What kind of litter to use for a cat who needs to be kept in before surgery?

[Cardiganwearer]

We adopted a female cat who is nearly 14 now and she has to have a dental operation for tooth resorption, bless her. She normally toilets outside and has previously rejected a litter tray and went on a blanket instead when she been kept inside when she first came to us.

The litter tray that came with her (we adopted from neighbours) was covered so we’ll try an uncovered one. But which cat litter? Catsan was used then, again didn’t seem to like it. It struck me as looking hard on the paws but again I don’t really know!

The vet nurse did suggest a harness to go in the garden but again can’t see it going down a storm! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Photo for the cat tax!

No single answer to this I'm afraid, depends on how fussy she is! We have 3 cats and 2 will use any kind of litter at all. One precious cat will ONLY use expensive fine grit litter. If the grains are too big, he'll use the floor instead. If it's not clay, he wont use it. If it's not the expensive brand, he wont use it!!! Little bugger.
its a question of trial and error, I'd just start with the litter you most want them to use - cheapest, lightest, biodegradable etc and work down options if she doesn't take to it.

Oh yes, the unfussy two will use any old litter tray too but the fussy one won't use a covered tray, has to be open.

World's Best is my preference for all cats

Intersand - not cheap but works brilliantly and is nice and soft on paws.

If she doesn’t like cat litter, try newspaper. One of my cats had an aversion to cat litter and it worked a treat as a short term measure. Unfortunately it doesn’t absorb the smell though 😷

We just cut up puppy pads as a base and used some shredded paper so she had something to paw at.

Thanks everyone! I fear she has expensive tastes 🤣 little munchkin! Have left all this a bit late so might have to be what is on Amazon and will get here in time.

Has anyone had success with a harness? I did look at some but I think we’ll have massive trouble getting her into it, then will she “go” when we’re right there? Ladies need some privacy you know!

I’ve chosen a cheaper cat litter which is barley based and looks very fine and soft on paws and a nice yellow high sided litter box. She wouldn’t be measured for the harness even so we’ve decided not to go that way! Thanks for all the advice 😀 Will update on how she gets on.

Worth trying sprinkling a layer of soil on top of (any old) litter. It helped with our cat when she had to be kept in after surgery. She’d never used a litter tray to our knowledge. We gradually reduced the soil over a couple of weeks.

We use biocatolet and both the humans and cat rate it.

Aldi is the favourite here. We had an old cat who struggled to get into a tray so just put puppy pads on the floor for him.