Owning pets of any kind is not cheap. Everything from horses to dogs to parakeets, pets can be an investment that ends up costing more than you originally thought. Even cats can cost over $1,000 a year including food, litter, and regular medical bills, according to Petsho blog. If there’s an unexpected injury or medical problem, that only adds to the cost.
With pets costing so much, it can be tempting to grab the cheapest things available. Whether you always reach for the cheapest food or the cheapest litter, getting your pets things that aren’t the cheapest around can actually save you money in the long run.
When animals are given the cheapest food or litter, it often means they’re getting the cheapest quality and are therefore more at risk for some diseases or other types of complications. Even if that wasn’t the case, we all love our pets and want the best for them. That includes litter.
Types of Cat Litter
As with all things, there are many types of cat litter. The cheaper options will be the lowest quality while the more expensive options will be better for your cat. However, all litters should have a few basic components and important features such as odor control, good clumping, and low dust.
Here are some of the different litter types and how they’re rated according to the criteria above.
Corn
Corn litter is biodegradable and has strong reviews both for and against it. It’s a natural litter type so it has fairly large granules, making it safer for kittens.
Amazingly, corn litter also has fantastic clumping abilities. The clumps are tight and make it much easier to clean the box when necessary. Unfortunately, some pet owners struggle with keeping the smell bearable. The smell of the litter itself may not be very pleasant to some owners as well which only works to make the smell worse.
This litter also does poorly on low dust control. Many owners complain about the amount of dust this litter produces and it’s highly recommended you don’t use corn litter for cats with asthma.
Clay
Clay litter is one of the most well known and first innovative litter types. It’s pretty affordable no matter where you buy it, but the quality can vary greatly. It has small granules which are more comfortable for your cat’s paws, but can be dusty if it’s a poorly made litter.
Clay litter has good clumping and absorbs urine well. It has excellent odor control too which is why it is such a popular choice among pet owners.
Crystal
A new type of cat litter is crystal litter. It’s more expensive than other litters but has a higher absorption rate and lasts a long time. The crystals absorb your cat’s waste and odor quickly. It’s easy to know when the crystals need to be changed too because they’ll stop absorbing any wetness. It also has low dust.
Benefits of Self Cleaning Litter Boxes
You’ve probably seen those advertisements for self cleaning litters and wondered if it would be worth it to get one for your home. If you’re considering it and would like to know just a few benefits, here are our top four.
1. No Daily Scooping
Obviously if your litter box is self cleaning, you won’t have to clean your cat’s litter box daily. The box cleans itself after your cat leaves each time, but you will have to monitor when the litter needs replacing.
2. Less Contact With the Waste
If you’re not a fan of germs, this is a real win. The self cleaning litter boxes really take care of all waste contact and keep your risk of being infected with bacteria or parasites very low.
3. Low Odor
With the litter being taken care of every time your cat exits the litter box, the odor decreases drastically. You’ll have more freedom about where you put the box as you won’t have to worry about the odor.
4. The Box is Always Clean for Your Cat
Even your cat wants a clean litter box and this is the easiest way for you to provide it. All you have to do is occasionally clean the unit and add more litter, but your cat will feel like a royal. Without a clean box, cats may refuse to use the litter or try to hold it in which can cause all sorts of problems.
Conclusion
Even though there are pros and cons for every litter type, it’s up to you to decide which to buy for your cat. Whether you choose a natural litter or now, keep in mind how your cat will feel about what you buy them and don’t get caught up searching for the cheapest option out there.
Owning pets of any kind is not cheap. Everything from horses to dogs to parakeets, pets can be an investment that ends up costing more than you originally thought. Even cats can cost over $1,000 a year including food, litter, and regular medical bills, according to Petsho blog. If there’s an unexpected injury or medical problem, that only adds to the cost.
With pets costing so much, it can be tempting to grab the cheapest things available. Whether you always reach for the cheapest food or the cheapest litter, getting your pets things that aren’t the cheapest around can actually save you money in the long run.