Why Is It Imperative to Invest in High-Quality Kitty Litter?

Cats are more than just animal companions. They are fierce, independent, but also surprisingly loving little creatures that have domesticated themselves and that have become intertwined with our way of life. As the second most popular type of pet in Australia, kitties have long had a special place in our hearts. One in three Aussie homes owns at least a cat, and roughly 50% of all kitties are adopted rather than purchased. We simply love them, and they have become intertwined with the Australian way of life. And for good reasons.

Cats are one of the most adaptable animals around. Yes, they can sleep for around 16 hours, and yes, sometimes their stubbornness is downright legendary. But cats are also capable of forming strong emotional bonds with their handlers; they have a calmer nature than dogs, and their personalities are surprisingly varied. I once owned a kitty that absolutely hated any sort of petting, but he adored human presence. He was a walking, fluffy contradiction.

I also had one cat, a rescue this time, that pretty much lived in my lap. Never seen a cuddlier bundle of joy in my life. Kitties are suitable for apartment living, they are highly adaptable to our lifestyle, and they are cheaper to own than dogs. That said, even if they are more cost-friendly to handle than other types of pets, you will still need to invest in products and accessories that can contribute to their well-being. And there is no better place to start than with kitty litter.

Why Is Kitty Litter So Important?

Cats are really interesting creatures (https://cozylittlehouse.com/cats-are-cool-creatures/). They are much cleaner than other types of pets, and, because they are not fully domesticated, they actually retain some of the natural instincts found in their wild counterparts. Genetically speaking, domestic and wild cats are exceptionally closely related, the same as dogs and wolves.

Cats, even though they might not look like it, are apex predators in their specific food chain niche, but even they might sometimes need to hide their presence from other predators. Why invest in clumping or crystal cat litter? It’s simple. Cats have a natural instinct to bury their waste. In fact, if a cat doesn’t use her litter, something is probably wrong and a vet visit is in order.

Why Not Make Your Life Easier?

Your fluffball’s instincts are good news for you as a pet owner, as you will not need to potty train your kitty. In fact, this instinct is so strong (https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/why-do-cats-bury-their-poop) that most young kittens are fully capable of learning a bathroom routine in a matter of weeks. Much faster than is the case with dogs. Why go for a litter, though? Well, it’s a matter of practicality. You can probably use sand or dirt if you want to, but that will not exactly be the most practical of choices, wouldn’t it?

High-quality kitty litter (https://www.petshopdirect.com.au/shop/category/cat-litter) is excellent at trapping ammonia; it’s useful then for odour control; if going for clay-based clumping litter, it is an excellent choice for keeping your cat’s bathroom area tidy, and if you instead prefer the crystal litter variety, you can minimise the level of dust inside the litter.

Why Choose Clumping Kitty Litter?

Truth to be told, selecting a particular type of kitty litter ultimately comes down to personal preferences. My parents used to own a cat that absolutely refused to try any other type of litter outside of the clay-based lumping variety. I guess now I have a preference for this type of clay because I got so used to purchasing it for my folks’ kitty. But there are real benefits involved when talking about clay-based litter.

For one thing, it’s probably the cheapest and most practical option around. Clumping litter is typically made of bentonite clay that can bind liquids into compact, easily scoopable chunks. It’s fantastic for odour control, it’s easy to replace, and it’s widely available. Go into any local pet shop, and you will likely find a dozen clay-based litter options, produced by multiple manufacturers. Clumping litter is more popular than crystal cat litter.

That said, there are also disadvantages. Clay-based litter is surprisingly heavy. Now, this may not be an issue if you are used to occasionally purchasing kitty products from an online pet store. But me? I like to buy litter in bulk, and let me tell you. A couple of bags of clay-based litter, and you don’t need to hit the gym anymore. Additionally, clumping litter can sometimes be quite dusty, which can be an issue if you are nurturing a kitty with respiratory problems.

Are There Benefits to Crystal Cat Litter?

Yes, crystal cat litter is composed of highly absorbent silica gel beads, and instead of forming clumps around the waste, it's particularly useful at absorbing liquids and neutralising their smell. Silica-based litter is fantastic for usage in tight spaces, as it’s highly absorbent and has a stronger, fresher smell than clay-based litter. It also lasts longer than clay-based litter, it produces no dust, and it’s more lightweight. Do you have back problems? Then go for this option.

There are, of course, also some downsides. Because it doesn’t form clumps, crystal cat litter is not that good at dealing with solid waste. It still does a decent job at drying up poop, which should help with the smell. But it doesn’t cover it with clay, as is the case with clumping litter.  Moreover, because it has a somewhat weird consistency and a stronger smell, some cats might not like it.

My foster kitty, for example, required almost three weeks of convincing before he finally started using it without further accidents. Plus, it’s more expensive and in some shops, it might be harder to find. It’s up to you what you end up choosing. But it’s important to make a decision. Without a litter nearby, cats can become nervous and develop unwanted behavioural traits that can be a pain to remove. It’s in their blood after all, and it will be a huge mistake to ignore their instincts.