The litter box filler that is selected should be easy to use and clean, have minimal dust or “tracking” properties, and be
economical. And of course, it should be acceptable to your cat! The two most common types of litter box fillers are clay
litters and clumping litters. Many cats prefer an unscented clay litter with a relatively small granule size. These litters
absorb urine well, are an agreeable texture, and control odor when good box hygiene is practiced. Although scented clay litters
are available, these litters tend to mask but not eliminate litter box odor, and some cats refuse to use perfumed litters. (Tip -
Cleaning the litter box frequently is the most effective means of reducing litter box odor!). Dust can be a problem with the
finer clay litters, but some products include components that help to reduce dust. Clay litter should be changed at least twice
weekly when the box is used by one cat.
Clumping fillers are very popular today and are slightly more expensive than clay litter fillers. This type of filler reacts
to liquid by forming “urine clumps” that are easily scooped and removed. Clumps should be removed once or twice daily to keep
the litter fresh. Because this type of filler is quite fine in texture, it can be dusty and may adhere to cats’ paws, resulting
in tracking through the house. Textures vary however, and low-dust varieties are available.
The newest filler available is silica pellet litter. This product is comprised of small and absorbent silica beads that change
color when they are saturated. This provides a signal that it is time to replace the filler with fresh litter. Silica pellets
control odor well but some cats do not tolerate the unusual texture of the silica beads. These products come in several different
textures to try, so owners can experiment to find out what is most acceptable to their cat.
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