Safe Cat Litter
Many types of cat litter are non-toxic and safe for your cat and for you. The litter you use should be safe enough for your cat to eat because a cat will clean his paws after digging in the litter box. There is ongoing controversy about the safety of clay litter and clumping litter and no definitive studies on the topic. Many vets recommend clumping cat litter and many pet owners always use the clumping litters without any problems. Talk to your vet and consider your cat's individual litter habits, i.e. how prone they are to eating the litter. Then choose the best litter for your household.
In looking for the looking cat litter, choose a litter that contains no chemical silica dust, an ingredient in some clay cat litters that can cause health problems if inhaled. The natural silica found in litter pearls is safe since it is just sand, water, and oxygen. Avoid litters with chemical additives or any added colorings. Paper cat litter is one of the safest cat litters and cats often prefer the soft texture.
Safe and Effective Litter Box Cleaning
Once you have chosen a safe cat litter, plan carefully how many litter boxes to have and stick to a consistent cleaning schedule. Cats are picky about using a box infused with another cat's smells. If at all possible, set up one litter box for each cat in your home plus one extra box. Sometimes 3 cats can easily share 2 litter boxes if they are kept clean. Scoop out the waste from each litter box twice daily for optimum cat care. Completely empty out and wash the litter box anytime it stays smelly even after cleaning and at least once every 3 months.
Cat waste may contain parasites and bacteria that is harmful to humans, especially pregnant women. The parasites become more infectious the longer the waste is left so scooping out the litter at least once a day, preferably twice, is important for the health of you and your pets. Invest in a strong metal cat litter scooper. It will last a long time and makes litter box cleaning easy. Scoop the waste into a plastic bag and then tightly close the plastic bag before putting it in the garbage can. Wipe down any soiled area of the litter box with a slightly damp cloth and either some general household cleaner or even just regular soap. Immediately wash your hands with soap and warm water. Keep litter boxes away from food preparation areas and out of the reach of small children.