How Litter Glitter Works in Detail

A BETTER LITTER BOX EXPERIENCE CREATES A CALMER, MORE AFFECTIONATE CAT

Litter Glitter is designed to make cats more loving and affectionate over time by improving the single most stressful place in their daily life: the litter box.

Cats are not distant or “mean”. Cats become less social when they feel stressed, uncertain, or uncomfortable. The litter box can be one of the most consistent drivers of that stress because cats are biologically vulnerable while eliminating, and are highly sensitive to smell, cleanliness, and negative associations with the litter box.

Litter Glitter improves the litter box environment in two ways:

1. It makes the litter box more inviting to cats using pure cinnamon bark, which has been observed across multiple studies to increase engagement and reduce stress-related behaviors in felines.

2. It helps prevent urine odor from forming, reducing a major source of litter box aversion.

Litter Glitter is supported by preference testing: Cats were offered two identical litter boxes: one treated with Litter Glitter and one untreated. Litter box preference was assessed by the amount of waste in each litter box. When given a choice, cats chose litter boxes containing Litter Glitter over identical litter boxes without it.

The combination of calmness around the litter box and reduced odor, is why Litter Glitter is expected to work. Over time, when the litter box becomes a calmer and cleaner experience, many cats become more confident and socially engaged in the home — which owners experience as a more loving cat.

CATS' ATTITUDES REFLECT THEIR OWNERS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Besides genetics, a cat’s behavior depends heavily on its owner: how the cat is treated and cared for. Many studies support this link. Cats that have a higher quality of life are reported to be more loving and affectionate. Owners who better understand cat behavior tend to share stronger bonds with their cats[5]. Owners who spend more time with their cats report having better-behaved cats [6]. In one study, the percentage of cats given a high quality of life (18%) was similar to the percentage of cats with excellent behavior (16%) [7]. This study, along with several others, concluded that cat behavior is strongly influenced by the owner and the cat’s environment [7]. 

Stress and anxiety can cause various negative behaviors in cats, such as hiding, aggression, aloofness, scratching, and avoiding play [8-11]. Even things you might not think of as stressful—such as feeding your cat at a different time, or not talking to or petting your cat—can raise cortisol levels, decrease social interactions, and lead to withdrawal [9-11]. In one study, 75% of cats with a consistent routine displayed friendly behavior toward a stranger (approaching, rubbing against their leg, making direct eye contact, holding their tail upright, and rolling over). Conversely, only 10% of cats with inconsistent routines—which can cause stress—showed friendly behavior [12]. 

STRESS AND ANXIETY REDUCE SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND BONDING

Stress and anxiety lower confidence, which reduces a cat’s ability to bond. High stress and low confidence decrease social behaviors like rubbing, seeking closeness, lying on the lap, purring, and voluntary interactions with humans, while increasing withdrawal. The key to a more loving, affectionate cat is simple: provide the best care possible, and your cat will reward you with its love and affection. 

THE LITTER BOX IS A HIGH-STRESS ENVIRONMENT

Cats attach a lot of stress and anxiety to the litter box. In the wild, cats face threats from coyotes, foxes, hawks, owls, snakes, dogs, bobcats, cougars, and raccoons. As a result, cats are on high alert and ready to flee at the slightest sign of danger—hence the term “scaredy-cat.” Their genetics predispose them to anxiety. When cats use the bathroom, they are most vulnerable to attack. Evolution has made them naturally alert and anxious during elimination. Cats can’t help this. 

Some breeds experience more litter box anxiety than others, which can contribute to more frequent house soiling [13]. In one study, Bengal cats were found to be the most skittish and to have the most house soiling, while Siberian and Neva Masquerade cats were found to be the least skittish and to have the least house soiling [13]. 

WHAT LITTER BOX STRESS LOOKS LIKE IN REAL LIFE

Cats use the litter box up to five times a day. The litter box can be either a source of stress for your cat or an opportunity to show your cat you care. When given a choice, cats will choose the litter box setup they like best. Cats show up to 39 different behaviors when using the litter box [14]. From these behaviors, the science is clear when a cat is frustrated or happy with its litter box. 

Eliminating outside the box is just one result of litter box–related stress. Some cats might continue to use a stressful litter box [14], but it still affects their comfort and ability to bond. Signs of litter box stress include hesitating at the entrance, perching on the edge, reducing digging or covering, minimizing contact with the litter, or quickly leaving the box after urination or defecation. Some cats may even “hold it in” to avoid using the litter box as much as possible [14]. 

CATS CAN HIT THEIR BREAKING POINT

A bad experience can worsen a cat’s natural litter box–related anxiety and reduce its willingness to use the box. For example, a cat that has had an episode of constipation or diarrhea may remember it so strongly that it may refuse to use the litter box because it has associated the box with a negative event. If a cat has been frightened by a loud noise while going to the bathroom, it may develop more anxiety around elimination. When cats are forced to use a smelly, soiled litter box, they can also quickly develop a negative association with the litter box. 

A cat who is tolerating a dirty litter box—or a litter box in a difficult-to-access or noisy location—may be pushed past its threshold and stop using it if anxiety levels increase further, from anything as minor as new people in the home to a major household renovation[15]. Otherwise healthy cats that refuse to use the litter box are sometimes prescribed anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium, Xanax, and Prozac to reduce litter box anxiety [16] 

HOW LITTER GLITTER WORKS

Litter Glitter is designed to provide the best possible litter box experience by reducing stress and odor. Having a clean-smelling litter box isn’t enough. Since cats are naturally stressed when using the litter box, Litter Glitter is formulated with cinnamon, which has a calming effect on cats. With Litter Glitter, cats feel calmer when using the litter box. Additionally, because urine odor can make the litter box experience worse, Litter Glitter helps prevent urine odor from developing. 

SIGNS YOUR CAT IS HAPPIER WITH LITTER GLITTER

When a cat is happy with its litter box, you will notice. Your cat may cover its waste more consistently, use the litter box more often, and exit the litter box with confidence, tail up. Your cat might even start leaving its toys in the litter box. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

When daily litter box stress is reduced, and the litter box is turned into one of your cat’s most frequently visited places in the home, cats can become more relaxed. You get a calmer, more confident cat that is more likely to seek closeness, rubbing, purring, and affectionate contact with the people in its household.