Change can be good, right? We love bringing new products into our home and enjoying them – but when it comes to cats and new cat litter, the change is not always a welcome one.
Cats can be very finicky about their litter. Some cats like clay while others prefer the feel of pine, wheat, or corn litters. Finely grained litters are popular with some cats while others opt for larger particles. Besides the texture of the litter, the scent of the litter can be a factor in its success (some cats do not like deodorized litter).
Why You Might Want to Change Your Cat’s Litter Brand
Many cat owners select a litter and stick with it. Others may decide that they are due for a change, perhaps because a cat is no longer using the litter box as she should. Once you rule out the chance of a medical problem (always talk with your veterinarian about sudden changes in litter box habits), you may need to explore a new litter.
Other reasons for changing litters can range from difficulty in finding a favorite brand to the desire to be more eco-friendly. The cat litter market is always growing and adding new options. You may want to experiment with a litter that you think would result in less litter tracking by your cat or one that creates less dust. Lightweight litters are also currently popular options to make shopping that much easier.
Making a Slow Transition
Once you decide to change to a new brand of litter, you will want to make the transition slowly. Be sure to keep the litter box in the same location so the only factor you are changing is the litter itself.
Mix in about one-fifth new litter with the old brand. Scoop the litter box twice daily, as usual. With each change of the litter box, add in a larger percentage of new litter to old so that, within about five box changes, you have transitioned to the new litter.
Are you short on the old litter brand? Another alternative is to use a bigger percentage of the new brand in the box but top it with the old brand, so your cat’s paws are walking on the old brand.
Transitioning Between Clumping and Non-Clumping Cat Litters
If you are transitioning between clumping and non-clumping litters, you will need to transition differently. A litter box containing just a small percentage of clumping litter results in a mix that will not clump at all.
To transition between a litter that clumps and one that doesn’t (or vice versa), provide your cat with two litter boxes, side by side. Put one type of litter in each box and allow her to select her favorite. Once you see she is using the new brand, you can then remove the box containing the old brand.
Multiple litter boxes can also be a great way to test out multiple types of litter. Are you looking for a natural option but you are unsure if you want recycled newspaper, pine chips, wheat, corn, maize, or even nutshells? Providing your cat with a selection of litters, each in its own box, can be a great way to let your cat give you the paws up on her favorite type of litter!
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