Cat Litter Basics
Cat litter, or kitty litter as it is commonly called, is a granular material that absorbs odors and moisture and is used to fill a cat litter tray, commonly called a litter box. A cat litter box is used as an indoor disposal box for felines to go to the bathroom in when they do not have access to go outside the home. The cat litter is used to simulate soil, which cats by instinct will try to bury their faeces in. Kitty litter is made from a variety of materials including clay, wood pellets, paper pellets, and silicon crystal litter.
Nearly 70% of all cat litter on the market is clumping cat litter. This kind of litter, when it gets wet, comes together to make a solid mass, which in turn makes it very easy to separate from the unused litter left in the cat litter tray. The clumping cat litter helps reduce waste, as you do not have to change the entire contents of the cat litter box every time a cat goes to the bathroom. Due the fact this kind of kitty litter clumps together when wet, it is advised to not flush it down the toilet as it could clog it up.
Another kind of cat litter is a biodegradable kind and this is made from a variety of resources including wood pellets, dried orange peels, barley, sawdust, and recycled paper. This type of litter is good for the environment, which a good thing since every year, more than 2 million tons of litter ends up in UK landfills. Some people prefer biodegradable litter because it is eco friendly. Others might like it because biodegradable litter can be flushed down a toilet and has deodorizing mechanisms. If your cat has asthma, this type of kitty litter may also help its breathing because of the reduced dust in the litter.
The third type of cat litter is a silicon gel, usually called crystal litter, and is the most absorbent of any kitty litter. It is also excellent for controlling odors and moisture. Some cat owners like this kind of litter because it has the ability to absorb odors and liquid for around 30 days. It needs to be stirred when the solid waste is scooped out, but the cat urine can stay in the box. It will start to smell in 30 days, meaning it’s time to change it. Others don’t like it because they say it give too little of a warning for when it needs to be changed.
