Selecting The Best Litter For Your Feline
There are countless types of kitty litter sold. Because of the number of brands and types available, you just about need to be a veterinary professional to identify the best. Many owners use trial and error or study the many online sites such as this one on the best cat litter. Often, the mountain of articles written on the topic makes it even more bewildering. The truth is that some experiments are required. Also, unique formulations may be needed that are selected with the needs of kitties with problems like inappropriate urination and respiratory concerns.
30 years ago, the only variety of litter for cats available was the type made out of clay. The main reason for making litter out of clay litter is it is by far the least expensive kind of cat. But there are several drawbacks to using clay kitten or cat litter. It does not clump, suggesting pee spots have a tendency to stay limp and can't be scooped out. It's also got poor odor control and produces a lot of dust, which can often be a serious drawback for cat owners with asthma or allergies or for kittens with feline asthma. Most types of clay litter will say either clay litter or non-clumping litter to distinguish it from the clumping litters.
The vast majority of today’s cat owners like a clumping litter. The primary advantage of clumping litter is that it contains absorbent substances that adheres to each other when moist to form a solid mass that may be removed from the kitty litter box intact. These feline litters have a tendency to have superior odor control, and are well suited for small homes or homes with more than one cats. Cats seem to like these kitty litter brands over clay litter. Nevertheless popular brands of clumping litters are seriously more pricey than lower priced litters. Some owners have health worries regarding some of the components found in these brands of litters. Silica quartz, which is a component in many clumping litters, is a known carcinogen when dust is inhaled.Owners are reminded to use a mask when discarding or scooping, or any time the litter is disturbed and family members could come in contact with the dust. Some have also raised some level of concern about possible intestinal blockage due to ingestion of the clumping litter by cats during grooming. Most vets consider that this is a particularly nominal risk, as it would be very surprising for a kitty to eat the quantity of litter that would be required to result in an obstruction.
Some cat litters are specifically made for cats and kittens with health or behavior concerns. If your cat has any festering wounds or has just had had surgery or is still recovering form a surgery, we recommend that you need a paper-based litter,eg Yesterdays News, since it is less likely to interfere with open wounds.. For cats with respiratory issues such as a asthmatic cat, clay based and clumping litters are not ideal the dust that is expelled from the litter when stirred could irritate the airways. For these cats a pellet based litter, for example Feline Pine Is ideal. For cats who have some problems with inappropriate elimination outside of the litter box, litter additives such as Pussy Attract Can be useful. The drawback to using a specialty litter is that they can be costly and are not freely available.
When choosing a litter for your cat, keep your cat in mind as well as your own requirements. If your cat is fussy or has medical issues, you may want to shell out the extra cash for a speciality litter. If your cat has has no health problems or isn’t picky and your home is large enough that you have a secluded place for the litter box, you might opt to just economize and purchase the lower cost option and choose the litter made out of clay. Whatever decision you make know that you need to listen and ensure the kitty agrees with your call.
The author, Cathy Doggins, is an authority on concerns. You can read more articles by Cathy by visiting cat-health-guide.org. She is the author of many articles on cat care, such as this resource on cats selection. When not writing about cats. the author can be found playing with her two cats, Jeckly and Hyde, as well as volunteering at a local cat rescue, an activity she encourages all readers to participate in.
