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How to Pick the Best Cat Litter Mat?
Your purry one making a mess every time it steps out of the litter tray? What you need is a cat litter mat that will capture the tiny litter remains. But how to pick one? And which is the best one to pick? This buying guide answers all your questions! Scroll down to know!
When you have just mopped the house and you watch your feline baby take a big dump and as soon as they come out of the litter tray, there are tiny remains of their business all over the floor (and the bed, and the couch and the entire stepway). The best way to get rid of this is by using a cat litter mat.
Before buying the best litter pads for your cat, there are tons of things to consider, starting with understanding the whole purpose of the cat litter mat. We have searched the ends of the Internet and prepared this buying guide for you so you’re able to pick out the best cat litter mat for your lovely feline baby.
What is a cat litter mat?
A cat litter pad is a textured mat. You can keep it right next to the litter tray or place the litter tray directly on the mat. As soon as your cat is done, he/she will jump out the kitty commode and the litter sand pieces stuck to their paws will be captured by the mat, leaving your house clean and clear.
Once in a few days you can grab the mat and clean it out too. The litter trapped in a single place makes cleaning a much easier and hassle-free task too. Instead of having to broom or vacuum the entire place every time your cat jumps out the tray. Cat litter pads also come in various different materials and sizes, from silicone to microfibre, there’s one for every cat’s liking!
Things to consider while buying a cat litter mat:
Your care and stress for your feline bestie is completely valid. We know you want them to feel comfortable while minimizing the hassles you face. There is a wide range of things you should consider before shopping for the perfect cat litter mat. Here’s are the key features to consider:
1. Litter Capture Capacity
Functionality comes first. A pretty looking, amazing scented cat litter mat is useless if it doesn’t capture litter. Go for a mat that offers a textured surface to trap the small litter particles easily and effortlessly. This textured surface will look much like tiny little holes or ridges. The bigger, the better. The size of the cat litter mat matters too. It should be large enough to accommodate your cat's litter box (when placed below it) and allow your kitty to comfortably step on it after exiting the box.
2. Liquid Capture Capacity
Another problem that cat litter mats solve is to look after the cats who like to pee right around the edge of the box. Mats made with waterproof material help in soaking in the excess pee that falls off from the litter tray and the raised edges prevent any spilling to the floor. Waterproof mats are also super easy to clean and end up not retaining any odors, so it’s a win-win! Materials like PVC & silicone qualify as waterproof and save you from a whole host of problems.
3. Build & Quality
Your kitty has a long life and many beautiful years to come where it’ll comfortably continue to pee and poop for which you need a cat litter mat that withstands years of use and is still able to function at the best of its capacity. Our suggestion is to look for simple and sweet things rather than complicating the matter. Go for simpler designs and avoid any delicate components that might come to an end with a single paw scratch. Also, use a material that won’t wear out from cat claws or frequent cleaning.
Also, sometimes, more durable materials are made up of less paw-friendly structure or texture. Keep a balance of both and your kitty will love it. Or better, it will never notice!
4. Ease Of Cleaning
Usage is only one part of the cat litter mat, the other and more important part is cleaning. The litter mat WILL get dirty with use, so you should always look for the one that can be cleaned easily. Ways to clean a litter mat depend on the material it is made of, however, one can shake it out, vacuum it or simply wash it with water. If the litter mat is made up of a complex surface or structure, it will be a hassle to clean it out.
Pro tip: Single layer litter mats are composed of a flat structure and are the easiest to clean out, while double-layer litter mats can open up and allow room for cleaning both the layers. Waterproof material is highly appreciated to minimize the cleaning time and effort. You can simply wash it with a hose or in a bucket/bathtub.
If you are someone who wants to throw the whole cleaning process out the window, you can also go for single use cat litter mats. Just use it and throw it away. Happy kitty, happy parent!
5. Cat Friendly Texture
We know your feline baby is picky and you like to shower them with all their favourite treats, the dry food of their choice and even getting scratched so that they wouldn’t feel bad about their nails being trimmed. When it comes to litter mats, however, most cats don’t give a damn. Most of the time, it happens so that they won’t even notice the presence of a litter mat. BUT, when it comes to their paws, you have to be extra sensitive. Cats have an ick for textures and if they happen to step onto a surface they don’t like, they lick their paws aggressively too. This can lead to skin damage around their paws, both from the mat and the excessive licking.
You should opt for softer textures like EVA foam or microfiber that will make your kitty more comfortable, but they may be less durable than other materials such as silicone or PVC. Always keep in mind, for the litter mat to work and be effective, your cat will have to step on it. If it’s uncomfortable or they reject the surface/structure, they will simply walk or jump across it, making it completely useless!
Ready to give your purr-fect feline baby an outstanding after litter experience that keeps their paws and your house clean?
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