The use of crystal cat litter, or silica gel, is fast becoming a personal preference for many pet owners as this offers many benefits that other types of litters do not have. This includes having the highest absorbency which means it is able to absorb large amounts of moisture. This is beneficial for numerous reasons as you would not need to constantly change out the litter box on a regular basis.
Benefits of f kitty litter crystals
Of course, keeping the box clean is still essential but using crystal cat litter can make that task much easier as it can typically be used for up to 30 days at a time before having to be replaced. Another advantage of the silica gel cat litter is that it is also helps to keep odor under control. Just like humans, animals also have urine and feces that they need to rid their bodies of and these can really stink up the place.
When it comes to cleaning cat litter boxes, you would only need to change out the substances about once a month which is rather convenient. Silica gel is made from a combination of water and silica dioxide and contains properties which allow it to absorb a ton of liquids. When you do a comparison between other types, there are many other advantages that make this is an obvious choice.
Crystals can also be flushable cat litter
Perhaps one of the most obvious benefits to using crystal cat litter is that you only need to change out the litter about once a month. However, bear in mind that you will still need to stir it daily whenever you scoop out any of the fecal matter. If you do not stir, then the urine can stat to pool at the bottom of the box which can create odors which is probably the last thing you would want.
Whether you use fresh step crystals or a different brand, you need to change out the litter otherwise the box can become saturated and cause odors. Another added benefit to these types is it also helps to reduce the amount of litter that cat owners throw away. A recent study has shown that nearly 2 million tons of this material ends up in landfills each year, most of which is not biodegradable.
Do not need to clean out the box as often
By using crystal cat litter, you can reduce the amount that you use on a yearly basis which ultimately makes it more environmentally friendly compared to other types. While these can really help to control odor and absorb a good amount of liquids, they are also dust free. This means that fewer bacteria and mold will grow in the crystals which help to promote a cleaner box for your cat.
Most pet owners have also reported using less crystal litter compared to the more traditional clay litters which can often times give off a bad odor. The crystal blend cat litter is also sold in smaller packs if you have a preference to purchasing in lightweight bags first. Many of these silica gels are also flushable and biodegradable as well which make them rather eco friendly depending on which one you buy.
Cons to using crystal cat litter
Keep in mind that even if you purchase fresh step cat litter made from silica gels then there are still some of the disadvantages that you will need to consider. Like most things in life, there are always pros and cons that you need to take into comparison when doing product reviews. Perhaps you might be thinking that these would be expensive compared to the more traditional clay clumping cat litter.
And you would be exactly right as you can expect to spend more on the crystal blend cat litter but always bear in mind that you can find some great prices if you shop around for a bit. This includes checking out online retail stores and even auction sites. The benefits of doing so should be fairly obvious as you can quickly compare prices in literally minutes.
Shop online to buy cat litter for sale at great prices
Shopping online will not only get you the best prices as to where you can buy these types of cat litter for sale, but you can also find consumer reports as well. This will enable you to see exactly what others have said about the same product before you end up making the purchase. If you are still deciding between which brand to purchase, then doing research online will definitely help you out.
So with that said, one of the most serious drawbacks to using crystal cat litter is the risk that your pet might eat them accidentally which might be probable. The thing is, kittens are often very prone to eating these as they first start to explore their environment. One thing to keep in mind though is that even older cats can still eat these which can cause some serious health risks.
Some drawbacks to take into consideration
However, for the most part these are typically safe to use but you might need to train your cat not to eat them by ensuring that they first get used to it. If they do, then you should definitely take them to the vet as soon as you can just to be on the safe side. Another downside is that urine has a tendency to pool on the cat litter tray if the crystals become too saturated which can cause odors.
This is why some of the more common brands like Tidy Cats, Pestal, Fresh Step, Crystal Clear Litter and others recommended that you stir it on a regular basis. You should definitely be doing this anyway when you scoop out any of the feces as this will help to prevent the urine from pooling at the bottom. Just doing daily maintenance like this will ensure a clean silica crystal cat litter.
The pros definitely outweigh the cons
One final disadvantage that many pet owners may sometimes experience when it comes to litter boxes for cats that use crystals is the rough shape. This means that your pet might find it rather uncomfortable on their claws which would they might be less likely to use them. However, this is very rare situation that you probably would not have to worry about but could still be a concern.
Despite all these drawbacks, the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages and you will simply need to try it for yourself as many cat owners are starting to do. The initial investment is very minimal at first but you can definitely save money over the long haul as you replace these less often. With that said, the following are crystal cat litter reviews of some of the popular brands and choices available to you.
Tidy Cats crystals litter
Tidy Cats offers the exact type of litter that contains silica gel at a great price as these really help to evaporate moisture while trapping odor inside. This means that you can easily go a month without having to worry about changing out the litter box. What makes this option so attractive is that it uses micropore technology that locks in moisture and odor.
Best of all, the litter is definitely safe to use and is also non toxic as well but just be sure that you stir regularly and scoop out the feces every day. Due to the crystalline shape, these also produce very little dust as well which is no wonder why this brand comes highly recommended. You can either purchase this online or shop at a local store like Petco or Petsmart.
Pestell clear choice low track silica crystal cat litter
The Pestell crystals come at a slightly higher price compared to Tiny Cats and which one you choose really comes down to personal preference. It works the same as it makes use of silica crystals which have tiny pores inside that trap and absorb odors. It also absorbs large amounts of liquids too while helping to keep the litter box clean.
When reading reviews online, one reviewer has mentioned that you can use half of the bucket for two weeks at a time before having to replace it. If you wait any longer, then it could begin to give off an ashy cloud when you attempt to scoop it. However, perhaps the best feature about it is that it does not give off any urine odor which is the last thing you want is it can really start to stink up the house.
Fresh Step plus dual action crystals
This review is of the Fresh Step crystals which often has mixed responses depending on what your personal needs and preferences are. The silica gel works as described as it helps to lock in odors and absorb liquids right on contact. One thing to note is that this is a regular clumping littler that has crystals added to it so be sure to take that into consideration prior to purchasing.
The type of litter that you choose will ultimately depend on the current system that you are using so be sure to do your research first. Having to buy a product only to find that it does not work very effectively can be quite frustrating indeed. In general though, Fresh Step products come highly recommended by others and you should definitely give it a try to see for yourself.
Other brands available to choose from
Whether you have automatic litter boxes or want to choose dust free cat litter keep in mind that there are also other brands that you can choose from like Better Way among others. There is only so much that reading reviews can tell you. So your best choice is to simply try as many different types as you can until you find one that you and your cat both like.
Choosing the best cat litter is really a subjective matter as every individual simply has preferences so you will need to experience them firsthand. The good thing though is that these are actually much more affordable than you think as you can find some great prices by shopping online. Just be sure to choose a crystal cat litter that you like as it can truly make a world of difference.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }