The Best Cat Litter Depends on Your Cat and Type of Litter Box Leave a comment

After testing dozens of automated litter containers, I can say it has been troublesome to find out which is the very best cat litter (or somewhat, if there’s one). Most individuals will need to search for a low-tracking, clumping cat litter that is suitable with their litter field. However there are different elements to think about, like allergens, materials, the litter field itself, and the way you will take care of the waste.

Lately, there have been leaps and bounds within the pet tech sphere as a complete—together with the place our cats go potty and what litter they go potty in. Up to now, the alternatives have been an absorbent clay whose important compound was calcium bentonite, sawdust, or sand. Now, we’ve got high-tech crystal litter, which goals to indicate well being points via altering colour; eco-friendly tofu litter; and all varieties of clumping clay litter between. After a yr of testing litter containers and scooping tons of cat litter, let me sift via (get it?) the choices so you may decide the very best sort of cat litter for you and your furry pal.

Ought to You Change Up Your Litter?

There are numerous the explanation why you might need to change your litter. Your cat could also be like mine, with sensitivities to robust odors or smells that may trigger allergic reactions or allergy-like signs like purple eyes or itching. Or perhaps your cat is long-haired, like mine, and also you’re bored with litter sticking to their fur.

If you wish to be extra eco- (and budget-) pleasant, a biodegradable tofu or wooden pellet litter could also be higher, however for these, you will must introduce the change slowly and oftentimes, you will have to alter the field you are utilizing. (Extra on that under.)

As a helicopter pet dad or mum who brushes their cats’ enamel and shaves their butts, I actually simply need to be certain that I’ve a litter that retains my cat (and me) comfy, giving them a secure area to potty and a better time to wash it for me.

I search for, and advocate people do trial-and-error to seek out, a litter that has all of those components:

• Clumping: Many manufacturers declare to clump successfully, however you will want to watch whereas scooping to see if they really are, or in the event that they’re leaving smaller bits that sneak via grates whereas cleansing.
• Scent-free or low scent: Cats can scent 14 times better than people, and powerful odors can irritate their respiratory system and result in itching, watery eyes, and different signs, together with not wanting to make use of the litter field in any respect as a result of the scent is just too overwhelming.
• Low–monitoring: Identical as clumping litters above, many litters declare to be low monitoring, however I’ve discovered that the easiest way to minimize litter monitoring round the home is to have an excellent clumping litter and add as a lot area between the field and the ground. Which means along with clumping litter, add equipment like stairs (in case your cat is cellular sufficient), a ramp, or a litter-trapping mat to extend the gap between the field and your flooring, to scale back litter monitoring. Litters that intention to be low-tracking are usually higher at mud management, which additionally assist with common cleanliness and decrease irritants.

I’ve examined a number of varieties of cat litter from Boxiecat, and though dear, they’ve all managed odor effectively, had low mud/monitoring, and scooped simply in clumps (and labored effectively with my automated litter field).

Examine the Most In style Sorts of Litter

As stated earlier than, there was super-limited litter choices, now there’s tofu, wooden, silica crystals, recycled paper, and even nut shells. Whereas one thing like wooden pellets is more-eco pleasant and cheaper, you will need to think about your litter field and whether or not your cat takes to the brand new litter. (Though gradual introduction is essential.)

• Clay cat litter: That is by far the most well-liked litter sort, and most intently resembles what cats can be utilizing within the wild. Clumping clay cat litter is what I like to recommend for most individuals, because it primarily makes use of a naturally absorbent bentonite clay. It expands when moist/dirty, making it “clump,” which is less complicated to scoop and customarily extra hygienic. Nevertheless, it is not as environmentally pleasant as a result of it is not biodegradable and may comprise carcinogenic silica mud.
• Tofu cat litter: This comparatively new litter is nice as a result of it is environmentally pleasant. It is made out of soybean fiber, making it naturally biodegradable, unhazardous, and means much less dusty than conventional decisions. If purchased in pellet type (the most well-liked possibility), they clump effectively and may even be flushed in the bathroom, though it may be dear and may develop mould if in humid circumstances.
• Crystal cat litter: This sort of litter is constructed from silica mined from quartz sand and combined with oxygen and water to make tremendous absorbent pellets (akin to the absorbing powers of little silica gel packets discovered in lots of newly purchased objects). It is light-weight and has nice odor management. Crystal litter is expensive, not biodegradable or clumping (requires day by day sifting), simply tracks, may be an uncomfortable texture for paws, and is troublesome for some cats to get used to utilizing. In style manufacturers like PrettyLitter truly use a particular silica formulation that goals to trace well being adjustments via altering colours primarily based on urinary PH. Though I am barely cautious to make use of it due to evaluations of the silica litter being ingested and harming cats and causing respiratory issues due to the particle mud.
• Paper or Wooden pellets: Paper and wooden pellets are low-cost, have low mud and monitoring, and are eco-friendly as a result of they’re biodegradable. (Paper pellets are additionally nice for injured or post-operation pets as a result of the litter is low-dust and there is much less probability for litter to get caught in wounds.) Nevertheless, this does not management odor effectively, is non-clumping, and must be modified steadily (you will most likely want a sifting litter box). Wooden pellets are additionally typically fabricated from pine and may have an amazing scent.
• Walnut shell cat litter: Created from crushed walnut shells, that is typically used as a a lot lighter, extra pure various to clay litter. It is light-weight and has the same texture to clay, and is biodegradable. Though it will probably monitor, spoil if in moist circumstances, and requires frequent emptying/cleansing.
• We do not advocate corn cat litter, as corn is vulnerable to a toxic mold called aflatoxin. This may trigger health issues for cats and in people who’ve bronchial asthma or COPD and are immunocompromised or aged.