Your cats mean the world to you. They are your friends, your family, your loved ones. You want to provide the best for them from their food to their toys to their cat litter. If you want to give your cat the best cat litter available, there are few considerations to keep in mind.
Our cat litter guide goes through the different types of materials and factors to consider when switching to a new cat litter. What ingredient is best? Should you use clumping or non-clumping varieties? Choosing the right one can make you and your pet’s home life more comfortable.
Why Cat Litter Matters
In today’s pet store shelves, you can find several types of cat litter material. The first use of cat litter was in the late 1940s when Edward Lowe realized that the clay he sold to the construction industry could also absorb waste and had higher performance than sand.
In 1947, Lowe gave his neighbor some dried clay that he used for work when they complained that they needed more sand, a common litter material used back in the day. It worked so much better than sand. He would go on to call this new product Kitty Litter.
Over time, clay became the most popular choice for cat litter among pet owners. Since then, new cat litter materials have been created, each offering certain advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the best one ultimately depends on your particular needs.
Clay granules offer a powerful absorbency that offers the best odor control and make cat parenting much more pleasant for the cats and the owner. However, it is not biodegradable which can turn off eco-conscious pet parents.
Based on a national pet owners survey, there were approximately 95.6 million cats in U.S. households in 2017. With so many feline friends in our households, it is important to find the right type of litter for your furry little friend.
There are many reasons to consider buying new litter for your cat family. Here are a few of the most common reasons for choosing a new type of litter:
- Adopting a cat without knowing its preferred litter material
- Moving an outdoor cat indoors
- When a cat is displaying litter box avoidance
- Excess tracking of the litter material onto the floor surface
- An unpleasant smell
Switching cat litters may not be necessary in some cases. Before you make the big switch, try out some of these tips.
- Try scooping out the waste once a day, at the very least, ideally within minutes after a cat has completed its business.
- If your litter scatters everywhere when your cat uses it, you could get a partially enclosed litter box and a litter mat to control the excess litter that falls out.
- Have a small trash can nearby for easy scooping and cleaning. Make sure the trash can has a lid. Regularly move the dirty litter into a larger waste compartment so that you do not have to smell the dirty litter every time you clean out the box.
In some cases, switching litter will not solve the litter issues, which may be health-related. For instance, if you see your cat wheezing or have other respiratory issues or your cat is eating the litter, it could mean it has an underlying health issue and you need to seek immediate veterinary attention.
If your cat uses its litter box normally, it may be wise to stay with your current litter choice. Litters that are affordable, provide good clumping, good odor control, and ease of use do not need to be replaced. No litter is perfect. They all have some advantages and disadvantages.
However, you may be looking for a more environmentally friendly, dust-free, or anti-tracking option to make you and your cat’s home life easier.
Switching up your cat litter must be carefully considered and should be performed in a gradual manner to create an easier transition for your feline friend.
Types of Cat Litter
Cat litter comes in all shapes, sizes, textures, and scents. Choosing the right one for your pet can take a bit of experimentation until you find the right one. Choosing the right type of ingredients makes all of the difference between your cat liking the litter or not.
Cats can get picky when it comes to the litter you provide. Some cats with behavioral conditions and urinary issues are more prone to being particular where they do their business. In these cases, they may be put off by scented odors or other strong smells.
In other cases, the litter may produce dust, irritating cats with respiratory issues. For pets with urinary tract infections, silica gel litters provide a better backdrop to see any blood on the silica pellets compared to other dark colored litters.
Generally, cats like finer particles over crystal or pellet-based material. Cats have an innate sense to bury their waste in sand-like material from their desert-dwelling ancestors.
In addition, the finer material is less sensitive on their palms. Think of walking on rocks compared to a soft and sandy beach. Cats also tend to prefer unscented litters over scented ones.
Ultimately, your cat will tell you whether they like the litter or not. They have the final word on what you will buy. You do have control over certain properties of the litter material. For instance, how absorbent do you want your litter? How often do you want to empty the litter box? Are you concerned about the litter material safety for your cat?
Be aware of how your cat reacts to the new litter and adjust accordingly. It may take some trial and error to find the right one, but it will be worth it in the end.
Some of the qualities to look out for in a cat litter are:
- Odor control
- Minimal or no dust
- Clumping
- Easy cleaning
- Low or no tracking
- Environmentally friendly
- Minimal stickiness
- Superior absorbency
Clay
Clay, the most popular of all cat litter materials, typically uses carbon and other plant extracts to absorb unpleasant smells. It is available in scented/unscented and clumping/non-clumping varieties. Clay-based litters that clump make it easy to clean up. However, it is not biodegradable and can create dust.
Sodium bentonite, the main ingredient in clumping clay litter reacts with urine by swelling up and binding the litter and urine together. It does a similar thing with cat feces. This helps pet owners easily scoop up the waste and replace it.
Non-clumping clay litter is usually made from absorbent clay such as sepiolite, montmorillonite, and attapulgite. These materials are also used for industrial purposes to clean up spills and dehydrate flowers.
Our recommendation: Fresh & Natural Scoopable Cat Litter, Unscented is a clumping cat litter that offers low dust, minimal tracking, and hard clumping capabilities.
Fresh & Natural, Unscented Scoopable Cat Litter
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Paper
Litter made from paper such as recycled newspaper comes in pellet form and is an eco-friendly solution. Litter made from recycled paper usually comes in unscented varieties. One of its advantages is that it does not produce dust and is an affordable alternative to traditional litters.
However, it does not have clumping capabilities like other litters. This can be a good thing in some cases as we will explain below. It’s not as good at controlling odors as other litters. Plus, it is not compostable or flushable. It will also probably need more changing than other litters.
Paper-based cat litters are the preferred choice for cats that are recovering from surgery or other medical interventions. Sutures, surgical staples, casts, bandages, splints, open wounds, or surgical drains should not be exposed to material that can get stuck in there. Paper-based pellets can be an alternative to traditional materials.
Our recommendation: Yesterday’s News Unscented Cat Litter is 99.7% dust-free, low tracking, soft textured, and 3 times more absorbent than clay.
Silica Gel
Silica gel-based crystals are a natural and very absorbent material. It can absorb up to 40 times its weight. Best of all, it can be reused by a single cat for about a month, but we recommend regularly cleaning your litter box.
Silica gel-based litter, made from porous sodium silicate, comes in scented and unscented options. It does not offer clumping abilities but is dust free and trackless. However, it is usually pricier than traditional litters. Also, some cats may not like the crystalline texture on their paws.
Our recommendation: Ultra Pet Litter Pearls Micro Crystal Cat Litter, made from the company that brought you the first silica cat litter, provides a litter with high absorptive qualities and a super soft texture for cat paws, if they are not averse to it.
Ultra Pet, Litter Pearls Unscented Micro Crystals Cat Litter, 7 lb
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Corn
Corn-based litter is biodegradable and eco-friendly. Pet parents can choose from natural and scented varieties for odor control. It has natural clumping capabilities and does not produce dust like clay, so it will not track as much. However, it is relatively more expensive than other litter options.
Our recommendation: Sustainably Yours Natural Cat Litter Multi-Cat Plus is made from a unique corn-cassava blend that is 100% sustainable, flushable, low dust, and provides superior odor control with the use of cassava.
Sustainably Yours Natural Cat Litter Multi-Cat Plus
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Coconut Husks
Coconut husk litter made from the husk of coconuts is a recyclable, eco-friendly ingredient that can be used in garden compost. Coconut husk litter comes in a natural form that offers subtle clumping capabilities. It does not produce dust and is a biodegradable option. This type of litter is harder to find than other cat litters.
Wood
Wood-based litter is an eco-friendly and biodegradable option that comes in pellet form, usually made from a pinewood by-product. The pine aroma can help mask odors of urine and feces. While it does have a natural aroma, it may be too strong for some cats and pet owners. It does not create dust. When it needs replacing, it can be used for composting and landscape mulch.
Our recommendation: Integrity Natural Pine Cat Litter is made of reclaimed pine wood from sustainable forestry products in a zero-waste production facility. It is 100% renewable, biodegradable, ideal for multi-cat households.
Wheat
Litter made from wheat is usually a clumping variety due to the starch inside the wheat kernels which has natural enzymes that control odors. This type of litter comes in natural and scented options. It does not produce dust but also does not clump as well as clay litter. In addition, it must be properly stored to reduce pests.
Our recommendation: Integrity Natural Wheat Cat Litter is a mix of natural wheat and aspen. The wheat starch promotes clumping while the aspen prevents clumps from sticking to the bottom of the box.
Walnut Shells
Walnut shell cat litter is available in clumping and non-clumping varieties. It comes with a natural scent and is very absorbent for good odor control. Since it is made from a renewable resource, it is eco-friendly and biodegradable.
It does not produce a lot of dust, only some, and is low tracking. Due to its dark color, you may not be able to see the waste in the box, but it may be more visible when tracked on light-colored floors.
Grass
Grass, a natural form of cat litter, is made completely out of grass seeds and has excellent clumping abilities producing firm and solid clumps. This renewable material is also biodegradable unlike clay based litters. It also offers very low dust, good odor control, easy cleanup, and a soft texture for your cat’s paws.
Grass seed litter is relatively more expensive compared to other traditional litter types. Other disadvantages may include tracking and allergic reactions in cats allergic to grass.
Scented vs. Unscented Litters
Cat litter is sold in scented or unscented options. Scented options are designed to limit the odor from the litter box, but some cats may be put off by the scent and not want to use their litter box. In this case, you would go with unscented litter.
Unscented litters use ingredients such as activated charcoal or plant extracts that absorb the odors from feces and urine. In the end, it all depends on how much odor control you need and what your cat prefers.
Clumping vs. Non-Clumping Litters
When shopping for cat litter, you will often encounter clumping and non-clumping varieties. Each of these varieties requires different clean up. For instance, clumping litters clumps are solid masses that are easy to scoop out when needed. In addition, clumping cat litters offer better odor control and require less replacement than non-clumping varieties.
Non-clumping litter allows urine to seep through although it can absorb some of it with additives such as activated charcoal and baking soda. Feces is easy to scoop out and the urine is dried up in the litter. You will need a complete replacement of litter material to clean the box from the rest of the accumulated urine.
Some non-clumping varieties use silica gel crystals, similar to the ones used in desiccants, to absorb the urine at a faster rate than clay granules. These crystals allow the urine to slowly evaporate without creating a pungent odor all at once.
Cats may have a preference between clumping and non-clumping options. You may also have a preference if you want to have an easier time cleaning the litter box and the frequency of cleaning. However, clumping litters are a little pricier than the non-clumping ones.
Another thing to note is that certain cats with long hair can get clumping litter stuck on to them. This can create a problem when your cat unintentionally ingests it as it is grooming itself.
Dust-Free and Non-Toxic
The safety of your pets should also be a consideration when choosing the right type of material. For instance, dust inhalation from the material can occur unintentionally when cats move around in their box. They can also accidentally ingest the grains that get caught between their hair or their toes when grooming themselves.
Generally, cat litter manufacturers produce non-toxic litter that is safe for cats.
In some cases, kittens or cats with a rare disorder called Pica are known for eating the litter. If you believe your cat has swallowed a significant amount of litter, immediately contact your veterinarian.
If you are worried about dust getting inhaled or ingested by your cat, you can consider dust-free options or material that produces minimal dust. Also, consider the main ingredient in the dust. Food-based dust such as corn or wheat or even mineral-based dusts such as silica and clay can trigger allergic reactions in cats that are allergic to these ingredients.
For the most part, clumping litter is not recommended for young kittens. Shelters usually opt for non-clumping litter for young kittens since it reduces the risk of inhalation or ingestion, which can cause issues in the digestive tract and airways.
Anti-Tracking Litter
Similar to the dust-free litter, tracking refers to litter that makes its way out of the litter box and into your home’s floors, furniture, and elsewhere. There are many types of litters that offer low or no tracking. If your litter tracks, even a little bit, you can purchase an anti-tracking cat litter mat to keep your pet’s paws and your floor cleaner.
Petmate Rubberized Molded Litter Mat
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Dog Gone Smart Medium Dirty Dog Mat
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Cat Attractant Litter
When your kitten is not using the litter box and there are no adult cats to teach them better, a cat attractant litter or litter additive can help create a guiding scent to teach young kittens where they should do their business.
Adult and senior dogs who begin to go outside of their boxes can need a helpful reminder of where to go. A cat litter attractant may help but there may be a variety of issues at play if your cat suddenly does not use its box.
We recommend visiting a vet if your cat is showing behavioral issues and avoiding using the litter box. Your cat may be avoiding the litter box due to an illness. You do not want to go straight to the cat attractant as a solution.
Our recommendation: Precious Cat Attractant Problem Cat Training Litter is great for a multi-cat household and guaranteed to bring cats to the litter box.
Precious Cat Cat Attract Problem Cat Training Litter 20 lb box
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The Best Cat Litter for Odor Control
Odor control is one of the most important factors for pet owners when considering their litter material. If your litter box is in a low-traffic area, controlling odors may not be as big of a deal, but if it is located in a central area where there is a lot of foot traffic, it can start to get smelly.
Both cats and pet owners prefer litter that deodorizes the scent of the feces and urine and keeps your home smelling fresh. Cats can have a much more sensitive nose than some dog breeds
Because of this, some scented cat litters are not the preferred choice for cats. Cleaning your litter box frequently can help provide the best odor control without having to switch to scented litters. Even if your litter material is meant to control odors, regularly scooping the waste out can help you and your cat have a much more pleasant-smelling home.
Baking soda and activated charcoal are common ingredients used in litter to reduce the smell of cat feces and urine. If it is not included in your material and you want more absorption, you may add these ingredients into your litter yourself.
Skout's Honor, Litter Box Deodorizer, 35 oz
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Environmental Considerations
Since clay has been one of the most popular litter choices among pet owners, it also affects the environment. Flushing the litter down or throwing it away in a bag in the trash is not the most environmentally friendly method.
For most pet owners, dumping it in the trash may be the only way they can get rid of their cat litter. For some with a garden in the backyard, they can choose a more environmentally friendly solution by switching to plant-based litter that can be added to the compost pile. Eco-friendly options include organic material such as wheat, corn, or other plant matter.
Allergies and Sensitivities
It is important to double-check the ingredients in your new cat litter and ensure that they will not cause an allergic reaction or sensitivity to your cat. If you are not sure whether it will or not, you will have to gradually introduce new litter and assess the transition for any negative reactions.
Natural minerals, plant matter, and lab-manufactured additives can trigger an allergic reaction in your cats. If your cats display signs of an allergic reaction, you should look into the litter material as a potential source of the allergen and contact you or vet to figure out a solution.
Sometimes, a cat can be sensitive to the litter material. When your cat’s paws make contact with the material, it can either be comfortable or uncomfortable. Sometimes, declawed cats have problems with litter box material since they get triggered with the litter from the pain they experienced in their paws. If this is the case, consider switching to a softer litter box material.
The Best Cat Litter for a Multi-Cat Household
When shopping around for cat litter for multiple cats, you may run into marketing that designates the product as a multi-cat friendly variety. These types of litters can usually provide more odor control and include antimicrobial ingredients that other litters. The amount of odor control additives in multi-cat and single cat varieties vary by brand and product. If you have a house with multiple cats, try out a multi-cat variety first and see how that works.
Budget
When choosing between different materials for the best litter, price is one of the most important factors to consider. You may have a preferred choice, but if it is out of your budget, you will have to settle for a second choice. Pet owners can end up spending between $70 and $200 per year on cat litter products.
Start by comparing the prices of the similar size litter options. Size and weight or volume is not the only consideration. Some litter material needs more frequent replacement than others. This can result in increased costs of maintenance and cleaning.
The most expensive letter is not always the best option for you or your cat. Oftentimes, the affordable version is the best choice for you. Buying cat litter in bulk can help you save money in the long run.
How to Switch to a New Type of Cat Litter
If you decide to switch to a new cat litter, it is important to consider these factors when making the switch. Generally, cats can easily adapt to a new environment if you gradually transition from the old cat litter to the new one.
The entire process can take between 7 to 10 days to completely switch out the old cat litter. First, start by adding small amounts of the new litter to the old litter. Making the switch gradually can help your cat become more assimilated, especially when the litter has a different texture, odor, or other form. If your cat does not like it, they will let you know.
For instance, cats that begin to avoid their litter box and may not be thrilled about the new ingredient. If this is the case, you will need to give them many more options to choose from. Do so by providing them with several selections, between 3 or 4, of different litters to see which one they gravitated to.
If your cat begins to not use the litter and starts using the bathroom outside of the litter box, do not chalk it up to a new litter. It may be due to a medical condition and you need to contact your veterinarian to be sure.
Another option is to use two litter boxes, one with the normal litter material and another with the new litter material. Place them close together for a few days and allow your pet to get used to the new box.
Generally, cats are curious enough to explore the new litter box. If your cats take a liking to it, they may start spending more time there, digging around,. Let them acclimate to the new litter without taking away the old one just yet.
If your cat is having a positive reaction to the new litter, you can start to gradually add some new litter into the old box and take out some of the old litter until you completely replace it over a few days.
Litter Box Placement
Just like humans, cats prefer a relaxed and clean environment to take care of their business. Just like you would not be comfortable going to the bathroom in a dirty porta potty, they will not like a dirty litter box. In terms of placement, keep your litter box in a quiet room where there is low foot traffic. Place it against the wall to give your cat a feeling of safety when used.
Make sure to place your litter box in an accessible location, not up high or far away from where your cat usually hangs out. If your home is very large, placing it all the way across the house is not a good idea.
Type of Litter Boxes
The type of litter box you use can also affect if your cat uses it or not. Cats prefer an open litter box that gives them an open view of the environment. Closed litter boxes are more prone to trapping smells and producing negative odors. High-sided litter boxes provide the best of both worlds that can prevent messy litter from the area and avoid trapping odors.
Litter boxes should be about 1.5 times the length of cats giving them enough space to dig and bury their waste. Usually, multi-cat pet owners have a single litter box per cat and an extra one, usually on each floor of a home. For multi-cat homes, you can use extra large boxes and clean them more often.
Petmate, Large Basic Litter Box
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Petmate Top Entry Litter Pan
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Petmate Large Hooded Litter Pan
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Cleaning and Maintenance
Clumping litter is easier to clean up since you literally just scoop out the clumps once or two times a day. You do not need to deep clean the box as often as non-clumping litter boxes. In the best-case scenario, you can wait up 2 to 5 weeks before switching out the entire litter material.
Proper disposal of a litter depends on the type of litter you use. In most cases, the litter is disposed of in an airtight trash bag. Some litter such as corn cat litter can be flushed down the toilet in smaller clumps. Avoid flushing the full litter box contents all at once down your toilet. This can cause damage to the sewage system.
Flushing material that is not for flushing can cause more than just harm to your sewage system but also to local wildlife. The US Environmental Protection Agency lists pet waste as a pollutant that can introduce harmful microorganisms such as coliform bacteria and parasites into rivers, streams, and groundwater.
It can also cause toxoplasmosis, a type of parasitic infection in humans and animals. In humans, it can cause severe issues during pregnancy and in those with weakened immune systems. Some evidence has shown that cat feces with toxoplasmosis has increased mortality in sea otters.
When cleaning your litter box, giving it a deep clean, you can empty the contents first and give it a good scrub and with unscented dish soap, rinse, and dry with paper towels.
Petmate Scoop N' Hide Litter Scoop
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Shop the Best Cat Litter at Wilco Farm Stores
Your cat deserves the best. If you want a one-stop-shop for finding all your pet supplies, cat litter, litter boxes, and other pet essentials, visit Wilco farm stores in-store or online to shop from a variety of high-quality brands
We are proud to carry the best cat litter brands including:
- Fresh & Natural
- Yesterday’s News
- Tidy Cats
- Jonny Cat
- Sustainably Yours
- Integrity
- Litter Pearls
- Petmate
- sWheat Scoop
Stop by in-store, give us a call, or send us an email to find out more about our cat litter products. We want to provide the best for you and your pet family.
