Best Cat Litters Buying Guide
Cats are one of the most adorable pets. Unlike dogs, cat owners don’t have to take their kitties out for a walk to do their business. They are clean pets that like to excrete their metabolic waste in a litter box. All you have to do is scoop the litter once or twice a week and change it when required.
When it comes to your cat’s litter pan, a variety of options are available in the market. Each kitty has their preference for fragrance, absorbency, and texture, making it challenging for you to choose the best cat litter. Luckily, we have done all of the research. In this buying guide, you will find the most relevant information on buying the best litter for your cat based on its specific needs and preferences.
What are Different Types of Cat Litter?
Clay Litter
Clay cat pans are the oldest type of commercial litters and are still extensively available. They are popular because of their ability to absorb liquid and natural odor control.
Clay litter further has two types - Clumping and Non-Clumping. The clumping ones as the name suggests are the one that gets clumped or hardened as the urine or feces is laid upon it, making it easier to remove the metabolic waste from the litter box. However, non-clumping litter doesn’t clump together when the cat urinates. You will have to clean the box each time and change the litter frequently.
Pine Litter
Pine Litter is well-known for its ability to ward off odor effectively. Since it is made from pine trees, it has low dust and is a good absorbent. It also extends a much softer surface for the cats to step in with much comfort and ease. Besides, it is environmentally friendly and provides better odor control.
Silica Crystal-based Litter:
The translucent granules are yet another type of litter that offers a great feature of controlling odor along with effective clumping. This is a mid-range litter option that even in some cases offers color-changing indicators.
The silica gel litter also has the quality of being well-absorbent. The dark side of the silica crystal-based litter is that it may sometimes appear a little harsh or rough on the surface that your cats might not approve of.
Grass Litter
It is one of those biodegradable alternatives that is extracted from a natural source. It is much lighter in composition and is a low dust variant. The flip sides of the Glass Litter are its price and availability. Since it has recently hit the market, it is not so readily available, and its price is way higher as compared to the other litter boxes.
Paper Litter
Being a processed paper material or shredded newspaper, paper litter is the perfect choice for kitties having injuries at their paws. It has little dust and is softer than clay litter. It does not clump but effectively controls the odor while being a great absorbent.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing the Best Litter For Your Cat?
Odor Control
The first thing that you must ensure before buying a cat litter is to analyze its property of controlling the odor. There are many varieties of litters available in the market that claim excellent odor control. Several clay litters come with scented versions to entice the cats to make use of litter pans. Also, biodegradable alternatives offer natural fragrances to make it even more likely for your cat to pee/poop in the litter tray only.
Dust Amount
The second thing worth considering is the dust variant of a cat litter. If you are much concerned with the amount of dust your cat might lay on the surrounding surfaces while hopping on and off the litter tray, then you must closely analyze the dust properties of the litter.
Numerous brands claim their litter to be dust-free, but it is your job to make the best choice among them. For instance, it has been widely seen that the clay litter scatter more than the biodegradable (Paper, Pine) ones. If keeping your surfaces clean is your top priority, consider the much-grounded cat pans like silicon gel litter.
Scooping
Scooping is where you’d be able to make a clear distinction of whether to buy a clumping or non-clumping litter. If you are among those who’d like to dump the entire litter material rather than scooping it out, the chances are that you’d prefer the non-clumping litter over the clumping ones. Also, there are litters available in the market that claim the easy flushing of the litter without having to deal with the hassle of scooping.
Availability
The other factor you should consider before purchasing a cat litter is its availability. Despite the easy usage and added advantages, some litter boxes are not readily available on the market. For instance, Grass litter is one such kind whose availability can be a concern.
So in order to train your cat for a certain type of litter, it’s important to check for an easy supply rather than swapping from one litter type to another.
Price
Price is also an important factor that will help you to determine the choice of cat litter. For instance, non-clumping litters are on the lower end as compared to the clumping ones. If you have a tight budget, then you must lay your hands on natural litters over the processed ones.
Cat’s Preference
Despite several pros and cons of various cat litters, it is the preference of your cat that would matter the most. For instance, some kitties prefer litter trays with good odor control, while others look for the soft surface of the boxes to step in comfortably. Such are the instances where you need to ensure the type of litter you are going to purchase will suit your cat or not.
Final Words
It isn’t the ‘one size fits all’ scenario where you’ll find the best entry of a cat litter. In fact, a little experiment is what would make you reach the best litter pan. All you need is a little reasoning and a great deal of observance to note which litter type serves your kitty in the best possible way.
Cat Litter FAQ
Q: What type of litter is recommended for the small kittens?
A: The best recommendation of litter type for the small kittens is the biodegradable cat pans that not only lay soft and gentle surfaces for the cats but also don’t pose any harm if the kittens accidentally or otherwise ingest some of it.
Q: What is the best tip to litter train the cat?
A: The best tip to litter train your cat is to stay calm and easy on your cat even if it indulges in accident litters. Simply reward your cat for urinating/pooping in the litter tray, and you would be amazed by the outcome.
Q: Why is it important to keep the cat litter clean?
A: Due to the urine and feces buildup, ammonia fumes emerge from the litter tray, which is toxic enough to create further complications. It is important not only from the hygiene point of view but also to keep your cat in an absolute state of health.