How To Choose The Best Cat Litter Mat – CatTime
Cats are wonderful pets, but taking care of them can be a hassle. That is especially true when they get litter all over carpets and floors. If you want to avoid a mess, think about getting a cat litter mat. These products aim to collect litter that your feline gets out of the box. It also protects floors from damage and keeps your pet comfortable. Take a look at our selection of five best cat litter mats out there. The shopping advisor will tell you more about choosing a unit that fits your pet!
Best Choice
Waterproof and non-toxic
Pros:
The honeycomb design is very convenient since it allows you to pick the litter effortlessly. Lifting the mat pushes all the litter through the holes, and you can get rid of it efficiently. The product is waterproof and urine-proof at the bottom. The mat will keep the urine from streaming around, and prevent it from getting on floors and carpets. The product is simple to clean because you can hose off any waste, such as cat vomit. The manufacturer used washable and durable EVA materials, which are also soft and comfortable for your cat. The materials are free from BPA and phthalate to ensure they are pet-safe. You can choose between gray and black colors, and the mat dimensions are 30 x 24 inches.
Cons:
The anti-urine mat treatment comes with a nasty smell that you will feel for the first several days of using the product. It would be wise to air it outside before bringing it inside. The mat is delivered folded, and it won’t lie flat the first time you place it on the floor. It takes time for the product to flatten, and putting something heavy over it might help.
Best Eco-Friendly
Easy to clean
Pros:
WePet designed this cat litter mat in a honeycomb design, which traps most of the litter easily. The product is resistant to water and urine stains, and it will remain odor-free throughout its lifespan. You can choose between nine available colors depending on your or the cat’s preference, and also pick from three available sizes. The smallest one is 30 x 25, and the largest 45 x 35 inches, which means your pet will have plenty of space available. The bottom comes with an anti-slip feature to ensure that the mat remains in position.
Cons:
The product is not that efficient in getting liter out of the cat’s paws. The packaging could be better because folding the mat means you need time to flatten it once it arrives. You need to be careful when emptying the litter because both sides are open. If you don’t pick the mat up correctly, that can easily make a mess.
Best Easy to Clean
Washable and very durable
Pros:
WePet is aware that cat litter mats should simplify life for both pets and their owners. You will like this product is easy to clean. All you need to do is to pick up, empty, and vacuum the mat. If necessary, use soap to rinse it. As for your cat, it will enjoy the softness of the premium vinyl material. The materials used are healthy and free from BPA and phthalate, while the mat is resistant to water and urine. Mesh will remove and trap the litter from your pet’s paws, while your pet feels like they are lying on a comfortable carpet. The mat is available in five different colors.
Cons:
If you have a particularly messy cat, don’t expect wonders from this unit. While it can reduce the litter quantity, it won’t eliminate mess. The manufacturer only offers the product in a single size, and large cats might find the mat too small. Although the bottom is slip-resistant, persistent felines might move the cat litter mat.
Best BPA-Free Material
Safer mat for keeping cats inside
Pros:
The mat comes in three different size options that the customer can choose from. Size options include small, large, and extra-large. The product is also available in bulk packs, which can help the customer save some money in the process. There are no BPA or phthalates contained within the material used to produce this cat litter mat. It is able to effectively trap messes that are left by the litter box. The product is also easy to keep clean.
Cons:
While the small cat litter mat is considerably expensive, the larger mat options do come at quite a higher price tag. The product is only available in a single color option, which may be a disappointment for some people who are trying to maintain a specific color scheme in their home.
Best Affordable
Soft on sensitive kitty paws
Pros:
Getting two items for the price of one always sounds like a tempting deal, and UPSKY tops that with a budget-friendly price. You can choose between three colors, and join the mats to get a large space. The manufacturer picked a durable PVC material, and the bottom is resistant to slipping. You can rest assured your cat won’t fall while playing on it. The materials are also soft so that they don’t irritate the kitty’s paws. The mats do a decent job of collecting litter, and they are easy to clean. Thanks to their compact individual size, you can grab and shake the litter off effortlessly.
Cons:
The manufacturer doesn’t mention that the product is urine-resistant. If your cat urinates on the mat, clean it right away with a hose and soap. Otherwise, it might be hard to eliminate the urine smell. The company doesn’t even pinpoint that the materials used are free from toxins. A single mat is quite small and not that useful, and the product is more efficient if using both mats together.
What Really Matters
Product descriptions are confusing, and it might be challenging to find the best cat litter mat for your kitty. Check out the factors below to learn about the most important to consider during the purchasing process.
Is It Efficient in Trapping the Litter?
The primary purpose of a cat litter mat is to help to keep your home clean, so make sure the product can do an efficient job. The honeycomb design is an excellent choice for trapping the litter, but the efficiency also depends on the number of holes, materials, and other details.
The Importance of Water and Urine Resistance
A cat litter mat is a protective layer that keeps your floors and carpets safe from kitty urine. However, a cat litter mat needs to be urine and water-resistant to perform its safety function well. A reliable mat keeps urine from streaming around and penetrating to the floor. It also doesn’t capture the odor, although you should still wash the unit as soon as possible.
Is It Easy to Clean the Mat?
The product you choose should be easy to clean. The cleaning process starts with removing the litter. That involves picking up the mat as per instructions provided and shaking the litter off into a trash can.
Look for a washable mat because you can use a hose or rinse it under the sink with dish soap. If necessary, consider using a vacuum to get the litter out of the holes.
Other Features to Consider
Here is a list of other things that you should consider:
- Material quality – the manufacturers use EVA or PVC materials for cat litter mats. If you want the best for your pet, go for non-toxic materials free from harmful compounds.
- Material softness – the cat litter mat should be soft and comfortable for your pet, but also efficient in removing litter from your cat’s paws.
- Size – the cat mat should match the size of your cat. If your cat is big, go for a large mat. You can even consider purchasing two instead of one to minimize the mess.
- Packaging – if it is possible, insist that your mat doesn’t come rolled up or folded. That usually involves waiting for it to flatten, and that can last several days.
- Anti-slip bottom – the bottom part should be resistant to slipping, especially if you place the mat on hardwood floors. That prevents your cat from falling while playing on the mat, and it also ensures the litter doesn’t end up everywhere.
What’s in Right Now?
Pets have become equal family members, and they only deserve the best. That is why the entire industry focuses on using non-toxic compounds safe for cats when designing cat litter mats.
Manufacturers that aim to offer high-quality products usually resort to EVA material, which is free from phthalates and BPA. It is also eco-friendly, and the mat is a great choice if you want to minimize carbon footprint.
Prices
Cat litter mats are not expensive. But their price varies depending on the product you want to buy. The most affordable units are around $5, and the premium ones can go up to $30. Here is an overview of the pricing ranges:
- Cheap – those on the quest for bargain deals can get a cat litter mat for $5 to $10. However, make sure that the material quality is decent and safe for your pet. Also, consider the size because affordable mats might be small.
- Mid-range – the average price of cat litter mat is anywhere from $10 to $20. It depends on the brand, material quality and durability, and size.
- Expensive – premium cat litter mats are priced over $20, but you get top-quality materials in return. That means the manufacturers only use non-toxic compounds safe for your pet. Water and urine resistance are also expected features, and mat size should be large.
Although you might be willing to pay extra for a reputable brand, always analyze the features and confirm that the product offers a decent ratio of cost and quality.
FAQs
Q: Can you wash a cat litter mat?
A: Cat litter mats are not machine-washable, but the majority are easy to clean. You can use a hose or rinse it under the dishwasher. If necessary, you can use soap for optimal cleaning results. It helps if the mat is urine and water-resistant as it makes the cleaning process more manageable.
Q: How to clean a cat litter mat?
A: It depends on the specific product, but most cat litter mats are easy to clean. You should pick them up correctly, and shake off the litter into the trash can. If the mat is open on both sides, be careful not to make a mess while shaking off the litter.
Q: Why do I need a cat litter mat?
A: If your pet is making a mess and spreading litter around your home, a litter mat will save time and effort in keeping everything clean. The mat gets the litter out of your pet’s paws and traps it in the bottom layer. That minimizes the mess your kitties would be making if there is no mat used.
Q: Are cat litter mats resistant to urine?
A: Check the product’s description to confirm, but most mats are urine and water-resistant. That way, these items prevent urine from getting on your floors and carpets. The experts recommend washing the mat as soon as you notice urine. That ensures the product doesn’t catch any odor.
Why Trust Us
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