If you're a fan of clumping cat litter, then sand is not a bad option for you. Actual sea sand should form loose clumps when wet, so you can easily remove all waste from the cat box. This means having to dump and replace the whole box less frequently.
Sand as cat litter
That's because sand is a natural litterbox for cats. You can easily create the same attractive setting by using sand in your feline's litter box. The advantages of using sand include: Sand naturally clumps when it is wet and does not hold cat urine odours.
In the wild, cats prefer to relieve themselves in the fine sand, which is soft on their paws and easy to dig to bury their droppings. It is preferable to choose a material that is similar to this sandy texture, such as clay-based or fine-grained plant-based litters.
The key to creating an outdoor litterbox is to use sand instead of litter and place it in an area where the cats will feel safe using it, such as a non-trafficked area that is shaded and easy for the cats and humans to get to.
White Sand® Extra Strong is specially made for cats who love to play with litter clumps and it has a strengthened formula that prevents the clumpings from breaking apart.
Sand will give you immediate traction, but it won't absorb moisture. Kitty litter will also give you immediate traction and absorb moisture, but it will absorb so much that it will stick to the driveway. You should use sand for making your driveway drivable and kitty litter for emergency situations.
According to TreeHugger.com, you can make a commercial style cat litter out of newspaper, water, dish soap, and baking soda. The process takes about an hour. You shred the paper and add the water and dish soap. You drain it, rinse, and add baking soda and then crumble and dry.
Baking Soda Can Make Your Litter More Dusty
If this sounds like you – then definitely don't use baking soda in your litter box. Mixing some in can actually lead to even more dust. That's because the average particle size of baking soda is small enough to become airborne when your cat digs in the litter box.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
Potting Mix (or garden soil) is actually a very natural product for cats to use instead of a litter tray!
Traditional Clay Cat Litter
These are the litters that look like sand, and in fact for a long time sand (and/or dirt) was what was used for cat litter. But clay is a lot more absorbent, and in the late 1940s, industrial absorbents were repackaged and clay cat litters became available commercially.
Cats are naturally drawn to sand or soft dirt because it gives an easy substrate to dig up and roam about on, and this is what the cat litter replicates in your home.
Litter depth
Most cats won't use litter that's more than about two inches deep. Some long-haired cats prefer less litter and a smooth, slick surface, such as the bottom of the box. Adding extra litter won't reduce the amount of cleaning necessary for a litter box.
If you have rice on hand, it's a much better idea to eat it rather than using it in your cat litter box. But, rice will absorb urine in a way that paper and wood shavings will not. It won't do anything to hide the smell of ammonia. And, remember not to overfill the cat box since rice expands.
Clay remains the most common type of litter, and that's what we'll focus on in this guide. Plus, cats like clay. Clay is similar in consistency to soil, as veterinarian Alexandra Medley pointed out, so going in a clay litter will feel pretty natural for your cat.
Non-clumping is the cheapest cat litter you'll find. So make sure you stay under the $0.50 price range and closer to $0.30 per pound if you can.
While cats may not try to eat or chew on your garden mulch, they may treat your newly mulched garden beds as a fresh litter box. Newly laid mulch is the right depth, smells fresh and clean, and is easy to move around – in other words, it's the perfect environment for a cat litter box.
Natural cat litter is made from plant-based materials such as corn, wheat, or paper. It is generally more environmentally friendly than other types of cat litter, as it is biodegradable and compostable. Natural cat litter is usually dust-free and odor-controlling, making it a safer option for cats and their owners.
Well, the answer is between 24 and 48 hours, with the average feline being able to hold it for about 36 hours. While it's not ideal to have your cat do this, it's not necessarily harmful. Anything that exceeds 48 hours is a cause for concern, and you should consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
How often should you change cat litter? Ideally, you should spot-clean your cat's litter tray every day and replace the litter at least once a week. If the tray is left to become dirty, your cat may prefer to use the floor instead!
Pets need constant access to clean water – water should be changed at least once daily. Keep your pet's bowl full and make sure to fill with fresh water every single day. It's also important to keep your pet's water bowl clean.