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Kitty litter. It’s nobody’s favorite part of living with a feline friend. But for indoor cats, it’s a must-have.
So what makes Pretty Litter so special?
Well, like all cat litters, it absorbs odors when your pet does his business. But this lightweight, silica-gel based litter does more than that. Because it’s formulated with patented pH-indicators, it can alert you to certain health issues your cat may have.
How Pretty Litter Works
Cats instinctively hide their pain. But as it turns out, their urine is a great indicator for health monitoring. Once your pet pees on this white, silica-based litter, it changes color according to the pH level of their urine.
Here’s what the different color means:
Dark Yellow to Olive Green:
This means the pH level of your cat’s urine is normal.
Orange:
This means the pH level of your cat’s urine is too acidic. This could be an indicator of stones or calcium oxalate crystals that cause blockages in your cat’s urinary tract.
Blue to Dark Green:
This means your cat’s urine is too alkaline and could indicate a urinary tract infection.
Red:
If the litter changes from white to red it means that blood is present in your cat’s urine. This could be a sign of kidney disease, bladder stones or other health issues.
What To Do If The Color Is Off
If your cat’s diet has changed recently or they’ve been under stress, it could temporarily change the pH of their urine. So if you notice that the color is orange, red, blue or dark green you should keep monitoring for 24 to 48 hours.
If the abnormal color persists, it’s best to check on your cat’s health and make an appointment with the vet. Just like with humans, a bladder inflammation or infection is painful and should be treated right away and if you notice the litter changes color this will ultimately help your cat’s health.
Early detection of a uti or other health issues is only going to benefit your cat’s health and your wallet.
It’s also very important to note here that Pretty Litter is not supposed to be a replacement for your cat’s routine checkups. Be sure your furry friend doesn’t miss his regular appointments with the vet to keep him in good health!
Odor Absorption
Okay, Pretty Litter is the cutting edge of kitty litter, but does it also absorb odors well? Most users say yes, but some reviews complain that their litter box was stinking after a few days. This could be due to a couple of factors.
Here’s what you should know to use Pretty Litter properly.
Unlike other litters, Pretty Litter doesn’t clump. Instead, the highly absorbent silica-gel soaks up the urine portion and allows the water to evaporate in the air. To encourage absorption, you may need to stir it once a day.
And of course, you will need to continue scooping out any solid feces daily.
You also need to be sure that you’re using the right amount of Pretty Litter. You need at least 2 inches of depth to make sure it works. One four-pound bag is meant to work in a litter box 15 inches long by 11 inches wide for one month.
If your litter box is bigger, you’ll need to add more. But either way, any cat parent will tell you the best cat litter is one that is gets rid of the odor.
Is Pretty Litter Safe?
Pretty Litter was developed by vets and scientists and is safe for your cat. If they ingest it, it won’t expand in their stomach but rather pass safely through their digestive system.
Related: 14 Houseplants Safe for Cats (and Dogs)
Where To Buy Pretty Litter
Currently, Pretty Litter is only available by subscription on the company website. Simply fill out your information and tell them the number of cats you have. They’ll send you the amount of litter you need, and the subscription will automatically renew every month.
Shipping is free within the continental United States.
If you find the litter isn’t enough to last you an entire month, contact customer service and they’ll adjust the amount they send you.
Also, if you’re not satisfied with the product, they’ll give you a full refund in thirty days. You can also cancel your subscription at any time.
Price
Pretty Litter is more expensive than traditional litters. But many owners feel it’s worth paying because of its health indicators and because they don’t need to drag any heavy bags home from the pet store.
Here are the current average subscription rates:
- 1 Cat: $22 per month
- 2 Cats: $40 per month
- 3 Cats: $60 per month
If you have a multi-cat household a subscription service might be just what you need!
Overall Pros and Cons
To decide if Pretty Litter is right for you, here’s an overview of its pros and cons.
PROS
- Color changing quality that alerts you to potential health problems
- Made of lightweight and highly absorbent silica gel litter
- Absorbs odor
- Delivered straight to your door
- 30-day full refund if not satisfied
- Low dust
- Fragrance free
- It’s Pretty!
CONS
- More expensive than traditional litter
- May not absorb well if your cat urinates in the same spot over and over
- Some clients say the 4-pound bag is not enough to last a month
- Because it is ultra light, some owners claim it tracks easily
A Few More Tips
It seems that overall most cats seem to adjust to this silica-based litter and don’t have a problem using it. If your cat has difficulty making the transition, you can transfer a clump and a little solid fecal matter from their traditional cat litter box to encourage them.
Remember, Pretty Litter is not designed to clump, and you may need to stir it once a day to encourage absorption. It’s also important to use the right amount as mentioned.
Though it was not true for all cats, some owners found that this lightweight litter tracked easily. Especially if their cat had extra furry paws. A litter mat could help if this holds true for your pet.
Is Pretty Litter Purrrrrfect For You?
Although Pretty Litter is more expensive than traditional clumping litters, many cat owners feel it’s well worth the extra money.
The pH litter formula indicators could potentially alert you to health issues your pet may have. And as cats tend to hide their pain, this gives many cat parents peace of mind.
Beyond the techie side to this litter, it’s also lightweight and absorbs odors well.
Is it for your cat? You won’t know until you try. But with a 30-day full refund, it’s definitely worth trying if you don’t mind the higher price point.
You might also be interested in: 10 Of The Best Subscription Boxes For Your Pets (Dogs, Cats, Birds And Horses)
Sherry De Alba
view postSherry De Alba
Sherry is a freelance writer who worked as an actor before transitioning to an award-winner career in advertising. During a vacation to Mexico, she fell in love and never left. Sherry (aka Cherita) now spends her time bouncing between the US and Mexico writing, running, cooking, meditating and exploring lots of cool stuff on the other side of the wall.
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