Wood cat litter: how to choose and use correctly?

Almost every family today has some kind of pet. Most often we are talking about a dog or cat. Many owners of such animals, especially cats, are interested in arranging a place to meet their natural needs. One of the essential elements of a cat's litter is a filler. The most commonly used wood version. Our article is devoted to the features of its selection and use.

Wood filler is a special clumping hygienic granules. Their manufacture is carried out from sawdust of conifers. The transformation into granules occurs using special technologies. Usually they have the shape of a cylinder and various sizes. It should be said that this is the most popular and simplest version of the filler.

The smallest granules are perfect for kittens that have very soft and delicate paws. And if the house has a large or long-haired cat, it is recommended to choose large granules.

Many cat owners do not like the wood filler with the smell of needles, in which case you can choose an alternative option from beech or oak. A number of manufacturers offer fillers for cats from these types of wood.

Now consider the types of wood fillers. There are two of them in total:

• clumping;
• absorbent.

The first is usually made from natural wood fibers and is completely safe from an environmental point of view. Its main task is not the absorption of liquid, but the formation of lumps when moisture enters. Thanks to this solution, it is easy to remove from the tray, and the remains can be safely used in the future.

The second option can be divided into several types, which differ from each other by the size of the granules. They are usually made from shredded or compressed wood dust. Most often, the material of manufacture is pine or spruce.

Now we will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the cat litter wood filler. If we talk about the merits of such a solution, then the following points should be highlighted.

• Manufacturing on the basis of environmentally friendly raw materials having excellent antiseptic and absorbent properties.
• Raw materials have a good natural aroma, and the presence of resins in the filler makes it possible to neutralize unpleasant odors.
• Possibility of disposal in compost or sewer.
• Availability through the sale of packages of various sizes.
• Profitability. The price of such fillers is low, and modern options provide a longer application period, which is why even the high cost will be fully justified.
• Suitable for cats of various ages.

But, like any product, this filler has its drawbacks. The main disadvantage, which is believed by most users, is that the cats on their feet carry tiny wood particles around the apartment or house.

Now let's talk about the best wood fillers and try to figure out which solution is ideal for use. It should be said that the market today presents products of both foreign and domestic manufacturers.

If we talk about foreign products, the German filler of the Cat´s Best brand is considered quite good. Such a granular fine filler is made of spruce and pine sawdust. It smells very strongly of wood, which emphasizes the naturalness of the product. Packed in packages of various sizes - up to 25 kilograms. The brand line includes several types of fillers.

• Cat´s Best Nature Gold is a clumpy type wood filler for longhair cats. Granule fibers absorb odors well, form large lumps that are easy to clean. Such fibers do not turn into dust if they are in a tray for a long time and are not carried around the house. If the animal accidentally swallows them, then this will not cause problems. Yes, and flushing such a filler into the toilet can be done without problems.

• Cat´s Best Universal is a universal filler that is suitable for small cats and kittens. Such granules absorb and retain moisture well and are great for daily use.

• Cat´s Best Oko Plus - universal filler clumping type, which is economical. Wood fibers allow the formation of large lumps that can be easily removed, and use the filler remaining in the tray further.

If we talk about domestic manufacturers, it should be called a pretty good filler, which is produced under the brand name “Clean Paws”. There are also several varieties.

• Standard. This option is intended for cats and kittens of various breeds. The filler perfectly absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors.
• Station wagon. This option is recommended for use for different animals, and not just for cats.
• Economy It differs from other fillers in that it is sold in a large bag of 15 or 35 kg. Like the options presented above, it is made without adding any chemical constituents.

Another interesting option that should be mentioned is filler manufactured under the trademark "Kotyara". It has a fairly high quality and is represented by granules of 6 mm in size. They perfectly absorb liquid (they can absorb three times their mass). Granules prevent bacteria and odors from spreading. Animals are very attracted due to the fact that they smell of spruce or pine. Another advantage is that the filler does not stick to the cat's paws.

More affordable can be called a wood filler called Barsik. This option is classified as cheap. It is safe, practical and environmentally friendly. It lasts for a long time, and it perfectly absorbs unpleasant odors. A large bag lasts about a month, and the contents of the tray are enough to change once a week.

It should be noted that when choosing a wood filler for a cat, one will have to try various options in practice. Moreover, there may be not two or three, but substantially more. When choosing, you must adhere to the following rules.

• If you select a filler for a kitten, then you should definitely purchase a product that has a quality mark. It should not contain any extraneous additives or chemical-based components.
• The choice of filler should be carried out according to the age of the cat, which is usually indicated on the package.
• After the cat first tries to use the filler, you should observe its reaction. If she does not feel any discomfort, then you can leave a filler to accustom a pet to him.
• The product must necessarily contain an unpleasant odor, as this is one of its main tasks.

Now let's talk about how to properly use wood filler. Terms of use will depend on whether it is absorbent or clumping. The recommendations here may be different, but in the matter of recycling everything is simple - it can be flushed into the toilet and not thrown into the trash. However, according to user reviews, it is clear that it is better not to do this immediately in a large volume, otherwise a blockage may occur. Also, such waste can be disposed of in a compost heap.

Considering that wood fillers are most often produced in the form of granules of a cylindrical type, it is quite convenient to pour them over the grill of a cat's toilet. Usually a layer no more than three centimeters thick is formed. As moisture appears in the tray, as mentioned above, the granules will scatter into sawdust, which will be easily sieved to the bottom. Large lumps are also very easy to remove from the tray.

In general, if you look at user reviews, they like wood filler. Many say that granules are perfectly clumped, they are nice and easy to clean. Users also note that many of these solutions have a pleasant aroma and remarkably neutralize unpleasant odors.And some use already-used wood filler as fertilizer for plants in the garden. The strengths of the product are also called by its users the excellent absorbency and the fact that it is not so often required to be changed.

At the same time, buyers are not very happy with some aspects of using this category of fillers. Most often, users complain that the cat carries particles of wood pellets around the house after use. They are also often unhappy that the filler does not fully absorb unpleasant odors. Some write that granules are not very convenient to clean, as they crumble.

About cat litter for wood, see the next video.