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There are many types of cat litter, but all fall into one of four categories: clumping clay, non-lump clay, silica pellets or pearls, and organic biodegradable litter.
So the answer to the question “If Silica litter is safe for cats” is, that silica cat litter is safe for cats.
None of the popular litter types are inherently better or worse.
Each litter has its own shortlist of advantages and disadvantages.
Yet, thanks to your cats fussy personality they will tell you which one is best for them.
Silica litter is safe for cats, so lets go through a few reasons why Its safe and, I will include a few products your cat may love.
Clump or not to clump?
There are two types of clay waste: clumps and non-clumps.
The lump variety is very popular with cat owners because it makes cleaning litter boxes so easy.
Your cat’s urine becomes a hard lump that you can easily scoop out, and you don’t have to change the litter yourself that often.
One that does not clump must be replaced regularly.
Both types of clay litter are dusty, which can be a problem for cats and people who have asthma or other breathing problems.
Less clay can also be a problem if the lumps stick to the cat’s paws.
The cat can swallow it while cleaning itself.
This is usually not a health problem for adult cats but could be for kittens.
Bio-litter
Organic waste is made from natural materials such as wood or pine shavings, newsprint, peanut shells, crushed corn cobs and other types of biodegradable material.
Organic litter is attractive to cat owners because it is environmentally friendly, but tends to be less popular with cats than with lumpy cats.
On a positive note, organic waste is absorbent and smells good, although cats may not like the scent.
Here is some biodegradable litter information for easy disposable litter management
Silica litter
Silica or crystal litter is a relatively young phenomenon in the cat litter scene.
The litter consists of quartz sand, which is shaped into pearls or pellets.
This type of litter absorbs the urine so well that, with the exception of feces, no scooping is necessary.
All you have to do is stir the litter daily.
You only need to change it when the quartz sand reaches its saturation point, which is about every two weeks, depending on how many cats you have.
The two biggest advantages of quartz litter are excellent odor control and biodegradability.
On the negative side, some cats’ texture is uncomfortable and more expensive than other types of garbage.
Automatic litter boxes like the Scoopfree simply clean litter box use Silica litter inserts and are great disposable options.
Other things to consider before using Silica Litter
Although your cat has the ultimate veto power, there are a number of other considerations to consider when deciding what type of cat litter to use.
Your cat’s safety is high on the list.
Your cat may like a type of litter that is not as safe for her, such as clay litter, if she is asthmatic.
Also, consider the smell.
Clay litter is available in fragrant and odorless versions.
Sometimes cats and their owners disagree on this point.
Scent litter covers odors that are unpleasant for humans, but your cat may prefer the scent-free species.
Top Three Silica cat litters
1. PRETTY LITTER
Pretty Litter is a cat litter that not only picks up urine and allows a cat to bury its droppings, but also alerts cat owners to potential health problems for their cats.
Pretty Litter is white, silica-based bedding that absorbs the urine.
Not only is it an absorbent quartz litter, but it also uses a patented indicator formulation that changes color when the pH of the urine changes or there is blood in the urine.
It is light, non-clumping, dust-free and extremely absorbent.
We reviewed Pretty Litter and we found it a great option to tell if our cat was healthy and happy or not.
Pros
- A lot better than clay litter
- Health friendly
- Fragrance-free
- promote absorption and
- prepare the bedding for the next urination
Cons
- Litter can easily be tracked outside the litter box
- Not so good for cats with furry paws
- Cant use it in automatic litter boxes
2. PERLINETTE cat litter for sensitive cats
It was specially developed for the well-being and comfort of domestic cats and sensitive cats of all breeds.
Very absorbent and gentle for the paws, suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive (delicate breeds, skin sensitivity disorders or weakened paws, cats after a light operation, etc.).
Perlinette is a natural product made from silicone gel and pure water.
It binds odors in seconds and can also absorb large amounts of liquid.
Each silica crystal has an absorption rate of 150%.
Liquids are absorbed in a fraction of a second and then the water evaporates slowly, creating a dry and reusable litter.
Place a layer of cat litter about 3 cm high in the litter box.
Remove the excrement every day with a granulate scoop and throw it into the toilet.
Then mix the remaining litter once to ensure even absorption.
After one month of use, empty the remaining contents of the litter box in the household waste bin.
Pros
- Absorbs odor more effectively than clay
- Lightweight
- Gentle on your cat’s paws
- Virtually dust-free
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Limited to sensitive cats
- Can’t use it in self-cleaning litter boxes
3. FRESH STEP cat litter
It absorbs as well as eliminates odor 5 times faster than clay litter.
This light-weighted litter is extra soft and best for sensitive cat paws.
Additional benefits of this litter being lightweight are the fact that it is simple to carry, discharge and dispose of.
Fresh Step silica Cat Litter is almost dust-free.
The silica gel crystals are simple to maintain, replenish and cleanup.
We also recommend that this cat litter because it is not expensive.
Pros
- Light-weight
- Inexpensive
- Great for sensitive & post-surgical paw
- Good for mechanical litter boxes
- Rapidly absorbs humidity
Cons
- It isn’t a clumping litter
- It isn’t flushable
Silica cat litter Frequently Asked Questions
Can silica litter be used in automatic litter boxes?
In general, it’s safe to say that self-cleaning boxes work best with clumping or silica gel crystal cat litter.
Most automatic litter boxes have a sifting or raking mechanism that separates soiled litter from clean litter.
How to dispose of silica gel litter?
Use double-lined bags or at least two bags when disposing of cat litter.
Scoop the litter into a plastic bag, then tie up the bag and place it into another.
Tie up that one tightly as well.
This prevents odor and bacteria from “leaking” out of the bag and into the house or apartment.
When do I need to change the silica litter after it’s been used?
This means that silica litter can last for up to four weeks before it needs to be changed.
How to Stop litter Tracking for silica litter?
Litter mats, also known as litter trappers can be laid out on the base of your cat’s litter box to prevent litter tracking the same way as clumping clay litter.
