Anyone who is a cat lover knows that the cat litter box is one of the most important things for those who have these cats at home. The cat will use this box to poop and pee and, if it is not suitable, the cat will yet will poop and pee – but not in the box.

Another thing to consider is the possibility that the cat even accepts the sand – but it has inconveniences such as causing allergies in the feline (or in you), being difficult to clean, not “yielding”, starting to smell bad…

A lot isn't it? But choosing the right sand doesn't have to be a drama, you know? So which one to choose? What to consider when choosing? What might influence your decision?

If you were already thinking of going to the nearest building materials warehouse and buying a 20 kg bag of river sand there, know that this is not the right decision.

You can opt for this decision, it is river sand, and there are many chances that the cat will not reject it, nor will it have any damage to its health. But this one has some disadvantages, and the main ones are the smell and hygiene.

Your cat will not poop and pee in a natural environment. His box is not a piece of nature, so, without proper disposal, these substances will not turn into fertilizer, but a point of pollution in your home. This river sand will smell bad, its moisture will generate mud (which will pass to the floor of your house, through the cat's paws), and possibly attract mosquitoes to it.

So, prefer to use sands bought in petshops. Reinforcing, the sand in the cat box is not “nature”: it is a hygiene resource for your cat.

When we talk about wet or dry cat litter, we are using generic terms for two types of cat litter. Binders and absorbents.

They are vaguely similar to desert sand, but their composition is different, and they are thought, especially, as a functional product – that is, to serve a specific function, the needs of the cat.

Some cat litter can even contain silica (an element found in most desert litter). Others are made with other materials, such as wood and clay. All have advantages and disadvantages.

Absorbent sands are usually made of sawdust or silica and their great advantage is in terms of hygiene.

These sands don't leave a strong smell, as the name implies, they absorb most of the cat's poop or pee. this is great, because it prevents the formation of a sludge. This means that your cat won't get his feet dirty by that sand, and he won't spread it around your house.

They are ideal sands for those who live in places with little space for the cat. Silica ones tend to reduce or completely eliminate odors. In apartments without constant ventilation, this makes a huge difference.

The biggest disadvantage of this sand is its cost. Because it is a highly processed product, and with complex physiochemical processes, its value is usually well above the average, for the same amount of a natural material.

Cleaning can be a little more complicated, as the tendency is for the cat's pee and poop not to turn into that “little ball”, as with clumping litter. So, eventually, you will use more sand when replacing the box.

And as you know, cats have a very sensitive sense of smell, taste, and fur. This makes this artificial sand alien to them. So your kitty may refuse her - or even have an allergic reaction.

Rejection tends to be more frequent in the case of silica sands. As for scented sand, these may even be pleasant for you, but the chances of attacking your cat's sense of smell are great.

Yes that's right. You buy a special, more expensive litter, and your cat hates it…

Want to know everything about cat pee? So be sure to check out this post! Even learn how to remove the smell of urine.

Clumping sands are usually ideal for those who live in larger houses. The cat's pee and poop are ′′ clustered ′′ by this type of sand. They form an acorn, which is much easier to clean.

The big disadvantage is that these cat litter are not very deodorizing. That is, even if you don't take too long to clean, your house can still smell unpleasant. In houses with poor ventilation, and for boxes placed outside, this can be a problem (attracting insects).

Some clumping sands are made from vegetable flour and clay. For this reason, these litters tend to be more prone to forming mud, and this will stick to your cat's paws and fur, possibly spreading around the house.

Regarding the price, however, they are usually very affordable.

Before choosing your cat's litter, think about how the litter will be disposed of. Remember how we said cat litter isn't "just sand"? Some are made with components that are not biodegradable.

That is, you will need to throw the sand in the trash. Not only will it take up space in the trash, it will eventually contribute to the pollution of the planet.

A biodegradable cat litter will possibly be a little more expensive, but it has the great advantage of being good for the environment and good for you, who don't have the patience to throw the litter in a suitable disposal site: they can be discarded in nature or in private.

In the toilet, they will have the same effect as human waste. Already in nature (which can even be your garden or your potted plants), this sand can even become fertilizer.

You help your cat and your planet!

After we've done this overview, you feel ready to buy your cat's litter, don't you? But first, consider one thing: your cat needs to like the sand.

It's no use putting the math on paper, thinking about the most suitable litter for your lifestyle (in terms of ideals and time for daily hygiene) and the cat doesn't approve either. So, at first, the ideal is for you to buy some options and let your cat choose.

Don't accept his decision so quickly. Wait at least two months. The cat may change its mind, and if you buy too many of a type it doesn't approve of, it won't do any good to insist.

And remember: ideally, your cat should have two litter boxes spread around the house. Also, if you have more than one cat living with you, you might even need two different types of litter.

Grooming your cat is not a difficult thing to do. And it doesn't even have to be. All you need is a little patience and common sense. At the beginning it can be a little more complicated, in terms of costs, adaptation and organization of your home.

But once you find the ideal place for the cat's box, and the sand that the feline likes the most, your cat will be just happy, while peeing and pooping without worries!

How was the choice of sand for your cat, for you? What did you take into account when choosing? How was the cat's adaptation process? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the sand you chose? Tell us how it went in the comments. Tell us if we forgot to address something.

And so you don't miss any more posts by Senhor Gato, subscribe to our newsletter and stay on top of the best content about cats and other pets!