WOOD SHAVINGS –
A DIY option for many woodworkers or crafters, wood shavings are a perfect replacement for cat litter. It's also biodegradable so you can use it in your garden beds.
Many cat owners who haven't used a tight clumping litter before might be used to complete tray changes every week. With Natusan, however, one 10l bag of litter is usually enough to last one average indoor cat for a whole month!
Litter: Another essential for most cat parents, litter typically costs between $55-$525 a year to keep your cat's bathroom fresh and clean. Some cats can be picky and will only use the litter box if you get the right brand.
Most of the best cat litter brands last around two to three weeks if you're cleaning the tray each day. That applies to non-toxic and low-dust litters designed to absorb high volumes of liquid without releasing odours or creating hygiene problems.
Follow this simple rule: one box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. Making sure everyone has their space can help ease elimination issues. Some owners prefer a hooded box, but some cats don't like them.
In an average sized litter box, one 8lb bag should last 3 weeks to one month. If its larger than average it will last less than that amount of time. If you want a full month's worth of use, you will need 2.5-3 inches of depth in their box.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
Buying in bulk is often one of the cheaper options, as you aren't paying for excess packaging, and many retailers (ourselves included) offer discounts for a larger purchase, passing the savings on to you. Our 10L bags contain more litter, using less material, minimising the cost per unit.
“In early 2023, we have started to see those start to taper off a little bit. Prices are still increasing but at a lower rate than they were in 2022.” The price hikes have been attributed to rising input and ingredient costs, she added.
There's a litter box rule of thumb: n+1.
In the veterinary profession we have a litter box "rule of thumb," it's called the “n+1 rule.” And basically what it means is that you should have one more litter box than the number of cats you have.
Ideally, you should spot-clean your cat's litter tray every day and replace the litter at least once a week. If the tray is left to become dirty, your cat may prefer to use the floor instead!
Regular Litter
Regular, non-clumping litter is likely the cheapest material per pound for filling litter boxes. It's often used when people are taking care of kittens since the clumping litter can stop up a kitten's digestive system if they ingest it.
But if you're ever in a bind and wondering if you can use rice as kitty litter, the answer is yes!
Baking Soda Can Make Your Litter More Dusty
If this sounds like you – then definitely don't use baking soda in your litter box. Mixing some in can actually lead to even more dust. That's because the average particle size of baking soda is small enough to become airborne when your cat digs in the litter box.
The magic litter box ratio
“Basically what it means is that you should have one more litter box than the number of cats you have,” according to the experts at Preventive Vet. So, even if you only have one cat, providing two litter boxes is ideal, giving your kitty a choice on where to do their business.
Best Overall Cat Litter: Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter. This cat litter has many features that are preferred by cats, namely that it's an unscented, clumping clay material. The litter is low-dust, which is helpful for cats (especially those with allergies or feline asthma) and pet parents alike.
An extension of this problem is having too few litter boxes for your cats -- the rule of thumb is at least one more litter box than the number of cats in the house. Litter boxes should be scooped at least once or twice a day, and it's even better if you can get to it as soon as your cat has finished his business.
On one hand, too much litter in your cat's litter box can cause overflow and spillage problems all over your bathroom floor. On the other hand, too little litter in the box can create smelly and messy poo problems when your cat isn't able to dig enough litter to hide their solid waste.
Your cat could be just trying to maintain her scent in the box, even though you're cleaning it. Animals usually go to the bathroom to give us a message. If it's outside the litter box, they could be stressed or in need of a clean place to go.
Vets often say that unscented clumping litter is best: “I always recommend unscented, clumping cat litter,” says Jim D. Carlson. “Scented litter is designed for humans, not cats. Felines have a strong sense of smell with 67 million scent receptors.
Cat litter with silica crystal beads are typically dust-free, which helps keep the area around your pet's litter box clean. Crystal-based litter is also effective when it comes to odour neutralizing and lasts much longer compared to other cat litter.
Clumping cat litter: Typically lasts about a month. Non-clumping cat litter: Usually lasts around one week. Silica crystals cat litter: Can range from one week to one month. Plant-based cat litter: Offers an extended lifespan of up to 7 weeks.