If you are an ailurophile, you might be well aware of the mess formed. When your cat tracks the litter around the entire house. Well, place a carpet or a cloth nearby the litter box. Let your cat dust off the litter before she starts roaming.
Nevertheless, you will evermore have to keep an eye on your cat. So that it does not slip or trip or drag away the cloth from its place. There’s when cat litter mats come to play their role! But then grows up the question, do litter mats prevent litter from spreading in the house?
You stepped on stray pieces of litter strewn about your carpet. Your delightful furry feline has once again tracked litter into the living room. What to do about it?
You could vacuum, sweep it up. And you probably should. But for the future, a cat litter mat is perhaps what you need. Cat litter mats are placed near the litter box. So when your precious kitty kicks litter out of it, the litter lands and stay on the mat.
Likewise, when she’s done with her delicate business and exits the litter box. The mat grabs onto the litter that might be stuck to her paws. We looked at various cat litter mats to find the best ones out there on Amazon. We reviewed features such as mat material, litter collection skills, size, shape, cleaning, and sustaining.
Do Cat Litter Mats Work? Let’s Check Out
Several factors owe the answer to this query. From the cat’s eating and littering behavior to the mat’s material and configuration, every little thing counts. I am going to summarize some of the essential points. That helps in determining if cat litter mats work up to the expectations. Check these out below.
The Mat’s Adhesion
What’s the use of a cat litter mat if it’s still spreading the litter all around the litter box? Sometimes it happens that, even when you purchase an effective and useful quality litter mat. The cat litter still gets scattered everywhere around the box.
This is because the litter mat does not have enough capability to stick correctly to the floor. Hence holds on moving when the cat tries to jump upon it or drag it elsewhere.
Please make sure the cat litter mat you opt for has got rough. Friction enabled the bottom surface to make a good association with the floor beneath it. Slip-resistant cat litter mats are usually useful in adhering to the surface they are placed upon.
The Mat’s Size
It’s a good thing if you are using a complete litter box for your cat. But you must also choose a rightly sized litter mat. That covers the surface beneath the litter box to some extent. Your cat litter mat would not work fine if its size is too small to accommodate.
I will suggest you purchase a mat that is at least twice wide. And thrice the length of the litter box that you have chosen for your cat. A standard cat litter mat will be 4 feet long and 2.5 or 3 feet in width.
You can decide to go for a figure-up if you think it will work adequately. For holding the litter your cat creates around the litter box.
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The Mat’s Comfort
Cats are susceptible when it is about comfort. They do not prefer walking, eating, or sitting on a mat that can make them feel awkward. Before deciding to get a cat litter mat for your cat. Make sure to check out the material, it is composed of.
Most of the litter mats appear to be rough from the top surface. Because they are made to trap litter in their coils. But, their softness depends upon the type of PVC used for making them. Make sure it is cushioned enough to let the gentle paws of your kitty land on them quickly and comfortably.
Silicon cat litter mats are usually more comfortable for cats. But they are not much efficient when it’s about trapping the litter particles. Make a wise choice, and balance out all the factors. So that the mat you select works satisfactorily up to your needs.
Cat Litter Mat Material
The construction material of the cat litter mat is probably the first thing you should look at. The base material of the litter mat governs its efficiency in trapping litter, comfort, looks, durability, and maintenance requirement.
Plastic-Based Material
Plastic or vinyl litter mats are typically made of dense PVC material that is knitted closely to form a mesh. The density of the plastic wires is high enough to act as a trapper for litter. While still being comfortable for your cat to walk on.
Most such mats have their signature patterns designed to improve their efficiency in capturing litter. Moreover, to prevent slipping, some high-quality PVC mats have a rubberized non-slip bottom.PVC mats are elegant-looking, and most manufacturers offer nice carpet or rug-like color combinations.
They are also easier to clean using a vacuum or brush. PVC litter mats are also generally cheaper than single or double-layered EVA foam or rubber litter mats. The major disadvantage of such litter mats is that they tend to absorb odors. And to get stained easily after a feline accident. So you would have to provide more maintenance.
They are also not as durable as the high-end rubber mats. Finally, because of the chemically-active nature of plastic. You have to ensure that you pick a PVC litter mat. That explicitly says that it is made from non-toxic, BPA, and Phthalate-free material. Anything else would be toxic to your cat and your family.
Rubberized Material
Rubber litter mats are generally made of proprietary rubber or EVA Foam materials. They are usually double-layered, with the top cover allowing the litter particles to fall through to the hard bottom layer. Where they can be collected.
This dual-layer design makes it easier to maintain. Such mats are also non-slippery and work with all types of floors, preferably tiles and hardwood. Some high-end models even allow you to add a thin litter pad. Over the lower layer to absorb moisture and reduce odors.
This arrangement is especially useful for hardwood floorings. Such litter mats require fewer resources, which commonly involves dumping the collected litter back into the litter pan or dustbin. They can also be hand washed or hosed down.
Because of the natural, chemical-inert nature of rubberized materials, they are generally non-toxic. But the disadvantage is that they are not available in fancy patterns and colors. And they are costlier than PVC litter mats. Still, if you have a tracking problem with your cat or have multiple cats. You would find such mats more useful.
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How to Choose the Best Cat Litter Mats
You need to pick a litter mat that can be effective with the type of litter you use. For example, among double-layered rubber mats. Our top pick the Blackhole Cat Litter Mat is capable of managing all types of non-pellet litters.
At the same time, the iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper, with its honeycomb design, works well with large granules and pellet-type of litter also.
Among the PVC litter mats. The Smiling Paws Pets Premium Litter Mat has been reported to be the most effective in capturing litter. And minimize litter tracking by many cat owners.
Other design features for an effective litter mat are:
- Ability to keep the captured litter contained by having a stitched lining around the periphery.
- The thicker layer of material to withstand scratching and clawing
- Moisture resistant abilities to absorb minor urine accidents, and
- Non-slip bottom surface to minimize slipping and displacement when walked upon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a cat litter mat do?
A cat litter mat helps in catching the litter. That gets stuck in your cat’s paw and fur and gets tracked around the complete house.
What is the best cat litter mat?
Pawkin Cat Litter Mat is generally the most preferred by the ailurophiles. Their quality construction and efficient litter trapping operation, along with a long-lasting working period, is what impresses users the most.
How to use a cat litter mat?
All you have to do is to place the cat litter mat beneath the litter box. Make sure to put it properly so that it covers. The entire surface under the litter box and, to some extent, more as well.
What do you put under a cat litter box?
It’s recommended to place a cat litter mat under a litter box. A cat litter mat traps all the litter into its coils. and helps in preventing the area around the box get dirty.