Tag: cat supplies

Cats and kittens , , , , , ,

What type of litter is best for a new kitten?

by Jamie June 2, 2021 No Comments

Cats have an instinct to cover their feces to avoid the smell. This instinct can be beneficial for you if you are keeping a pet cat in your home. Several types of litter boxes are available in the market, which offers you the best option to avoid your cat’s feces smell.

Traditionally, clay litter has been used as a best choice for this purpose. But nowadays, there are several types of litters having different qualities. This article will educate you about the qualities of various litter types available to select the best from all available litter types.

Some people don’t choose special cat litter; rather, they prefer using some things available near their home such as dust, sand, animal beddings, chicken feed, etc. But these alternatives are not useful for long-term use because of dust, smell, parasites, etc. Another important thing to take in mind is whether your car likes or dislikes the litter. It is an important thing to consider while purchasing a litter for your cat.

1.    Clay litter

Clay litter is the most popular type of cat litter. Because of its easy availability and an established litter type, clay litter is the most used litter all around. It is available in low dust and dust-free options. Other varieties of clay litter include scented and non-scented, large clay pieces and fine clay particle litters. Clay litter turns into a softer wet cement-like structure after absorbing the urine.

Furthermore, clay litters are also available in clumping and non-clumping varieties. Some people prefer clumping clay litter in which the part of clay that absorbs urine becomes clumpy, and you can waste it. Some people prefer inexpensive regular non-clumping clay litter, which they waste as a whole when it is necessary.

2.    Silica litter

Silica litter is more expensive than a same-weight bag of clay litter. But silica gel litter lasts longer than clay litter. Many companies advertise silica gel litter as a better option than clay litter. In addition, they claim it is not as dusty as clay litter, absorbs urine, and you don’t need to scoop it out, offers a great smell, lasts longer, and is preferred by cats over clay litter.

It is expensive than clay litter, and some varieties of silica gel litter possess color change indicators to indicate the urinary system’s health. Some pet parents don’t see a difference in price as silica gel litter lasts longer than an equal amount of clay litter.

This is one of my favorites litter material and this is what we use. I am a big fan of Kitty Poo Club, a disposable litter box delivery service. We have tried several of the litter options they have and have always come back to their basic silica. We live in a small space and it is effective especially in the summer when it is hot and the box seems to be more noticeable in the small space.

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3.    Pine litter

Pine litter is also one of the popular litter types because of its ability to fight off the odor. As the name indicates, pine litter is made of pine trees. In addition, it is famous for its lightweight and no dust characteristic. Because of its lightweight, it is softer than clay litter and easy to use and manage. Most people don’t prefer clay litter because of more weight and difficulty managing the litter box.

Pet parents prefer pine litter because they consider it more environment friendly and cherish its natural ability to fight off a bad odor. They are available in both clumping and non-clumping varieties.

4.    Wheat litter

Wheat litter is just like pine litter and is famous for its eco-friendly nature. Furthermore, it is a good alternative for clay litter, but it comprises processed wheat. It is pet parent-friendly as you can flush its clumps after absorbing urine. They naturally control the odor as there are no added dyes or perfumes in the wheat litter. When your cat urinates, it converts into a sawdust-like structure, and you can easily scoop it out of the box.

5.    Grass litter

Despite less commonly available, grass litter can also be an alternative to traditional clay litter. Structurally it is like pine and wheat litter types, but it is biodegradable dry grass seed litter. It also possesses the same characteristics of clumping as other litter types. When your cat urinates, it clumps so that you can easily scoop the waste out. Many pet parents avoid added dyes and chemicals, and to their desire, it doesn’t contain any. It is low dust litter and is soft and light as compared to clay litter.

6.    Corn litter

In the list, the next better alternative to clay litter is corn litter. Mostly it is available in scented variety, but it still is biodegradable litter. Comprising of dry corn kernels, it is lighter than clay litter. When your cat urinates, it forms clumps that are to scoop out. There are some varieties of corn litter that attract cat’s attention. There are some concerns over corn litter about mold growth. The main issue is about the aflatoxins that can be deadly for your cat. Contrary to that, companies offer aflatoxins-free corn litters.

7.    Walnut shell litter

Modern cat litter has expanded its varieties, and there is an available walnut shell litter type. Walnut shell litter has shown more absorbency than clay litter type, works great for odor control clumps. Low dust makes this litter type more popular, and some companies are offering red or brown color litter depending on your cat’s choice. Ground-up granular walnut shell litter is biodegradable.

8.    Paper litter

Among all other litter types, paper litter is popular among pet parents with cat paw injuries. Paper litter is recycled and processed paper or simply the waste newspaper. These litter types have low dust, and they offer little or no concern for irritating wounds. They are softer than clay litter and have no fragrance. Paper litter doesn’t form clumps and doesn’t control the bad odor very well. For these reasons, pet parents use them for short-term periods.

Final thoughts

Concludingly, you should choose the type of litter that suits your household environment and is liked by your cat. You can select the specific variety of cat litter based on their characteristics and your ease of management. A variety of litters will make your choice and life easy with pet cats.

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Cat food
A Pet's lifestyle, Cats and kittens , , , ,

Is dry food or wet better for cats?

by Jamie June 1, 2021 No Comments

Today in this world where a variety of cat foods are available, a pet parent is always confused about the best food for his cat. This situation may not develop if pet parents don’t have various options. I am saying this because the main purpose of a pet parent is not feeding his cat a specific type of food. But, the main purpose of a pet parent is to feed his cat a balanced food according to the cat’s requirements. Similarly, the question is not whether cats need wet food or dry food. The question is whether wet food or dry food fulfills the requirements of cats. 

Answering the question, I will educate pet parents in this article about the balanced food their cats need.

What type of nutrients my cat needs?

Cats are obligate carnivores, and they prefer eating animal source nutrients. Moreover, by evolution, they have adapted themselves as predators. Animals who are predators mostly rely on animal protein. Likewise, the main nutrient in their diet must be protein. Other than proteins, they need fats and carbohydrates in lesser amounts. Besides, they also need several other nutrients in small amounts like vitamins, minerals, etc. 

Is Catnip beneficial for cats?

The important thing to understand is your cat needs all the nutrients in a balanced quantity that suits the body’s requirements. Any nutrient more or less than the required quantity is not good for your cat. Therefore, if you provide your cat a balanced diet comprising all the essential nutrients in a balanced quantity, there is no need for additional supplements. Additional supplements include vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. They are usually available in fewer quantities in most diets.

To evaluate whether your cat needs wet food or wet food is more beneficial than other foods, we shall know a little bit about other food types.

Dry food

The name dry food defines it properly as it contains little water contents, about 5-10%. Dry food usually makes the pet parent at ease as cats eat as it offers the “free choice” feeding. Cats don’t create mess eating dry foods. Making dry foods, the producers combine, extrude and dry all the essential nutrients. They make bite-sized pieces that can be easily edible by your cat. Mostly, dry foods include the following essential nutrients.

1. Meat/meat by-products

2. Chicken/chicken by-products

3. Grain/grain by-products

4. Milk

5. Fiber

6. Fish

7. Vitamins

8. Minerals

These nutrients make up the requirements of your cat. Dry pieces are further coated with fats to make the food more palatable. However, dry foods are still less palatable for cats than semi-moist or moist/wet foods. Although it does provide the very basic nutrition, it is not my first choice to feed my guy, it will work in a pinch. Pet parents find it easy to use dry foods for their cats. They usually purchase a lot of dry food and let the cat eat it periodically. But you must ensure that the remaining food you store must be in an air-tight container to avoid contamination and fat rancidity. Since kittenhood, this is the dry food we have bought for Pizza. Although he primarily eats his wet food , I still keep this around in case he needs to snack. Every cat is different, he is still very svelt in in older years so I don’t need to worry about obesity.

Semi-moist food

Semi-moist food mainly contains meat and meat by-products and 35% moisture contents. It makes the food more palatable and increases the diet-based water contents for your cat. Other nutrients present in semi-moist food are grain by-products, cereals, meals, and preservatives to make it a complete product. Semi-moist foods are more expensive than dry foods but are mid-range. Cats usually prefer it over dry food because of increased palatability. After opening the package, the remaining food may dry out. It decreases palatability and increases the chances of rancidity.

Another option is add a gravy packet TO the dry food. It is a nice treat and adds extra moisture to your cats diet.

Wet food

Wet foods are famous for their highest water contents, about 75%. All essential nutrients that are present in dry foods are also present in wet foods. As a plus point, wet food contains the highest diet-based water content and is more palatable. For finicky eater cats, wet food is the best choice. It adds variety to the taste. Cats usually don’t like eating the same food daily. Therefore, you should consider a variety into taste and offer her more wet food.

Canned foods have the longest shelf life, but after opening, you should place the remaining food into the refrigerator to maintain its taste.

What benefits can my cat enjoy eating wet food?

Well, wet foods have the same nutritional value as dry food. As a plus point, they contain more diet-based water and add more taste to the diet making it highly palatable and digestible. The digestibility and palatability of wet foods make them the preferred choice of cats. The potential benefits your cat can enjoy with wet food are as follows.

Better overall hydration

Cats usually don’t prefer to drink water from the water bowl or the dish. They consider themselves vulnerable while drinking water from the bowl. In addition, some cats usually prefer drinking water from the fountain. Concludingly it isn’t easy to let your cat drink enough water to meet the daily requirement. Therefore, there must be an alternative solution for cats to fulfill their water requirement. And nothing is better than wet foods. It contains essential nutrients, makes the food more palatable, and fulfills the water requirements in addition.

Lean body mass

Wet foods mainly contain protein contents which promote the growth and development of Lean Body Mass (LBM). Cat’s weight comprises two types of masses, LBM and FBM. Lean body mass is of muscles, ligaments, organs, bones, and wet foods promoting the LBM.

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Adds variety

Cats are mostly picky eaters, and they prefer a variety of foods to eat daily. Wet food solves the problem and provides your cat with a variety of foods with increased palatability. Moreover, you should purchase the food that AAFCO approves as AAFCO’s experts have maintained a standard for feline basic minimum standards of nutritional requirements. All pet foods carry an AAFCO approved label on the bag, and these foods are considered nutritionally balanced and complete.

Final thoughts

You are now aware of the nutritional requirements and different types of cat foods available. I have explained the comparative nutritional benefits of different types of food. In conclusion, you should not rely on only one type of food. Rather, you should provide a variety of foods meeting your cat’s nutritional requirements.

Cats and kittens, Pet Supplies , , , , , , , ,

How often should you feed your new cat ?

by Jamie May 28, 2021 No Comments

Pet parents are mostly confused about the quantity of food they should provide to their cat. And this results in an increase or decrease in body weight. Cats are usually more prone to the increased body weight or obesity. And therefore, it is important to have an adequate balance in their diet to provide them all the essential nutrients in the required quantity.

For this purpose, I will educate you in this article about the number of daily food requirements for your cats. In addition, I will also educate you about the frequency of meals per day.

Various factors that affect cat feeding

Cat’s feeding largely depends on various factors that affect them throughout the life. So, if you are a pet parent and want to know the transition in feeding habits of your cat, you need to know the factors that are affecting your cat.

1. Age

There is a difference in the feeding of a kitten and an adult cat. A kitten needs more nutritional requirements than an adult because of more growth and development. A kitten’s diet is more comprised of proteins.

2. Size

Larger cats require more nutritional value to carry out their metabolism and fulfill the body’s needs. Larger cat breeds require more food – similarly, bigger cats of the same breeds also require more nutrition.

3. Activity level

Activity level mainly affects the metabolic rate, and cats with higher activity levels have higher metabolic rates – and thus need more nutrition. At the same time, cats who live a more sedentary lifestyle require lesser nutrition.

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4. Reproductive status

Neutering and spaying affect the overall metabolic activity of cats. A cat with functional reproductive organs requires more nutritional value than a cat with non-functional reproductive organs. Likewise, in pregnancy, cats need more nutrition to meet the intense nutritional demands. And this is true for kittens whose reproductive organs are developing – they also require high nutrition to meet the required demands of the body.

5. Body conditioning and health

Body conditioning is also a factor that affects the food intake of your cat. You need to know that where your cat falls in a body conditioning score. Only then will you be able to devise a good diet plan for your cat. Ask your vet to tell you the body conditioning score and to devise a good diet plan accordingly.

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to how much cat food your cat needs. How much a cat needs to eat depends on a variety of factors, including size, age, metabolic rate, the amount it exercises, and even environmental temperatures. In addition, the same volume of different foods can have varying caloric and nutritional contents, showing that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work

How Much Should I Feed My Cat? | PetMD

How much should I feed my cat?

Now that you are well aware of the factors that affect the feeding habit of your cat, I will educate you about the feeding requirements of your cat at different stages of life.

Newborn to four weeks of age

Newborns frequently feed, especially during the first week of age. They typically feed every two hours a day. Gradually the decrease in the frequency of feeding to four to six times a day. It is important to check their body weight to be assured that your kitten is feeding right. On average, kittens should gain fifteen to twenty grams of weight each day. If your kitten is not gaining weight, you should consult your vet to change the food to a high-quality one.

Four weeks to six weeks of age

This is the age of weaning, and cats start to shift from a liquid diet to a solid diet. You should provide them access to solid food several times a day. You can also go for a gruel that you can make by mixing canned food with warm water. A gruel will help digest better. At the age of five to six months, there is no need for a gruel as your cat’s teeth are coming, and they will take care of the solid food.

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Six weeks to eight weeks of age

By this time, kittens are habitual to eating solid food, and they have started drinking water on their own. You can start providing dry foods but adding a tablespoon of water will help ease the chewing and digestion.

Eight weeks to ten months of age

 After eight weeks of age, most of the kittens’ feeding requirements start to decrease. The development period is over by this age, and their calorie intake starts decreasing down. The body conditioning score can help determine the number of calories your cat should intake at this age. If your cat’s body conditioning score is low, your vet will advise you to give a diet rich in calories.

More than ten months of age

At this age, your cat can switch from kitten food to adult food. Kitten food is rich in calories, mainly proteins, and fats. Some cats should switch earlier, while some cats should switch later depending on their physiology. Your vet will help you in this case.

How often should I feed my cat?

Well, cats prefer eating small meals many times a day. For a kitten, you should make the food available throughout the day. If you want your cat to eat both dry and wet food, you should make the dry food available all day and provide two to three canned food meals depending on the nutritional requirements.

Furthermore, here are some tips that will be beneficial for you.

6. Cats prefer multiple small feedings in a day

7. You should provide a minimum of 3 meals at four to six months of age

8. Minimum two meals a day for ten months old cat

9. Well, a total of six meals per day is better.

Final thoughts

Well, being a pet parent is no less than being a parent to a baby. You enjoy every stage of your cat growing from a kitten to an adult. But you should be conscious of some mistakes like providing less water, providing only dry food, providing too much or too little food, etc. you should learn from other pet parent’s mistakes and try to cater to your cat better. Not to mention, feeding depends only on your cat’s nutritional requirements, and many factors affect the nutritional requirements. And you should consult your vet for this matter to have a better understanding of your cat’s nutritional needs.

Cats and kittens, Pet Supplies, Uncategorized , , , ,

Ten Tips when bringing new kitten home

by Jamie May 9, 2021 No Comments

Cats and kittens are easy to care for and relatively inexpensive to care for. However, once you know the basics of feeding, litter boxes, grooming, general health, and safety, it is easier to care for your new family member. So, here is the top practical advice and things to consider when bringing a new kitten home.

If you are a new cat or kitten owner or are bringing a new kitten home, you may have many queries about caring for your new feline friend. As you may already know, cats can do many things like they often do fun. They are playful, free, loving, curious, intelligent, and entertaining. Because you need information about cat care, your pet is lucky to have a caregiver.

We’ll start with the tip that your cat loves and is the most important in feline care and management.

Here are the Ten best first-time kitten owner tips:

Tip 1: Assist Your Kitten in Feeling Safe

Since your cat can be nervous at first, make your home as inviting as possible. If your cat is anxious and hides from you, that’s perfectly natural. Cats dislike change in general, so it can take some time for her to adjust to all of the different smells and sounds in your home.

You can assist your cat by providing her with her room or space to escape and feel secure. Put a soft bed in there for her to curl up in. Some cats may prefer an enclosed bed to hide when they are stressed. Add a pair of catnip toys and a fuzzy blanket to the mix.

Is catnip good for my kitten?

Tip 2: Pay a visit to the veterinarian

Find a good veterinarian for your pet, make an appointment for a checkup, and make sure his vaccinations are up to date. It is very important to make sure you microchip your new family member as well. The cost of spay , neuter and microchipping is usually included in the cost of adoption at local shelters. It is imperative REGISTER YOUR KITTENS MICROCHIP NUMBER ON THE NATIONAL DATABASE. If your new cat escapes, keep the microchip number and a picture of him on your computer or another safe place.

Tip 3: Feed your cat healthy and balanced food:

Your food choices have an enormous impact on your cat’s overall health, so you’ll want to make sure you’re feeding him or her some nutritious food.

If you know the cat food brand that your cat is eating previously before adopting it, you must give a small amount of the same food to your cat to be maintained / on a regular diet. Then, gradually change the food to a new diet. It requires a minor adjustment and a gradual transition, preventing stomach upset.

Kittens (cats under one year old) should eat a kitten formula because they are still growing and need a high-calorie diet.

If your cat possesses a significant health problem or is overweight, underweight, or senior, it is best to seek help from your veterinarian and let him choose the right food. For example, if your cat needs to drop some weight, it needs to do so slowly for health reasons.

On average, for a healthy cat or kitten, these types of food found in the grocery store or pet store.

Canned food

Most cats love to eat canned food, also known as ‘wet food.’ This type of food provides high water levels and extra hydration when the cat is used to it.

Canned food comes in various textures and tastes, such as chunks, slices, chunks in gravy, patties, or minced pieces. Some cats have specific preferences others will eat anything.

Dry food

Some people prefer to give dry food or wet and dry food mixture to cats. Like canned food, read the ingredients label and find brands in the first few ingredients with meat. Try to avoid by-products, fillers, and artificial flavours.

Only buy a small new bag unless you’re sure your cat likes it.

How much should I feed my cat?

It depends on the weight and activity level of your cat. Either follow the recommended dose given on the food packaging or consult your doctor.

Kittens (up to year) need high caloric diet to match their active nature.

Tip 4: Choose water bowls and food dishes:

Stainless steel dishes and bowls are ideal for food and water. Unlike plastics, they are odourless and easy to clean. Having more than one dish and cup is a good idea, so you always have a clean handkerchief available to clean the bowl and plates.

Food Dishes:

Cat dishes are best for feeding because they are shallow, making it easy for cats to eat food. Use a dish where the rubber ring is present around their base, so the dish is not pushed around the floor when the cat eats.

Cups of water:

Keep the water bowl in a place where your cat can reach at any time. Cats love fresh drinking water, so change the water at least once a day and wash the cup with warm, mild water at least a few times a week.

To encourage more water use, place the water bowl in two places.

Tip 5: Have a litter box

Here are some things to know about litter boxes and accessories:

Litter Box

You will need at least one litter box for each cat. Covered containers can trap odor, and for some cats, it’s not comfortable, so avoid it.

Whatever box you choose, make sure it is large enough. Small boxes are suitable for kittens, but cats over 10 or 11 pounds can not get in a tiny package. Choose an extra-large if needed.

Box scooping

Scope once or twice a day to keep the box clean for your lovely cat. About once a week, change all the litter and wash the container with dish detergent and warm water or use a disposable litter box.

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It can be irritating but check for abnormalities in their feces or urine (such as worms, mucus, or blood). Also, note if there is diarrhea, hard stools, or stool quantity more or less than usual. If you notice something abnormal, call your veterinarian and make an appointment.

Tip 6: Brush your cat

Brushing is painless and does not take much time. Most cats enjoy cleaning because it gives them comfort. In addition, regular brushing removes dead hair, dirt and keeps the skin healthy.

How often to brush?

Short or medium-haired breeds should be cleaned once a week. Like Persian or Ragdoll, long-haired hair should be washed two or three times a week.

Brush type

A regular bristle brush works best for most cats. However, if your pet sheds a lot, you can also use a metal bristle brush to remove more hair. If you are in a good pet store and are unsure what type of brush to take, ask the staff to recommend it.

How to prevent mats:

Mats are rough clumps of fur that form if the coat is not cleaned enough. As the weather warms up, the shedding increases, so it is essential to brush to remove dead hair and avoid mats.

Mats can form any cats’ hair size, but they are more familiar with medium to long-haired breeds.

Once they are formed, they are challenging to compete with. You will need a professional groomer or doctor to remove them.

Tip 7: Bathe your cats

Most cats do a great job of keeping themselves clean. Unless they are dirty from going out or getting old and not cleaning themselves properly, two or three baths a year is usually enough.

Here are some tips for taking a bath:

  • Use a mild shampoo designed for cats and avoid taking soap or water anywhere near their eyes or ears.
  • Avoid flea treatment shampoo (unless your doctor recommends it) because many cats have been affected by certain flea-specific shampoos.
  • After bathing, use a towel to dry it thoroughly, then keep it warm somewhere until it dries.
  • Once the coat is completely dry, a good brush will make it fluffy and beautiful.

Tip 8: Keep your cat’s claws trimmed

You will need a small pair of cat scissors to trim your cat’s claws. Trimming is essential if the claws are long, sharp, broken, or flaky. When claws are significant or not trimmed enough, your cat may snatch your clothing or furniture.

  • Trimming claws two times per month is usually enough
  • The front claws of cats typically grow faster than the back
  • Make sure to use sharp scissors. Once they are dull, they tear their claws instead of trimming, which is painful for cats.

Tip 9: Give your cat a place for the nap

Most cats usually sleep a lot during the day, giving themselves a comfortable place to rest. It could be a comfy cat bed or a soft blanket of its own.

Some cats prefer the sun and warm spots to sleep. Others want to hide in a dark and private place. Consider where your pet often sleeps and make a bed in that area.

Tip 10: Give them Treats

Our furry friend love treats us as much as we do. Here are some of their favourites:

Cat treats:

It’s a good idea to have a treats bag around to reward your cat. Buy treats from where you buy food. There are many flavours to choose from: fish, beef, chicken, cheese, tartar control, salmon, and even catnip.

Cat grass:

Many cats like fresh cat grass. It can be found at some pet or health food stores, or you can buy a kit and grow it yourself. It only takes some days to grow, and your pet is happy to enjoy it.

Conclusion

Cats are lovely creatures. They are adorable and playful. But, we all know cats are obligate carnivores. So, their primary diet must be made up of meat. Cooked beef, chicken, turkey, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give them that. However, raw or spoiled meat could make your cat sick. As a kitty owner, it is your responsibility to keep your cat healthy and fit by providing the best quality food and nutrition when you bring your new cat home. You can do this easily by following our above mentioned practical advice for a kitten.

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disposable kitty poo litter box
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A New Kitty Poo Club litter box has arrived.

by Jamie September 16, 2020 No Comments

Kitty Poo Club litter box is here. Yes, today is the day and we are happy. Just in time, it is all about the little things.

I really do like it when the new box arrives..It makes this cat owner very happy. It is recyclable and easy. I consider myself pretty frugal and at $21.99 a box (shipping included) that is auto-delivered, effective, and eco-friendly it so very worth it. The family-owned business has grown a lot since I started using this product. They offer different varieties of Kitty Poo Club litter ( silica, clay, soy) and box domes. You can now also just be the litter. Their options have recently expanded to food toppers and food as well. Kitty Poo Club is more than just a monthly subscription litter box ! .

And who doesn’t like a clean potty ? Pizza does for sure.

Here is how it comes in the mail. It is ridiculously easy to open. You simply remove the tape from the lid ( which I use as a shield in the back of the box just in case.) Occasionally, Mr. Pizza misses the intended target. The box includes plastic bars to reinforce the side of the box. There is a perforated section to remove to make entering easier for the cat. The litter comes in a thick plastic bag. Dump the litter into the amazingly lined cardboard box that hasn’t leaked on me once. It may be magical but for me it’s practical.

The used litter can be disposed of in the trash and the cardboard litter box goes into the recycling. Quick and simple.

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It is really convenient to have the little box shipped automatically. Additionally, Kitty Poo also offers food and treats that can be added to your order.