Cat Litter - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
Cats can be picky about what they eat, where they sleep, who can pet them, and definitely where they do their business. Choosing the right cat litter will encourage your feline friend to use his litter box, not to mention make your job of cleaning that box much easier.
But there are many different types and brands of kitty litter, and it can be hard to separate the good from the bad. What is a good cat litter? Which type is right for your cat? What features should you look for?
Our goal is to answer all your questions with our comprehensive buying guide. Or save time and shop with confidence by choosing from the best options.
Types of Cat Litter
- Agglomerated Clay
Usually made of bentonite clay, this type of litter forms clumps when your cat urinates. It used to be the most popular type of cat litter, but thanks to new advances in litter technology, this type is now one of the more basic options.
- Pros:
>> It is easy to clean; you just have to remove the feces and urine lumps.
>> If you're on a budget, this litter tends to be the cheapest of all the bunching varieties.
Cons:
>> This stretcher is dusty. Many experts believe that inhaling silica dust from this litter is potentially unhealthy for your cat, and may even be carcinogenic.
>> This garbage is not ecological because it must be thrown in the garbage; furthermore, the clay itself is collected through open pit mining.
>> It sticks to your cat's feet, which means it can track it around the house.
- Non-clumping Clay
>> Non-agglomerated clay is much like the agglomerated version, except that it does not form clumps when wet.
Pros:
- Cons:
>> The dust could be carcinogenic, and your cat is going to be breathing in at least some of it while doing its job.
>> This litter is extremely heavy when dry and even more so when used.
>> Since it cannot be flushed down the toilet or composted, this garbage ends up in the landfill.
>> The clay is mined in the open, which harms the environment.
>> This litter sticks to your cat's feet, which means he can follow it through the house.
- Bundling Natural Fiber Rubbish
Urine collects in this litter, just like in clay litter, but this type is made from natural plant fibers, such as corn, wheat, or walnut shells.
- Pros:
>> It's easy to get all the urine out of this litter, which helps control odors.
>> The enzymes naturally contained in the fibers help control odours.
>> This litter is biodegradable, so it can be composted and can often be flushed down the toilet (in both cases, however, cat feces should be disposed of).
>> One bag lasts much longer than the same size bag of cat clay.
- Cons:
>> This litter may be dusty, but the dust is not potentially carcinogenic like the silica dust in clay litter.
>> Because it is lightweight, it can stick to your cat's feet and be easily tracked around the house.
- Natural Fiber Litter Without Clumps
Non-Clumping Natural Fiber Bedding is made from natural, plant-based ingredients (including wood and paper) and can come in the form of granules or pellets.
- Pros:
>> The pellet varieties in this litter are virtually dust free.
>> This green litter is compostable and tends to be made from waste products.
- Cons:
>> This litter may have more odor because it is more difficult to remove all the urine from her.
>> Some cats don't like the feel of litter pellets under their paws.
- Silica Gel Cat Litter
Silica gel cat litter is made from a crystallized version of sodium silicate, like the kind found in those little moisture-absorbing packets stuffed inside certain foods, shoes, and other products.
- Pros:
>> Silica gel is highly absorbent and is an important quality in cat litter.
>> This litter is economical; a small bag lasts a long time.
>> This litter contains very little dust.
- Cons:
>> This litter can be messy, especially if your cat is a digger (imagine hundreds of tiny silica beads rolling all over the floor).
>> Not all cats use silica gel litter.
Cat Litter Features to Consider
- Smell
Some cat litters are scented to help mask the smell of urine and feces, but a litter box shouldn't smell much if you pick it up regularly. If odor is a big problem, you may have to step up your cleaning game. The smell of scented cat litter can be more offensive than the smell of urine and splash, both to cats and their owners, and can even cause some cats to stop using their litter box.
- Odor Control
Some cat litter contains odor-absorbing ingredients, but we generally recommend options without them. Many fussy cats don't like litter with these added ingredients, and if you need your cat litter to have additional odor-absorbing properties, you may not clean the litter box often enough.
- Follow-up
Cat litter that sticks to your cat's paws can be tracked throughout the house. This tends to be more of a problem with pelleted forms of cat litter, although not all pelleted litter is easy to track. Unless you like to vacuum, we recommend that you look for a cat litter that is not easy to track.
- Dust
Dust from some types of cat litter is more benign than others. Natural fiber dust is probably harmless in small doses, while silica dust from clay beds has the potential to cause health problems. Whichever type of bed you choose, it's best to look for low-dust options.
- Comfort
Your cat's comfort is probably one of your concerns. You want him to not only use his litter box, but also feel comfortable using it. Your cat is likely to relieve herself anywhere but the litter box if she finds it uncomfortable. Like humans, cats have their own preferences, but most cats prefer litter that feels soft under their paws rather than hard or lumpy.
Tips
Consider the age of your cat. Fine-grained cat litter is not suitable for kittens under three months of age because they can inhale the small particles, causing illness.
Take cues from your cat. Cats are finicky creatures, so they may not like the litter you've chosen... even if it's the best on the market. If your cat is happy with a particular type or brand of kitty litter, it's best to stick with it.
Don't switch brands too quickly. When switching from one type of cat litter to another, you should gradually mix a little more of the new litter with the old each day to acclimate your cat to it.
Consider placing a mat under your cat's litter box. If your cat tends to expel a lot of litter, a mat under the box can help keep the mess under control.
FAQ
Que. How often do I need to clean my cat's litter box?
Ans. A cat likes her litter box to be spotless, so you want to make sure you clean it regularly. You should remove faeces and urine clumps (if using chipboard litter) at least once or twice a day, but preferably after each time the cat uses the litter box. You will also need to completely empty the box and refill it twice a week to prevent clumping and at least once every two to four weeks to keep it clumping.
Que. What should I do if my cat is reluctant to use his litter box?
Ans. Your cat may refuse to use his litter box for any number of reasons. If he is relieving himself elsewhere, try any or all of the following.
- Get him a bigger or deeper litter box.
- Put more or less garbage in the box.
- Clean her litter box more often.
- Try another type of cat litter.
- Put your cat's litter box in a place that is easier to access.
If your cat still won't use her litter box and/or seems to have pain when urinating, take her to the vet. You could have bladder stones or another medical problem.
Que. How much cat litter should I put in the litter box?
Ans. You might think more is always better, but most cats don't like more than two or three inches of litter in their litter box, and some prefer less.
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