A home toilet for a pet is a headache for small dog owners. In the modern market there are so many different versions of trays, fillers and even electrical devices that teach animals to walk exactly where they need to go. What to choose? How to arrange a toilet for a small dog correctly and without harm to the pet? This article helps to understand all the subtleties.
The right toilet
There are two main options for solving the problem. You can purchase a flat tray with a slotted pallet-insert or a tray with high sides, designed specifically for the use of filler. The first option is suitable for the most economical (no consumables) and hardworking. When buying a flat tray, be prepared to wash it almost continuously, while the smell will sooner or later appear, because the plastic absorbs it perfectly. In this case, remember that for the treatment of the tray you can not use chlorine-containing products: animals to such substances are very sensitive and, at best, will start to ignore the toilet, and at worst - will get bronchopulmonary diseases. Therefore, veterinarians recommend the use of excipients.
Type of filler
Fillers are of two types: absorbent and lumpy. Each of them has its pluses and minuses, so it's worth taking into account the individual characteristics of a small dog.
In the absorbent filler, the moisture is drawn into the granules, but their outer surface remains slightly moist, and the space between the granules is free. Therefore completely to destroy a smell all the same it will not be possible. And even if the advertisement promises a high moisture capacity, in fact the content of the tray will have to be changed much more often than indicated in the instruction. After all, it can not be partially replaced: animals have the peculiarity of burying the results of their labor, mixing and raising from the bottom already the smelt granules. Fillers of this species are usually cheaper than others, but the savings are reduced to zero if you buy them for animals that use the toilet bowl normally (pregnant dogs, toddlers and elderly people). This filler will not work even if several dogs are used by one tray.
Composed filler works differently. Upon contact with moisture, its granules are soaked and stuck together in solid hard stones, which can be selected from the tray without touching the clean filler. And just add a new portion as needed. A good clumping filler costs 2-3 times more than a conventional absorbent, but it consumes much less. But he also has drawbacks: many of the today's lump-fillers produced after use can not be washed off into the sewers, and at the dacha they will not be suitable for the compost heap. For babies it is necessary to buy a special filler with small granules. But the most unpleasant thing is that even premium products can contain aromatic fragrances that cause allergic reactions.
Composition
The material from which the filler is made depends not only on the cleanliness of the toilet, but also on the health of your pet.
Fillers based on wood. This is a specially processed sawdust, which when moistened greatly increases in volume and does not always completely absorb the smell. Optimum choice: fillers made from spruce or pine fibers and not in the form of granules, but in the form of scales. They are economical enough, there will be no smell, and no such artificial materials contain such artificial impurities.
AREA-MINERAL FILLINGS. This is the same cellulose, but with the addition of chemical adsorbents. When using cheap varieties of such a product, you will change the embankment in the tray as often as in the case of ordinary wood filler, and additives only mask the smell, but are unable to completely eliminate it.
Mineral fillers. As a rule, they consist of ceramic granules impregnated with special additives. All this chemistry destroys the bacteria, but the absorption is due to the porous structure of the granules themselves. The more clay in the filler, the cleaner the toilet and the less often you will change it. That is why most breeders vote just for such a filler. By the way, the price of these fillers is determined by the quality (and quantity) of additives, and not the basis itself. Whether to believe the statements that the additives indicated on the packaging "100% destroy harmful bacteria and odor," you decide. With a smell, mineral fillers are able to cope. But if there are several animals in the house and one of them has an infectious disease, when using a common tray, everyone can get sick because none, even the best filler, does not completely disinfect the tray.
But if the infection can not be completely destroyed, then at least it can be detected. The latest novelty - fillers that contain indicators of the composition of urine and are designed to help owners monitor their pets' health. If something is wrong, the fill in the tray changes color. And then the next step is consulting with a veterinarian.
Lessons of hygiene for dogs
When organizing a toilet for a small dog, remember: it can not completely replace the walk! This applies even to the tiniest dog. But the vagaries of the weather sometimes do not allow to release such a fragile creature into the yard. You can teach your puppy to the tray from 10-12 weeks. Take the newspaper and put in a puddle, which your favorite poured on the floor. Then wash the floor, and do not throw the newspaper. In all corners, which the puppy has chosen, spread out the dry newspapers, and on the top - the slices are wet. Do this every time the baby leaves a puddle on the floor. The next day, instead of newspapers, put two or three trays filled, and put a wet newspaper on top. Gradually the puppy will look for a piece of newspaper with its odor and thus learn how to find the tray and use it for its intended purpose. The training should take about ten days.
How to deal with hooliganism
Experienced breeders have their own techniques.
1. Do not wipe stained areas with ammonia: contrary to popular belief, it does not discourage the smell of urine, but stimulates the urine in animals. For hard surfaces use vinegar, for upholstered furniture - usual drinking soda;
2. If your pet has favorite places, put a sheet of aluminum foil in there: when he gets himself there next time, he definitely will not like her rumbling sound;
3. Move the food bowl closer to the place your pet has chosen as the "wrong" toilet;
4. Did you notice that your pet is ready to pour a puddle in an unsuitable place? Keep a spray gun ready with water and give him an unexpected shower. A cop is enough for two or three times;
5. Play with the animal in the gazebo. Noticing it at the scene of the crime, take the pet under your armpits, bring it to your face and explain menacingly and clearly who is the master of the apartment. In this case, without interruption, do not blink, look into his eyes until he first takes a look. A few confident monologues will suffice. This method works fine.
Do not eat me!
Many owners know cases when dogs are trying to eat fillers for toilets. Especially attractive is the entertainment for small puppies. In fact, this bad habit can cause an intestinal obstruction. If the dog is seen in such a disgrace, then, first, it is worth abandoning the caking filler. Otherwise, it will turn into stones right in the stomach of a gourmet. Secondly, the tray with the filler can be covered with a grid. Thirdly, it is worth taking a closer look at the pet's diet - perhaps, it simply does not have enough minerals.