Frequently Asked Questions
Why is SmartBedz so effective at controlling odour?
SmartBedz pellets absorb urine extremely rapidly and are capable of locking in large quantities of urine in their finely crushed fibres. Ammonia starts to develop as soon as urine is exposed to air. When using SmartBedz the urine is absorbed so rapidly that the urine has very little exposure to the atmosphere before being fully absorbed, consequently the conversion of the urine to ammonia by bacteria is dramatically slowed.
How much longer will it last than my usual product?
This will be dependent on the kind of litter you currently use and the type of pet you want to use Smartbedz with.
For instance, when SmartBedz is used as a chicken litter it will keep the coop and nest boxes looking and smelling better for up to 3 months with only a small amount of maintenance.
One 10kg bag of SmartBedz will last a rabbit for up to 2 months and a 5kg bag of SmartBedz will last a cat for up to 6/8 weeks.
It has been found particularly effective when used with ferrets with some people reporting that SmartBedz litter only needed changing once a week rather than daily when they were using straw.
What sort of scoop should I use with SmartBedz?
It is important to use a scoop with the right size of holes to avoid unecessary waste of SmartBedz. For best results when used as a cat litter or to clean chicken nest boxes use a scoop with 11 to 12mm square holes so that the dry pellets drop straight through.
How do I dispose of the product once it's been soiled?
Disposing of SmartBedz is easy. Being 100% bio-degradable the spent pellets may be used as a fertiliser, composted, or used as a mulch (although this is not advisable with soiled cat litter). The soiled pellets can also be flushed away in small quantities, although this is subject to local rules and regulations.
SmartBedz decomposes more easily and quicker than conventional bedding products such as shavings and straw.
Pregnant and nursing women should avoid handling soiled cat litter.
What are the advantages of SmartBedz straw pellets?
Smartbedz is 100% eco-friendly and bio-degradable suitable for a wide range of pets and the pellets are easy to dispose of without any harmful effects to the environment. In addition when you use SmartBedz you will feel better knowing that this product has not been strip mined and will not all end up in landfill (it is reported that around 400,000 tons of cat litter ends up in landfill in the UK every year!)
Only the soiled areas are scooped out and replenished on a regular basis, which means that SmartBedz is cost effective to use. Our research shows that used as a cat litter a 5kg bag of SmartBedz is equivalent to using approximately 45kg of an economy brand of litter when used in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.
The straw used to produce SmartBedz is an agricultural by-product which is available year after year without causing any ecological harm. No chemical additives or perfumes have been used to produce Smartbedz and the product has been dust extracted and heat treated which can help alleviate allergic symptoms of some owners and pets.
SmartBedz is easy to store and use and significantly reduces the time needed to clean out your pets cage, hutch or coop compared to traditional products. The absorbency of the pellets means your bedding will last many times longer than some products, whilst the odour-binding nature of the pellet means you can enjoy a virtually odour free home.
Because you use less of SmartBedz this also means you have less to dispose of!
Does it matter if my pet eats SmartBedz?
No, as it is a natural straw product. It can actually be beneficial to pet digestion in animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other plant-eating animals. However, always ensure your small pets have a good supply of appropriate food and water.
Is SmartBedz suitable for pets and owners with allergies?
No chemical additives have been used to produce Smartbedz and it is thoroughly dust extracted and heat treated during manufacture so it should be suitable for pets and owners who suffer from allergies.
How is the product made into pellets?
Only the best dry straw is selected for making into SmartBedz pellets and this is all stored in covered buildings after harvest. The straw is chopped and pulverised during the production process which helps break down the tough outer core of the straw, ultimately making the fibres more absorbent and easier to decompose after use. The straw is dust extracted several times during the production and heat treated to eliminate mite and bacteria and then pressed into pellets.
Is SmartBedz more economical to use than my usual bedding/litter?
SmartBedz pellets last longer because they are more absorbent as can be seen from the results of our testing below. Only the soiled areas need to be spot cleaned and replenished on a regular basis. Whilst SmartBedz may appear slightly more expensive to buy initially than some other products, when the performance benefits have been factored in it should work out cheaper to use.
