The best cat litter is the one your feline friend will use
Q: What kind of cat litter is best?
The short answer to that question is whatever they’ll use. But as with anything cat-related, there are nuances. Factors that affect a cat’s preferences include scent and texture. Most cats prefer unscented litter.
A 2018 study looking at feline litter preferences found that the 18 participating cats had a significant preference for clay or silicate types of litter over wood pellets. In the second phase of the study, in which 12 cats took part, clay and silicate litters were compared. That time, cats preferred clay.
But the reason there are so many different types of litter is to appeal to specific cat and human preferences. Take clay litter. It’s inexpensive, absorbent, widely available and — at least in this study — cats like it. Clumping clay litter is easy to scoop, and cats like the sandy texture.
But clay litters can be dusty, and cats tend to track it through the house. That’s where litters based on paper, wood and plants come into play. They’re great for people who have allergies and need to keep dust levels low. They’re also biodegradable and flushable, if a “green” litter is important to you.
Silica-based litter, which resembles little crystals, is also biodegradable, absorbent and dust-free. As the study showed, though, not all cats like its texture.
If you have a new cat or want to swap litters for some reason, run your own experiment by choosing two or three litters and giving your cat a choice. You’ll be able to tell which one he prefers.
The most important thing to remember is that your cat’s opinion is the only one that counts in this matter. Forget trying to buy whichever one is on sale. When you find a litter your cat likes, stick with it.
— Dr. Marty Becker
THE BUZZ
Database reunites pets and people
Pets often go missing during natural disasters such as Hurricane Ian. To help them be reunited with their families, the Petco Love Lost online database is available to simplify and shorten the lost pet search by using just one photo of a pet. Pet image technology enables the database, which has more than 1,800 participating shelters, to identify pets quickly so they can be returned home. It’s free to use and is as easy as listing a pet and uploading a photo to searchthe database. Users can sign up to receive alerts about their pet and create digital “lost pet” flyers to post on social media and distribute via email. People who have found animals can upload photos of those animals as well to help facilitate a match. For more information, visit lost.petcolove.org.
Keeping a pet safe during Halloween
Halloween is coming up, and you’ll want to keep your pet safe and happy during the spooky season. Pet insurance providers want pets to stay safe, too. Embrace shares a few tips for success. Keep candy, wrappers and decorations away from pets. Candy can contain toxic-to-pets ingredients such as chocolate, xylitol, raisins, coffee and macadamia nuts, and wrappers, fake spiderwebs or other garlands can cause blockages if pets ingest them. Scary costumes can be, well, scary to pets, so start now to get them used to your apparel, including masks. Now is also the time to introduce pets to their own costumes if you’ll be dressing them. Costumes should fit well without being scratchy or heavy and shouldn’t limit pet vision or hearing. If you have lots of trick-or-treaters and will be opening and closing the door frequently, make sure pets are in a safe space so they can’t escape, or keep them leashed and at your side. For more tips, see fearfreehappyhomes.com/5-ways-to-help-pets-have-a-funand-safe-halloween.
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker. Pet Connection is produced by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, journalist Kim Campbell Thornton, and dog trainer/behavior consultant Mikkel Becker.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Pet Connection: Finding the best litter for your feline friend
