Having a pet is one of life’s greatest joys, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving in every way possible. Still, it’s also quite the responsibility, and it’s one that you have to make sure you’re ready for before going out and getting a cat or a dog. It’s pretty much the same as raising a child –– minus the rebellious teenage years. And your pets will always need your affection and care. One of the most important angles of taking care of them is going to the vet to regularly check up on their health. For cats, a trip to the vet might sometimes entail special treatment after going home. This is especially the case concerning their litter after declawing. This is what you need to do if you’re looking for the best litter for your cat after visiting the vet.
Why might my cat need special treatment after seeing the vet?
Cats might be somewhat subdued after a visit to the vet, and they might also be a bit scared or on edge. It’s very common to find them acting differently, and if you think about it, it’s not that strange. This is why you need to be gentle with them, giving them space to get better and relax until they’re ready to be normal again. If the cat was declawed here’s why it might need a special litter.
Special needs
Some cats have certain medical conditions that will require special litter. If, for instance, your cat has a breathing problem like asthma, you have to get it a special kind of litter that won’t irritate their lungs or cause a breathing problem. That means avoiding anything that has dust or clay because that will definitely be a source of irritation and might aggravate their asthma.
Surgery recovery
Just like any living thing in this world, cats are prone to surgeries. Whether you’re dealing with lacerations, intestinal obstructions, fractures or god forbid, cancer, you need to make sure your litter box accommodates this. If the cat is recovering from surgery and has stitches, then you must get a litter that won’t get stuck to their wounds and cause an infection. So, in these cases, it’s best to use paper based litters for your cat.
Best litter for declawed cats
Declawing the cat basically means it has no claws any longer, which might be a bit traumatizing for the cat at first. It also means it’ll need special treatment because it becomes more difficult for the cat to dig into the litter. This is why the best type of litter for declawed cats is one where they can dig easily despite not having claws anymore. Most vets would recommend a paper pelleted litter after the operation, as it would help prevent infection –– you should at least use it for a week or two after going home to ensure that. You definitely don’t want to be using traditional litters that have dust and could easily cause infection. You’ll also still need to change it regularly to make sure the cat is safe from infections.
It takes time
You need to understand that after declawing, the cat’s paws will be sore and it’ll probably be in some pain. This is why it might even reject using the litter until it gets used to its new condition. It’s at this time that you have to be patient and try new things until she slowly starts using it again. Maybe change the location of the litter to encourage your cat to come forward, or lure her into the litter somehow. In any case, it has to be a different material than what the cat is used to so that it wouldn’t hurt it.
Shower them with love
In any case, you need to shower your cat with love and care after this procedure. Declawing is not an easy issue, and some countries even ban it, but sometimes it needs to be done to protect the cat itself or those surrounding it. So, until the cat is completely healed, be there for them and be gentle. After all, you know very well you’ll get that love returned once it feels better again!