Choosing the best cat litter for your home comes with a lot of variables that you should consider, mainly because there’s a lot of different kinds to choose from. In this article you will see the different kinds and the pros and cons to think about before choosing a type. However, sometimes it comes down to you and your cat’s personal preference. Nevertheless, it’s best to think of these things when picking which one you want to buy.
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What Is Cat Litter Made Off?
Non-Clumping Clay
Also known as Fuller’s Earth, it is made from this material that originated in the 1950s, when a man named Edward Lowe started selling absorbent clay. Fuller’s earth can help trap some of the odor that comes with a litter box, but due to its non-clumping nature, it had to be cleaned up frequently. Apart from that, other downsides include dustiness and heavy weight.
Bentonite Clay
During the 1980’s, a new kind was developed by scientists. Unlike its predecessor, it clumps when exposed to moisture and so when it comes in contact with urine, it can be removed much more efficiently. The downside to this type is that it comes from strip mines and thus poses environmental concerns. It can also be quite dusty and heavy when carried.
Silica Gel
Also known as crystal litter, silica gel is a crystal form of silicon dioxide. It absorbs liquids and also eliminates odors. Like clay, silica gel comes from sand which is a non-renewable source.
Natural Litters
Also known as pet, people, and planet friendly litter, natural options have also emerged as an option. Common materials include paper, pine, sawdust, wheat, or other plant products. Apart from being more environmentally friendly, natural ones perform differently depending on the materials that are involved. Some may clump while others may not, and some may attract cats more than others. Paper, pine, and other non-clumping ones can be aversive to cats more than any other type.
Non-Clumping vs. Clumping Litter
Non-Clumping Litter
As mentioned above, most of the original materials were of the non-clumping sort. Mainly because of their ability to reduce odors from the cat boxes. However, these type of ones were not sustainable as once they got saturated with cat urine, it wasn’t just the soiled ones that needed to be removed, all of the material had to be changed as well. This was pretty high maintenance and the cat box had to be cleaned at least once a week.
Non-clumping materials include clay, pine, corn, wheat, beet pulp, and wood. Many cat owners choose this type of product because it costs less, or just because their cats prefer it.
Clumping Kitten Litter
Kitty litter that clumps does so when it comes in contact with moisture. Meaning when it comes into contact with urine, it will form a solid clump. As such, you can easily separate the soiled material from those which are not, saving more than with the non-clumping kind. There are also clumping ones that come from all-natural fibers.Despite the ease of cleaning out the soiled cat litter box, boxes with clumping kitty litter still have to be cleaned every once in a while. The only benefit is that this can be done less than with cat boxes that use non-clumping products.
Of course, the number of cats that use this one and the amount of urine each cat produces also comes into play in the frequency of having to empty, clean, and refill the cat box.
What To Consider
How Well It Clumps
You must consider how well the clumping ability of your cat litter is, and how long it can maintain the nice solid clump for easier clean up. Some may even have poor clumping ability. Of course, you have to choose one that performs the best in this area if you pick a clumping type of product.
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Odor Control
This is a twofold consideration. You must consider how well the product keeps in the smell of urine and solid waste, as well as how the litter itself smells. Some come in scented form, while others don’t. In the end it’s all a matter of performance and preference.
How Messy?
There are a lot of variables that come in to play when talking about the messiness of kitten litter. Primarily if dust is present, do the clumps stick, is tracking a problem, and so on. Apart from that, there’s the frequency of cleanup that differs between the clumping and non-clumping sorts.
Price
And consequently, how much value you get for the price. Is the product well worth the amount that you have to pay for it, considering all its features? Or do you think it’s too pricey for a substandard quality? You’re lucky if your cat prefers the cheaper kinds, but that’s not always the case.
Best Cat Litter
Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract Cat Litter
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This product is made from all-natural ingredients. It’s hard clumping and the herbal essence attractant is effective enough to bring even the most problematic of cats to the kitty box. It has superior odor control and is 99.5% free of dust. It’s great for use in training your new cat.
Pros:
– Easy to scoop
– Effective on spraying cats
– Magnets cats to the litter box like a charm
– Hardly any dust
Cons:
– Makes a sticky muddy paste
– Not effective on some cats
– A bit pricey
Purina Tidy Cats Breeze Litter System Unscented Cat Pad Refills
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This cat litter system is perfect for homes with multiple cats. The pads absorb your cat’s urine to keep its feet dry and also control the odor to keep your house smelling clean and fresh. These are disposable and can last up to a week for a single cat or 3 days for 2 cats. The anti-tracking pellets dehydrate your cat’s solid waste to help reduce its odor. It is also 99.9% dust free.
Pros:
– Urine and solid wastes are separated
– All components are included
– Easy to clean up
– Easily maintained
– Transition is made conveniently
Cons:
– Cats sometimes dislike large pellets
– Pellets don’t stick as well to solid wastes
World’s Best Cat Litter, Quick Cat Clumping Formula
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This product is available in different weighted bags, depending on how much you want to buy in one go. Its features include odor control, quick clumping, is easily scooped, and 99% dust free. The scent of this one comes from the fragrance of the natural wood fibers added to the litter, but its absorbency is that of whole kennel corn. This product is pet, people, and planet friendly.
Pros:
– Minimal dusting
– Lasts longer than other ones
– Great absorbency
– Lightweight, which means you get more per unit of weight
Cons:
– A little pricey
World’s Best Scented Clumping Litter
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This made in the USA clumping litter makes solid clumps that absorb more liquids, and that don’t break up easily. This makes for easier scooping and cleanup. It also means that you get to save up on more because the soiled ones can easily be separated and removed.
Pros:
– Does not come from strip mines
– Light material
– Flushable
Cons:
– Some other products may have better odor control
– Does not smell like pine
The Ripple Rug
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This product has powerful odor control that lasts long. This can also be easily scooped immediately as the clumping occurs quite fast. There are no added fragrances or colorings. It’s 100% biodegradable so it’s quite environmentally friendly. It’s also vet recommended.
Pros:
– Natural wheat enzymes help neutralize odors
– Wheat starches help in clumping
– No harmful ingredients
– Flushable
Cons:
– Not as good for multiple cats
– Sometimes makes a gooey mess instead of clumping
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it all comes down to preference. Each kind of product has its own strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes it will be your cats who decide for you. Read this Pretty Litter review
