, if you have one, to find a place in the guest bathroom. Problems with space in your apartment? Then find a quiet, non-traffic place if possible. If you don’t have any, buy a protective screen and place the tray in the corner of the living room or bedroom. You can successfully install the tray in both the bathroom and the toilet. Don't be afraid, the noise of the washing machine will not scare your pet. Away from food please!
Follow the rules of hygiene! We understand how much you love your cat and even kiss her from time to time, but still the tray and products are in no way compatible. Also, do not place the litter box in the same place where the cat eats, for the same reasons. Do not forget!
The tray is not a place for games!
This advice will be useful for those who have several cats. The fact is that cats love to play interactive games among themselves, hide in ambushes, and the tray often serves as a favorite place for such an ambush - cats love to literally fly up from there. In this case, move the litter box to an area where your pets do not play.
Avoid places that are too hidden and hard to reach.
When we say that cats love privacy in these matters, do not take everything literally and do not go too far: do not place trays in exotic places - in the basement, attic, etc., especially in places where you can only get by climbing a ladder . These exercises are especially difficult for kittens. And in this case, an adult cat will probably choose a more interesting place, and of course, outside your tray! A small exception should be made if you have a house with several floors: then we suggest setting up trays on each floor for the convenience of the animal.
Don't forget to keep the doors open!
You risk wasting all your time if, for example, you choose a place in the bathroom and then, out of habit, close the door there tightly. Remember: trays should always be freely accessible for pets!
Contact the services of furniture manufacturing companies!
If none of the proposed options suits you, then we advise you to look on the Internet for offers from some furniture companies that offer very nice multifunctional furniture sets with a cleverly camouflaged tray! For our taste, bamboo furniture is the ideal choice. It’s not a sin to place one like this in the living room!
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Terms of use
In order for your pet to use such a tray, you need to prepare it. Since it consists of two main parts, everything is done very simply.
- Place filler at the bottom of a dry and clean plastic container.
- A mesh or lattice is placed on the top of the cat litter box. It is advisable to leave space between the tray and the grid so that cat urine gets inside, onto the litter. If the pet poops, the feces remain on the grill, which is then removed and thoroughly washed under the tap and dried.
- It is necessary to periodically wash the cat litter so that nothing stagnates, and then put in new litter.
Pros and cons of using
A tray with a grid in everyday use has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's start with the pros:
- This model is the most budget-friendly. In addition, if you do not use filler, it will also save you money twice as much.
- The litter is located below, under the grate, which means that the cat cannot reach it to play or sniff.
- This tray is very hygienic. The cat will not come into contact with its paws in the dirty litter and will not spread the granules around the apartment.
- The color range is quite varied, so you can choose one for every color and taste.
- The cat will quickly learn to go to the toilet and will no longer be able to refuse a wonderful choice.
The disadvantages include:
- A cat's instincts never fail and some cats will begin to ignore the litter box due to the fact that there is no way to bury their feces there.
- If the filler is not used, the smell will spread throughout the apartment and will be difficult to remove.
- It will be necessary to clean the grill immediately after the cat has gone “on errands”.
Cats are very responsible when it comes to going to the toilet.
