Is your cat waking up in the morning covered with litter dust? Does it leave your furniture looking like it’s just been hit by a dust storm?
Classic clay litters tend to leave a fine dust that lays not only on your cat’s fur but also on your furniture and floors, so cleaning up becomes a continual chore. It is particularly enervating for cats with respiratory disease or allergy.
Paper litter is the perfect remedy there.
What is Paper Cat Litter?
Paper cat litter is eco-friendly and dust-free, which many cat owners prefer. It is made of post-consumer recycled paper, so if you’re ecologically conscious, you’ll want to choose this. It is a litter that can be bought in pellets or finer granules, depending on your preferences and requirements.
A pellet is ideal for cats with asthma or recovering from surgery, as the pellet form releases little dust. It is also non-allergenic, making it safer for cats and owners to live in and less likely to cause respiratory discomfort.
Moreover, the pellets are super-absorbing, easily cleaning up cat urine and leaving combustible clumps to clean.
In contrast, the smaller granules are like the classic clumping litter, which some cats might prefer. It’s still low-dust and is great for cat lovers. Paper cat litter of both types prevents odor from filling up the litter box space.
In a natural and biodegradable way, paper cat litter is an easy option for owners who want to maintain their cats’ health while simultaneously being convenient and green. It’s proof that sustainable products can be tuned to contemporary pet care.
Preparing for Litter Box Cleaning
Consider the following before you start the cleaning process:
Be sure to get your cat away before putting down the cat litter box. You don’t have to worry about causing a mess when you clean it. Cats also get anxious when they see litter boxes are being cleaned, so allow them space.
Wear gloves to protect your hands from cat feces or urine. You can also wear a mask to avoid smelling the rotten scents that may collect in the cat litter.
Remember to clean items such as a litter scoop, trash bags, and cleaning supplies. This preparation helps in the effortless cleaning process.
Make sure to buy a long-holed litter scoop. Some are made especially for paper-based litter. The scoop can be used to remove wet litter and to clean the litter box.
Cleaning the Litter Box
Keeping your cat’s litter box clean is essential for their health and happiness. Follow these steps to maintain your paper cat litter and ensure a fresh and odor-free environment for you and your feline friend.
Scoop Out Waste Everyday: scoop out solid waste and clumps every day so you can have clean cat litter and no odor. It could be boring routine, but it will keep your cat’s wellbeing under control.
Empty Wet/Dirty Litter: clean any wet/dirty wood pellet cat litter and replace with fresh paper pellets. Fresh pellets retain moisture and don’t accumulate cat pee smell.
Dishwash the Litter Box: wash the litter box with a mild cleaning product and warm water. This ensures there are no residual bacteria or smells left behind. Do not use chemicals or hard cleaning products that irritate your cat’s fragile paws and respiratory system.
Keep Up Your Cat’s Litter Box: Proper cat litter cleaning and hygiene are needed to maintain a clean environment for your feline friend. By scrubbing the litter box you are helping your cat be well-behaved and clean.
Deep Weekly Cleaning
The deep cleaning clears up any bacteria and odors that accumulate with time.
Once every 1-2 weeks, deep clean the litter box by scooping out all the messes and washing it with soap and hot water. Gently shake the whole box with hot water to ensure the best cleaning.
Rewash the litter box with hot water. This is to make sure there’s no soap left on the cat litter, which can sting your kitty’s paws. Let the box air dry and then replace the old paper pellets with new ones.
Consider disinfecting your cat’s space with a pet-area disinfectant. Apply this for a further degree of cleanliness and to keep your cat in the best hygienic condition.
Common Cleaning Challenges for Having Paper Cat Litter
Using a paper cat litter has many advantages.
However, it also comes with its own set of challenges regarding cleaning. Here’s an overview:
Limited Odor Control
Paper litter is usually not very odour-absorbing compared to, say, clumping clay or clay litter. Urethane and faeces smells could also develop more rapidly, which would mean they need cleaning more frequently.
How to deal with:
Add in baking soda to eliminate odours – make sure it is ok for your kitty.
Use a deodorizing cat litter spray. You can also get a powder explicitly made for paper litter.
Clean up excrement right away and rake up more often.
Non-Clumping Nature
Most paper litter doesn’t clump, so urine-soaked pellets are more challenging to remove. The whole cat litter might have to be filled and emptied more frequently, which increases the time involved.
How to deal with:
Switch out your cat litter liner for a cleaner, easier change when needed.
Pick a paper litter brand with an absorbent feature.
Place a pee pad underneath the litter to trap moisture.
Absorbency Issues
Even though paper litter is absorbent, if wet, it will tend to become damp or compacted, making scooping harder and leaving your cat litter messy.
How to deal with:
Fill the box evenly, and don’t fill it up with litter to help prevent compaction.
Rotate litter regularly, especially when it is full.
Look for high-absorbency paper litter.
Difficulty in Identifying Soiled Areas
Non-clumping paper litter can also be hard to identify and scoop out dirty parts. It becomes soft after water has accumulated.
How to deal with:
Use a litter scoop with more holes to filter out dirty paper pellets.
Replace all the litter often to keep it clean.
Tools You’ll Need for Cleaning Paper Litter
Having the right tools makes both the cleaning and scooping process more efficient. Here’s what you’ll need to have a clean litter box:
A litter scoop with wide slots (paper pellets can be larger than traditional litter grains). A plastic scoop could be a good option, or
A trash bag or biodegradable liner for disposing of waste.
A cat-safe disinfectant or mild soap for cleaning the litter box.
A pair of gloves to protect your hands.
Fresh paper pellet cat litter to replace in the old one in case refreshing is needed.
Cat Paper Litter Box Health and Hygiene
Why it is so important to scoop paper based litter regularly?
Your cat will not enjoy a dirty litter box. On the other side, your cat’s health will be affected if you are not cleaning her place correctly.
Getting rid of the paper pellets keeps your cat in a happy place and eliminates the chance of infection.
Cleaning the paper cat litter includes scooping daily.
The scooping process (like washing all litter once every 7-10 days) is another needed routine to help stave off infection and give your cat a clean, cozy place to go.
Have one litter box per cat, plus another, to reduce competition and stress among your pets (if you have many). This arrangement provides each cat with enough room. This will ensure a positive balance, which leads to frequent litter box usage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Paper Litter Boxes
When should I switch from clay to paper pellet cat litter?
Use our checklist to decide.
How often should I clean paper litter?
Scoop the paper pellet cat litter once per day and change it fully every 7-10 days. This makes sure that the litter box doesn’t smell.
How do you stop paper feces smell?
Scrape away cat feces and urine-soaked pellets daily to prevent the smell of paper litter. Add baking soda to the litter as well for extra odor control.
Can you flush paper cat litter?
No. You shouldn’t flush cat litter out of the toilet. It ruins plumbing. Instead, put it in a garbage bag.
Is paper litter suitable for cats?
Yes, paper litter is all right for cats with respiratory issues or allergies. Low dust, no clumping, easy on kitty’s paws.
What are the main benefits of using paper cat litter?
Low Dust: paper litter has very little dust content, so it is safe for cats and people with asthma.
Eco-Friendly: it is made of recycled content that is biodegradable and ecological.
Lightweight: easy to handle and transport in comparison to clay litter.
Non-Toxic: it contains no harmful chemicals and is safe for cats and humans.
Low Tracking: Pellets don’t stick to a cat’s paws, so a paper pellet cat litter does not get spread around the house.
How can I effectively identify and remove urine-soaked pellets in paper cat litter?
It can be difficult to identify clumping and nonclumping parts. Therefore, spotting urine-soaked pellets can be challenging. Look for areas where the pellets have darkened or become mushy, indicating moisture absorption. Using a litter scoop with larger slots can help sift out these soiled pellets more efficiently.
Is paper pellet cat litter safe for little kittens?
Paper pellet cat litter is OK for kittens, yes. It’s gentle on their feet and non-toxic, so there’s no risk of ingestion.
What if my kitty kicks pellets out while digging?
Have a box with higher sides, or throw a litter mat over the box to collect pellets that get lost.
So, how do I throw out old paper cat litter?
Throw away old paper cat poop in your regular household trash. There’s also the compostability option if the litter can be composted, as long as it’s biodegradable and is not against city ordinances, except in food crops (because pathogens could thrive there).
