How to choose cat litter - rating the best in terms of composition, ease of use and prices. Filling for toys - what and how to fill a toy? What to put in your cat's litter tray instead of litter
Cat litter is an important hygiene product that allows a busy owner not to rush to the litter box every time the cat relieves itself. But there are a lot of types of filler, so right choice difficult to do. First of all, you need to find out from the nursery where the kitten was brought from, whether he is accustomed to the litter box, and what kind of litter was used there before. You can choose a litter convenient for your cat yourself by trying different brands.
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What to consider before choosing a filler
Cat litter neutralizes the unpleasant odor of urine in the litter box. However, not every animal is ready to go to a tray with any filler. You need to choose the one that suits your particular pet.
To begin with, you should take a closer look at the cat’s habits and habits. If the kitten in the nursery is accustomed to silica gel litter, and the tray contains wood, then you can expect capricious behavior from the animal. The pet will go to the toilet in the place that it considers more convenient for this.
It is recommended to consider the safety of raw materials. A curious kitten will want to taste a particularly aromatic litter. If a cat digs into litter with its paws, pollen from the litter can settle in the lungs, and strong-smelling litters can cause allergies. Therefore, you should give preference to a product whose packaging indicates that the product is environmentally friendly, does not contain additives and has not been subjected to chemical treatment.
One of the important parameters for selecting a filler is its price. Before choosing one option or another, you need to look at how often the filler in the tray is replaced and how often new packaging is purchased. Knowing this, you can easily calculate how profitable the purchase of a particular product will be.
Types of fillers
If your pet is susceptible to allergies or skin diseases, you should try to choose the most environmentally friendly option. If your pet has an obstinate character, you should not experiment too much: you need to choose the option that is most similar to the previous filler. The owner of several cats should pay attention to a product that will be used sparingly, and the owner of a kitten should pay attention to a lighter and safer litter.
Woody
This type of filler consists of chips and shavings of coniferous trees pressed into granules. There are large and small granules: the first are intended for adults, the second - for kittens.
A big plus is the low cost. The product has a pine aroma and effectively fights odor. The filler can be purchased at any pet store. But the granules can quickly disintegrate, turning into sand, which the cat will carry around the house on its paws, adding trouble to the owner during the cleaning process. Also, sometimes you can find large chips that can injure the animal, but they are easy to notice and remove.
Based on paper and grain waste
The cheapest and most environmentally friendly option. If the base is paper, the filler has low absorbent and water-retaining properties. If the filler is based on grain processing products (especially corn), then the filler acquires a completely different level of quality. The product is made from corn cobs. Thanks to their porous structure, they absorb moisture well, eliminate excess odors and have a long service life. The disadvantage is the low weight of the granules - the particles are easily carried around the house by the cat and scattered on the floor.
"Grain" fillers have not yet received sufficient distribution in Russia. Today they are used widely only for rodents.
The most popular and affordable among fillers. The material used for it is bentonite clay. various types or opalcristobalites. Bentonite perfectly absorbs liquid and swells, forming lumps (hence the name), which are easy to remove when cleaning the tray. This type of litter retains odors quite poorly, which causes significant inconvenience to cat owners. When burying feces, your cat may inhale the dust released by the bentonite or spread it across the clean floor.
Some cat owners have to deal with the fact that the litter does not clump. However, the issue here is not the quality of the product, but how to use it. According to the instructions, you need to pour at least 8-10 cm of filler into the tray - then clumping will occur correctly. If there are several cats in the house, the lumps may also not have time to form, so the owner of two or more animals should pay attention to other options.
Absorbent mineral
They are small stones that darken upon contact with liquid. This filler is made from the environmentally friendly volcanic mineral zeolite. Due to the abundance of microscopic pores, zeolite evenly absorbs moisture and retains unpleasant odors. The principle of operation of the filler is the complete absorption of urine by the granule - this way moisture is not retained in the upper layers of the zeolite.
If liquid accumulates at the bottom of the tray and causes an unpleasant odor, it is necessary to stir the filler. This is necessary so that it is completely saturated. The disadvantages of this option include the fact that it will not be possible to change the granules in portions. Cats are accustomed to burying their excrement, which makes it much more difficult to replace the stones piece by piece. But this option is suitable for the owner of several animals.
Silica gel
It is considered the highest quality. These are small white crystals made from dried polysilicic acid gel with high absorbency. Despite the high cost, the filler is consumed very economically due to its long service life. Usually, special substances are added to the crystals to help them better retain moisture and odors. So, you can completely change the composition of the tray once every 3-4 weeks. One of the disadvantages of silica gel is that it produces a crunchy sound when digging, which can be stressful for some cats and make it difficult for them to get used to it. Before use, crystals should be stored in sealed packaging to avoid loss of absorbent properties - silica gel can begin to absorb moisture in the air.
Advantages and disadvantages of each type of filler
To decide which filler is best to choose for your pet, you need to summarize all known information about each option and take into account individual characteristics cats.
The table below summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each type of filler:
Filler type Pros Cons Woody Eco-friendly, pleasant smell, inexpensive, can be used for kittens, absorbs well It can be carried around the apartment by a cat; rarely, a cat may come across large chips that can cause injury Paper/grain Eco-friendly, absorbs well, pleasant smell, inexpensive Paper does not absorb moisture well, is not very common in Russia, cannot be used for several animals, is not suitable for all cats Clumping mineral and clay Economical, absorbs well, easy to clean in parts, environmentally friendly, as close as possible to a cat’s natural ideas about the toilet Cannot be used for several animals, may create dust and stick to paws, does not hold odors very well, too large lumps can harm the animal, difficult to clean if you deviate from the instructions Absorbent mineral Suitable for use by multiple cats and kittens, inexpensive, effectively combats odors Can smell strong when cleaning, not suitable for cats that cannot tolerate even partially dirty trays, uneconomical due to frequent replacement Silica gel Absorbs moisture well, effectively fights odors, economical, suitable for use by several cats, easy to clean in parts Expensive, not suitable for kittens, some cats may not tolerate the crunchy sounds of silica gel - 4. Paper/grain - the most environmentally friendly.
- 5. Absorbent mineral - the most suitable for the owner of kittens or several cats.
Cat's house
and everything that comes with it
In other words, let's look, evaluate, make an interior cat litter box, a dry treat for your pet, and... one more thing
Let's start with crunchy food. Here they suggest using natural tuna, for example, from a can (canned food). They are salt-free and packed in liquid. There is no need to pour out the liquid, it may come in handy. Add a cup of oatmeal to the contents of the jar (for convenience, transferred to a bowl) (flour can be easily made in a coffee grinder from oatmeal), big egg, a tablespoon of olive (sunflower) oil and a heaping tablespoon of crushed dry food for kittens. And... where this kitten treat was invented, they add a little more catnip.It’s better to mix everything in a mixer, but if you don’t have one, you’ll have to mix thoroughly with a spoon and fork. We form small balls and press them down with something to make them look flat. Place on a sheet of baking paper. Heat the oven, place the sheet for 10-15 minutes. Crisps should not be thick and sticky inside. Cool and you can treat the pussies. If the picky pussy doesn’t like it, the dog will be happy to eat the food for her.
Yes, these delicacies are stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for 7 days
Found on designsponge.com
But this is an interior house. How do you like it? Made from a bedside table, it serves as a toilet. Don't be alarmed, the tray is inside
Found on decoratingyoursmallspace.com
Another view inside.
Found on feedfloyd.com
Well, an adapted version - from a plastic container
Found on buzzfeed.com
As you know, cat litter requires litter. We'll do it.According to the author of the idea, most cats will accept this new product quite quickly.
And we take gloves for work. And yes, you need to change the filler every week. And about everything else, you know.
We tear newspapers into some container
Soak the paper in warm water mixed with a small amount dishwashing liquid. We wet the paper to the consistency of oatmeal.
Drain the water and soak again, without soap.
Sprinkle soda on wet paper and mix.
“What’s inside the toys, what do you fill them with?” - this question is often asked to needlewomen. Me too :) This article is about various types stuffing - what to choose and how to stuff it correctly. How to get rid of “cellulite” when stuffing? Advantages and disadvantages of different types of fillers, how they differ from each other and where you can get them. I'm talking about mine personal experience:) - I sew and knit mainly play toys, that is, children play with them.
About natural fillers: cotton wool, wool, bulk, herbs.
About synthetic fillers: padding polyester, padding polyester, silicone “balls”, foam rubber.
Natural fillers.
1. Vata. The first thing that comes to mind is her. Cotton wool is sold in any pharmacy, it is cheap, always available, and can be found in every home. Vata is cotton. Natural materials are good.But what happens when stuffing? It is quite difficult to distribute the cotton evenly inside the toy; it falls off and rolls, as if compacted in “layers”. If you unsuccessfully filled a toy (especially not a small one) with cotton wool, you will have to do it all over again. But when you take it out, you discover that it is impossible to restore it to its original fluffy form.
By washing a toy stuffed with cotton wool, you will lose its shape (this is especially true for knitted toys made from thin fabrics or knitwear): when wet, the cotton wool shrinks a lot, and when it dries, it becomes hard.
What else? Having stuffed the toy tightly with cotton wool (which is necessary condition so that the toy has a decent appearance), you make it heavier - and this is not always necessary. The cotton wool also picks up moisture from environment, and what happens to wet cotton? That's right - it rots, mold can grow in it. What kind of mother would give her child such a toy?
Conclusion - cotton wool is the worst filler for toys, especially children's toys.
2. Wool. Also natural material. Where can I get it?
First method: cut into small, small pieces old sweater, socks, etc., use leftover thread for knitting. It is better to stuff knitted toys with such leftovers, small ones that keep their shape well ( tight knit); or sewn from dense fabrics - no irregularities will be visible.
The second way is to buy a drainer. This is if you want to fill the toy more evenly and efficiently.
Wool gives a feeling of warmth, some kind of soulfulness or something... A toy stuffed with wool is very pleasant and soft to the touch.
How to fill it? Each needlewoman has her own techniques and secrets that they do not want to reveal. This is not because of greed, but because it is not always possible to describe it in words. Much easier to show. But I'll try :)
First, fluff up the piece of tape that you tore off for stuffing. No scissors, just fingers: tear the tape into pieces. In the end, we ended up with a fluffy pile. Try to stuff evenly. To do this, you don’t need to immediately compact the bottom layer, it’s better to put a small amount of wool inside (let it be a doll’s leg, for example) and distribute it on the sides, and put a little more in the foot. This means you have a sort of wool pipe inside the leg. Then we fill this pipe further inside, making sure that the amount of wool in different parts of the leg is the same. Stuffed? Now let's remember the leg :) Is it soft? So we slowly begin to add more wool. Just not on top or on the sides, but again inside the pipe. Place your finger (or tweezers, a pencil, a stick - if the part is small) into our woolen tube and with a rotating motion make room for the “addition”: while doing this, make sure that the previous layers do not move too much. Then there will be no cellulite)))
Yes, not very easy. But it is quite doable. Maybe it will even work out the first time? Well, if you have to redo it, don’t forget to thoroughly fluff the fur again.
What are the disadvantages of wool?
1) Some people are allergic to it. If you are making a toy as a gift, especially for a child, be sure to find out if he has allergies (this is very dangerous, very...).
2) Wool - favorite treat moths and more: (If you can somehow deal with moths, save the toy from being eaten, then with uninvited guests This is problematic inside the toy. Maybe steam it periodically?
3) Washing... Toys stuffed with wool are recommended to be wiped with a damp cloth and washed only as a last resort - in cold or slightly warm water. None washing machines, no dryers. Be prepared for the fact that after washing the toy will look a little different - the wool will still settle down when wet and the stuffing will not be “like new”. If your child has such a toy for a long time, then about once a year (depending on the degree of use) it is refilled.
3. Bulk fillers - cereals, seeds, husks, salt, sand, pebbles, etc.. These fillers are used either as granules (to make the toy heavier or to make it sound like a rattle) in combination with the main soft filler; or as an independent filler for relaxation toys. Soft, heavy balls, for example, are great for relieving stress in adults, and will be useful for children in developing fine motor skills.
Buying them, of course, is not a problem.
Now about the features of the padding:
1) all these fillers must be sewn into a bag before placing them inside the toy. This is especially important for knitted toys. If you are making a rattle, then a Kinder Surprise container will do (just seal it with tape so that it does not open).
2) Cereals must be heated in a frying pan or in the oven to prevent bugs from infesting them.
3) Sand, pebbles, husks, etc. - sift and wash with soap, you can boil (except for the husks).
The disadvantage is that such toys need to be washed. Moisture is harmful to them. Be careful not to keep them wet. Well, toys with salt cannot be washed at all. And the same advice as for wool - change the stuffing sometimes.
4. Herbs. You can buy fragrant herbs at a pharmacy or at the market, or you can collect and dry them yourself, if you know how. Lavender, lemon balm, fennel, dill, thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, chamomile, linden, jasmine, rose petals... You can make collections or fill them with one type - it depends on the purpose: for sleep or vice versa, refreshing.
The herbs are placed in a bag made of natural “breathable” fabric - linen, calico, silk. It is better for a toy or pillow with such filling to have a zipper or buttons - for easy replacement of bags. Herbs don't last very long.
Care: the toy is washed separately without filler.
5. Sawdust."There's sawdust in my head, yes-yes-yes!" - sang the famous bear. Sawdust is mainly used to fill collectible teddy bears. You can buy them in specialized stores for teddists or... like me - clean up after your husband when he works with wood :)
And there is also sawdust in pet stores. But I don't know if they will fit. I haven’t found sawdust useful anywhere yet - I haven’t been inspired to make a teddy yet. So, call me, I won’t tell you anything about them.
Synthetic fillers.
1. Sintepon. Often sold in hardware stores. This is a non-woven fabric of various thicknesses, 1.5-2 m wide. Sold by the cut, like fabrics.
When might it come in handy? When you couldn't get anything else. Or when you don’t have to tear it to stuff it, i.e. it will be used as a spacer - to add volume flat toys(for example, crescent, star).
There is another one siliconized padding polyester - He the better, which does not fall off as much as usual, holds its shape longer, and is more elastic. It’s better to take it, it’s often called simply “silicone” - it’s also sold by the cut in the same place as the regular one.
2. Synthetic fluff. It looks and feels like bird's down - soft, airy. It also comes in regular and siliconized versions. Better the second one.
3. Synthetic fluff balls.
Look in the same place as synthetic fluff. Prices are about the same.
Many consider this the best filler for toys. But there are nuances. About them a little below.
Of the synthetic fillers, I personally choose siliconized synthetic fluff and “balls”.
I use the first one for stuffing sewn toys - made of linen, calico, knitwear. Why? It is smooth, and on thin fabrics any bulge will be visible. "Balls" can leave unevenness, because... they are tougher than down.
But the “balls” are much more elastic, they are easy and quick to fill, a toy without special effort takes its shape. And then - with active use by children, washing - it is quickly restored. “Balls” are good for toys made of thick or textured fabrics, and for knitted toys.
The principles of stuffing are the same as for wool, although with balls everything is much easier :)
Pros of synthetic fillers:
- you can wash it and not worry that everything will turn into mush
- dries quickly
- does not cause allergies
- keeps the shape of the toy better
- it does not become food for small insects.
4. Foam rubber. Sold in sheets in construction stores. It comes in different thicknesses. The thickest furniture is the most expensive. These are mattresses or sofa pads. If you have leftovers of such thick foam rubber, you can make cubes. It is enough to first cut out the base from foam rubber, and then cover it with fabric or tie it. Cutting thick foam is not easy. For this to come out neatly, you need a hot wire (this is if you don’t have a special tool). Please note that melted foam releases toxic fumes, this is dangerous. But it’s difficult to do it neatly with a knife, and even more so with scissors.
Thin foam rubber is suitable in torn form for stuffing knitted toys and those sewn from thick fabrics. Uniformity is difficult to achieve, but possible. Over time, the foam inside crumbles, crumbles and the toy loses its shape.
It's not difficult to wash, it just takes a long time to dry, you have to let the water drain. Otherwise, if you squeeze it like a sponge, the toy may become deformed.
I bought an ordinary foam sponge at a household goods store and tied it with cotton thread in a raised stitch - it turned out to be an excellent washcloth for a child :)
Finally, general rules paddings:
- a sewn or knitted piece must be without holes and stitched with high quality (translucent filler is so ugly; what if it gets into your mouth).
- stuff tightly, no need to skimp. They will pick up the toy, play with it and hug it tightly. You don’t want it to turn into a shapeless something in 10 minutes?
- Make sure the filling is even. If you see that it doesn’t work, you don’t need to add here and there, it’s better to take everything out and try again.
- For loose fillers and herbs, always use a bag.
Man has been friends with cats for a long time. We are responsible for what our pet eats and in what conditions he lives, so cat litter is an important thing to do in your pet’s life. Having made a cat into a pet, people began to wonder how to make living together in the same area comfortable for both parties.
The modern market for pet products offers different types: from the simplest in design to automatic complexes
The problem of choosing cat litter is especially acute for everyone who keeps a pet. And the question of how to choose a toilet for a cat is a very sensitive one, because when choosing, you need to be guided not only by the requirements of the owner, but also take into account the preferences of the pet itself. Let's try to figure out what the ideal cat potty is.
The modern market for pet products offers different types: from the simplest in design to automatic complexes. Cat litter can be purchased at both low and high prices. So every owner can choose an option that suits both his beloved animal and himself. If for some reason you are not satisfied with the variety of trays that stores offer us, you can make a cat tray with your own hands.
So, there are the following types of cat litter boxes:
- ordinary;
- with mesh;
- with high sides;
- closed tray or house tray;
- auto.
The problem of choosing cat litter is especially acute for everyone who keeps a pet.
Open options
One of the most popular and widespread, as well as cheapest types of cat litter is a regular litter box. This is a rectangular plastic container with low sides into which filler is added. The advantages of such a device include its low cost, it is easy to wash and change the filling in it, and it is easy for a cat to climb into it. There is a drawback: the contents may end up outside when the pet starts burying its feces.
A mesh tray is a modification of a regular tray. A mesh is attached to a regular cat litter box, which allows the animal's liquid feces to drain out, while leaving the paws dry. This option is selected for pets who do not like the filler. Pros: low cost, pet does not get dirty, easy to remove contents and wash, can be used without filler. Cons: does not eliminate unpleasant odors, requires cleaning after each cat’s use of the toilet.
Both of these options are easy to place in an apartment or house, as they are quite compact.
A tray with high sides is suitable for cats who like to dig into their litter. This tray is equipped with an additional side, which makes the walls higher. This side can be used as a holding device for the film that covers the tray. After the animal uses the toilet, the rim is removed and the film and contents are thrown away. One of the advantages is that such a pot is easy to clean; it prevents the filler from spilling out. When using such a toilet, you need to decide how to hide it from prying eyes, since it is much larger in size than a regular tray.
Automatic cat litter (video)
Tray house and automatic tray
An indoor cat litter box is a two-tier structure with a fixed litter box at the bottom and a door and vent at the top. The door opening can remain open or closed, it all depends on the wishes of the owner and the skills of the pet. The cat box is ideal for families with small children or other animals. A toilet hidden inside the structure allows the pet owner not to worry about the fact that someone will dig into the litter and contents, except for the pet itself. Pros: it retains unpleasant odor well, the cat will not relieve itself by, the filler will remain in its original place and will not be scattered on the floor, ideal for timid animals. Cons: quite high cost, you have to disassemble the structure when cleaning the toilet of the cat house.
Cat litter can be purchased at both low and high prices.
An automatic tray is a complex that cleans itself and adds filler, and has an aesthetic appearance. It is equipped with filters that eliminate unpleasant odors. The system is notified that the contents need to be cleaned by a special sensor that cleans only in the absence of the animal. After the cat has gone to the toilet, the used litter is thrown into a special bag by conveyor, and clean litter is poured in its place. Pros: eliminates unpleasant odors, self-cleaning allows the owner not to worry about cleaning, this complex independently disinfects the tray. The disadvantages include the high cost and the need to periodically replace filters that eliminate odors.
Each cat has its own litter box
Before deciding how to choose a tray for a cat, you need to study the habits of your pet and find out its habits. Otherwise, a situation may arise when the purchased potty turns out to be unsuitable for your pet.
Some cats cannot go to the toilet in front of strangers: they look for secluded places away from human eyes, where they quietly do their business. Other cats are not bothered by the presence of a person while visiting the restroom. Considering this, think about which cat toilet to choose - closed or regular.
Some cats like to keep their litter box clean and will only relieve themselves in a clean litter box. And others may not like it if the filler has already been used a couple of times. There are animals that do not like litter, while others, on the contrary, enjoy digging into the contents of the tray. This is where an indoor cat litter box comes to your rescue. These points need to be taken into account when it comes time to choose the appropriate device.
Please note that when there are several pets in the house, having individual potties for each is almost mandatory, since most animals do not like to share their nook with someone else.
Indoor toilet for cats (video)
Training your pet to use the litter box
Teaching a cat to relieve itself in a certain place may seem like hard work from the outside. It's actually quite simple. You just have to be patient, be calm and not shout, much less poke your pet’s nose into its feces. Quite quickly you can accustom a kitten to the litter box, since it has not yet formed habits.
You should start by choosing the place where you plan to put the toilet. A hidden tray will cause you problems, since your pet may not have time to reach it while searching. It has been observed that small kittens run to the toilet almost immediately after eating, so it makes sense to first place the potty near the place where your pet eats, gradually moving the container.
If you already have items that your cat has marked, then you should place this item in the tray, as it will be easier for the animal to navigate by its own scent.
Place the kitten in the litter box several times every day as soon as you notice that he is about to relieve himself. After a few successful attempts, the kitten will remember where to go, and this will become his habit.
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