How to use a cat litter box: step-by-step instructions

Most often, cat breeders buy open toilets for their pets and pour clumping, silica gel or wood filler into them. Below we will talk about how to properly use these three types of litter in combination with the most common trays and toilet houses. Also in the article we will look at the question of how to properly use clumping litter and how often you need to change the litter in your cat's litter box.

Basic steps
► select the desired filler and a suitable tray

► pour and level the filler

► keep the tray clean and clean it

► wash the tray periodically

► We change the tray once every 1-3 years

Why do you need filler at all?

Our grandmothers didn’t even think about the need to buy specialized products for cat litter and used what they had on the farm: old newspapers, sawdust and sand. Such a folk method would not be so popular if it were not effective, but in comparison with modern special granules it still loses.

Paper and sand absorb moisture well, but do not cope with odor at all. Only sawdust can fight it, but they also have their drawbacks: due to their low weight, they cling to the wool and spread throughout the apartment. In this regard, it can be rightly stated that ready-made artificial cat litter is much more practical and much more convenient to use.

Types of filler and their description

The main types of fillers include:

Granular mineral type

Does an excellent job of keeping unpleasant odors at bay.
By absorbing moisture, the mass, which is subject to soaking, turns into a solid state. Thanks to this, all odors are retained for a long time. This type of granules is made from clay and minerals that cannot be dissolved. Under no circumstances should they be thrown into the toilet.

Very often, manufacturers use clay concrete rock in the manufacture of products. It is worth considering that this composition has a number of disadvantages, namely:

• Poor urine odor retention.
• Contamination of your pet's paws. After getting wet, the liquid lump can easily stick to the paw, and the cat will leave marks all over the apartment.

Among the advantages, it is worth highlighting the affordable price and environmentally friendly composition of the filler.

Fillers made from the clay rocks of atapulgite and vermiculite can also be found on sale. Such breeds do an excellent job of absorbing moisture, which is subsequently transformed into a solid lump that can be easily removed from the tray. In this case, the aromas from the tray will not leak into the apartment, and the cat’s paws will remain clean. The product is used quite economically.

Clay filler type

The most popular manufacturers in this category are:

• Neat Extra;
• CatBox;
• Three cats and a Siberian cat.

Among these categories you can find a product with enhanced odor control .
This will undoubtedly be an advantage for the owner of several cats who use the same litter box. and Tsap Tsarap produce products that are made on the basis of zeolite; these granules have a high level of absorption. This filler does an excellent job of retaining odors thanks to the channels and pores with which the mineral is saturated.

The mineral variety of filler is an ideal option for pets who dig around in the tray for a long time. Its basis is clay rock, which when wet increases in mass and it becomes impossible to carry it around the apartment on paws. The only drawback of the product is the inability to dispose of it in the toilet.

Experts do not recommend pouring mineral granules into the tray, since if a kitten swallows them, poisoning is possible.

Wood type

A budget filler that is not capable of causing an allergic reaction. The granules are quite light and can be disposed of in the toilet. Manufacturers use compressed sawdust as the main substance, which is transformed into granules of various shades.
Large components are intended for large animals, and small ones are suitable for kittens. As soon as the liquid hits the granule, it disintegrates and forms a single mass. The best wood filler manufacturers:

• Kuzya;
• Clean woody;
• Tarzan;
• Zoonic;
• KisPis.

Wood filler comes in two types:

• Clumping - lumps form after moisture enters;
• Non-clumping - after getting wet, a homogeneous mass is formed.

This type of litter is cleaned every 3-5 days depending on the number of cats.

The disadvantages of the filler include:

• Wood chips and large pieces of wood get into the packaging.
• The presence of a variety of wood waste in the package.
• When the cat digs for a long time in the tray, the granules fall out of the container.

Before pouring granules into the tray, carefully check the contents of the package. that comes across can seriously injure a pet's paw.

The advantage is the lightness of the product, thanks to which it can be thrown into the toilet after use.

Silica gel type

The highest quality and most economical filler.
However, the high cost of the product makes it accessible not to all segments of the population. The gel component looks like a large white crystal that has irregular outlines. The unique absorbent properties of the substance quickly made the filler popular. The tray can be replaced no more than once every 2-3 weeks . Under no circumstances should waste silica gel be placed in the toilet. This will cause stagnation in the pipes.

Silica gel can be added either in pure form or in combination with additional flavoring. An important advantage is the absence of harm to the health of both the owner and his pet.

Rating of the best manufacturers in this category:

• Siberian cat;
• Fresh Step;
• Crystals;
• Brava Lux.

If a kitten uses such litter, you should carefully monitor it when it is in the tray. If a kitten swallows a crystal, it can cause poisoning.

The Crystals company produces a special antibacterial silica gel filler.

Corn and paper filler type

A fairly cheap option for filling a cat's litter box. Paper or grain waste is compressed and turned into granules, the characteristics of which are not high enough.
The granules are an environmentally friendly material and can be safely thrown into the toilet after use. The most popular products in this category from brand manufacturers:

• Ecoline;
• Kuzya.

The filler, which is based on corn cob, is widespread throughout the world. The granules became famous due to their excellent urine absorption. The fine pores of the corn core allow it to perfectly absorb liquid and retain the unpleasant aroma for a long time. Corn filler costs much more than its paper counterpart.

The only drawback is that the husk is light, and every time the cat digs in it, debris will collect around the tray.

How much litter should I put in the tray?

The answer to this question directly depends on what kind of tray you are using: simple or with a grid.

In the first case, the granules are poured onto the bottom of the tray, that is, the cat stands with its paws directly on them. The quantity directly depends on your free time and desire to clean. If you pour the filler in a layer that is too thin, barely covering the bottom, it will quickly become dirty and require complete replacement and thorough washing of the container. If you overdo it, the cat will scatter the granules when burying them, adding more work to you when cleaning the apartment. The approximate “ideal” thickness is 1.5-2 cm, depending on the height of the side.

If the tray has a grid that protects the cat’s paws from direct contact with the loose mass, then the issue of its quantity is resolved by itself - almost the entire space under it should be filled with filler. This will extend the time between cleanings.

How to use a cat litter box with bars

The mesh toilet is very easy to use. It can be used with or without filler. To use a litter box with a cat grid, follow these steps:

• the container is installed in a secluded place, but so that the animal has round-the-clock access to it (for example, under the bathroom);
• filler or simple sawdust is poured into the tray tray so that it covers the bottom (if liquid gets on them, the granules swell greatly, so you should not overdo it with the quantity);
• A mesh is placed on top of the tray and the toilet is ready for use.

In order for the animal to regularly go to the same place when needed, you need to use the cat litter box correctly and take care of choosing the appropriate litter.

How to clean up after a cat?

Two things will help you in this matter:

• a specialized scoop with perforation is a must for any cat owner,
• optional tray bags.

A scoop should be used to remove wet, sticky litter and hard excrement. This should be done regularly, immediately after the pet relieves itself. The fact is that all cats are very clean and will most likely refuse to visit a “dirty” toilet. Perforation in the scoop will help sift clean granules, thereby saving filler.

Tray bags are used as bedding so that you don't have to wash the plastic base itself. This is quite convenient, but only if you use a tray with a frame or grid. The edges of the bag are clamped between it and the base, so it does not get knocked down or tear when used. In other cases, there is a high probability that the cat will tear the bag when burying it.

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What is the convenience of a toilet with a grate?

The advantages of a tray with a mesh are obvious:

• It's easy to keep the toilet clean: the grill can be easily washed with running water, dried with a hairdryer or wiped dry.
• Filling a tray with a grate with filler takes a couple of minutes, every few days.
• There is no need to fill the container every time your cat goes to the toilet.
• The cat does not get its paws dirty and does not litter.

How to dispose of litter?

The last important aspect of using cat litter is its disposal. The cleaning principle for regularly removing used mass and residues when completely washing the tray is general and depends on the type of filler used.

Fillers can be:

• absorbent - the simplest example is wood, which crumbles when wet,
• clumping - consist of small pieces of clay or a synthetic substance that stick together when wet.

Clumping types should only be disposed of in a bag together with other household waste. You cannot flush the toilet like you can do with absorbents. Due to their ability to stick together, they can cause serious clogs in sewer pipes. If in doubt, read the information on the packaging. High-quality fillers are always supplied with disposal instructions.

As you can see, using cat litter is very simple, especially if you first take care of all the accompanying “tools” and a convenient tray.

Terms of use

In order for your pet to use such a tray, you need to prepare it. Since it consists of two main parts, everything is done very simply.

1. Place filler at the bottom of a dry and clean plastic container.
2. A mesh or lattice is placed on the top of the cat litter box. It is advisable to leave space between the tray and the grid so that cat urine gets inside, onto the litter. If the pet poops, the feces remain on the grill, which is then removed and thoroughly washed under the tap and dried.
3. It is necessary to periodically wash the cat litter so that nothing stagnates, and then put in new litter.

Tray selection

Regular removal of excrement from the cat litter box, timely change of litter and periodic general cleaning will ensure the absence of unwanted odor in the house. But what if the owner does not have the opportunity to clean the toilet with the required frequency? In this case, you should take a closer look at special trays that do not allow the smell to spread.

Closed

Such a toilet not only keeps all the aromas inside, but also minimizes the scattering of the filler when buried. It is also perfect for those pets who do not like to relieve themselves in front of everyone. Manufacturers offer a wide selection of models with or without a door, corner and straight toilets.

Dry toilet

This is a fairly large product, equipped with a carbon filter and a fan. It eliminates unpleasant odors well, but requires regular filter changes.

You can learn about the intricacies of choosing a cat litter box from the video:

With automatic cleaning

These types of trays are high-tech devices that are capable of sifting, collecting and removing contaminated filler, using sewerage and water supply. The price of such toilets is quite high, but the owners do not have to waste time on cleaning and endure unpleasant odors.

As practice shows, owners who keep their cat litter clean do not encounter such a problem as an unpleasant odor. We hope that our tips will help simplify the process of cleaning up after your pet.

How to train a pet?

Preparing the toilet is only half the battle, since the other half comes from teaching your cat to go there to do its “business”. This works best when you have a small kitten.

1. So, first of all, select a secluded place for the tray where the animal will feel comfortable.
2. After this, you can put the cat in the tray several times a day. At the same time, make digging movements with its paws. Whenever you have the opportunity, watch the kitten and if you notice that the baby is acting restless, you can put it in the tray. If the kitten did his business there, be sure to reward him. Well, if the little cat did go the “wrong way,” you need to show the puddle to the baby and say something like: “Ugh” or “No way.” Gradually he will understand that he needs to go to the toilet in a certain place.
3. If you have an adult cat, toilet training will be a little more difficult. Usually an animal that already has established habits has difficulty unlearning them. But even so, the situation is not hopeless. A cat is trained in much the same way, however, there are times when a pet, for some reason, purposefully relieves itself in another place. You can try to move the cat litter to where the cat does her business, and, quite possibly, the problem will be solved.