How Often Should I Change Clumping Cat Litter

Cats, like whatsoever other pet, crave a lot of care and are a big responsibility. You will demand to feed them, play with them, and change their litter box. Unlike dogs, your cat won't go out for walks, and more than and more people are keeping their cats indoors to protect them, which means yous will need to provide your cat with a clean litter box that they can use. If this is your first pet, i of the most common questions mos owners take is how oftentimes you will need to change the litter box. The answer depends on several factors that we are going to go over right at present. Continue reading while nosotros discuss litter blazon, frequency, number of cats, and more to assistance you provide an adequate bathroom surroundings for your cat, and so it doesn't break housetraining.

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ane. Litter Types

The biggest thing that will determine how frequently you demand to change the litter is its blazon. Some kinds are more absorbent than others, and some control odor ameliorate. These things volition allow yous to change the box less frequently, so let'south look at the most popular litter materials outset.

Dirt

cat near litter tray indoors — Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

Clay is by far the most popular litter material and is as well 1 of the oldest. As the name suggests, clay litter is a blazon of natural soil that is highly absorbent. Manufacturers will add together boosted chemicals that cause the clay to dodder in the presence of moisture, so you lot will see two types of clay litter, clumping, and non-clumping. If you want to use clay litter, y'all will need to experiment to run into which kind you and your cat prefer. Virtually people choose to clump because it's easier to remove the contaminants, and the dodder contains the waste, so information technology doesn't contaminate the rest of the litter.

Clay litter is inexpensive, works well, and is easy to make clean. However, it's extremely dusty, and some clumping types can contain dangerous chemicals and perfumes that tin be harmful to your cat. Since you can spot remove the waste matter as your cat creates information technology, y'all volition only need to supercede clumping litter about in one case every two weeks or so. Non-clumping litter will allow the urine to spread more, and so you should supervene upon it every week.

Clumping Clay: Change every ii weeks
Non-clumping Dirt: Alter every week

Paper

Paper litter is increasingly popular considering it is biodegradable and fabricated from recycled materials similar former newspapers, and information technology'south lighter and easier to manage than clay. Newspaper litter is also softer on your pet's feet and doesn't track equally far into your abode. 1 of the all-time features of paper litter is that it creates very little dust. All the same, many cats are resistant to using paper litter, and it can become soggy and messy. It also doesn't command odor besides as clay, then yous will need to alter your paper litter at least twice a week.

Paper Litter: Change twice per week

Silica

cat poop in litterbox_Shutterstock_RJ22 — Epitome Credit: RJ22, Shutterstock

Silica litter uses highly absorbent silica gel to absorb urine quickly and even dehydrate feces which allows it to control odors extremely well. Silica beads do non create dust, simply will grow when they absorb moisture, so it's easy to see when yous need to change information technology. In almost cases, Information technology will last nearly two weeks. The primary downside to using silica litter is that it tends to be more expensive than the other types, and information technology can be dangerous if the cat ingests it.

Silica litter: Change every other week

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is a type of litter that is naturally occurring and is highly absorbent. Diatomaceous Earth does non swell like silica, but it is near every bit absorbent, quickly drying urine and feces to eliminate odor. Diatomaceous Globe is grit-costless and doesn't track around your home. It'south too not harmful if your cat eats information technology though it's doubtful it volition. The downside to Diatomaceous Earth is that it'due south very difficult, and many cats may not want to use it, but if you can get them to try it, you will only need to change this litter most in one case per month.

Diatomaceous Earth: Change once per calendar month

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2. Frequency

two cats looking at the litter box — Prototype Credit: Zoran Photographer, Shutterstock

Information technology can be quite challenging to get some cats to beverage h2o, while others will hover around the fountain like they work at an part job. Cats that drink more will naturally use the litter box more than, and you will need to modify the litter more frequently. Heavier cats volition tend to eat more which will cause them to utilize the box more frequently. While feces don't apply up the litter every bit quickly as urine, it can still touch how often you need to modify it.

three. Number of Cats

The number of cats in your household volition also increment the frequency you will need to change the litter box. However, a practiced rule of thumb suggests y'all have one litter box for each cat and one extra when possible. If you have extra litter boxes, each true cat may cull their own, so you will only demand to alter each every so often.

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Summary

While we similar the Diatomaceous Earth litter in our dwelling house, not all cats will utilise it, and then we recommend most people employ a clumping clay litter, at to the lowest degree at outset. Near cats have to clay litter speedily, and you will only need to supplant clumping dirt every other week and perform quick maintenance in the meantime. If you discover the clay too dusty, yous can switch to 1 of the other types.

We hope you take enjoyed reading over this short guide and institute the answers to your questions. If we have helped you provide a clean and odor-free bathroom for your cat, please share this guide to how often you should change your litter box on Facebook and Twitter.

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