An unlikely duo in the form of a Great Pyrenees dog and a goat got reunited with their owner after going on adventures in Grayson County, Texas on Wednesday, August 28.
Boxie Glo Natural Attractions Clumping Clay Cat Litter Review 2024: Our Expert’s Opinion
Click to Skip Ahead
Our Final Verdict
We give Boxie’s Glo Natural Attractions Cat Litter a rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars.
Picking the right cat litter isn’t something most cat owners think about until they have to. This usually happens after you get fed up with lingering odors, hard-to-scoop clumps, or after your cat ends up at the vet for a kidney or urinary tract infection.
If any of these issues have you rethinking your litter choice, Boxie’s Glo Natural Attractions Clumping Clay Litter may be worth considering. This natural litter features visual and odor cues to help encourage cats to use the litter box correctly and more frequently. It’s also designed to form hard, easy-scoop clumps and absorb odors for up to thirty days.
I had a chance to try this unique odor for my cat, Makoa. I was looking for something that would do a better job of absorbing odors and keeping my automatic litter box cleaner. The fun UV glo, pleasing texture, and other attractants were bonuses that my cat certainly appreciated.
Keep reading to find out how well this new litter worked for us and to see my full Boxie Glo Natural Attractions Clumping Clay Litter review.
About Boxie
Boxie is a subscription litter company run by cat owners for cat owners. All of their products are made with safe ingredients and designed to tackle common litter box issues to make life better for humans and cats alike. They are committed to sustainability, using natural ingredients, and making things easier for cat owners everywhere.
Their products are endorsed by veterinarians worldwide and are easy to use thanks to their subscription delivery approach.
Where Is Boxie Cat Litter Made?
All Boxie cat litters are made in the USA using US-sourced clay and plant-based additives. The company is based out of Santa Monica, California.
Who Is Boxie Cat Litter Best Suited For?
Boxie’s Glo Natural Attractions Clumping Clay Litter is an effective choice for cats who struggle with accidents outside of the litter box as well as those who have a history of UTIs, kidney issues, or FLUTD. This litter has multiple attractant features to entice kitties to use the litter box and use it often.
Boxie also has a number of other litter products that cater to cats of all types.
They have multiple probiotic-based litters that help keep odors down and reduce the need for frequent cleaning. Their natural litter line includes plant-based and biodegradable options for those with an eye for sustainability. You can also choose from scented and unscented varieties as well as from clay and crystal options.
Glo Natural Attractions Cat Litter Overview
Here is an overview of Boxie’s Glo Natural Attractions Clumping Clay Litter. We’ll look at the ingredients, how it works, its cleaning features, and the subscription option.
Ingredients
Each bag of Glo Natural Attractions Clumping Clay Litter contains just four simple ingredients.
The first is premium clay sourced in the United States. This ingredient is key to Glo’s capable clumping ability.
The second ingredient is silica gel. This combined with a UV reflective coating creates the fun “glo” feature of this unique cat litter.
The last ingredient is an olfactory attractant used to help cats find the litter.
How It Works
This litter uses three separate features to attract cats to the litter box to do their duty.
The first and most unique is the use of UV crystals. These clear pieces are scattered throughout the clay litter. While they may not look like much to us, they put on quite the sparkling show for cats.
This is because cats can see well into the UV spectrum of light. Scientists believe they developed this ability to help them hunt, as it allows them to better track movement, differentiate prey from the landscape, and even track animals using fluorescent urine trails. Because cats are attracted to UV light, they are more likely to investigate this litter.
The second trick lies in the added olfactory attractant. This scent, which is undetectable to humans, calls cats like a loudspeaker. It not only makes the litter box easier to find but entices them to get inside and experience that instinctually attracting scent up close and personal.
Lastly, the soft, smooth feel of this litter is pleasing to cats. It was made to mimic the feel of the sand in North Africa, where house cats’ ancestors lived.
Cleaning Features
The clay in this litter is selected and processed to maximize its clumping ability and for its natural odor-absorbing properties.
It quickly swells and hardens in response to moisture, creating solid clumps with the odor trapped inside. This litter won’t fall apart when you scoop it. And, equally as important, it won’t stick to the walls of the litter box the same way other clay litters do.
Subscription
Boxie products are available as one-time purchases as well as through subscription orders. If you choose the latter option, you’ll receive 5% off your order. You can choose to have your auto-delivery ship every 4, 6, or 8 weeks.
The subscription offering ensures you never run out of cat litter. And unlike getting your litter at the grocery store, this litter is delivered straight to your door so you can avoid the heavy lifting.
Of course, you can skip or cancel your subscription at any time.
In Summary
Pros
- Highly attractive to cats
- Forms solid clumps
- Fair odor control without fragrance
- 99% dust-free
- Convenient subscription option
Cons
- Not a budget buy
- Not low-tracking
- Cats may play in the litter box
Key Features
Attracts Cats with Ease
This cat litter is so “attractive” to cats that my kitty was trying to crawl into the bag the moment I opened it. Clearly, the added odor attractant is very effective at gaining a cat’s attention.
The unique UV glowing crystals continue to entice until cats just can’t help but jump in. The smooth, comfortable feel of the rounded clay pieces continues the seduction to ensure your cat won’t want to use the bathroom anywhere else. Whether your cat struggles to find the cat box or just doesn’t use it frequently enough, this litter is bound to help.
Low-Dust, High-Clump
The premium ctter boxes.
Delivered Straight to Your Door
With Boxie’s subscription feature, you can get this cat litter along with all of Boxie’s other great products delivered straight to your door. This means no more worrying about running out and no more heaving heavy boxes of litter around the store. Plus, the subscription option comes with a 5% discount on every order.
Is Boxie Litter a Good Value?
Boxie’s Glo litter costs quite a bit more than most grocery-store brand cat litter. But it also costs much less than other premium subscription cat litter options.
Considering the many added features of this litter and the natural ingredients, I believe it’s a good value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does this litter look like to cats?
Since cats can see well into the UV spectrum, the clear crystals in this litter will appear whitish blue to them. More importantly, these crystals will glow with a subtle fluorescence. Cats are attracted to this phenomenon because they use UV light to track prey.
Does it have a fragrance?
No, this cat litter is not scented in a way humans can smell. It does include an added odor attractant that cats can detect but this is not used to mask urine or fecal odors.
Can this litter be used in automatic litter boxes?
Yes, the small grain size and clumping prowess of this litter make it a great choice for automatic litter boxes.
Our Experience With Boxie’s Glo Natural Attractions Cat Litter
I’m lucky that my one-year-old cat, Makoa, has never had issues using the litter box. Still, I have been on the hunt for a better litter. I recently switched to an automatic litter box and my litter just wasn’t cutting it in the odor-control department.
Part of the issue is that the waste bin for the spent litter is not sealed so the odors permeate quickly even though it is made to hold up to 14 days of litter. The other issue is that my litter doesn’t clump solidly, which leaves a lot of small pieces of urine-soaked litter in the pan between cleanings.
I thought Boxie’s Glo Natural Attractions Clumping Clay Litter might be the solution I needed. Plus I hoped glowing litter might be a fun way to stimulate Makoa, who is always up for a new experience.
The moment I cut open the bag, Makoa was very interested. In fact, he immediately stuck his head in the hole and laid on the bag like it was his new favorite place in the world. Once I got him out of the way, I was able to get the Glo litter into the litter box and start the test.
Makoa was so taken by this litter that he hopped into the box immediately and did his business. It was so fast, in fact, that I didn’t even get a picture of it for this review! It was clear he was giving this litter two paws up.
From my end, I have been very pleased with its clumping abilities. The pieces that go into the waste bin are solid and I haven’t noticed many smaller chunks floating around in the clean litter after the box cleans itself.
Both of these factors have also helped a lot with the odor issues I was having with my old litter. With Glo, I have been able to go back to cleaning the waste bin once a week without having excessive odor issues.
I also really like that this is a low-dust formula. It keeps the surfaces and air around the litter box much cleaner.
After using this litter for over a week, I don’t have too much to complain about.
The small pieces of clay tend to track a bit more than the low-tracking clay litter I was using before. This means a bit more cleanup around the litter box throughout the week. But the fact that it’s nearly dust-free is a worthy tradeoff.
While the general mess created by the litter isn’t too bad, Makoa will now occasionally play in his litter box. As you can imagine, this creates quite a massive mess. He hasn’t done this since he was a kitten, so I have to assume it’s that attractive UV glow that gets him so amped up.
This litter is also a bit pricey compared to the bargain brand I was using before. I’m not saying it isn’t worth it, though, given how well it clumps and holds odor. I can see it being especially worth the price for cats with litter box issues and related health problems.
Overall, I have been very pleased with this litter and am excited to try more of the litter options Boxie has to offer.
Conclusion
If your cat struggles to maintain healthy litter box habits (or to use the litter box at all), I highly recommend checking out Boxie’s Glo Natural Attractions Clumping Clay Litter.
This unique litter uses natural odor attractants, a comfortable, natural feel, and specialty UV glowing crystals to help entice cats to use the litter box consistently and often. My cat loves this litter and I love how well it clumps and tackles odors using only natural ingredients.
Plus, this product and all of Boxie’s litters are available through a subscription delivery plan that will save you time, money, and hassle.
The post Boxie Glo Natural Attractions Clumping Clay Cat Litter Review 2024: Our Expert’s Opinion appeared first on PangoVet.
What Is a Double-Coated Dog? Vet-Verified Info, Breed Examples & Care Guide
The post What Is a Double-Coated Dog? Vet-Verified Info, Breed Examples & Care Guide by Ashley Bates appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Click to Skip Ahead
All dogs are pretty impressive in looks. After all, if you consider they all come from wolves, it’s wild to consider that all these different coat colors, textures, and lengths originated from this ancient canid species.
If you have heard the term double-coat, you might wonder what it means and if your current dog or a dog you want has this breed feature. Essentially, a double coat means that the dog has two layers of hair. There are longer hairs extending to the outside of the coat and shorter hairs serving as an inner coat for insulation. Let’s explore this coat type so you can get more comfortable with the cleanup required for double-coated breeds.
What Is a Double Coat?
Double-coated is likely a term you hear thrown around a lot, even if you’re not 100% sure what that means. A double coat means that the dog has two types of hair growing to make up the coat. There are longer “primary” or “guard” hairs that are for prevention of skin injuries and repel water. They give the coat its distinctive color and pattern. There are also shorter, softer and more numerous “secondary” hairs or the “undercoat” for protection against extremes of weather and temperature. Dogs are covered in hair virtually the same as human scalp hair in structure but when this hair has a smooth texture it is usually referred to as hair and when more coarse or fluffy it is often called fur.
You might see the term double coated related to long-haired breeds like the Great Pyrenees, and you might assume that it has something to do with coat length. However, even short haired dogs can have double coats, and it serves a very defined purpose, which can change depending on the breed in question.
Dogs with double coats typically shed in higher volume than dogs with a single coat and usually experience seasonal coat blowouts, in which they shed a bunch of fur. During spring or fall months, their coats begin to change to prepare for the upcoming season.
How Are Double Coats Useful?
Double coats are extremely useful for a variety of reasons, but primarily for climate control. Often, dogs who come from colder climates have an extra layer of fur to provide insulation and protection to their skin. Most double-coated breeds tend to be more tolerant of colder weather. It has been found that there are variations in the genetics of single-coated dogs (missing the undercoat) that are rarely present in wolves.1
Breeds of Double-Coated Dogs
Now that you know more about a double coat, what are some dogs that have this trait? We will go over the different dogs as well as a fun fact or two about their care and personality.
This is not an all-inclusive list, but these are some of the most popular dog breeds with double coats.
Akita
The Akita is a striking looking ancient Japanese dog breed. These fearsome protectors are well known for their unique appearance. The Akita is definitely not for the faint of heart. These loyal defenders will stand by your side and can even be prone to intolerance of other people and other pets.
Personality-wise, these dogs tend to be aloof and strong willed. They may show a sillier more playful side with their trusted human caregivers. If you choose to bring an Akita into your home, you will definitely need to keep up with training, social skills and grooming.
However, this is something that you might have to do from your own home as the Akita does not necessarily take well to strangers and might not be the best candidate for going to a professional groomer who is not familiar with the breed.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a breed from China known for being a guardian of fierce proportions. These dogs mean business! In addition to their notably black tongue, they also have a thick double coat. Many Chow Chows, especially as puppies, resemble a bear, with fur to match.
The Chow Chow certainly needs an owner that knows what they’re doing. These dogs are fiercely loyal and protective of their families, they don’t seem to have a ton of affection towards strangers and other animals.
For this reason, Chow Chows work best in homes with a highly experienced owner who can train them and socialize them efficiently.
German Shepherd
A German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds of all time. It’s really no wonder. Their intelligence and training capabilities are out of this world! The German Shepherd is well-renowned for their work ethic and trainability, making them a favorite in areas of service, support, and rescue.
Since these dogs are considered double-coated, they are sure to leave tumbleweeds of fluff all around your house. Daily brushing and general home cleanliness can really help to alleviate a lot of the trouble, but you have to be diligent.
These dogs are very impressive overall, but grooming is definitely a factor you should always consider when selecting the right breed for you.
Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees might not surprise you to make the list. They have very long, thick coats that were originally designed to protect them from extreme temperatures in mountainous weather.
The Great Pyrenees is an awesome family, dog, and perfect for people who live in the country. These dogs have natural guardian instincts, and are both patient and discerning, making them very even tempered.
Many of these dogs prefer to be outdoors, so you might find that your Pyrenees likes hanging out on the porch more than their doggy bed inside. They are frequent shedders and cleanup is essential.
You will have to remove the fur from your fabrics and clothing, and make sure to keep up with daily brushing to keep everything in order.
Havanese
The cheerful little Havanese was created in Cuba as a companion dog and they fit the role beautifully! These small dogs are very people oriented and love nothing more than being with their humans. These dogs can be extremely attached, meaning they can make a terrific, emotional support dog legally, or just a best buddy in general!
The Havanese is one of the only dog breeds to be kind to allergies and double-coated at the same time. Interestingly, these dogs are considered hypoallergenic, meaning they are anecdotally less likely to trigger allergies than some other breeds, and also shed far less frequently.
If you brush your Havanese, you might get a few hairs rounded up, but it’s really nothing to write home about. The shed output is nothing like that of some of the others we have already listed here.
Husky
The Husky is a real fan favorite. These Alaskan sled dogs have an extreme pack mentality and take loyalty to another level. These dogs are very vocal in nature. They certainly put a spin on having an interesting personality and excitable nature.
It might be no surprise to you that these snow dogs require a very dense insulated coat to keep them warm. After all, it’s the primary source they rely on in freezing temperatures to keep them protected.
If you have a Husky in your home, you will quickly get used to daily brushing and general cleanup. It isn’t unusual to see a tumbleweed of hair, floating across your hardwood floors or attaching to your fabric surfaces.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular double-coated dog breeds thanks to their loyalty and friendliness. But their double coat is unique because it helps to make them more waterproof and insulates them from cold temperatures.
Labradors were bred for retrieving ducks and other waterfowl from the water for hunters, so they needed to have a coat to help protect them. Interestingly, they also have slightly webbed feet to help them swim better.
However, even if your Labrador is just a companion dog, you can expect them to shed significant amounts of fur around your home. So, you will need to keep up with routine brushing and grooming to keep from having shed hair everywhere.
Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is a dog of mass proportions. These big cuddle bugs are well known for being some of the sweetest big dog breeds of all. They have charming personalities and a gentle giant approach to all things in life. They tend to make extremely good playmates for children, other pets, and any human on the planet.
If you have a Newfoundland, you are no stranger to the slobber and shedding that comes along with them. What you might not have known is that these dogs are also double-coated, which means that they shed tremendously year-round.
Even though they are calm enough to live in apartments and other small spaces, general upkeep is essential and we recommend them for larger homes. But overall, the Newfie is known for being a sweet, even-tempered dog, which is a huge upside for some. However, the intense grooming and general cleanup might be a lot for some people to handle.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The little Corgi is a favorite for a reason. These peppy little dogs have so much love to offer, and they take on life with a glass-half-full approach. Bred for herding they are alert and agile dogs who like to be with their human companions and have a big dog bark.
They also have a double coat, which means that they will shed continuously. Their coats are relatively short, but they tend to shed in bulk, meaning lots of tufts of hair come out at once. These dogs require regular grooming to keep up with any hair loss throughout the day.
Pug
The cheerful Pug will warm your heart with their silly personalities. These dogs tend to be a friend to all—and they even make a pretty good watch dog! These little pups are perfect for apartment living and get along with just about anything—human or otherwise.
However, what you might not expect is that some colors of these short-haired little dogs have a double coat. The apricot, fawn and silver pugs tend to have double coats and the black ones a single coat. That means that they shed more densely than others. So, it is very important to practice daily brushing and remember to clean their folds!
Because these little pups are brachycephalic and wrinkly, they will need you to clean out their wrinkles to prevent any debris or build up that could lead to irritation or infection.
Grooming Supplies for Double-Coated Dogs
Double-coated dogs will certainly need a lot of care in the grooming department. It is important that your fabrics, furniture, and floors stay fur-free and your pet’s daily shedding is collected in a brush and thrown in the trash.
Here are some important grooming items to have on hand to help you with the process.
Slicker Brushes
Slicker brushes are designed in a smart fashion. Some of them have curved bristles while others are straight. However, the overall design is used to penetrate the fur and collect any loose shed hair and fur in the coat.
Many of these brushes come with a self-cleaning mechanism where you can press a button and the bristles retract so that the hair falls into the trash can. Even if your particular slicker brush does not have these features, they are still pretty easy to clean, as all the fur clumps together.
De-Shedding Tool
De-shedding tools will be a real lifesaver when it comes to removing all of the dead fur and debris from the undercoat. The trouble with a double-coated dog breed is that you don’t always see all of the shed existing in the undercoat.
There can be tons of tiny hair follicles underneath that are no longer serving a purpose, so using a de-shedding tool every few weeks can be extremely helpful. Most of the time, the de-shedding tool is best to use after a bath so that you can remove anything that’s left in the coat before letting them dry and setting them free.
Shampoo/Conditioner
The type of shampoo and conditioner you use can be very important. While there is no specified product that you should buy, it’s always best to get natural, hypoallergenic products specifically made for dogs to avoid chemical exposure and skin irritation.
Shedding Rake
In some cases, getting a fur thinner or rake is a very good idea. It will allow you to cut through problematic areas of the coat, leaving your dog’s fur thinner and tangle-free. These are not suitable for all breeds however so do check first.
Clean Up Tools for the Home
Vacuum Cleaners
There are numerous brands of vacuum cleaners on the market that are targeted at pet parents. These offer features such as special attachments to better pick up the hair, anti-wrap technology and HEPA filters. You may also find yourself longing for a robot vacuum cleaner and these can be a great help in keeping on top of dog fluff tumbleweed.
Brooms
Rubber brooms can be really useful for hard floors and short tufted rugs.
Carpet Scrapers
There are also clever little tools for getting those embedded hairs out of carpets. The carpet scrapers are metal tools with little teeth that really get in there to grab hairs. Take care on delicate fabrics however.
NEVER Shave a Double-Coated Dog
It is important that you never shave a double-coated dog’s fur completely off in order to make grooming easier and reduce shedding. Doing so can cause the fur to not grow back properly. This will reduce the coat’s ability to regulate your dog’s temperature, can contribute to more skin problems, and can make your dog more prone to sunburn. The short hairs and long hairs grow at different rates. Your veterinarian may need to shave your pet for medical procedures and in this case the shaving is acceptable.
Conclusion
Now you know a lot more about what a double coat is and what types of dogs possess it. Not all dogs have this coat type, and some double-coated dogs still shed more than others. You have dogs like the Havanese that have double coats, but don’t shed or cause allergies nearly as much as some other breeds. If you have a double-coated breed of any kind, one thing is for certain, routine grooming and consistent cleaning is a must!
Featured Image Credit: Ana Bencina Kosmac, Shutterstock
The post What Is a Double-Coated Dog? Vet-Verified Info, Breed Examples & Care Guide by Ashley Bates appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.