How to choose a cat litter?

Once upon a time, cat carers poured sand into litter boxes or lined them up with newspapers. Fortunately, we now have much more hygienic and convenient solutions. There are a lot of types of cat litter on the market and everyone can find something suitable for their cats.

In this post you will learn about the pros and cons of different types of cat litters, which litter does not dust and spread, which litter is the most absorbent and what else you will need besides the cat litter and the litter box.

Your cat’s opinion

At the beginning I would like to point out that you will not really choose cat litter. The cat has to decide on its own which litter best suits him the best. Even if your cat’s preferences are completely different than yours, the cat has the first and last word in matter of cat litters.

If your cat does not accept the litter, you can find out very quickly by finding your cat excrements outside the litter box – not because of malice, but because of the discomfort of using the litter box.

Problems pooping and pissing outside the litter box
When your cat is having problems with using a litter box, but he was using it befoer then a poorly selected cat litter is just one of many possibilities. If this happens, first of all go to the veterinarian, and then consult a cat behaviorist.

Types of cat litter

Cat litter can be divided into three basic types:

  • bentonite litter,
  • silica litter,
  • biodegradable litter.

Which cat litter are used by our instagram @apollo.fluffy.cat followers:

  • Biodegradable litter
  • Clay litter
  • Silica litter

Clay Cat Litter

Clay litter is made of a rock called bentonite. Bentonite has good water absorption, which is why it is used both as cat litter and in the construction industry.

Efficiency: 5 kg is enough for about 14 days for one cat.

Variants: clumping, scented and unscented

Pros

  • Decent price
  • Available at any pet store
  • It absorbs odors well
  • Water absorbent and economical to use

Cons

  • When mixed with water, it forms a cement goo that can clog sewer pipes, and if a cat eats cat litter, it can clog the intestines
  • Has a tendency to dust
  • Sometimes it spreads on the cat’s paws around the apartment

Eaten bentonite litter forms into clots in the digestive tract and can clog the cat’s intestine. This can be a very serious threat to small kittens who tend to eat gravel from the litter box.

Silica Cat Litter

Silica litter is made of silica gel, which is synthetically made of sodium silicate. Silica gel absorbs water very well – even from the air, that’s why in addition to the production of cat litter it is used in the production of desiccants.

Efficiency: 5 kg is enough for 14-21 days for one cat.

Variants: clumping and non-clumping, various scent variants

Pros

  • Very water absorbent
  • It absorbs odors very well
  • Usually doesn’t dust

Cons

  • Very light – easly spreads on the cat’s paws around the apartment
  • Unpleasant to the touch and rustling, which makes cats have problems with acceptance
  • It stains from urine and thus does not look aesthetically pleasing

Biodegradable litter

Wooden Cat litter

Wooden litter is made of wood fibers and sawdust, e.g. waste from production. It is ecological and biodegradable.

Efficiency: 5 kg is enough for about 10 days for one cat.

Variants: non-clumping , scented and unscented

Pros

  • Quite water-absorbent
  • Absorbs the smell very well
  • Ecological, biodegradable and from renewable sources
  • A moderate price
  • Recommended for small kittens

Cons

  • Has a tendency to dust
  • Sometimes it spreads on the cat’s paws around the apartment

Corn Cat Litter

Corn cat litter is made of corn. It is ecological and biodegradable.

Efficiency: 5 kg is enough for about 7 days for one cat.

Variants: clumping and non-clumping, various scent variants

Pros

  • Medium water-absorbent
  • Absorbs the smell very well
  • Moderate cost
  • Ecological, biodegradable and from renewable sources

Cons

  • It is often eaten by cats
  • Has a tendency to dust
  • Sometimes it spreads on the cat’s feet around the apartment

Scented or unscented

Many cats do not like scented litter. The most important thing is that the litter absorbs the excrement odor.

Clumping or non-clumping

Clumping cat litters absorb urine and create litter lumps that can be easily scooped. Cleaning: remove cat poops and litter lumps every day, and change the litter once in a while.

Non-clumping cat litters absorb urine but do not form any lumps. Cleaning: remove poops daily and replace litter when it loses urine-absorbing properties.

How to teach your cat to use new cat litter?

Above all, I’ve tried two methods that I can recommend:

Mixing method

This method involves gradual and very slow increase in the amount of new cat litter and reduction in the old cat litter.

Two cat litter box method

This method involves placing a litter box with old cat litter and a second litter box with a new one next to each other. And then waiting and watching if the cat begins to use new litter. If you decide to change type of cat litter, you need to be very patient. The process of teaching your cat to use a new litter have to be really slow to be effective.In other words, I sincerely advise against changing the type of cat litter too often, because cats do not handle the changes well.

Cat litter box accessories

Cat litter scoop

A very important tool is the cat litter scoop to screen the gravel and pick up the poops.

Size of cat litter scoop depend on the size of the cat litter. Select a scoop with holes that are small enough to avoid cat poop falling out and large enough for cat litter to pass through it.

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Cat Litter Mat

If you use cat litter, which tends to spread then a cat litter mat placed in front of the litter box can help with this issue.

Cat’s litter mats are rubber and rough, which effectively retain litter grains.

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Which cat litter is the best?

It all depends on your needs and preferences, and above all on the preferences of your cat. Do I recommend a specific type of pebble? No, because I’m still looking for the “perfect cat litter” that would suit both me and my cat Apollo. We used bentonite cat litter for a very long time, but currently we are using biodegradable litters.

There are many, many other types of cat litter, which are less popular, e.g. straw litter. Would you like to learn more about them? What gravel do you use?

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What do You think?

I would love to see your thought, suggestions and questions in the comments below!

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For you, it is less than a minute, and for me it is a sign that what I am doing makes sense ❤️

Joanna z Apollo Fluffy Cat

I am Joanna and together with my cat Apollo, I create the Apollo Fluffy Cat blog, where I share my experiences and knowledge about cats and ecology so that you can learn how to become a better and more mindful cat parent! You can found more about me, Apollo and our blog's mission on the "About Us" page.

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