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.