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All About Kitty Litter

August 2nd, 2010

General Information

Generally made out of fine ground clay, silica, and also sand, cat litter is an essential part of everyday life for any cat owner. These ingredients each possess their own specialized functions and purposes, but with all of them combined it creates a unique concoction that absorbs and reduces odor with great ease so that felines are able to use the restroom indoors without causing any messes around the house.

For anyone who doesn’t let their cat outside and allows them to roam around in the house, cat litter is vital and a very essential factor in ownership of the feline kind.

One of the biggest things that could really scare people off when it comes to cats is being required to purchase litter, and understandably so. With an economy so poor, individuals are looking to save money in every way possible and cat litter is just an added expense.

However, there are many choices when it comes to this product. Choices ranging from a mere $10 for a 40-lb bag of the store brand to the more expensive brands that cost $20 for a 15-lb bag are available, so the variety is abundant.

Cat owners are becoming aware of a whole new way to avoid the costs of litter altogether, too. Since the ingredients are so simple and obtainable, making homemade cat litter is so easy that if people learned more about the ability to do so, manufacturers would go completely out of business. At a local renovations store, the materials used to make the quality litter found in store can be bought for a fraction of the price and will provide enough product to make a year’s supply.

For those who enjoy bulk shopping, there are plenty of options when it comes to cat litter. By going to stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club, owners will be able to purchase bags that will last them for months to come at a deeply discounted price.

How To Use Cat Litter

Cat litter is quite an investment, but luckily there are plenty of brands that are fitted to every need and budget. Upon entering a grocery or pet store, the selection of brands and types of litter can be very overwhelming. There are many different types of product that are designed to suit different needs such as multiple cats, odor eliminating, amongst others. However, each household is different so everyone will likely need a different type of litter.

When it comes to training a kitten to use a litter box to begin with, the process can be a bit frustrating. While some babies go right to the box out of the gate and will have no problems, other kittens may be scared of the idea and will completely avoid the litter box. For those who have this issue, the simple solution is a litter attractant. There are a few companies that offer a product that simply sprays onto the litter and entices the cat to use the litter box versus somewhere else in the house that they are not supposed to go.

Many people experience that is the complete opposite of their pet’s inability to use the litter box. When it comes to smell, the odor that comes from this area of the house can be incredibly unattractive and overwhelming. It can be difficult to find a place for the litter box that the smell does not completely take over the entire house, but a simple way to help eliminate the odor so that it is not a factor on where exactly you place the box is by use of a traditional household project.

Everyone has baking soda in their house, and it has many uses. But one of the little-known purposes is for reducing of smell for cats. Before filling the litter box, or when you are cleaning it out, simply sprinkle a bit of baking soda down. This product is a great way to help reduce that disgusting litter box smell without using harmful chemicals.

Types Of Cat Litter

There are many varieties when it comes to cat litter, and selecting the proper type can be difficult so it is important to consider all of the options.

Clumping Cat Litter
This variety is without a doubt one of the most popular? Why? Clumping cat litter allows for an easy clean up and removal meaning that the owners job is much more simple and a lot less of a mess. This litter is created from a ground up clay material that has a number of other ingredients that make it have the ability to join together when wet and form a clump. The one downside to this variety of litter is that it’s not able to be flushed.

Non-Clumping Cat Litter
This is a favorite of many individuals because of the ability to flush the litter down the toilet. Instead of having to go through the gruesome task of scooping out the box and having to place it in a trash bag, the ability to simply dump and flush is featured. Non-clumping litter is simply a basic clay mixture that allows for easy absorption and is not harsh on kitty’s paws.

Multiple Cat Litter
For a household that has more than one cat, keeping odors under control is incredibly important. This can be difficult with traditional litter, so some of the top brands such as Tidy Cats provide a wonderful option that has specialized ingredients to give a bit of extra scent protection.

Scented Cat Litter
Some people prefer this method because it gives an extra fresh smell as opposed to most litters.
Brands like Tidy Cats provide a few choices if you are interested in this variety of cat litter.

Health Concerns
One of the biggest problems that people have with cats is the health risks that they pose. Not them as an animal, but their waste and having to deal with a litter box. As a general rule of thumb, one of the biggest things about having a litter box is that pregnant women should not be cleaning the box. Because of the fumes and bacteria, it can be extremely dangerous for the fetus. Also, if you have any open wounds try and avoid cleaning the litter box and have someone else do it for you.

One of the best health preventative measures that you can take to ensure your safety is to keep a box of disposable gloves on hand. Place the box next to the litter box and whenever you go to clean out the litter, you will be guarded from the bacteria. Of course, after emptying it out you should wash your hands with hot water before doing anything else.

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