How to choose and use a tray with a grill for cats?

When a kitten appears in the apartment, the house is filled not only with fun and joy, but also with additional problems. Improper use of the tray can lead to the spread of odor, as well as to dirt from the filling granules scattered throughout the rooms. In order to always have a pleasant atmosphere in the house where the cat lives, it is recommended to purchase a tray with a grill.

The following facts will help to make sure that the tray with a grate is much more effective than ordinary pots:

• the cat is not in direct contact with the granules of the filler, which means that they do not stick to her paws and are not spread throughout the house;
• if liquid waste is not removed on time, then the pet will not get dirty through the grate the next time you visit the toilet;
• a tray with a grill protects the health of curious kittens who like to taste the filler, which leads to intestinal blockage;
• stores offer a large selection of trays with a grill, among which you can choose the most suitable design, color, size so that the tray in the home interior is not striking.

Before you purchase a pot with a grate, familiarize yourself with the following disadvantages of this design:

• solid waste is not buried, it immediately eliminates unpleasant odors, it is clearly visible, which is very aesthetically pleasing, therefore waste products must be removed immediately after the cat visits the tray;
• traces may remain on the grate after harvesting feces or liquid waste that has not had time to drain down, so the grate should be rinsed often;
• not all cats can get used to such a toilet, many of them will refuse to visit the tray with bars because of the habit of digging holes and carefully burying their waste products.

If the owner opted for a tray with a grill, he is offered one of several types of filler.

• Pellet inserts - This is the most economical option. Now, wood filler can be purchased in large quantities at various wood processing enterprises at an even lower price than stores offer. However, this is still a less effective filler, since it absorbs odors to a minimum. Rather, it absorbs an unpleasant aroma immediately, but when it comes into contact with the liquid, the pellets soak and turn into a foul-smelling slurry, which should be removed immediately. That is, wood filler is suitable only for those owners who are constantly at home and can timely clean the tray.

• Absorbent filler - This is a good option for a tray with a grill. Absorbent granules absorb liquid and “loosen” inside the material, while the area between the granules and the surface remains wet. Without the use of a grill, in the process of “hiding” its waste, the cat digs up well-saturated granules, which makes the smell more harsh. Therefore, the option with a grill is most effective in the case of using an absorbent filler.

• Clumping granules. When moisture gets on the clumping filler, the granules are formed into a lump, so it is very easy to remove them with a spatula. However, this species has also disadvantages. The filler must not be disposed of in the toilet, since when it comes into contact with water, it turns into cement and can clog the sewer pipes. In addition, if you do not remove the resulting lump in a timely manner, then soon the entire contents of the tray will turn into an unpleasant substance, it will be quite difficult for the fastidious owner to clean the container. The advantage of the variety is not only the ease of cleaning, but also the natural origin of the product. The filler is based on clay raw materials, so it is safe for the pet.

Choosing the right cat tray with a grill in the pet store, pay attention to several criteria.

• Material. Basically, all the pots are made of plastic, but this material may have different qualities. Feel free to sniff the tray. If there is a sharp smell of chemistry, it is better to abandon this product. The cat has a delicate sense of smell, and may not want to visit such a toilet. And also make sure that the grill is strong and does not bend under light weight.
• Design. Low and high grid pots are available. It is recommended to choose the second option, it allows you to fill a larger volume of filler in the container, and is also more convenient for owners who use ordinary water instead of granules. You can also purchase a tray with low or high sides. In this case, it is better to give preference to a pot with high walls. Many cats, especially in old age, begin to urinate almost standing. Thus, the animal fills the walls, floor and closely standing objects. Large sides will eliminate this problem.
• Sizes. If a small kitten lives in the house, then it will be more convenient for him to use a compact tray. As the cat grows, it will no longer fit in a small space, so it is recommended to buy him a new spacious pot.

It is easy to use a tray with a grate. To do this, you need to raise the grid, fill the filler with the desired layer and put the grid back. The volume of granules depends on the filler.For example, if it is a silica gel filler, then a layer of granules of 3-5 cm is required to be poured. Very few pellets are needed, since this type requires instant cleaning. The standard layer for other varieties is 2 cm. Make sure the grill does not push the filler out of the tray.

However, after this, the grate must be rinsed under running water. The moisture penetrating under the grate, depending on the type of filler, is removed in the following ways;

• if it is woody, then the contents are completely shaken out;
• if silica gel, then part of the granules is removed, and the rest is mixed for quick drying;
• if clumping filler is used, only the lump is removed.

Once a week, the contents of the tray are completely removed. The bottom is thoroughly washed and disinfected. Sometimes, when interacting with cat urine, a calcareous deposit remains on the plastic bottom. To eliminate it, you can use the special tools that are offered at the pet store. Cat urine has very odorous properties, sometimes even a high-quality filler does not save the tray cover from an unpleasant odor.

When cleaning the tray, try to avoid alcohol-containing drugs, as sensitive cats, smelling an unpleasant smell for them, may refuse to use the toilet. Another way to reduce the smell is to fill the bottom of the scrubbed container with soda, and fill the pot with fresh granules from the top.

Soda absorbs unpleasant odors. Specialized soda-based products are sold in pet stores, they are flavored and also eliminate odor in a cat tray. Cleaning the pot must always be done with tight rubber gloves. When the cleaning process is completed, the gloves should be washed well, hands without gloves should also be thoroughly washed with soap.

Before you accustom a cat to a toilet on a grate, you need to teach him to visit an open tray with filler. The smaller the pet’s age, the easier it is to train him. When the cat goes to the toilet out of place, transfer its solid waste into the pot, moisten the liquid with a newspaper and put it in a container. Sprinkle the place where the cat cannot go to the toilet with a special deterrent, it can be found in the pet store. Over time, the pet will understand what is required of it.

Once the cat has learned to go to the toilet in a certain place, you can put a wire rack on the tray, and pour a few granules on top. Gradually reduce the amount of filler placed on the wire rack. When it does not remain at all, the animal will already be accustomed to a particular place and will eventually become completely accustomed to this method of visiting the toilet.

The subtleties of choosing a toilet for cats are presented in the next video.