Function
Cat litter uses absorbent materials to keep urine trapped within those materials. It changes the chemical structure of urine to lessen its odor. Odor-masking chemicals such as baking soda and chemical fragrances are often added to the absorbent materials used in cat litter. This can help to lessen the smell of a full litter box once the absorbent properties of the cat litter have been used up. Once this occurs, the cat litter must be replaced with new cat litter that still has its absorbency.
Clay Cat Litter
One of the most common types of cat litter is clay litter. This is inexpensive and extremely absorbent. It is made from small pieces of dried, natural clay. Clay cat litter does a good job with controlling the odor of urine, but it does not clump together like many other types of litter. It is poured into a litter box and then used until all or most of the litter has absorbed the urine. Once this happens, the urine has nowhere else to go but the bottom of the litter box, where it soon begins to smell strongly. Clay litter is then replaced with more litter.
New Materials
Newer cat litter materials include wheat, corn husks, paper and silica. Paper and corn husk cat litter have become popular for their biodegradable properties. Silica cat litter is a highly absorbent type that is placed into the litter box and then stirred every day. This type does not need to be scooped except to remove any feces. The litter stays in the pan until the litter changes its color. When this occurs, all of the litter is thrown away and the cat litter is refilled with more litter.
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