There are lots of different types of cat litter on the market today, and figuring out which is best for you and your cat can seem a bit intimidating!
The most important place to begin with your choice of litter is by answering one question; clumping or non-clumping?…
Whilst everyone is different, and your answer may differ depending on your preferences, the team of cat experts at Natusan believe that clumping is the way to go.
What is clumping litter?
In a nutshell, clumping is the term used to describe litter that has been developed to be much more absorbent than standard litter, forming clumps when it comes into contact with liquid.
Developed more recently than their non-clumping counterparts, clumping litters form small, firm clumps when they come into contact with liquid. These compact clumps can then be easily removed so that only clean and dry litter remains in the litter tray.
Clumping litter has been around since the 1950s, however, in its first incarnation it contained diatomaceous earth (sometimes called silica) - which is treated as a known carcinogen (yuck!) and is also commonly obtained from strip mining, which is a big environmental no-no.
Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then and though some clumping litters still contain these harmful ingredients - we’re proud to say Natusan clumping litter is 100% natural and biodegradable.
So why is Clumping litter better for you, your cat and the planet? Let’s take a look at the main reasons:
It’s easier to scoop
There’s nothing worse than when a ‘little’ wee gets pushed all around the tray by our fastidious feline friends. With clumping litter, the waste is contained in tight clumps that are simple to remove with a scoop.
Clumping cat litter is highly absorbent and designed in a way that each time your cat uses their tray, firm clumps are formed which can easily be removed.
You’ll notice that when using a clumping litter, you’ll remove some of the litter itself meaning that every so often you’ll need to add new litter to the tray to ensure you maintain a consistent base layer - around two inches deep.
It’s cleaner
When it comes to the other stuff, non-clumping litters don’t clump around solid waste, meaning they can spread around, contaminating the rest of the clean litter.
Non-clumping litter is typically made of clay, and if you've ever used it, you'll be familiar with the mess it can cause. When your cat uses their tray, it's natural for them to bury their faeces in an attempt to hide the smell. In doing so, they can occasionally scatter litter across the floor.
With a clumping litter, the clumps that form after you cat has used their litter are far less likely to scatter. Not only does that mean less cleaning for you, but it also means less worry!
Because they trap liquids before they can reach the bottom of the tray, clumping litter effectively stops the need to chisel out the hardened excess left behind.
It's cheaper
If you're used to changing your cat's litter weekly, then you may find it hard to believe that you can go a whole month in-between a full litter change, but it's true! With our service you will only ever remove the soiled firm clumps from the tray and we’ll provide you with enough litter to top up for the whole month.
No more smell
With clumping litter, odour is trapped inside the clumps, whereas non-clumping litters can’t contain the smell nearly as well.
We all love our cats, but the smell of a recently used litter tray is less than desirable. When using a non-clumping litter, even if you scoop out the clumps every time your cat urinates or excretes, chances are, you’ll miss some. Over time, even the smallest trace of urine and faeces can start to smell.
Using a clumping litter can help to reduce that lingering odour as it clumps as soon as it comes into contact with any liquid. These compact clumps can then be easily removed.
Better for your cat (and the planet!)
Non-clumping litter is often made from clay which can contain silica dust, this can be harmful to both you and your cat. Clay litter is also strip-mined, which is very bad for the environment.
Here at Natusan we love clumping litter, and we are constantly aspiring to use the most sustainable methods possible, all our products have quick-clumping, odour-absorbing and easy to use clumping litter.
The next question is, how much litter? Try our waste calculator to find out!
15/06/2020 by NatuTeam