Choosing your cat litters can be a make or break when it comes to their bathroom behavior. It can be so hard to choose from the overwhelming array of options. Not to mention the thought of what will ultimately suit your kitty best. If your cat dislikes the litter in their litter box they may begin acting out through behavioral rebellion. Several common behaviors to watch out for include litter kicking, avoidance, or even bathroom accidents outside of the litter box.
But before splurging on 25 different litters in an attempt to please your feline overlord, do a little research on the composition of the different litters out there. I’m here to help you along and am going to share with you some pros and cons of different cat litters on the market!
Before searching aimlessly for information, let’s think about what components you might be looking for in a litter. Think about things such as absorbency, texture, price point, and scent when considering what litter will best suit both you and your cat.
Cat’s can be quite picky when it comes to having a comfortable place to go to the bathroom. If your cat prefers a softer litter with no scent to do their business, then so be it. Hopefully, this list will help you navigate which litter might be best for your household.
Table of Contents
Sand
One of the most inexpensive litters on this list, sand is actually rather effective. Sand is great at drying out any waste in the litter box while also providing solid odor control.
Additionally, sand naturally clumps when wet so it will be easy to scoop out any large clumps. Now let’s move to the downsides of using sand as cat litter ― since it is so fine, it is more likely to be pushed out of the litter box and found in other parts of the house (especially if there’s a breeze).
Clay Litter
Clay is the most popular type of litter from this list and offers a lot of great qualities. Most clay litters are clumping which means the litter that has absorbed urine will turn into a dense chunk that can be easily separated from the rest of the dry litter.
This can make the scooping and cleaning process much easier or if you have an automatic litter box it can speed up the process of that as well. An automatic litter box such as the AutoEgg has a self-cleaning system that rakes through the messy litter, separating any clay clumps so you don’t have to. A clumping litter such as clay litter works perfectly for this process.
A downside of this litter option is that it can produce a fair amount of dust if your cat is pawing around in the litter box for too long. Be sure to also keep in mind the level of chemicals in the clay litter you purchase because some of them are high in attempts to mask odors but create such a strong chemical scent themselves.
Pine Litter
Pine cat litters are notable for odor control which is a major plus. There’s nothing worse than walking through the door and getting a big whiff of a cat’s dirty litter box.
Pine litters are an eco-friendly option since they are recycled and treated for toxins and allergens. A downside of this option is that although it has a high absorbency, pine litter does not clump. This may be difficult when it comes to cleaning the litter box manually.
Paper Litter
This type of litter is a great option if you are seeking something soft on the paws. Paper is a natural alternative to clay litter and does not have all the chemicals that come in most store-bought litters.
Unfortunately, the paper does not mask odor because it does not include scented chemicals nor does paper litter clump together. This means you will have to change the whole litter box pretty regularly to keep things fresh.
Paper can be a good temporary option for your kitty if they have paw related injury or you’re in the midst of searching for an alternative. Don’t count on this as an effective permanent option when it comes to efficiency and odor control.
Crystal Litter
Crystal litter is on the rise in popularity for its great absorbency and odor control. Although it’s on the more expensive side, a little amount of litter goes a long way with this option which will likely save you money in the long run.
You will know when to clean the litter when the crystals no longer absorb anything. Although this litter does not clump, this option is easy to clean with a simple scoop through the fully absorbed crystals.
Crystal litter is dust-free and will not be tracked around by your cat like some clay litters can be. The crystals not only absorb urine but trap odors as well and help to evaporate waste.
Wheat Litter
Another eco-friendly cat litter on this list is wheat-based litter. This alternative is biodegradable and sewer safe so it can be flushed down the toilet with no hassle.
This is a natural clumping litter that also absorbs odor. Although it does not clump as well as clay, wheat litter is a much less dusty option and does not track around as much as clay litter.
The downside is that it can be hard to track down seeing as not all pet stores carry wheat litter. Don’t stop searching in stores or online if this is the right option for you and your cat.
Final Thoughts
Whether you go with a biodegradable option such as wheat or paper litter or a more popular litter such as clay or crystals, it all depends on your cat.
Since we know cats can be very particular with their bathroom environment, it is important to note the different pros and cons of each of these types of litter.
Think about what your cat litters may enjoy and be comfortable with while also keeping in mind efficiency and affordability. Don’t be shy to test out different litters to see what may work in your household.
