Silica gel for cat litter: review of brands and application features

Silica gel - balls or heterogeneous shavings with sorption properties. Convenient for cat litter due to absorption and retention of odors. If used correctly, the litter tray should not be changed for up to two weeks. The absorbent filler does not stick to paws, does not smell, is used sparingly, and does not pose a threat to animals and children. One of the disadvantages is a loud crunch, dust settling on the bottom of the package (some brands have it), and the sharpness of the crystals. Silica gel is not suitable for kittens.

Filler can be purchased at pet stores or chemical warehouses. Main manufacturers: Fresh Step Crystals, Clean Cat, Long Feng Crystal Cat Litter, “Barsik Crystal”, Mimi Litter “Universal”, “Murzyk”, “Siberian Cat”, Cat Step, “Yo!”, No. 1 Crystals.

There are many fillers made from wood, clay, and minerals. Relatively recently, the most effective litter box filler for cats has appeared - silica gel. It absorbs moisture well and eliminates odors. Let's find out more about what this substance is and how to use it.

Silica gel for cat litter: general characteristics, composition

First, let's figure out what it is and what its features are. This substance has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before purchasing.

Compound

Each silica gel is transparent or translucent in the form of small balls of dried gel based on a solution of silicic acid. Contains silicon dioxide. This natural, odorless, hypoallergenic substance is the main ingredient of sand. The balls are non-toxic and not dangerous to the health of the animal.

There are many pores on the surface of the balls that are invisible to the eye. The larger the diameter of the holes, the faster the crystals absorb liquid. Moisture, including odor, remains in the pores, which gradually dry out. As a result, the tray remains dry for a long time. It is enough to renew the filler once a week, when the silica gel has used up its capabilities and stops absorbing moisture.

Advantages

Silica gel based cat litter has significant advantages:

• does not stick to paws,
• quickly accumulates liquid
• stays dry for a long time,
• economical,
• non-toxic.

The substance is hygienic because it has no odor and is not carried around the house by animals. In addition, the filler looks aesthetically pleasing.

Flaws

The main disadvantage is the sound. When it comes into contact with moisture, it begins to hiss, which can frighten the animal. A grainy substance crunches under the paws, which the animal may also not like.

The disadvantages include high cost. However, the filler is used economically, since it does not require frequent changes. Moreover, it is easy to clean and more hygienic. Therefore, the price is justified. A five-kilogram bag will last an adult animal for a month.

Important. The structure of the filler may not be suitable for the animal, since the edges of large crystals are quite sharp and hard. In this case, you should choose round balls.

Flaws

Of course, the use of this product, like any other product, has its negative aspects:

• quite high price (there are other cat litter products on the market at a lower cost, but if the silica gel litter is used in accordance with the instructions, it will last a long time);
• when liquid gets on the granules, a characteristic hissing sound appears, which frightens some cats;
• granules in the form of crystals or fine fractions can be unpleasant for the pet when he steps on them;
• the mixture is not suitable for animals that like to taste everything.

Silica gel should not be eaten. If ingested, it can cause serious problems due to its strong hydrophilic properties.

Important! The filler is not recommended for use in kittens, since if the kitten eats a little of the granules, this will lead to serious consequences, including the death of the animal.

Features of using cat litter

Using silica gel is easy for both owners and pets. Animals adapt to the new filler within a day or two. If the cat categorically refuses to use the litter tray with new contents, mix sorbent balls with a known filler. Also try a different brand before going back to clay litter.

How to use

Unlike conventional fillers, the wetted portion does not need to be removed.

How to use:

• Place a layer of at least three cm thick into the litter tray.
• Wait until the animal goes to the toilet.
• For better drying, stir with a silica gel spatula.

Simply remove solid waste using the slotted handle. Throw out the entire contents of the tray and refill it about once a week. Yellow or cloudy crystals will be a signal for change.

It is recommended to stir the contents of the bath at least once a day. If this is not done, the liquid will seep to the bottom and harden there in the form of a sticky mass. This will not prevent odor formation.

Is it dangerous for a child?

Silica gel is non-toxic and safe for pets and children. If your child eats some silica gel, nothing will happen. The substance is inert and does not react with most compounds. The particles behave like activated carbon in the stomach and are eliminated from the body naturally.

The only recommendation is to give plenty of fluids.

How to recycle

Although it is environmentally friendly, do not flush silica gel down the toilet. It swells with water and accumulates in the pipes and clogs the drains. The garbage bag is recyclable. Place the used liner in it, bandage it and throw it away.

Compound

It should be understood that a material such as silica gel is a solid hydrophilic sorbent that looks similar to a regular dried gel. Its production is carried out from carefully dried polysilicic acid gel. It has almost the same composition as sand. It obtains excellent absorbent properties due to the fact that the gel filler has granules with a porous structure.

Note that silicate gel works so effectively that it absorbs not only liquid, but also excess moisture from air masses.

In general, it should be noted that fillers based on silicone and silicates contain up to 98 percent of this substance. In their normal state, these are round balls or transparent crystals that change color depending on the color and properties of the absorbed liquid.

A number of companies that produce silicone filler often add granules of various colors to the transparent substance: from blue to pink. You can also find flavored fillers on the market.

How to choose the right cat litter

Silica litter gel is not suitable for all cats. Besides the fact that each animal is individual and may not “like” the new filler, silica gel is only suitable for adult animals.

When choosing the appropriate litter box filling, you should take into account the specifics of each type of litter box:

• Wood and corn fillers are considered environmentally friendly. However, your pet may develop allergies.
• The most economical is silica gel. Suitable for owners of multiple pets.
• When choosing a zeolite or clay filler, keep in mind that large granules that do not get stuck in the fur are suitable for a long-haired pet.

No matter how good the filler is and no matter what the manufacturer promises, the choice remains with the animal. If the floor is covered in puddles, replace the litter tray.

Is it possible to use technical silica gel for cat litter?

In fact, the filler from the pet store does not differ in composition and principle of action from industrial silica gel. To be clear, it’s unlikely to get better. Antibacterial labels often turn out to be a marketing gimmick. The only difference is aromatic additives and dyes. Cat Silica Gel is prettier and more fragrant than commercial silica gel.

According to GOST 3956-76, silica gels differ from each other:

• shape – granular or granular;
• sizes – large or small;
• pore diameter – large-porous or fine-porous.

Technical silica gel marked KSKG is suitable for cat litter in 25 kg bags. Explanation of the designation:

• K – thick;
• B – silica gel;
• K – large-porous;
• G – granular.

However, it is not always possible to find a supplier who sells small volumes at retail.

Top 4. Cat Step silica gel

Rating (2021): 4.68

5287 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, OZON, Otzovik, IRecommend

The most popular The most recognizable brand of relatively inexpensive absorbent fillers. Thanks to its effectiveness and reasonable price, Cat Step has earned thousands of reviews.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 1,615 rub. for 15.2 l

• Country: Russia (manufactured in China)
• Volume, l: 3; 3.8; 7.6; 15.2 and 26.6
• Weight, kg: 1.4; 1.8; 3.6, 6.7 and 11.7
• Granules: large, crushed
• Antibacterial: no
• Fragrance: fragrance-free, hypoallergenic

One of the best inexpensive cat litters. Despite its reasonable price, Cat Step perfectly absorbs even large amounts of liquid and can be recommended for large cats and a large number of animals. Also, review authors note that odor neutralization takes up to several weeks, that is, many times longer than analogues. The filler is easy to clean and does not spread too much due to the large size of the granules. But their shape is not suitable for every cat. Like most silica gel fillers, Cat Step has chipped crystals with edges that can cause discomfort to short-haired and hairless breeds with sensitive skin. At the same time, there are complaints about fakes.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Adequate price
• Excellent absorption
• Odor neutralization
• Easy to clean

• Some batches are dusty
• There are fakes

See also:

• 10 Best Dewormers for Dogs and Cats

Rating of the best silica gel fillers

Silica gel litter is available under many brands. The balls vary in shape, color and degree of moisture absorption. Let's look at some brands to find out which silica gel is best.

Table 1. Classification of silica gel fillers

Attention. Flavorful toppings are fun for people, but can be scary for animals. However, fragrances don't play a big role because ideally there is no smell and you don't need to mask it.

Fresh Step

This product is manufactured by Clorox.

It consists of small crystals of white, blue, blue color. One package of 5 liters is consumed in 20-30 days for one adult animal.

If your cat likes to lay out bedding, be careful when stepping on it barefoot. The crystals are quite sharp and stick unpleasantly into the skin.

Clean Cat

White homogeneous silica gel for cats with small blue, pink and yellow spots. It absorbs moisture well and retains the aroma for up to two weeks. Doesn't stick to paws.

Long Feng Crystal

It consists of white crystals with blue inclusions. Available in various dosage sizes (up to 10 liters). Absorbs liquid well, eliminates odors and does not leave wet streaks on the bottom of the litter tray. Doesn't stick to paws. A little dusty.

"Barsik Crystal"

This is a mineral-smelling cuvette containing 20% ​​silica gel. It is cheaper than other similar products, but also removes odors. We recommend changing the tray every five days.

Mimi Litter

Large crystals have a matte white color. Free from colored pigments and fragrances. It absorbs moisture well, does not leave a wet film on the bottom of the toilet, and also eliminates unpleasant odors. It starts to smell bad after 10 days of proper use.

"Murzik"

Snow-white, homogeneous, without colored crystals. Good aroma retention. It’s good enough that it sticks to the paws and spreads around the apartment. However, it does not gather dust.

Siberian cat

The Siberian Cat has several product lines that differ in packaging color:

• for the picky – pink;
• elite – blue;
• eco - green.

In practice there is no difference between them.

Retains moisture and odor and does not remain on the feet. However, this creates a lot of dust because the crystals are quite small.

Cat Step

Blue and white spheres without odor. Does not cause allergies, safe for consumption, non-toxic. Absorbs liquid well and eliminates odors. A bag (3.8 kg) is enough for 30 days for one adult animal.

The more or less granular material will stick to the grate of the bucket, but will be less likely to fly out of the toilet. The filler gets a little dusty and sticks to the paws.

"Yo!"

The manufacturer allows you to wash the infusion down the drain. The scent range is available in apricot, mint and lavender. Large crystals do not stick to paws and fur.

It does not absorb moisture well, which causes an unpleasant odor. Your pet may not like the smell.

N1 Crystals

Homogeneous with pink crystals. Stays away from odors. It has average absorption capacity: often a small sediment remains at the bottom. The paint will move to the sides of the tray.

Attention. According to reviews, the red-pink color of crystals is not the best solution. Signs of urolithiasis are more difficult to recognize.

Top 9. AromatiCat silica gel Diagnostic

Rating (2021): 4.57

45 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, OZON, Wildberries, SberMegamarket

Best for health monitoring Representative of unique diagnostic fillers. Thanks to pH indicators, it can detect signs of urolithiasis and other urinary tract diseases.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 350 rub. for 3 l

• Country: Russia (manufactured in China)
• Volume, l: 3
• Weight, kg: 1.3
• Granules: small, crushed
• Antibacterial: no
• Flavoring: no

This silica gel litter is designed to provide not only cleanliness and freshness in the toilet, but also help in monitoring the health of your beloved cat. Special colored indicator granules often indicate the need to contact a veterinarian long before your pet becomes unwell, which helps to take control of the situation in the early stages. This is especially true for the breeds most prone to urolithiasis, as well as sterilized and older cats. At the same time, the filler copes with basic tasks perfectly. According to reviews, AromatiCat does not generate dust, reliably blocks odors and absorbs better than a number of analogues. It is also quite economical, but is available only in 3-liter packages.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Absorbs well
• Reliably blocks odor
• No dust
• Economical

• No large packages
• May stick

Tips for choosing

Now let's talk about how to choose the product in question. Overall it's pretty easy. If you decide to give preference to this particular solution, then you should pay attention to the following points when purchasing.

• There should be a minimum amount of silicate dust inside the pack of filler. It would be best then to purchase fillers that consist of the largest silica gel crystals.
• It is best to use white silica gel due to the fact that its toxicity is almost zero. The fact is that to give the granules a certain color, the manufacturer can use various substances with a certain toxicity. An example is cobalt chloride.
• Before purchasing products from a particular manufacturer, you should familiarize yourself with the products of competitors and find out what features the products they offer have.
• Mass will also play a role. For example, if you buy 50 kg of filler at once, it may be more profitable from a financial point of view than buying several kilograms of it.

As you can see, choosing a high-quality silicate litter for cats is not difficult.

Reviews

If we talk about reviews, most of them can be called positive. For example, a number of users write that for picky cats who won’t use the same litter twice, this is an excellent solution, because the granules, which absorb moisture and odor, make it possible to continue to use the litter, which allows you to save it. Users also say that there will be significantly less odor in the room than when using similar fillers.

Some cat owners note that the price of such filler is not always affordable, but they write that its cost-effectiveness does not raise any questions, as well as the fact that it is really convenient to use for both the pet and its owner.

A number of users write that cats are afraid when silica gel begins to hiss, and have difficulty getting used to this phenomenon.

There are, of course, a number of negative reviews, but there are not many of them, which allows us to say that, in general, the product in question was appreciated by cat owners.

How to use it correctly?

Now we should tell you how to use the type of filler in question. Please note that despite its apparent simplicity, some users require instructions.

The process of use itself is very simple. It is enough to pour a few centimeters of the substance into a tray, which should be dry and clean. It should be said that different manufacturers indicate different amounts of silica gel. But, most often, users agree that the layer should be at least 5 centimeters.

If solid waste appears in the tray, it should be thrown into the trash can. To do this, you can use a special scoop, which usually comes with the cat litter box. This device will make it possible to leave clean granules in the tray.

About once a day, the silica gel that is in the tray needs to be stirred. This is necessary so that crystals that have already used up their resource do not become the cause of the appearance of slurry.

Replacement of the filler should be carried out within the recommendations given by the manufacturer. Usually a 4-liter bag is enough for one cat for about a month. If the cat is a large breed, then the litter should be replaced more often.

It should be noted that fillers of this type should never be flushed down the toilet, as they can cause blockages and clog the drain.

It is not difficult to accustom your cat to this type of litter. You can simply mix silica gel into the filler you are using and gradually increase its availability until you are using only that.

Review of popular manufacturers

It is easy for novice cat owners to get confused when choosing a mixture, since a large number of companies produce them. But there are silica gel toilet fillers, which are reviewed positively by everyone who has used them. Here is an approximate list of leaders in the pet products market:

• Сrystals;
• Siberian cat;
• Cat step;
• Snowball;
• Our brand;
• Sanicat.

"Сrystals" . Absorbent silica gel with fairly large granules. This filler does not stick to paws and fur, does not require frequent cleaning, and perfectly removes unpleasant odors, but some buyers complain about the content of silicate dust in the packaging. It can be easily found at any pet store.