Silica gel litter for cats: overview of companies in the table, prices

As soon as a small kitten appears in the house, it is important to think about the organization of the space: a sleeping area, a dining area and, of course, a cat litter box. Fortunately, today there are many different litters available so you can choose the one that is right for your pet.

Silica gel is the most popular cat litter. It is noticeably different from such familiar options as clay or wood counterparts, not only in its appearance, but also in its high efficiency.

What is the advantage of silica gel litter for cats and how to choose the right option? Let's learn how to organize a cat litter box using silica gel.

What is silica gel filler?

Silica gel litter for cats began to be used relatively recently. However, today we can safely say that it cannot be compared with other analogues. First, you need to understand what silica gel filler is: how it is produced and what it consists of.

White or multi-colored granules are made from quartz, which, using modern technology, can be converted into a polysilicic acid gel. As a result, the granules acquire several properties at once:

do not dissolve when exposed to liquid;
have no odor;
do not emit toxic substances.

The silica gel filler itself is absorbent. Dried gel granules have a porous structure that can absorb large amounts of moisture and retain it inside for a long time.

The absence of a natural odor of granules does not mean that they easily absorb foreign odors. You can be sure that the room will not smell like cat litter - silica gel is able to reliably hide all unpleasant odors.

Silica gel for cats today is available in several versions:

Hypoallergenic. It has a delicate composition and is suitable for fluffies who may suffer an allergic reaction to aggressive filler components.
Antibacterial. They contain special additives that kill harmful microorganisms and ensure reliable cat litter hygiene.
Flavoring. Certain scents (such as lavender or mint) can attract cats and help them quickly toilet train. Other scents are designed to make the room smell nice.
Multi-colored granules. Granules of different shades are not a marketing ploy or a decorative element. Adding dyes to the gel allows you to control the humidity of the environment - so you can notice when it is time to change the litter in the tray.

Compound

It should be understood that a material such as silica gel is a solid hydrophilic sorbent that looks similar to a regular dried gel. Its production is carried out from carefully dried polysilicic acid gel. It has almost the same composition as sand. It obtains excellent absorbent properties due to the fact that the gel filler has granules with a porous structure.

Note that silicate gel works so effectively that it absorbs not only liquid, but also excess moisture from air masses.

In general, it should be noted that fillers based on silicone and silicates contain up to 98 percent of this substance. In their normal state, these are round balls or transparent crystals that change color depending on the color and properties of the absorbed liquid.

A number of companies that produce silicone filler often add granules of various colors to the transparent substance: from blue to pink. You can also find flavored fillers on the market.

Pros and cons of silica gel fillers

Silica gel litter for cats has become one of the most popular options today. Despite the rather high cost, it wins the favor of many furry owners. At the same time, you can also find great deals within this category. For example, silica gel fillers can be purchased at affordable prices in the Beethoven chain of pet stores, which offers a wide range of budget and high-quality products.

Benefits of silica gel:

Safety. Despite the possible presence of dyes in the composition, as well as the rather original appearance of the granules, silica gel is completely harmless, both from a biological and chemical point of view. It does not emit harmful substances when decomposed and does not harm the environment or human and animal health. Hypoallergenic fillers are especially delicate.
Economical consumption. It is he who crosses out such a disadvantage as the high cost of production. Silica gel is able to absorb the largest possible amount of moisture. It is recommended to change the silica gel filler every 3-4 weeks.
Pleasant aroma. Now the apartment will not smell like cat litter. The granules perfectly mask foreign odors, and thanks to the presence of flavoring agents, they are able to transmit a light, unobtrusive, pleasant aroma.
Antibacterial effect. Thanks to its composition, it kills harmful microorganisms, preventing them from multiplying in the tray and beyond.
The gel granules are quite large; they do not stick to the animal’s paws and, as a result, do not spread throughout the house. In addition, when pouring the filler into the tray, dust does not form (as is the case with clay analogues), which is especially important for fluffies suffering from diseases of the respiratory system.
Easy to clean cat litter. You can remove the silica gel filler in 2-3 minutes. Considering that you need to do this once every few weeks, it’s hard to argue with the fact that this is a noticeable saving of your time.

In addition to the high cost already mentioned above, silica gel-based filler also has other disadvantages:

It should not be used on small kittens. The thing is that kids often explore this world by taste and try everything that catches their eye. While silica gel, if ingested, can significantly harm the health of the fluffy.
The cat may not like it. Silica gel granules are the least likely to resemble cat litter in a natural environment. They are hard and sharp, and also give a special crunch when walking along the tray. Not all pets will like this. In addition, sharp pieces can cause discomfort to the animal.
Do not flush down the drain.

Advantages and disadvantages

Now let's talk about the advantages and disadvantages of this category of fillers. First, let's talk about the strengths of the product in question.

Silicate litter for cats has a fairly high porosity, which makes it possible for it to absorb liquid quite easily and reduce the humidity around the litter box by about 40 percent.
The material in question belongs to the group of chemically inactive ones, and is also not exposed to fire and high temperatures.
Mold and bacteria do not appear here.
There will be no unpleasant odor in the room where such a tray with filler is located.
The granules do not stick to the pet’s paws and the floor remains as clean as possible.
The granules have the highest chemical resistance, as well as high mechanical strength.
Balls or crystals absorb a fairly large amount of liquid, which makes it possible to change the contents of the tray less often. That is, a standard 4-kilogram bag will last a pet for about half a month.

But despite the described advantages, this type of filler for trays also has a number of disadvantages.

This filler is harmful if the kitten has eaten it or wants to do so. Eating can cause stomach problems, which is why it is better not to use this type of gel for cats that are prone to this.
Such granules should never be flushed down the toilet. Their disposal must be carried out exclusively with household waste.
The filler should be mixed every day, because when it is completely saturated, a puddle will form in the tray, and the animal simply will not want to get into it.
If the filler is made in the form of solid crystals, then they can injure the animal’s delicate paws.
When the substance absorbs moisture, it emits hissing and crackling sounds, which can frighten the animal. It may also make noise when an animal starts digging.

In general, this type of filler has both strengths and some weaknesses.

How to use silica gel filler?

We have already mentioned above that silica gel cat litter should not be flushed down the toilet. It is recommended to dispose of it along with other waste in the trash bin. The rules for using the filler are as follows:

Initially, you need to rinse and clean the tray from the previous filler. Be sure to dry the cat litter to prevent the silica gel from sticking to the wet bottom.
Sprinkle silica gel to 5-7 cm of the tray height.
To prevent liquid from accumulating under the granules, they must be mixed daily with a special spatula.
Large lumps formed under the influence of moisture, as well as hard feces, must be removed as they occur. If necessary, add silica gel to the desired level.
The gel is completely changed every 2-3 weeks or if necessary (if there is an unpleasant odor coming from the tray or it becomes dirty).
Clean your cat's litter before adding more silica gel.

Reviews

If we talk about reviews, most of them can be called positive. For example, a number of users write that for picky cats who won’t use the same litter twice, this is an excellent solution, because the granules, which absorb moisture and odor, make it possible to continue to use the litter, which allows you to save it. Users also say that there will be significantly less odor in the room than when using similar fillers.

Some cat owners note that the price of such filler is not always affordable, but they write that its cost-effectiveness does not raise any questions, as well as the fact that it is really convenient to use for both the pet and its owner.

A number of users write that cats are afraid when silica gel begins to hiss, and have difficulty getting used to this phenomenon.

There are, of course, a number of negative reviews, but there are not many of them, which allows us to say that, in general, the product in question was appreciated by cat owners.

An overview of Cat Step silica gel fillers can be seen in the video below.

How to choose silica gel filler?

Before you buy silica gel litter for cats, it is important to carefully familiarize yourself with the offered range. It’s better to purchase several different options and pour them into the tray one by one to see which one your furry will like. How to choose the best silica gel filler? Be sure to pay attention to:

Crystal size. It should depend on the age and size of the animal. For small breeds of cats, it is recommended to choose medium crystals - too large ones will be inconvenient for them to bury. For large cats, it is better to take larger granules; medium and small ones can stick to their paws and spread throughout the apartment.
Please note that not all pets like scented litter. Therefore, for the first time it is better to take an unscented gel. If you are just toilet training your pet, take a closer look at products with the aroma of lavender - it has been proven to attract the attention of cats.
White silica gel is considered the safest. Dyes in the composition may contain toxic components and cause allergies.

Also pay attention to the manufacturers - they have proven themselves especially well:

Nice one. The most affordable and high-quality litter available in 3 types: unscented, lavender scented (for toilet training a cat) and sea breeze scented. It is economical in consumption (one package is enough for a month).
Si-Si-Cat. Has antibactericidal properties. The granules themselves are safe in shape and do not cut the animal’s paws.
CatStep. Protects against unpleasant odors and has a hypoallergenic composition. True, the crystals are quite hard and sharp, which can cause discomfort to cats. The filler is as inexpensive as possible, does not generate dust and does not spread throughout the house.

Varieties

It should be said that there are types of fillers that differ in nature and composition. If we talk about the composition, then we should name 4 main categories:

corn;

clay;

silica gel.

The wood version can both clump and absorb. The material is quite environmentally friendly, which can even be flushed down the toilet. Best suited for kittens. But the downside is that sawdust can be carried around the premises by animals.

Clay litter can also clump and become absorbent. It is easy to dig and is as close to the natural environment as possible. But it spreads easily around the house. Corn is eco-friendly and stays in the tray. It can only be absorbent.

It should be mentioned that fillers are divided into two categories according to type of activity:

The first option is interesting because when moisture gets in, this area turns into a lump. The second one can absorb liquid and odor, but its consistency will not change because of this.

If we talk about the types of silica gel filler, then there are flavored and non-flavored. It can also have different shapes - large round or in the form of crystals.

Crystals for small kittens will not be the best solution, as they can damage their paws. But in general, the form does not provide any advantages to one species or another, and therefore everyone decides for themselves which option to use for cats.

What to do if a kitten eats silica gel litter?

Cats, especially at an early age, often taste the litter. This is why silica gel is absolutely not suitable for small kittens. The thing is that such a filler is extremely dangerous for your pet and can even lead to the death of the animal.

This is because the gel granules, when exposed to moisture (including when they enter the pet’s stomach), swell greatly, stick to the mucous membrane and can clog the intestines. In addition, the composition contains components that are harmful to the digestive tract, which can lead to serious poisoning.

If you notice that the kitten is eating litter (even a few granules), there should be no talk of any self-medication! Here it is important to act as quickly as possible - immediately show the animal to a veterinarian. At a minimum, he will need a thorough examination by a specialist. And in more advanced situations, surgery and resuscitation may be required.

Also read: How to train a kitten to use the litter box?

Silica gel cat litter is an ideal option for organizing your pet's toilet. Special granules perfectly absorb foreign odors, kill germs and harmful microorganisms, absorb liquid well and provide freshness and a pleasant aroma. Once you use silica gel, you will definitely not switch to other fillers. And by following the recommendations listed above, you can choose products that your cat will appreciate.

Tips for choosing

Now let's talk about how to choose the product in question. Overall it's pretty easy. If you decide to give preference to this particular solution, then you should pay attention to the following points when purchasing.

There should be a minimum amount of silicate dust inside the pack of filler. It would be best then to purchase fillers that consist of the largest silica gel crystals.
It is best to use white silica gel due to the fact that its toxicity is almost zero. The fact is that to give the granules a certain color, the manufacturer can use various substances with a certain toxicity. An example is cobalt chloride.
Before purchasing products from a particular manufacturer, you should familiarize yourself with the products of competitors and find out what features the products they offer have.
Mass will also play a role. For example, if you buy 50 kg of filler at once, it may be more profitable from a financial point of view than buying several kilograms of it.

As you can see, choosing a high-quality silicate litter for cats is not difficult.

ATTENTION, TEST! Answer a few simple questions and find out what kind of owner you are for your cat:

Does your cat have a name?

How often do you play with your pet?

Do you get your vaccinations and parasite treatment up to date?

Is your kitten spayed/neutered?

What do you feed your purr?

Share your Results:

How much litter should I put in my cat's litter box?

It is necessary to select the filler in accordance with the habits and preferences of your pet. After all, it is impossible to force a cat to use the litter box if it does not like the material poured into it.

However, it is important not only to choose the right filler, but also to pour it in the optimal amount - not too much, but not too little. If you put too much, it will spill around the toilet. And it will end too quickly. Well, if there is not enough filler, then it will not be able to perform its functions efficiently.

So how much litter should you put in your cat's litter box? The answer to this question depends on the type of material. The absorbent filler is poured onto the bottom of the tray in a layer of 4-6 cm, clumping - 8-10 cm.

What does the filler consist of?

Silica gel cat litter is a hydrophobic sorbent that is made by colloidally mixing, dehydrating and baking silicic acids at high temperatures. In the process, granules are formed in the form of strong, durable crystals with a spongy structure.

Depending on the production technology, they can be of different shapes and colors and have different properties. Sometimes when making granules, not only a dye is used, but also a flavoring agent - then the filler acquires a pleasant smell.