According to some estimates, owning a cat might cost as much as $1,000 annually. If you’re on a tight budget, you might be wondering how to save costs on essentials like kitty litter, which can run you up to $165 a year. What should you consider when buying cat litter and how can you extend its lifespan? We know you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to your cat’s comfort or quality. We’ve come up with some suggestions on how to stretch your money and make your litter work harder.

Use Clumping Litter

It can be difficult to find the best cat litter because there are so many different kinds available. Should you choose clay, wheat, or crystal? Choose clumping, scoopable cat litter if you want your supply to last longer.

If you have a young cat, you’ll have to wait until she’s a bit older because clumping litter is not advised for kittens that are younger than seven weeks. One thing to keep in mind is that the majority of commercial clumping cat litter contains sodium bentonite, often known as natural clay, which when dried develops into hard pellets that are simpler to dispose of in clumps. There are many natural clumping, scoopable varieties of litter you can choose, however it’s still debatable whether sodium bentonite and the resulting dust particles in clumping litter are bad for your cat and the environment. These plant-based natural cat litters can be produced from corn, pine, wheat, or grass.

Control the Odor

You might wish to replace your cat litter entirely if you can’t stand the smell of your current supply. It’s critical to keep in mind that your cat has a lot keener sense of smell than you do. Be considerate of your cat’s demands when conserving kitty litter.

Choose an unscented litter to avoid unwanted odors that are unpleasant for both you and your cat. Another option is to sprinkle some baking soda on top, which will aid with odor absorption. Avoid placing the cat litter box close to a dryer or heater as the heat may irritate your cat. And the heat can make the scent worse. Placement of the litter box should be in an area with good ventilation. Consider utilizing a low-noise air dehumidifier close to the box.

Place A Mat Underneath the Litter Box

In addition to making a comfortable place for your cat, putting a large litter pad underneath the cat box will stop kitty litter from spreading. You may quickly fill the litter box with perfectly good litter using a dustpan and broom instead of spending money on a specific mat that is uncomfortable for your cat. Just be cautious not to add any dangerous materials to the box. It’s better to throw away any rubbish that lands on the mat if you have any worries.

Consider A Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Brad Baxter, president of Automated Pet Care Products, Inc., says that “The secret to making your litter last longer is by not throwing out the good with the bad,”

According to Baxter, ” Conventional litter boxes don’t usually get scooped immediately, and therefore the waste clumps collect usually over the course of a day.”

“The problem however is that during the day, and especially with multiple cats, the clumps will get broken up by subsequent uses of the litter box. When it comes time to scoop, there remains a good deal of smaller soiled chunks that just don’t get sifted out. Then compound this over the course of several days and the litter starts to take on a darker color and may start to smell. When this happens, the answer for most people is to dump the whole thing and start over with clean fresh litter.”

A self-cleaning automatic litter box like the Litter-Robot, which is produced by Baxter’s, is advised. After each use, a Litter-Robot sifts the litter gently and cleans the box, leaving the litter immaculate. You can just add a few cups of clean litter each week to refill what has been sorted out rather than going through the “dump and start over” cycle.

Use A Slotted Scooper

You’ll have a greater chance of grabbing the clumped portions of the kitty litter and leaving the remainder in the box if you use a scooper with slots. Just keep in mind to shake out anything you’ve caught so the loose pieces can return. Even at your neighborhood dollar store, you might be able to find one.

Fill To The Top Of The Box

Making sure you fill the box as nearly to the top as you can is more important than the sort of box you use. The Humane Society advises not filling the box all the way up, just two inches. Maintaining a moderate level of litter will give it enough thickness to allow the top to clump while keeping the bottom free of debris.

Clean Your Box Frequently

You’ll be able to achieve those wonderful small tight clumps for simple disposal by regularly cleaning your box. Your box should ideally be cleaned at least once every day. You’ll have less mess to clean up later on and your litter will last longer if you maintain proper housekeeping habits and clean your box frequently.

Watch Out for Humidity In The Winter

When it comes to extending the lifespan of your kitty litter, humidity is your worst enemy. Try a different kind of litter to see if it will keep things longer as one option. In case your cat doesn’t appear to appreciate the new litter, keep a bag of your tried-and-true litter on available. By positioning a dehumidifier close to the litter box, you can also try to dry off the waste. Just be sure to put it somewhere where it won’t scare or interfere with your cat’s normal behavior or regular activities.

Naturally, your cat’s comfort comes first. For the first few weeks after switching to a new type of litter, pay close attention to your cat’s behavior to see how she is adjusting. Purchase a little quantity to test out a new sort of litter if you’re doing so for the first time. You may extend the lifespan of your cat litter by experimenting with several types of litter and following a few straightforward guidelines. A little amount of investigation and creativity can go a long way. Enjoy your adventure!