What kind of litter?

[countdowntoxmas]

There seem to be so many out there - clumping, none clumping, wooden, clay, crystal, etc.

What should I get for a 7 week old kitten? Are the litter liners essential?

[cozietoesie]

In my experience, countdown, it depends on the cat - but all mine have required Fuller's Earth clumping. (Sainsbury's or Co-op are best if you have either of those near you. They're finer and better clumpers.) Bad behaviour if they get litter they don't like.

I've never found liners essential if you use clumping. A reasonable depth of litter will enable them to have a good scratch/cover-over and still contain the pee or poo for removal and parcelling up with newspaper for disposal. Getting two trays will enable you to give them a good very regular clean out, making sure to rinse well with water of course to end up with.

Your new kitten?

[issey6cats]

i use the wooden pellets one from asda it smells nicer than the clay based ones and breaks down to sawdust so dosent stick to the litter tray the clay based ones tend to end up like concrete and pong aswell

[cozietoesie]

Never found that myself, issey.

One thing I would suggest, countdown, is to ignore those hopeless plastic litter scoops with the holes/slits in them and see if you can get a flour scoop to use instead. They're firmer and the right type have a much more serious front edge for scooping.

[putthehamsterbackinitscage]

I used clean n tidy kitten litter when mine were that age - you can get it at pets at home - it has a kitten attractant in it

You'll probably find you need to be on litter patrol as your kitten probably won't be good at burying their poo so it will smell regardless of which litter you use and like as not they will walk in poo and then bring it out of the tray too

I also chose a clay based litter at that age as it is supposed to be good at killing viruses as well as usually having an anti bacterial agent added like most litters

I am trying to search my cats to oko plus now as its biodegradable and if it lasts as well as its supposed to, it will be quite economical too....

[cozietoesie]

Yep - they're simply not as strong as an adult cat so not as good at burying. Keeping their tray clean and dry all the time will be more work for their servants (you) but will mean they're more likely to find it a good experience to use it. (Applies right through a cat's life. I clean trays as soon as I see they've been used even if only for a little pee.)

[countdowntoxmas]

Can I start with the Fullers Earth when they are so young, or do I need to get the special kitten one mentioned by putthehamster?

[cozietoesie]

I've never used kitten litter - but why not give it a try. You can start to mix some adult litter (whichever kind you find suits) gradually so that he gets used to any texture change as he gets older. At that age, they get bigger and stronger real fast.

[Yddraigdragon]

Probably a good idea to find out what the kitten is used to at present, use that first and then make changes gradually if needed? If it looks feels and smells the same as home the kitten should know what to do in it..

[cozietoesie]

You might see if the current owner can give you a small amount (a few tablespoons would do) of clean litter from their current tray to sprinkle on top of the new tray litter. Even if clean, if it's from the existing tray it should have enough subtle odour to reassure him of his tray place.

[Bossybritches22]

Another vote for ASDA pellets like this

Absorb easily & not smelly & less dusty than the gritty types I find & its cheap!

Oh & you can order it online so its less hassle than lugging it home !

[cozietoesie]

Sorry - I should add that I've never used kitten litter not because I don't think it's a good idea, but nearly all of my kittens over the years have been Siamese - and they're not released by their breeders until over 12 weeks. There's a big difference between a kitty of 7-8 weeks and one of 12-13.