Considering the busy lifestyle and lack of space to have a big pet, many Singaporeans choose to have a cat to give them company. However, being a cat parent always comes with its own duties and responsibility. One of the most discussed problems of having cats is the difficulty in containing their litter and its smell. If you have an indoor cat, providing it with a clean and spacious litter box is a must. Unhygienic, soiled litter boxes not only make your house unpleasant but also risk bringing various infections to your cats. The key to giving your cat a hygienic and comfortable experience while maintaining a clean household is to buy good-quality cat litter that absorbs urine well, clumps quickly and kills the odor.
To give your cat a comfortable life, you need to choose the right type of litter that will not cause any infections in your cat while being easy to dispose of. In this article, we will look into what cat litter is, the different types of cat litter, and where to buy cat litter online in Singapore.
What is Cat Litter?
As the name suggests, cat litter is an absorbent filler that is put inside the box on which your cat excretes. The material that is used to make the litter type depends on the brand while choosing the right brand depends on your cat’s requirements. However, almost all cat litter and sand brands make it their concern to include special ingredients to help absorb odor so your home won’t stink up.
Types of Cat Litter
There are several types of cat litter and sand available on the market. When buying cat sand online, always check for reviews and see whether the product you choose is low-dusty or not. This is because dusty cat sand can cause upper respiratory issues, especially in adult cats with a weak immune system.
The following are the four main types of cat litter;
- Clay cat litter - this is the most common and popular type of litter since it comes with a special feature: either clumping or non-clumping. When your cat excretes onto this type of litter, it either forms a clump making it easier for disposal. We have discussed this feature in the next section. Clay cat litter is also known as the most affordable (cheapest) type of litter.
- Silica gel cat litter - this is made using a porous material that can absorb liquid which is scientifically called sodium silicate. This type of litter is highly recommended for kittens with high to mid-sensitive skin. Hence, this contains no dust, and most veterinarians recommend this to use for cats with a weakened immune system.
- Recycled paper cat litter - this is a greener litter option and a more eco-friendly solution since it is made using recycled paper. Thus, recycled newspapers, magazines, and books are formed into a granule and then formed into pellet form. This type of litter is very comfortable for your cat’s paws and contains less dust.
- Pine cat litter - this is a popular cat litter as pine has a natural ability to get rid of bad odors. Made from pine trees, this cat litter is lightweight, has low dust and is very absorbent. Pine litter is softer than clay litter, and is more environmentally friendly as well. It is entirely biodegradable and free of artificial fragrances and dyes, which is perfect if you have a sensitive kitty. You can get pine litter in both clumping and non-clumping forms.
5 Factors to Consider When Choosing The Right Type of Cat Litter
There are several factors that have to be considered when choosing cat litter. Hence, depending on whether your cat is young or adult, the type of cat litter you should buy varies. Remember to check out the following factors when you shop for cat sand next time.
1. Odor control
The main reason why people buy cat litter is to prevent the odor of excretory matter spread in the house. As mentioned above, many cat litter brands have included different ingredients to absorb the odor effectively inside the cat litter box. However, if your cat does not like to use a litter box, you can give it a litter tray with scented litter to make it comfortable while doing its business.
2. Base material
The material that is used to make the cat litter is another important factor to consider before buying the product. If the type of cat litter you choose includes natural ingredients such as paper, carbon, and clay, then you do not need to worry since it can do no harm to your cat. However, there are times when chemical ingredients are used to create artificial scents. These chemicals can cause irritations in your cat.
3. Clumping or non-clumping
Clumping litter is able to bind with the excretion to form a clump that is scoopable, making it easy to remove from the litter box or tray. Non-clumping litter does not form such scoopable (removable) clumps. But when it comes to the point of view of your cat, cats do not like to encounter any clumps of excretion when they use the litter box. So it's always best to try both types of litter and see which is preferred by your cat.
4. Flushing or not-flushing
Flushable cat litter is more convenient and easy to clean. But, there are cat litter types that are non-flushable. You cannot flush them down the toilet and if you do, it might end up clogging your toilet and blocking the pipe system. With this in mind, it's always a good practice to check whether the package is marked as flushable or not.
5. Dust
When looking for the best litter option, you will also have to think about dust. If you or your family suffer from nasal allergies, any litter that comes with dust might be irritating. You can reduce the presence of cat litter dust by getting a dust-free or low dust litter option. This is especially important if your cat also suffers from breathing conditions such as COPD or asthma. Moreover, since your cat travels around the house, they may end up getting dust from their litterbox all over your home. Getting a low dust litter will keep your floors, furniture and electronics free of this type of dust.
Best Place to Buy Cat Litter Online
There are many places in Singapore that sell different kinds of cat litter. But, does everyone sell quality cat litter? No! Sometimes you end up buying different cat litter products only to find out that they have caused allergies in your pet cat. If you are looking to buy quality pet sand online, always check out at Pets’ Station. They offer the best pet products in town and you can always buy everything your cat needs online at the Pets’ Station website.
