Silica gel for cat litter: review of brands and application features

Silica gel - balls or heterogeneous shavings with sorption properties. Convenient for cat litter due to absorption and retention of odors. If used correctly, the litter tray should not be changed for up to two weeks. The absorbent filler does not stick to paws, does not smell, is used sparingly, and does not pose a threat to animals and children. One of the disadvantages is a loud crunch, dust settling on the bottom of the package (some brands have it), and the sharpness of the crystals. Silica gel is not suitable for kittens.

Filler can be purchased at pet stores or chemical warehouses. Main manufacturers: Fresh Step Crystals, Clean Cat, Long Feng Crystal Cat Litter, “Barsik Crystal”, Mimi Litter “Universal”, “Murzyk”, “Siberian Cat”, Cat Step, “Yo!”, No. 1 Crystals.

There are many fillers made from wood, clay, and minerals. Relatively recently, the most effective litter box filler for cats has appeared - silica gel. It absorbs moisture well and eliminates odors. Let's find out more about what this substance is and how to use it.

Silica gel for cat litter: general characteristics, composition

First, let's figure out what it is and what its features are. This substance has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before purchasing.

Compound

Each silica gel is transparent or translucent in the form of small balls of dried gel based on a solution of silicic acid. Contains silicon dioxide. This natural, odorless, hypoallergenic substance is the main ingredient of sand. The balls are non-toxic and not dangerous to the health of the animal.

There are many pores on the surface of the balls that are invisible to the eye. The larger the diameter of the holes, the faster the crystals absorb liquid. Moisture, including odor, remains in the pores, which gradually dry out. As a result, the tray remains dry for a long time. It is enough to renew the filler once a week, when the silica gel has used up its capabilities and stops absorbing moisture.

Advantages

Silica gel based cat litter has significant advantages:

• does not stick to paws,
• quickly accumulates liquid
• stays dry for a long time,
• economical,
• non-toxic.

The substance is hygienic because it has no odor and is not carried around the house by animals. In addition, the filler looks aesthetically pleasing.

Flaws

The main disadvantage is the sound. When it comes into contact with moisture, it begins to hiss, which can frighten the animal. A grainy substance crunches under the paws, which the animal may also not like.

The disadvantages include high cost. However, the filler is used economically, since it does not require frequent changes. Moreover, it is easy to clean and more hygienic. Therefore, the price is justified. A five-kilogram bag will last an adult animal for a month.

Important. The structure of the filler may not be suitable for the animal, since the edges of large crystals are quite sharp and hard. In this case, you should choose round balls.

Features of use

If your pet is a cat or a neutered cat, then you will need to fill the tray a little more often. Since the same castrated cats go to the toilet much more often, and their urine has a more characteristic, pungent odor.

© shutterstock

Advantages of the filler

• Timely and good cleaning is ensured by the absorption of liquid from the granules and the ease of cleaning the tray;
• The color of the filler changes to yellow so that the owner can control the process at any time;
• No dust or other dirty paw prints from a cat or cat;
• Silica gel perfectly absorbs odor due to the structure of its content;
• Significant savings in time when cleaning the toilet; cleaning the tray will take no more than one minute;
• The filler is very noisy due to the friction of the granules against each other. If the cat is there for a long time, then the noise can come from any corner of the apartment. This will allow you to clean up the “cat’s business” in a timely manner.

Features of using cat litter

Using silica gel is easy for both owners and pets. Animals adapt to the new filler within a day or two. If the cat categorically refuses to use the litter tray with new contents, mix sorbent balls with a known filler. Also try a different brand before going back to clay litter.

How to use

Unlike conventional fillers, the wetted portion does not need to be removed.

How to use:

• Place a layer of at least three cm thick into the litter tray.
• Wait until the animal goes to the toilet.
• For better drying, stir with a silica gel spatula.

Simply remove solid waste using the slotted handle. Throw out the entire contents of the tray and refill it about once a week. Yellow or cloudy crystals will be a signal for change.

It is recommended to stir the contents of the bath at least once a day. If this is not done, the liquid will seep to the bottom and harden there in the form of a sticky mass. This will not prevent odor formation.

Is it dangerous for a child?

Silica gel is non-toxic and safe for pets and children. If your child eats some silica gel, nothing will happen. The substance is inert and does not react with most compounds. The particles behave like activated carbon in the stomach and are eliminated from the body naturally.

The only recommendation is to give plenty of fluids.

How to recycle

Although it is environmentally friendly, do not flush silica gel down the toilet. It swells with water and accumulates in the pipes and clogs the drains. The garbage bag is recyclable. Place the used liner in it, bandage it and throw it away.

How to use?

To experience all the benefits of silica gel cat litter, you need to use the crystals correctly. Key recommendations from experts:

The pet's dry tray should be filled with a hygiene product.

• Silica gel should be poured into a clean and dried tray in a layer of 50 mm.
• Remove solid feces immediately using a spatula with holes through which clean granules will be sifted.
• The silica gel layer must be stirred daily to avoid the formation of puddles.
• The filler should be changed on average once a month, as the instructions indicate. For large cats or if there is more than one pet - more often.
• Do not flush used litter down the toilet, as the granules will swell and create a blockage.

How to choose the right cat litter

Silica litter gel is not suitable for all cats. Besides the fact that each animal is individual and may not “like” the new filler, silica gel is only suitable for adult animals.

When choosing the appropriate litter box filling, you should take into account the specifics of each type of litter box:

• Wood and corn fillers are considered environmentally friendly. However, your pet may develop allergies.
• The most economical is silica gel. Suitable for owners of multiple pets.
• When choosing a zeolite or clay filler, keep in mind that large granules that do not get stuck in the fur are suitable for a long-haired pet.

No matter how good the filler is and no matter what the manufacturer promises, the choice remains with the animal. If the floor is covered in puddles, replace the litter tray.

Is it possible to use technical silica gel for cat litter?

In fact, the filler from the pet store does not differ in composition and principle of action from industrial silica gel. To be clear, it’s unlikely to get better. Antibacterial labels often turn out to be a marketing gimmick. The only difference is aromatic additives and dyes. Cat Silica Gel is prettier and more fragrant than commercial silica gel.

According to GOST 3956-76, silica gels differ from each other:

• shape – granular or granular;
• sizes – large or small;
• pore diameter – large-porous or fine-porous.

Technical silica gel marked KSKG is suitable for cat litter in 25 kg bags. Explanation of the designation:

• K – thick;
• B – silica gel;
• K – large-porous;
• G – granular.

However, it is not always possible to find a supplier who sells small volumes at retail.

Which tray is best to use?

There are also a great variety of them: closed and open, deep and not very deep, with and without bars. There are even stylized ones to resemble all kinds of interior items. However, when choosing a tray, do not forget about its intended purpose. In addition to aesthetic qualities, it must also contain practical ones. First of all, this is the animal’s ease of access, its convenience, as well as the ability to easily wash the container or change the filler.

The shape and depth of the tray are purely individual and depend on the size of the animal, as well as its behavior. For example, if a cat likes to rummage heartily through the litter, you should not choose a container that is too small, otherwise the crystals will be scattered throughout the room. For such cases, there are trays with high sides or even a roof. Animals sitting on the very edge or even the edge of the vessel should be offered a flatter shape so that the cat does not turn it over under its own weight. In general, you can start with a universal “basin” of medium depth, and then experiment and observe.

In fact, the toilet for an animal, as for a person, is a rather intimate and strictly individual matter. Therefore, it is better to choose the number of trays, their shape, and fillers so that both the cat and its owner are comfortable. In this case, the apartment will always be clean and there will be no unpleasant surprises.

Rating of the best silica gel fillers

Silica gel litter is available under many brands. The balls vary in shape, color and degree of moisture absorption. Let's look at some brands to find out which silica gel is best.

Table 1. Classification of silica gel fillers

Attention. Flavorful toppings are fun for people, but can be scary for animals. However, fragrances don't play a big role because ideally there is no smell and you don't need to mask it.

Fresh Step

This product is manufactured by Clorox.

It consists of small crystals of white, blue, blue color. One package of 5 liters is consumed in 20-30 days for one adult animal.

If your cat likes to lay out bedding, be careful when stepping on it barefoot. The crystals are quite sharp and stick unpleasantly into the skin.

Clean Cat

White homogeneous silica gel for cats with small blue, pink and yellow spots. It absorbs moisture well and retains the aroma for up to two weeks. Doesn't stick to paws.

Long Feng Crystal

It consists of white crystals with blue inclusions. Available in various dosage sizes (up to 10 liters). Absorbs liquid well, eliminates odors and does not leave wet streaks on the bottom of the litter tray. Doesn't stick to paws. A little dusty.

"Barsik Crystal"

This is a mineral-smelling cuvette containing 20% ​​silica gel. It is cheaper than other similar products, but also removes odors. We recommend changing the tray every five days.

Mimi Litter

Large crystals have a matte white color. Free from colored pigments and fragrances. It absorbs moisture well, does not leave a wet film on the bottom of the toilet, and also eliminates unpleasant odors. It starts to smell bad after 10 days of proper use.

"Murzik"

Snow-white, homogeneous, without colored crystals. Good aroma retention. It’s good enough that it sticks to the paws and spreads around the apartment. However, it does not gather dust.

Siberian cat

The Siberian Cat has several product lines that differ in packaging color:

• for the picky – pink;
• elite – blue;
• eco - green.

In practice there is no difference between them.

Retains moisture and odor and does not remain on the feet. However, this creates a lot of dust because the crystals are quite small.

Cat Step

Blue and white spheres without odor. Does not cause allergies, safe for consumption, non-toxic. Absorbs liquid well and eliminates odors. A bag (3.8 kg) is enough for 30 days for one adult animal.

The more or less granular material will stick to the grate of the bucket, but will be less likely to fly out of the toilet. The filler gets a little dusty and sticks to the paws.

"Yo!"

The manufacturer allows you to wash the infusion down the drain. The scent range is available in apricot, mint and lavender. Large crystals do not stick to paws and fur.

It does not absorb moisture well, which causes an unpleasant odor. Your pet may not like the smell.

N1 Crystals

Homogeneous with pink crystals. Stays away from odors. It has average absorption capacity: often a small sediment remains at the bottom. The paint will move to the sides of the tray.

Attention. According to reviews, the red-pink color of crystals is not the best solution. Signs of urolithiasis are more difficult to recognize.

Reviews: which filler is better, disadvantages

Alexandra, St. Petersburg

“This is not the first time we have purchased SiberianCat litter; it is ideal for its price.”

Sergey, Novosibirsk

“We recently decided to try Kotyar’s new litter, Magic Balls, which is convenient because the paws definitely won’t get hurt on these round granules. But the smell begins to appear after a week - for comparison, Haoyu litter can retain the smell for up to two weeks.”

Daria, Moscow

“What I don’t recommend is CC Cat filler. Absorbs liquids and odors very poorly.”

Svetlana, Ekaterinburg

“I liked the SmartCat litter, especially the apple scent. I will buy it now."

Vadim, Moscow

“I will never buy silica gel filler again. The cat is uncomfortable because it rustles too much. It also hisses when moisture gets in. Yes, it absorbs wonderfully and hides odors, but we’ll go back to woody.”

Top 7. Nuzhnik, round silica gel

Rating (2021): 4.62

The safest form The granules are perfectly smooth and round. The absence of sharp corners makes the filler non-sharp and prevents cuts.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 744 rub.

• Country Russia
• Volume, l: 5
• Weight, kg: 1.8
• Granules: large, round
• Antibacterial: yes
• Flavoring: no

Some cats are literally contraindicated for silica gel litter due to the compulsive need to rummage through the litter box, which can damage the paw pads. The domestic novelty “Nuzhnik” allows you to avoid wounds, because it is impossible to get scratched with such smooth granules. This feature is also convenient for owners who walk around the bathtub barefoot. Even if the cat digs up a few balls, they will not create the Lego effect. It's not scary to step on. At the same time, the filler is ideal for both sensitive Sphynx cats and long-haired cats. On the one hand, it is hypoallergenic and smooth, on the other hand, it is not sticky. But for such a price, a transparent ziplock bag is very simple packaging.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Doesn't hurt paws
• Suitable for those who like to rummage
• Suitable for long hair
• New

• Very basic packaging
• Price is above average

What is silica gel

Silica gel filler is a hydrophobic sorbent obtained through the process of colloidal mixing with water, drying and sintering of silicic acids.
Their content in the final product reaches 99%. In this case, granules are formed, which, depending on the characteristics of the technological process for manufacturing this filler, can have different shapes, colors, and properties. According to their physical parameters, they are hard and durable crystals with a porous structure. It is this that ensures their high ability to absorb liquids and odors.

Due to its high hydrophobicity, silica gel is used not only as clumping cat litter. In everyday life, its use as a kind of moisture absorber is widely known. These are the same small white bags that are usually found in packages with new things.

Multi-colored granules - blue, pink, blue, red, green - are made for aesthetic purposes, and the filler can acquire different properties.

For example, increased hydrophobicity, the presence of various odors, since often these additives are also flavoring agents.

Silica gel granules also differ in shape. They can be round, cylindrical, pyramidal, square and rectangular. Their sizes are also different. It is believed that the size of the fraction affects the rate of absorption of liquid. Therefore, for cats with long and thick hair, it is necessary to choose the largest litter.

When choosing silica gel for your pet, you must consider the following parameters:

• The purity of the granules in the package. The best quality is considered to be one that is free of dust and impurities.
• The quality of the coat and the weight of the pet.
• Filler color. White is preferable as it does not contain harmful flavors and dyes.
• Price. Cheap or expensive does not mean good in this case. First of all, it is necessary to choose a filler based on quality. High cost sometimes turns out to be more profitable, as it provides lower consumption.

Compound

It should be understood that a material such as silica gel is a solid hydrophilic sorbent that looks similar to a regular dried gel. Its production is carried out from carefully dried polysilicic acid gel. It has almost the same composition as sand. It obtains excellent absorbent properties due to the fact that the gel filler has granules with a porous structure.

Note that silicate gel works so effectively that it absorbs not only liquid, but also excess moisture from air masses.

In general, it should be noted that fillers based on silicone and silicates contain up to 98 percent of this substance. In their normal state, these are round balls or transparent crystals that change color depending on the color and properties of the absorbed liquid.

A number of companies that produce silicone filler often add granules of various colors to the transparent substance: from blue to pink. You can also find flavored fillers on the market.

Top 9. AromatiCat silica gel Diagnostic

Rating (2021): 4.57

45 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, OZON, Wildberries, SberMegamarket

Best for health monitoring Representative of unique diagnostic fillers. Thanks to pH indicators, it can detect signs of urolithiasis and other urinary tract diseases.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 350 rub. for 3 l

• Country: Russia (manufactured in China)
• Volume, l: 3
• Weight, kg: 1.3
• Granules: small, crushed
• Antibacterial: no
• Flavoring: no

This silica gel litter is designed to provide not only cleanliness and freshness in the toilet, but also help in monitoring the health of your beloved cat. Special colored indicator granules often indicate the need to contact a veterinarian long before your pet becomes unwell, which helps to take control of the situation in the early stages. This is especially true for the breeds most prone to urolithiasis, as well as sterilized and older cats. At the same time, the filler copes with basic tasks perfectly. According to reviews, AromatiCat does not generate dust, reliably blocks odors and absorbs better than a number of analogues. It is also quite economical, but is available only in 3-liter packages.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Absorbs well
• Reliably blocks odor
• No dust
• Economical

• No large packages
• May stick

Principle of operation and varieties

The principle of operation of the filler is very simple: it absorbs moisture and literally locks it inside the granules. This means that the smell will be blocked. Silica gel is essentially a hard sponge, so the principle of operation is similar.

There are several sizes of filler crystals. The fraction size is directly related to the rate of moisture absorption. For example, for cats with thick, long hair, it is worth purchasing the largest size litter so that the pet does not get dirty.

In addition to the size of the mixture, when purchasing filler you should pay attention to the following points:

• granules in original packaging must be clean and free from dust;
• the weight of the cat and the structure of its coat;
• It is best to choose a white filler, since it does not contain coloring substances, and the risk of developing allergies in the animal will be minimized;
• You should not buy the cheapest mixture, as it may not be of the best quality.

Despite the fact that silica gel filler is more expensive than clay or wood filler, it is consumed much more economically. Therefore, many owners opt for it.