Every time you scoop the litter box, instead of leaving the waste to ferment in the trash can, why not send it to the same place yours goes? There are now a variety of flushable litters, formulated to be safe for most sewage systems. Some flushable litters even look, feel, and clump like traditional litter, in order to satisfy those picky felines and still make life easier for their owners. Flushing your cat’s waste may very well be the next best thing to toilet training her!
“Natural,” Recycled, Biodegradable, and Eco-Friendly Litters
The majority of kitty litter – whether traditional or alternative – are typically not made with the great outdoors in mind. You can change that, however, by supporting one of the several eco-friendly litters available. “Natural” litter is usually in the form of small pellets, made from compressed pine shavings, recycled paper, or another biodegradable substance. The litter is generally safe to flush in small quantities, so feces can be disposed of quickly and easily. The pellets will break down as the cats urinate into the litter; as the litter becomes dust, it is time to dump out the old and bring in the new. Of course, the form this type of litter takes can be slightly disturbing to some cats, so be sure to transition the cat over to the new litter by mixing it with the old for several weeks before converting her completely.
Creature Comforts
Your cat’s litter box experience goes beyond the type of litter that fills it. For cats that prefer privacy, covered litter boxes and litter box tents are available; however, if the box is not cleaned frequently, or if the litter is a particularly dusty type, picky cats may be deterred from using the box. For cats that are finicky about dirty litter boxes, a motorized or self-cleaning litter box may be the best way to go. The advantages are a clean litter box every time for the cat and easier cleanup for the cat’s owner, but self-cleaning litter boxes are expensive and use only traditional clumping litter.