Drymate® Litter Trapping Mat for Happy Cats and Happy Floors

 

Name: Drymate® Litter Trapping Mat
Description: (My favorite) 28″ X 36″ (item number CLMRF2836C) and 20″ x 28″ (item number CLMRF2028C) ridged litter mats with bonded waterproof backing
Works best on: carpet or hard flooring / covered or open box
Effectiveness: Very effective. Low off-mat tracking
Available: Target.com
Suggested retail: small ($12.99) and large ($19.99.)
Observations: I’ve used the Drymate® Cat Litter Mat for years, so when a representative from Drymate asked if I wanted to try their new and improved Litter Trapping Mat, I jumped at the chance.

Before I talk about my experience with the Drymate® Litter Trapping Mat, I need to give you some info on feline preferences. A decade ago, Dr. Alice Moon-Fanelli said cat owners should keep their cat’s preferences in mind when buying litter mats (cat litter, or any product for that matter.) At the time, Dr. Moon-Fanelli was the clinical assistant professor and a certified applied animal behaviorist at the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University of Veterinary Medicine. She’s now in private practice.

“Sensitive cats may not like the feel of some substrates,” she said. “Just as some cats balk when their owners use litter box liners, cats who don’t like the feel of a plastic floor runner will not the feel of plastic litter mats.”

Maybe you’ve never considered whether or not certain textures repel your cat. But if your kitty is even the slightest reluctant to walk on a certain surface like he may decide to seek out an alternative bathroom rather than tread across a mat that makes him uncomfortable.

 

I tested the textural comfort of the Drymate Litter Trapping Mat by pressing my forearm against it; the mat felt neutral against my skin. The cats obviously loved the feel of it. They immediately used it as a scratching pad and later napped on it.

Tracking occurs when litter becomes trapped inside the cat’s paws. When the kitty leaves the box, the pads spread and litter falls out on the floor. It’s been my experience that no mat eliminates tracking completely, but the Drymate Litter Trapping Mat greatly reduced off-mat tracking.

The 100% polyester mat features fine ridges that gently part a kitty’s paw pads to release litter as Fluffy walks away from the litter box. Litter becomes trapped within the ridges, which should reduce tracking.

 

When it comes to litter mats bigger IS better. The larger the mat, the more steps the cat must take before its feet reach the floor. That gives him more distance to drop the litter on the mat before littering the floor. This mat comes in two sizes: 20” x 28” ($12.99) and the 28” x 36” ($19.99.) Not unexpectedly, the larger mat did the best job at corralling litter.
Regardless of where I placed the mat, the Rainbolt Test Kitties continued to use their favorite litter box with the same enthusiasm and frequency as before.

The Drymate Litter Trapping Mat is environmentally responsible; it’s made from a polyester fiber manufactured in the USA from 100% recycled bottles. The non-skid waterproof backing keeps the mat in place while preventing accidents from soaking through to your floor. The fabric is so absorptive, if your cat misses or overshoots the box, there’s no pee runoff, and the backing prevents leak through. (BTW-If your cat suddenly starts going just outside the box, you need to take him to the vet.)

To remove litter trapped in the ridges, hold the mat over litter box, roll it lengthwise with the ridges facing outward and shake. Wash as needed. It’s machine washable in cool water and dryer safe at low heat. I’ve washed the Litter Trapping Mat several times and it held its own. (My older Drymate mats have been washed countless times and still perform well.)

The only downside I can find that it won’t win any decorating awards. It’s a neutral dark gray. Also, I wouldn’t mind if it came in a larger size.

Bottom line: To me, this is the only litter mat worth using. It’s comfortable for the cats, the large mat catches most of the litter, it doesn’t slip and it protects the floor from litter box mishaps.

Although more outlets are anticipated, currently Target.com is the only place to get it.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Drymate’s manufacturer, RPM, Inc. Dusty Rainbolt’s Universe is being compensated for spreading the word about the Drymate Litter Trapping Mat, but rest assured, I only write about products my cats love and use regularly. Paying me to write about this mat is like paying me to eat sushi. I’m going to do it anyway, but Einstein needs a new cat toy. RPM, Inc isn’t responsible for the content of this article.