After testing dozens of automatic litter boxes, I can say it has been troublesome to find out which is the very best cat litter (or slightly, if there’s one). Most individuals will wish to search for a low-tracking, clumping cat litter that is appropriate with their litter field. However there are different components to think about, like allergens, materials, the litter field itself, and the way you may cope with the waste.
In recent times, there have been leaps and bounds within the pet tech sphere as a complete—together with where our cats go potty and what litter they go potty in. Previously, the alternatives had been an absorbent clay whose important compound was calcium bentonite, sawdust, or sand. Now, we’ve high-tech crystal litter, which goals to indicate well being points by way of altering colour; eco-friendly tofu litter; and all kinds of clumping clay litter between. After a yr of testing litter bins and scooping tons of cat litter, let me sift by way of (get it?) the choices so you possibly can decide the very best sort of cat litter for you and your furry pal.
Desk of Contents
Ought to You Change Up Your Litter?
There are various explanation why you could wish to change your litter. Your cat could also be like mine, with sensitivities to robust odors or smells that may trigger allergy symptoms or allergy-like signs like pink eyes or itching. Or possibly your cat is long-haired, like mine, and also you’re uninterested in 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 may must introduce the change slowly and oftentimes, you may have to alter the field you are utilizing. (Extra on that under.)
As a helicopter pet mum or dad who brushes their cats’ teeth and shaves their butts, I truthfully simply wish to make sure that I’ve a litter that retains my cat (and me) comfy, giving them a protected area to potty and a neater time to scrub it for me.
I search for, and advocate of us do trial-and-error to search out, a litter that has all of those parts:
- Clumping: Many manufacturers declare to clump successfully, however you may want to observe whereas scooping to see if they really are, or in the event that they’re leaving smaller bits that sneak by way of grates whereas cleansing.
- Scent-free or low scent: Cats can scent 14 times better than people, and robust 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 simply too overwhelming.
- Low–monitoring: Identical as clumping litters above, many litters declare to be low monitoring, however I’ve discovered that one of the simplest ways to reduce litter monitoring round the home is to have an incredible 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 cell sufficient), a ramp, or a litter-trapping mat to extend the gap between the field and your ground, to cut back litter monitoring. Litters that purpose to be low-tracking are usually higher at mud management, which additionally assist with basic cleanliness and decrease irritants.
I’ve examined a number of kinds of cat litter from Boxiecat, and though expensive, they’ve all managed odor properly, had low mud/monitoring, and scooped simply in clumps (and labored properly with my automated litter field).
Evaluate the Most Standard Kinds of Litter
As stated earlier than, there was once 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 may must consider your litter field and whether or not your cat takes to the brand new litter. (Though gradual introduction is vital.)
- Clay cat litter: That is by far the most well-liked litter sort, and most carefully 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 isn’t as environmentally pleasant as a result of it isn’t biodegradable and may include 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 selections. If purchased in pellet kind (the most well-liked choice), they clump properly and may even be flushed in the bathroom, though it may be expensive and may develop mould if in humid circumstances.
- Crystal cat litter: Such a litter is constituted of silica mined from quartz sand and blended 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 each day sifting), simply tracks, might be an uncomfortable texture for paws, and is troublesome for some cats to get used to utilizing. Standard manufacturers like PrettyLitter truly use a particular silica system that goals to trace well being adjustments by way of altering colours based mostly on urinary PH. Though I am barely cautious to make use of it due to critiques 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 properly, is non-clumping, and must be modified steadily (you may most likely want a sifting litter box). Wooden pellets are additionally typically made from pine and may have an amazing scent.
- Walnut shell cat litter: Constructed 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 possibly monitor, spoil if in moist circumstances, and requires frequent emptying/cleansing.
- We do not advocate corn cat litter, as corn is susceptible to a toxic mold called aflatoxin. This will trigger health issues for cats and in people who’ve bronchial asthma or COPD and are immunocompromised or aged.
