Types of Breeders' Choice for Cat Litter Cats

Cats are very selective about many aspects of their lives, and the litter box is no exception to this rule. With all the factors to consider when choosing a litter (size, material, type, etc.), finding the suitable litter for you and your cat can be challenging. When you adopt your first cat, your instinct will be to buy the classic litter box to cut costs and because it's the most convenient. Over time, however, consider the breeder's choice for cat litter because you may find that your cat has other preferences or needs and will want to change the type of litter used. 

The Classic Tray-Type Litter Box 

It usually comes rectangular (but there are also triangular or ovoid ones) and can have various sizes, colors or materials, with or without a frame. It is the most accessible to the owners, considering you can buy it in supermarkets and pet shops. It allows the cat easy access, especially when it is a puppy and you want to train it to use the litter box. It is also easy to clean and maintain. 

This type of litter has three significant disadvantages: the cat will spread the used litter over the waste when it covers up what it has done. Also, the smell can be pretty intense; when the cat will not completely cover the feces, it gives off a rather loud aroma. The third disadvantage is represented by the fact that it allows the feline to urinate/defecate on the side if it is dissatisfied with the degree of cleanliness of the litter. Any breeder's choice for cat litter has its advantages and disadvantages; see all of them and make your choice.

Covered Litter Box 

It has about the same shape as the classic litter box, which is covered and has a door that allows the cat to enter and exit it. The size is significantly larger, so you will need more space to place it vertically. The covered litter box keeps the smell inside and doesn't let litter pellets escape when the cat covers. Also, if you have children in the family, they will not have access to the bedding in the litter box, there you can consider it the perfect breeder's choice for cat litter. 

The covered litter box gives the cat the peace and privacy it needs to defecate. As for the disadvantages, they include: it is more difficult to clean (you have to remove the cover to change the sand), it is bulkier and takes up more space, it is noisier as you will hear the sand hitting the walls of the litter box, access is a bit difficult for the cat because of the door that has to be pushed (but it can be dispensed with).

The Self-Cleaning Litter Box 

It has the form of a covered or tray-type litter box, and its main advantage is that you no longer have to remove the feces or lumps of sand every day, but they are removed automatically. After the cat has used the litter box, the sand absorbs the urine forming tiny bubbles. An automatic rake passes through the sand, pushing the clots thus formed, or feces, into a separate tray. All you have to do is empty that tray periodically and replace it. The advantages of a self-cleaning litter box are multiple: you no longer have to fish for feces or lumps of urine.

If you purchase the covered version, the smell will not be a problem anymore; the sealed residue tray is disposable. It is replaced periodically (once every few weeks), the sand needs to be changed entirely much less often, and it is very safe for children since they do not have access to it at all. Disadvantages of self-cleaning litter include higher purchase costs and additional costs with periodic replacement of the litter tray. That is not a good breeder's choice for cat litter because you won't be able to determine if the feline suffers from any medical condition.

Bucket-Type Litter Box with Vertical Access

This type of litter box has been in fashion lately due to its appearance. The shape is similar to a mop bucket; the dimensions are identical, so a little more space is needed for its placement. The cat's access is on top, and the litter box is provided with a cover that has a circular hole. This type of breeder's choice for a cat litter box makes it easier to keep urine and feces inside and prevents the cat from leaving the litter box with sand on its paws. Thanks to the lid with which the litter box is provided, you won't smell any smell in the house.

Thanks to the shape, it is very easy to partially clean or change the sand completely. Also, if you have a dog in the family, he will not be attracted to her. The main disadvantage is the access that is done on top. Not all cats want to go in and out of the litter box in a horizontal direction. If you have a young kitten in the house, you will not be able to use this type of litter, as he cannot climb in and out of it.

The Self-Cleaning Toilet Litter Box 

It is very similar to the toilet you use. For this type of litter, you need unique, recyclable sand that can be washed and reused. It must be connected to a water source in the shape of a toilet bowl, from where the tank is fed to a pipe where it will remove the cleaned residues. After it has been used, the litter box begins a cleaning program involving liquefying the feces and disposing of them in the large toilet or bathroom drain where it was connected. This breeder's choice for cat litter has a higher purchase cost once installed; you don't have to worry about cleaning it. 

The furniture-type litter box is the last type of breeder's choice for cat litter, and it is very similar to the covered litter box, only it is incorporated into a piece of furniture to be more easily integrated into the home's design. You can purchase a standard litter box on the market or have one custom-made to match the furniture in your home. Guests will not notice such litter, nor will they smell it. The cat will get out of it without leaving any traces of sand. It is easy to clean and can be placed anywhere in the home.