Caring for your Cat

Covered trays usually minimize the trouble of having cat litter and waste scattered outside the tray since they have hoods which keep all the litter inside. Covered trays also tend to become stinky due to poor ventilation. There are also those self-cleaning cat trays available in the market. The self-cleaning feature of these trays keeps the cat tray neat and tidy, but they also require some cleaning by the owner. Every few days the receptacle must be emptied of urine and feces and sometimes the rake does not get every bit of cat waste so there may be an occasional need for scooping them out.

There is a wide variety of designs, styles and features for cat litter trays. The owner may have to choose which one will be most convenient for him and his cat. Below are listed some basic designs for cat litter trays:

Basic flat tray. This is the simple rectangular pan which is commonly made of plastic. They come in different depths, sizes and colors. This design is preferred by most cats. An innovation to this design is to hold the cat tray liners in place by securing them under the rim.

While they provide "privacy" for the pet, they tend to get very smelly because of poor ventilation inside. Manufacturers of this type of cat tray have offered a solution to this problem. Some variants of the hooded type have vents on top plus a filter which aids in trapping odors. For this type of cat tray, it is recommended that you choose one that is large enough to accommodate the pet, has a hood which can be easily maneuvered for easy cleaning, and large vents.

Designer trays. Also known as "hidden trays", this type of litter tray disguises itself as a furniture piece or even a plant.

A designer litter tray not only serves to be the cat's convenient toilet but it can also function as an accent for the room in which it is located. Although the containers are commonly not large enough, there are designs which are big and more open. These are the ones which are more ideal for use. Try to find one which provides good ventilation.

Self-cleaning tray. These electric powered high-end litter trays work with a sensor. The sensor activates the self-cleaning machinery a few minutes after the cat has left the tray.

The cleaning machinery contains a rake which works its way along the litter to scoop out cat urine and feces into a waste receptacle. There is still the need to occasionally clean the unit, especially the cleaning mechanism itself. Read a bit more about automatic trays just ahead.

Cost

The basic flat tray is the most affordable of all the designs mentioned. The self-cleaning tray is obviously the most expensive and their guarantee commonly lasts for only one year. This can be a risk which the owner must consider before actually buying a unit.

Appealing to the Cat

Cats generally do fine with the open tray type. Covered trays offer the "privacy" which some cats like but some cats feel trapped inside them. Owners of designer trays may find it attractive to put them in places where they will be most appreciated. However, they must be sensitive to the fact that cats most often opt to do their business in a place which is quiet and safe. As for the automated self-cleaning cat litter trays, some finicky cats may find them comfy since they are clean and spacious.

However, they may get psyched out by the mechanical action if they chance to see it actually happen. They might be afraid of using the unit again. Finding the perfect cat litter tray may be a hard task and may require experimentation on the part of the owner. If the owner tries out a tray which his pet really does not like, he should not insist on the cat using it. Though this experimentation may become tedious, it can be necessary to find the perfect tray for your cat. Providing the cat its preferred litter tray can bring good health and satisfaction to both owner and pet, and the carpet as well!

Choosing the better cat litter

Cat litters used in the olden days, meaning prior to the commercial cat litters now found in neighborhood grocery stores, are literally litters. Usually these were dirt gathered from gardens. Now, there are a variety of cat litters to choose from. These cat litters, for the most part, are great for the cat as well as good for the environment. The following are tips and advice to make better a cat owner’s selection of the best litter possible for their cats.

Choose Wisely

The choice of cat litters should primarily be based on how much this litter will affect the environment just as how much such litter is preferred by cats. Although cats really do not care much about how the litter may soon end up in a landfill, cats really prefer if their litter has no bad scent. They also care if the litter feels good. Cats have a very keen sense of smell, so it is important that litters have little or no scents that are made artificially.

It is also best if the litter contains no dust. It will do cats no good if their noses are irritated since they will try to avoid going thru the litter if it displeases them in any way.

Ask wisely

Cats love the feel of sand with pellets or any surface that has shreds and bits of chunks. It is best that a cat owner know which kind his or her cat prefers.

But to further help a confused cat owner decide, questions such as "Is the cat litter free from odors?" "Does it contain any form of perfumes or chemicals?" "Is the litter safe for the cat, the owner, the environment?" "Does the cat like the feel of the litter?" "How much does it cost and is it easily accessible?" should be asked. There are environment-friendly litters that are made from newspapers that are recycled.

These types of litters can be easily flushed, can easily be burned and are almost a hundred percent free from dust. There are also litters that came from plants. These litters usually come from corn – its husks, the cob and the corn itself. Byproducts of wheat such as wheat grass are also a source of cat litter. But the best among all of these are the corn cobs because they are odorless as well as it control odor. It is absorbent as well.

They also do not produce a lot of dust and are easily flushed. There are types of litter made from pine and sawdust. These are also biodegradable. They are made by drying and compressing them into pellet-forms. They absorb moisture a number of times more than their weight until they break down again into natural sawdust. Due to their easily absorbent nature, any odor is naturally eliminated.

Be wary though, pine has natural resins and chemicals that aid in the elimination of insects and odor-causing bacteria because of its insecticide-like properties. This same feature could also cause respiratory damage as well as asthma and allergies. Humans as well as cats may easily be susceptible to such allergens.

Do not be afraid of odour

Odour is one way by which nature tells the un-aware cat owner that it is time to replace the litter. Cat litter should be regularly changed so that bacteria or micro-organisms will not collect in it. If odor persists check the diet your cat is consuming as that may also be the cause.

Cats and Clay

Clay is the most common type of litter being used today. A specific kind of clay made of sodium bentonite has a special feature that when it is urinated on by cats a clump is formed making it more convenient to remove the clumps from the litter. However, this clay is carcinogenic and is easily absorbed by the lungs of cats.

All in all, the choice depends on the cat owner’s preference, budget and favorites. After all, cats are everyone’s best fuzzy, soft, cuddly and gentle meowing friends.