11 Types of Cat Litter: How to Pick the Best One for You and Your Cat

Today there are many types of cat litter, with over 58-million results when you type that phrase into search engines. The different cat litter types offer a variety of benefits depending on your preferences—and more importantly, what your cat likes.

Way back in 1947, most cats did their business outside. The rare indoor cat made do with pans of sawdust, sand, or ashes. When winter froze up the sandpile, Edward Lowe of Cassopolis, Michigan packaged up some Fuller’s earth that his hardware store sold to mop up oil spills. Cat owners loved the absorbent clay he named “Kitty Litter.”

That first commercial product birthed a billion-dollar industry. Cat lovers have hundreds of products and dozens of types of cat litter from which to choose. So, what’s your pick of the litter? Here’s what you need to know to pick the best cat litter for your cat.

Understanding Cat Litter

Like the original, the most common types of cat litter today still use clay because it absorbs moisture many times its weight. That helps dry out the feces and urine and reduces the aroma in cat waste. Special types of clay like sodium bentonite (montmorillonite) can absorb up to 8 times its weight in moisture. That super-absorbency “clumps” when liquid hits it, the basis for a scoopable litter innovation that makes the box easier to keep clean.

However, clay also breaks down when the granules rub against each other. The resulting dust tracks around the house, and floats in the air. The dust poses health problems for sensitive cats and humans.

Environmentally-conscious people also have concerns about using clay. This natural product, mined from deposits in the ground, won’t break down in the environment. That makes disposal of soiled litter a concern. Alternatives to cat litter have expanded to include novel substrates to satisfy every eco-friendly cat lover.

Above all, though, the cat decides the cat litter types he or she likes best. Give your cat the best chance for litter box allegiance by filling his box with his pick of the litter. Be sure toplace it in the ideal spot in your home or your cat may still snub the box.

11 Types of Cat Litter: Pros & Cons

In multiple surveys, cats voted with their paws to tell humans what they want in a cat litter. The finer the substrate, the better cats like it. Sand-like consistency allows for paw-digging ease. Lightweight choices, though, may mean more tracking or “flinging” the litter out of the box when the cat covers up her waste.

Humans hate the scent of waste, but cats hate the smell of strong perfumes. Remember that kitty noses are much more sensitive than ours. When choosing types of cat litter, look for odor control without perfume-like added scent. Activated charcoal, baking soda, and proprietary odor neutralizers prove helpful.

Disposing of cat waste properly can be a challenge. While the eco-friendly natural options may promote flush-ability, check with your local septic and sewer authorities. Some locales, like California, have concerns about cat waste entering the groundwater and impacting local wildlife.

Somelitters add natural cat attracting herbal or other ingredients. These can be helpful for retraining kitties with hit-or-miss litter habits or health issues that lose litter box allegiance.

Non-Clumping Clay Litter

Examples include Fresh Step. You can also purchase by the bucket or bag at some pet product outlets.

Pro:

  •       Most economical choice

  •       Widely available

  •       Less tracking (bigger clay particles)

  •       Many cats accept it

Con:

  •       Heavy to carry

  •       Poor odor control

  •       Dust is a problem

  •       Doesn’t last long (must dump the whole box)

Clumping Clay Litter

Examples include Boxie Cat and Clump & Seal.

Pro:

  •       Widely available

  •       Good odor control

  •       Easy to scoop

  •       Lasts longer than regular clay (only scoop out soiled litter)

  •       Some lightweight options available

Con:

  •       Usually cost more

  •       Tracks out of box

  •       Some dust

  •       May cause problems if kittens (or dogs) ingest

Silica Gel Litter

Examples include Litter Pearls and Genius Cat Litter

Pro:

  •       Low dust

  •       Most cats easily accept

  •       Absorbs urine without clumping

  •       Only scoop feces

  •       Good odor control

  •       Lasts longer than clumping clay litter

Con:

  •       More expensive than clay

  •       Tracks about the same as clay

  •       Can be heavy to carry

Paper Litter

Examples include Fresh News and Yesterday’s News

Pro:

  •       Natural eco friendly

  •       Lightweight

  •       Absorbent pellets

  •       Low dust

  •       Low tracking

  •       Unscented

  •       Good choice for sore paws

  •       Eco-friendly

Con:

  •       Little odor control

  •       Doesn’t last long

  •       Hard to keep box clean

  •       Specialty product, not widely available

Pine Pellets and Pine Clumping Litter

Examples include Feline Pine

Pro:

  •       Natural eco-friendly

  •       Pellets are low tracking

  •       Ground pine litter clumps

  •       Low dust

  •       Natural pine scent

  •       Lightweight

  •       Absorbent

Con:

  •       Ground-up pine litter tracks

  •       Specialty product, not widely available

  •       More expensive

Grass Seed Litter

Examples include Petco Brand So Fresh

Pro:

  •       Natural eco-friendly

  •       Lightweight

  •       Clumping

  •       Low dust

  •       No added dyes or scents

  •       Soft consistency cats love

Con:

  •       Tracks

  •       Harder to find

  •       More expensive

Walnut Shell Litter

Examples include Naturally Fresh.

Pro:

  •       More absorbent than clay

  •       Lasts longer than clay

  •       Modest clumping

  •       Unscented

  •       Natural eco-friendly

Con:

  •       Dust and tracking vary from bag to bag

  •       May stain

  •       Sometimes a musty odor

Wood Litter

Examples include OkoCat and Catalyst Cat Litter

Pro:

  •       Natural fresh scent

  •       Eco-friendly

  •       Flushable

  •       Lightweight

  •       Clumping

  •       Low odor

Con:

  •       Expensive

  •       Not widely available

Wheat Litter

Examples includes Wheat Scoop and Frisco Corn & Wheat LitterPro:

  •       Natural eco-friendly

  •       Lightweight

  •       Clumps

  •       Controls odor

  •       Flushable

  •       Unscented

  •       Low dust

  •       Edible (for mouthy kittens)

Con:

  •       Sawdust consistency tracks

  •       Specialty product, more expensive

Corn Litter (from Kernel or Cob)

Examples include Sustainably Yours and Worlds Best Cat Litter.

Pro:

  •       Natural e co-friendly

  •       Lightweight

  •       Absorbable

  •       Moderate clumping

  •       Edible (for mouthy kittens)

  •       Flushable

Con:

  •       Potential for mold (aflatoxins)

Soy (Tofu) Cat Litter

Examples include Furberry and Rufus & Coco Cat Litter

Pro:

  •       Natural eco-friendly

  •       Clumping pellets

  •       Low dust

  •       Moderate urine odor control

  •       Edible (for mouthy kittens)

Con:

  •       Can “melt” and get pasty on sides of box

  •       Doesn’t control feces odor well

Before deciding to change cat litter, ask these questions: Does your current choice control odor, with only moderate dust or tracking? Nearly all types of cat litter track and have dust to some degree. Changing to an alternative to the current product takes time—and may put your cat’s tail in a twist. A general rule of “paw” is that if the cat remains faithful to the box, don’t mess with success. 

What’s your current pick of the cat litter? Have you ever needed to change products? How did that work out? Please share in the comments!

About the Author: Amy Shojai a certified animal behavior consultant, is the award-winning author of 35+ pet care titles and pet-centric thriller fiction. She lives in North Texas with her furry muses.

Amy Shojai, CABC

Amy Shojai a certified animal behavior consultant, is the award-winning author of 35+ pet care titles and pet-centric thriller fiction. She lives in North Texas with her furry muses.

https://shojai.com/
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