Unlike conventional cat litter, which is made from the same type of silicon as crystal cat litter, crystal cat litter is made solely for use as cat litter. The final result comprises extraordinarily porous and absorbent crystals, each holding forty times its weight in water.
Crystalline silica sachets can be found in various products, including shoes, wallets, vitamins, and even specialized food items. To keep the contents of a container dry, silica gels, which are highly effective desiccants, must be used in the packing process.
The crystal cat litter’s sponge-like pores are great for absorbing urine and odors simultaneously. Because of this, crystal cat litter is an excellent option for your feline.
Waste material should not be permitted to accumulate in the litter box for an extended period if you want to prevent unpleasant odors. Remove some of the crystals if your cat has defecated in a watery manner.
The crystal litter can last up to a month; however, this depends on how many cats use the litter box simultaneously. Some manufacturers of crystal cat litter contain blue crystals, but these crystals become less evident when the litter gets saturated and can no longer absorb moisture.
Can Silica Cat Litter Be Washed and Reused?
Because of its high absorption capacity, crystal cat litter keeps odors and moisture in check. Silica gel, a naturally occurring material, is used in its production. It is essential to update the complete pan of litter on a frequent site to prevent the development of unwanted odors because this particular type of litter does not create clumps as other types do.
If you want to keep your cat’s litter box odor-free, crystal litter may not be the best option, even if you are attempting to be more environmentally friendly and reduce waste. Quartz is a non-renewable resource that does not decompose; hence, it is the principal ingredient in silica gel-based litter.
Regular cleaning, stirring, and solid waste removal of crystal cat litter can keep the litter box odor-free. You should replace the litter pan if you notice that most of its crystals have become brown or yellow.
The grains of crystal litter in your cat’s litter box will get so saturated with pee that they cannot recover the water or the urine odor. In addition, when the crystal litter is exposed to moisture for an extended time, a few blue crystals will start losing their color, indicating that the litter should be replaced.
How Do You Clean Crystal Cat Litter?
- The cat’s litter box needs between 1 1/2 and 2 inches of litter to keep urine from accumulating at the bottom—no need to worry about scents because this litter layer will absorb all urine.
- You can use silica gel to absorb your cat’s pee and start releasing the water, but not the scents, back into the air, thanks to its sponge-like pores. However, crystals that are too moist will not be able to absorb your cat’s pee and can eventually cause unpleasant odors in the litter box.
- To keep the litter evenly moistened, it’s important to stir it properly every day. This will help the crystals dry evenly. In addition, they will be able to absorb more pee.
- While silica gel granules dry feces and absorb their odor, if waste material is allowed to accumulate in the box, your cat’s litter box will quickly become unpleasant. Also, with diarrhea, you may need to add more crystal litter, so keep this in mind when scoping out the litter and replenish it as necessary.
- Even while silica gel is safe for cats to eat, it can cause stomach distress and intestinal blockage if your cat eats any of it. If you’re switching your cat to crystal litter, do it gradually over a few weeks, mixing in the clumping litter with the old.
Can You Add Baking Soda to Crystal Litter?
It’s not a good idea to sprinkle baking soda into your cat’s crystal litter box to reduce odor. Your cat may suffer harm, which is precisely what you intended.
Using a small amount of it in your cat’s litter makes sense. You may not realize it, but adding bicarbonate soda to your cat’s litter box can have some unforeseen and perhaps severe implications.
A typical problem cited by cat owners is the appearance of dust in the litter box. Do not use baking soda in your litter box if this describes you. Adding a small amount of dust can make the situation worse.
In addition to the unpleasant odor, baking soda releases ammonia gas that can harm your cat’s respiratory system. It’s estimated that a cat has a sense of smell that is 14 times more sensitive than a person’s.
If you are exploring an uncomplicated method to manage odors and ensure your cat’s wellbeing, you can do yourself and your feline friend a favor and steer clear of putting baking soda in the litter box. Instead, it’s better to go for a natural kitty litter that promises to keep your best friend healthy and happy while minimizing the risk of harming them.
How Often Should You Replace Crystal Litter?
One month’s worth of maintenance is required for crystal litter. However, many pet owners choose this alternative because it is entirely non-toxic and requires little to no upkeep.
You’ll want to replace the litter more frequently if you have more cats. Clumping litter can last up to three weeks on a single charge if you keep it spotlessly clean.
The liquid waste (urine) is absorbed by silica gel found in crystal litters. Therefore, you should replace the existing cat litter box every one to two months.
Once all the crystal litter dissolves, which generally takes two weeks for a single cat, it’s time to switch the litter box. There is no natural smell after sifting away the spent portion regularly, and customer evaluations indicate that they only change the pellets completely every three weeks for cleanliness.
Cat owners must inspect and clean the litter box regularly. The frequency with which a pet’s owner scoops may determine when the litter has to be replaced. Cats prefer a clean litter box, which is why daily inspections are necessary for pet owners.
At least once per month with one cat and twice a week for two, crystal litter requires only a small amount of cleaning. However, if pet parents scoop every day, the routine is substantially longer than with clumping and non-clumping litter.
