In this new post for michis lovers we bring you a complete guide on how to choose the best litter for your cat. We are going to tell you the different types that exist with their advantages and disadvantages, the properties of each one, the prices and everything you need to know to choose the one that best suits you!
How to choose the best cat litter?
Cat litter is an essential product in a house inhabited by a cat. However, with so much variety that the market offers, you will wonder how to choose the best litter for my cat?
In this post you will find the description of all types of sand.
The smell, ease of use, and price of cat litter; These are some of the factors that differentiate the different types of sand. In our guide we present all the types of sand available, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
This way you can choose the option that best suits you and your michi.
Types of cat litter:
As we have already mentioned, there are many types of cat litter available on the market. Below we are going to detail each one so that you can choose the one that best suits you.
1. Absorbent (non-clumping) mineral cat litter:
It is the classic absorbent sand that we can find in pet stores, online stores and supermarkets. It is the cheapest litter that we can find on the market and therefore the most popular among cat owners.
Absorbent sands are made based on sepiolite, a type of mineral with high absorption capacity. It is a type of natural sand for the animal. Cats have a natural instinct to relieve themselves on sandy soil (in order to hide their scent from possible predators).
Despite its good absorption, you can only collect poop from this type of litter. The urine stays on the pebbles. For this reason, the absorbent sand requires frequent change to eliminate the urine accumulated in it.
Additionally, mineral sands produce dust, which can be a risk for people with asthma or other respiratory problems.
You can find absorbent litter scented or odorless, depending on your preferences or those of your cat.
Remember that the cat also has its own olfactory tastes and some odors can make it not want to use the litter box .
What is the price of absorbent cat litter?
The price, calculated per liter, starts at €0.15, which makes it the cheapest cat litter.
In our store we have several types of absorbent sand .
2. Absorbent mineral litter (clumping) for cats:
It looks very similar to non-clumping absorbent mineral sand.
What is the difference between clumping and non-clumping litter?
Clumping litter is made with bentonite, an absorbent clay. Furthermore, when it comes into contact with a liquid it clumps together and forms balls that make cleaning much easier, since they can be picked up with a shovel.
Thanks to this property of clumping litter, you will be able to easily remove not only litter, but also urine and you will not need to change it as frequently (with a cat, less than once a month).
How much does non-clumping cat litter cost?
The price per liter is a little more expensive than that of absorbent sand (€0.75/L), but taking into account the high efficiency of bentonite, a bag lasts much longer than that of non-clumping sand.
Therefore, in the long term, clumping litter is more economical than non-clumping litter that requires frequent changing.
You can also get this sand scented or not. At ParaísoMascota we have it from the SepiCat brand, odorless and totally neutral for your pet.
3. Light mining litter for cats:
It is a type of cat litter very similar to the previous two, both in visual appearance and in texture.
Its weight is lighter due to the lower density of the pebbles (they are more porous). It can be binding or non-binding and the effectiveness is exactly the same.
Its main advantage is that it is lighter and therefore can be more comfortable for people who cannot carry a lot of weight.
However, its price is usually higher than that of heavier sands, hovering around €1 for each liter.
At Paraíso Mascota we have the ultra-light cat litter from the Sepicat brand , which is also antibacterial and lasts up to 45 days (8 L package).
4. Silica Cat Litter (Pearls):
Silica sand is a good alternative to clays. If you are looking for a more durable cat litter, then opt for silica litter.
In addition to being the most durable, it absorbs odors perfectly. The structure of the pebbles is very porous. These pores cause the crystal cat litter to absorb odor particles like a sponge. The rest of the urine, which is water, evaporates. Silica sand does not produce dust and is therefore better for people with asthma or who want to avoid dust. Compared to clay ones, its weight is much lighter and therefore more comfortable to transport.
Is silica litter toxic to cats?
Absolutely. Silicone dioxide, which is its main ingredient, has been tested on numerous occasions. It is a non-toxic material, which, in fact, is added to different edible products for humans.
However, glass sand also has its disadvantages. One of them is that it is an artificial product, which when removed makes a different sound than clay, therefore some cats may reject it.
The use of silica sand also requires special conditions. To make the most of its absorbent properties, it should be in a dry place. The bathroom would not be the best place since it fills with steam every day when we shower.
When it comes to price, silica bead litter is usually more expensive than clay litter.
What is the price of silica cat litter?
The price starts at €2/L. The difference with the previous ones is significant, but we must take into account that it is the longest lasting cat litter.
5. Eco-friendly cat litter:
Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact their decisions have on the environment. Therefore, they are also looking for biodegradable and sustainable alternatives among cat litters.
In addition to being sustainable, they do not have any artificial additives as can happen with other sands.
The first and most common is biodegradable sand. Pellets are made from wood or vegetables that have absorbent and often binding properties.
Yes, clumping vegetable litter exists!
Thanks to this property it is easy to clean and lasts a long time. In addition, vegetable litter also does not raise dust and retains odors well.
There are also sands made from recycled paper. This sand is not biodegradable, but it does not abuse natural resources as much as clay or silica, since it is a recycling of the material already used.
Paper litter has absorbent properties and retains odors, but it must be changed frequently.
A great advantage of ecological litters is that they can be flushed down the toilet.
How much does biodegradable sand cost?
The price of ecological sand starts at €0.7/L and varies depending on the type of material.
You can also make organic litter for your cat at home . In this Green Ecology post they tell different ways to do it.
In any case, the most important thing in a litter is that your cat likes it and is comfortable using its litter box. You can try several options until you find the perfect one for you and your michi.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to answer them. Until next time =D
