While for you it might seem like nothing, changing the kitty litter is changing the whole environment for your pet. The litter is one of those places where they carry their most intimate business; it’s a place they became comfortable with, and they think they know it well. When you go from traditional litter to crystal cat litter, that safe place changes entirely. That’s why, you must carry this transition with a bit of care, respect, and patience. You are going to learn how to do all of this with the help of this article!
What is a Crystal Cat Litter?
So, you must understand why would you want to transition in the first place. The crystal cat litter is made out of silica gel beads, which makes it highly absorbent of both liquid and smell. Silica gel beads are those things that you usually find in tiny packets inside new shoes. This kind of material, thanks to the way it absorbs, it lets the surface dry for your cat. The odor control is superior to that of traditional clay litter. It’s low-tracking and lightweight, and it’s often compatible with automated litters.
Now, the Homeward Trails Animal Rescue tells us of how cats are creatures of habit. If your pet is used to traditional litter, a sudden change to a crystal cat litter might not be a nice surprise. Some cats might even totally reject the new kitty litter. You must be aware that there will be a big change for your pet. The texture is different, the lack of clumping is unusual for them; and basically that safe environment turns into something new and unknown to them. But, being aware of the possible feelings your pet will experience is the first step towards a good experience for your cat.
The Kitty Litter Transition
Cats are more than often very skeptical of changes that happen in their environment. You probably noticed how they behave when you bring someone or something new into the house. They are curious, it’s true, but also skeptical. When making a transition related to the kitty litter, it’s best to do it gradually, if you don’t want your pet to just ignore the litter. The first thing you should do is to understand your cat’s preferences. Some questions that you might search an answer for are:
- Are they sensitive to smell?
- Are they already picky when it comes to the litter you buy?
- What kind of texture do they like?
- How does your pet usually react to changes?
All of these questions are basically about the personality of your cat. Now, according to the answers, you can find kitty litter that will be to the liking of your cat. Not all crystal litter is the same, some are made of large or small beads, irregular or fine-grain. You can even find unscented or scented options. So, choose the one that you think your pet will be most comfortable with. As a tip, buy a sample or small size bag at first; do not commit to a big bag!
The Mixing: Gradual Transition
As already mentioned, gradual transition is key. You should start by adding some crystal litter into the regular litter, around 10 or 20%. Allow your cat to get used to the change, and use the litter a few times, and then just increase the percentage. You should give your cat at least three or four days before adding more crystal litter. After the four days, you could increase the percentage to around 30 to 40%, depending on the behavioral changes. If the cat rejects it since the beginning, you might want to try another type of crystal litter. But, if everything goes well, you could get to the litter being 100% crystal litter in approximately two weeks.
This gradual transition can help you ensure the comfort and safety of your pet. You can go back or forwards depending on the reactions you receive. As an example, if your cat seemed fine at the 10% stage, but when you increase to 20%, it rejects the litter, just go back to 10%. Stay in one stage for as long as your cat needs to adjust. Try to have compassion for your pet, and think of a situation where someone would just change something about your toilet; it would surely take a while to adjust, right? It’s a process that requires a lot of patience.
Tips for an Easier Transition
The first thing would be to also pay attention to the cat’s behavior. If the cat seems upset, or meows excessively, or simply avoids the box. Remember to also watch for urinary issues, especially with male cats, as they are more prone to this kind of infections. Keep the litter clean, as you normally would; and be affectionate with your cat, so that it feel some kind of comfort. If the litter is dirty, or the cat doesn’t like it for any reasons, your pet will find other places to use as their litter.
So, if you want to have a back-up plan, you could potentially set up two litters. One with the mixed, and another one with the original litter only. If your cat will be overwhelmed by the new litter, it will have a back-up option. This could also help you compare which one your pet likes more, and so on. The health of your cat should be your priority, and this two litters plan could help with that.
Conclusion
Transitioning from traditional clay litter to crystal cat litter can be a stressful experience for both you and your pet. With the help of the tips and information that you learnt today; you can ensure that your cat won’t have a hard time changing the litter. Understanding and patience are what you need in this kind of process, because gradual transition could take time. But, if you are putting your cat’s health, physical and mental, as your top priority, it surely won’t be such a draining process.
