Silica Gel Cat Litter: Pros And Cons, How To Use And Dispose Of Silica Gel, A Review Of The Best Brands, Reviews

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Silica gel litter - a novelty in cat litter

A cat in the house is not only pleasant evenings while stroking a fluffy fur, it is also a constant care and concern for your pet. One of the most important questions for each owner is where his pet will relieve itself and how to do so that it does not cause discomfort. When the tray and the location for its location are selected, it remains only to decide on the type of filler. And here in the store you will definitely come across silica gel, which is clearly different from the already known clay and wood compositions.

Content

• 1 Silica gel and its capabilities
• 2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Silica Gel Filler

• 3 Rules for the use of filler

  • 3.1 Silica gel tray
  • 3.2 Introducing the cat to silica gel

• 4 Review of Popular Brands of Silica Gel Fillers

  • 4.1 "Good"
  • 4.2 "Snowball"
  • 4.3 "Our brand"
  • 4.4 "Siberian cat"
  • 4.5 Smart Cat
  • 4.6 Sanicat
  • 4.7 "Sea Sea Cat"

Silica gel and its capabilities

Silica gel cat litter consists of large, hard, translucent or colored granules. Silica gel itself is a dried polysilicic acid gel that does not dissolve in water and most other solvents, is odorless, and does not emit hazardous products when decomposed. Such a filler belongs to the category of absorbent, its porous structure allows you to retain a large amount of moisture. One of the most important properties of the material for cat owners is the ability to hide odors. It is the combination of such parameters that explains the rapidly growing popularity of the filler.

Silica gel - dried polysilicic acid gel granules with high moisture-absorbing properties

Advantages and Disadvantages of Silica Gel Filler

It should be said right away that silica gel filler is not a cheap pleasure, so packaging will cost much more than the clumping clay granules or pressed sawdust already familiar to everyone. But the unusual transparent filler has a lot of advantages, which often negate the negative impression of the price:

• chemical and biological harmlessness. The material from which the filler is created is safe for the environment and the inhabitants of the apartment. Potential harm can be achieved if it enters the cat's digestive tract, as the substance quickly absorbs moisture;
• economy in use. Yes, for one pack the cat owner will have to pay more than he is used to, but with the correct use of silica gel, the minimum consumption will be immediately noted. Due to the ability to retain a large amount of moisture and odors, you will have to change the filling of the cat litter much less often, on average once every 3-4 weeks;
• pleasant aroma. Colored crystals in most fillers of this type are aromatic, and when the animal is emptied, they instantly absorb urine and begin to exude a completely different, much more pleasant aroma;
• light weight. It will be much easier to bring the bag of silica gel home to the owner than to get there with the heavy packaging of the classic clay filler;
• maintaining cleanliness. Compared to other fillers, there is practically no dust from silica gel granules, and if they are large, they do not cling to the cat's paws at all and do not spread around the house.

Colored particles in silica gel are usually responsible for the scent of the filler - a technique used by many manufacturers

In addition to the already mentioned high cost, such a filler has other disadvantages:

• restrictions on use for kittens. The danger of silica gel getting into the digestive tract makes it impossible to use it for babies, because they often try to taste the filler from the tray;
• unusual sensations for the cat. When walking on the granules, silica gel emits a kind of crunch, and if moisture gets in during absorption, a slight hiss is heard. These unusual sounds and sensations for a pet can cause you to dislike the filler and bypass it;
• if the granules are small, they are carried around the house on the paws of the animal.

Filler use rules

To fully appreciate all the advantages of silica gel for cat litter, it is important to use it correctly:

1. First you need to prepare a clean tray that must be completely dry.
2. Silica gel is covered with a thick layer from the pack. The recommended thickness is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging, but usually it is at least 5 cm.
3. Solid faeces must be removed from the tray and disposed of as soon as they appear.
4. Once a day, the contents of the tray must be stirred - this is one of the main conditions for the possibility of long-term use of the gel. If the granules are not interfered with, then the lower layer will quickly exhaust its resource and stop absorbing urine and neutralizing its odor.

As soon as an unpleasant odor begins to emanate from the cat litter, all its filling must be replaced. Usually, this need arises every 3-4 weeks. Silica gel filler is chemically safe, but its ability to absorb moisture can cause blockages in pipes, so you cannot pour it down the toilet. The best solution is to simply throw the used pellets into the trash can.

Silica gel tray

Usually, the type of litter is not a determining factor in choosing a litter box, but in the case of silica gel there are some nuances. So, do not put granules on a tray with a mesh - urine will pass through them and sink under the mesh, accumulating there and emitting an unpleasant odor without being able to be absorbed. This type of cat litter is not suitable for the very type of "work" of silica gel litter. Also, automated installations that scroll after the animal leaves, screening out clean filler are not suitable - this option is designed only for clumping types. For silica gel, it is best to use a regular tray with high sides; if necessary, you can buy a perimeter limiter for it - this is useful if the cat likes to actively bury.

For silica gel, a tray with high sides and, if necessary, with special protection against spillage is best suited

Introducing the cat to silica gel

When using silica gel for the first time, do not shock your pet right away and add new filler. The peculiarities of the absorbent granules can scare the cat away, and many problems arise with training. The simplest way is to gradually mix the silica gel: within a week, 25% of the granules are added to the usual filler, then the amount is increased to about a third, half, and, finally, a pure gel is poured. Usually, with this gradual approach, the animal has time to adapt and calmly accept changes in its tray.

An overview of popular brands of silica gel fillers

When deciding to try silica gel filler, you need to prepare for a large assortment in the store. Visually, all the options presented can be almost the same, so it is worthwhile to find out in advance the list of positions checked by other cat owners.

Good

Filler "Khoroshka" is represented by large colorless and colored silica gel crystals, packed in a dense polyethylene bag with a handle. The capacity of one package, declared by the manufacturer, is 3.8 liters (weight 1.5 kg), which should be enough for a month of use for one animal. Effective use requires 5 cm filling of the litter box. The colored granules have an antibacterial effect, which makes it even better to fight the unpleasant odors of the litter box. There are three filler options: odorless, lavender and sea breeze scent. The cost of a pack of filler is 350 rubles.

Silica gel filler "Khoroshka" is available in 3.8 liter packaging in three aroma options

Snowball

The Russian-made silica gel filler "Snowball" is packed in bags, the weight of one is 2.7 kg, and the absorbency of the filling is 4 liters. It possesses properties that are standard for this type of product, including effective moisture absorption and odorlessness for a long time. Granules are homogeneous, white in color, have both fine-pored and large-pore texture. The cost of one package per month is 250 rubles.

"Snowball" - standard silica gel litter for cat litters, designed for 4 liters

Our brand

Silica gel filler "Our Mark" is produced in a wide variety:

• in different volumes - 3.8 l, 7.6 l, 10 l, 16 l and 35 l, which allows you to choose the most convenient format;
• with different aromas - odorless neutral, orange, lavender, lotus and apple.

Silica gel fillers "Nasha Marka" are produced not only in different volumes, but also with different flavors, including odorless

Granules are not dusty, medium and small in size, the bulk is white, and colored ones are added depending on the aroma (apple is green, lotus is blue, lavender is lilac and orange for orange). A small package of 3.8 liters will cost the cat owner about 300 rubles, but for the largest pack of 35 liters you will have to pay almost 3000 rubles.

Siberian cat

Filler "Siberian cat" is presented in four types:

• "Elite" in blue packaging - large crystals with standard absorbent properties and a special shape that prevents spilling;
• "Elite for Picky Cats" in pink packaging - a product with a bactericidal effect and an increased ability to absorb odors;
• "Elite Eco" in a green pack - has antibacterial properties, within a few hours after getting wet, the granules evaporate moisture, and all waste remains inside the crystals;
• Elite clumping is a unique type of silica gel with fine granules that, when wet, quickly absorb moisture and form a lump, which is designed to simplify maintenance of the tray.

The filler "Siberian cat" made of silica gel granules is produced in several varieties, one of which is a unique clumping gel

The filler is available in several sizes: 4, 8, 16 and 24 liters. The smallest pack of standard Elite will cost about 350 rubles, and 1700 rubles will be asked for a bag of 24 liters.

Smart cat

Chinese-made Smart Cat Silica Gel is offered to cat owners in volumes of 1.66 kg, 3.32 kg, 7.37 kg, 7 and 15 kg.

Smart Cat litter can be found in several varieties:

• scent free for sensitive cats;
• with lavender scent;
• with orange scent;
• with apple scent.

The granules are large, uneven, and have a standard whitish color. The cost of the smallest package of 1.66 kg is 350 rubles.

Smart Cat is a silica gel filler available in 4 versions (apple, orange, lavender and odorless)

Sanicat

The Sanicat Crystals series silica gel filler is also offered to the buyer in several versions: Diamonds without aroma, Citrus, Lavender and Aloe Vera with the corresponding inclusions of colored granules. The manufacturer claims that flavored products provide maximum control over unpleasant odors and mask them completely. Dust suppression stands out as a separate plus - medium-sized granules do not generate dust when poured into a tray and buried by a cat. The filler is available in 5 and 15 liter packs. The price of a small package is average - about 350 rubles.

Sanicat with colored granules is offered to the buyer both in pure form, without flavoring, and with the aroma of aloe vera, citrus and lavender

Sea Sea Cat

Silica gel "Sea Sea Cat" in the form of crystals has bactericidal properties, preventing the growth of microorganisms in the tray. It is produced in one version - odorless, dust-free, with a safe form of particles that do not injure the animal. The manufacturer recommends pouring a layer of at least 3 cm into the tray. The volume of the package is 3.8 liters, the average cost is 350 rubles.

"Sea Sea Cat" is an odorless silica gel filler, which additionally has an antibacterial effect

Silica gel filler is a new solution in the organization of cat litter. Special granules absorb moisture and retain odors, so changing the filling of the tray is extremely rare compared to other types of fillers - once every 3-4 weeks. All the advantages of the product can be assessed only if the rules of use are followed.