Silica gel litter for cat litter: the pros and cons of silica gel and top popular manufacturers

Every cat owner is faced with the issue of choosing a litter. Many people prefer cat litter such as silica gel. It perfectly absorbs liquid and absorbs unpleasant aroma. The filler is economically consumed and makes it possible to carry out general cleaning of the tray every few weeks. In pet stores you can find a large number of fillers of various manufacturers and types. What should you pay attention to when choosing a product?

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.

Which to choose

Before choosing silica gel cat litter, you need to find out the manufacturers and what features their products have.

Types of silica gel fillers

There is a certain rating of silica gel litters for cat litter, which can be used to determine the quality of the product.

Siberian cat. High quality, harmlessness, low price are the main advantages of mixtures produced by the Russian manufacturer.
1 crystals. Another Russian manufacturer that produces premium products. You can buy it at a reasonable price. Has antibacterial properties.
Tailtail. Russian manufacturer producing two-color granules. It is odorless and does not stain your pet's paws.

Principle of operation and varieties

The principle of operation of the filler is very simple: it absorbs moisture and literally locks it inside the granules. This means that the smell will be blocked. Silica gel is essentially a hard sponge, so the principle of operation is similar.

There are several sizes of filler crystals. The fraction size is directly related to the rate of moisture absorption. For example, for cats with thick, long hair, it is worth purchasing the largest size litter so that the pet does not get dirty.

In addition to the size of the mixture, when purchasing filler you should pay attention to the following points:

granules in original packaging must be clean and free from dust;
the weight of the cat and the structure of its coat;
It is best to choose a white filler, since it does not contain coloring substances, and the risk of developing allergies in the animal will be minimized;
You should not buy the cheapest mixture, as it may not be of the best quality.

Despite the fact that silica gel filler is more expensive than clay or wood filler, it is consumed much more economically. Therefore, many owners opt for it.

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Advantages and disadvantages

To make the right choice, you need to weigh everything. Responsible owners always analyze the cat's behavior and preferences before trying any pet product. In addition to economical consumption, the silica gel mixture has a number of advantages
:

silica gel is chemically inactive, does not ignite and does not melt at high temperatures;
mold cannot form and grow on crystals, bacteria do not multiply in this environment;
the mixture does not stick to the hair on the cat's paw pads.

Despite a fairly large number of advantages, there are also some disadvantages. The main disadvantages of this type of cat litter are as follows:

if an animal has eaten silica gel, a negative reaction from the stomach and intestines is possible;
unlike wood fillers, crystals cannot be thrown down the toilet;
the mixture must be stirred regularly;
When absorbing liquid, the filler makes specific sounds, which can frighten the pet.

For most owners, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and they regularly use silica gel to fill the litter box.

ATTENTION!

Even if you think that everything is fine with the cat that swallowed the mixture, it is recommended to consult a specialist. Silica gel is toxic and can cause acute food poisoning, especially in small kittens.

If the animal does not show interest in the filler as food, there is nothing to worry about: in all other respects, silica gel is absolutely safe.

Silica gel cat litter

Silica gel cat litter is the most effective option in terms of moisture absorption. Compared to other cat litter products, silica gel granules do not need to be changed frequently. However, we must not forget that this is a synthetic material and it can harm the pet’s body if ingested.

How to use silica gel filler

Using this type of filler does not cause any trouble. The first step is to prepare the tray - wash and dry it. Then the silica gel mixture is poured into it in a layer of about five centimeters. Different manufacturers claim different numbers, which can be found on the packaging.

Several times a day, the entire volume of filler must be thoroughly mixed. This is done so that the crystals, which can no longer absorb liquid, are evenly distributed throughout the tray. If left in one place, they will not be able to absorb and retain moisture, which can cause damp areas to form in the litter box.

If solid waste appears in the total volume of the filler, you should use a special scoop to remove it without picking up the granules.

A complete update of the filler is carried out approximately once every three to four weeks. These terms may differ for different manufacturers. On average, a four-liter package lasts about a month. It is worth remembering that if the cat is large or there are several pets, then replacement must be performed more often.

This type of filler can only be disposed of with household waste, since flushing it down the toilet creates a large clog. Tie the bag tightly so that the used litter does not spill out and become food for street animals or birds.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any material for cat litter, silica gel litter has its advantages and disadvantages.

Its advantages include:

High hydrophobic properties. In this indicator, silica gel is by far the leader among other fillers.
Effective odor absorption. All owners note that if the rules of use are followed, silica gel completely eliminates unwanted “odors” from cat feces.
Color change. As urine is absorbed, the white granules turn yellow and soiled areas are made easy to spot, even if the litter is stirred by the cat.
No dirty marks from the cat. The structure of the granules is such that there is no dust or debris from them. The pet comes out of the toilet with clean paws and does not “drag” dirt with it.
Normalization of the environment. If the humidity in the house is too high, it will be partially reduced due to the hydrophobic properties of silica gel.
Zero flammability. Makes this material safe in terms of fire resistance.
Immunity to external influences. Silicic acids, which are almost entirely included in the composition of silica gel, are absolutely not susceptible to rotting, mold damage and destruction from other external aggressive reactions.
Convenient packaging. For ease of use, silica gel bags are available in different weights - from 0.5 to 5 kg. The pet owner can choose whether to purchase litter to pour into the tray once or whether the package will last for a long time. Each bag has a special handle-holder.
High efficiency. Silica gel in cat litter needs to be replaced much less often than wood or any other mineral filler. If the recommendations for use are followed correctly, a complete change is necessary 2-4 times a month.
Ease of use. The toilet tray after silica gel filler is very easy to clean.

But this wonderful material also has disadvantages:

Not suitable for cautious and nervous pets. When raked with paws, the granules make a loud rustling sound, alarming timid cats.
Do not use silica gel for babies. After all, kittens will definitely try the granules “by tooth” and chemical silicon definitely cannot be beneficial for their health.
Hard and tough granules with sharp edges can injure the paw pads and skin of overly delicate pets.
This material cannot be disposed of at home. It should absolutely not be flushed down the toilet, as is possible with wood filler. The granules do not dissolve in water and, when released into sewer drains, clog them.
The high cost of silica gel filler makes it unacceptable for many owners. Although, in the case of a small number of pets in the house, its use is rather beneficial.

Review of popular manufacturers

It is easy for novice cat owners to get confused when choosing a mixture, since a large number of companies produce them. But there are silica gel toilet fillers, which are reviewed positively by everyone who has used them. Here is an approximate list of leaders in the pet products market:

Rating

Now it would not be superfluous to give a rating of the highest quality fillers of the type in question. When you come to the store, you can see that there are many manufacturers of such goods. But which one to choose? We will try to create a rating based on customer reviews.

In their opinion, one of the best solutions on the market is silica gel called “Snowball”. This solution is white, made in the form of medium-sized crystals. It has antibacterial properties, perfectly absorbs unpleasant odors and belongs to the budget category. It is also quite economical in consumption.

A number of buyers note the main disadvantage of this product – the high dust content. “Snowball” is probably the most budget-friendly option for cat litter. It has to be changed about once every 1.5 weeks. A 4-liter bag is enough for about 2-3 uses.

Another interesting option is called “Our Brand”. This is an absorbent type silica gel filler. Made in the form of white and blue medium-sized granules. This manufacturer also produces similar products, but with different flavors.

Many people note that the filler perfectly protects against unpleasant odors.

Another option is called CatStep. This is a silica gel based filler that has white and blue crystals. The manufacturer claims that its products are an excellent solution that will help protect against unpleasant odors. It is also claimed that thanks to this filler there will be no dust, and all liquids will be absorbed quickly and easily. In addition, the material is completely hypoallergenic. But this solution also has disadvantages, namely that its crystals are very hard and sharp and can injure your pet’s paws.