Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-03-25 Origin: Site
75 years ago, cat litter options were limited. There was only one brand of litter called Kitty Litter, which was made from a type of absorbent clay. Its main compound was calcium bentonite, which is also known as Fuller’s earth.
Back then, your choices were this, sawdust, or sand. Nowadays, cat litter is a multi-billion-dollar industry.
There are a variety of materials and textures available, from clay to nut shells, shaved wood, silica, recycled newspaper, and more.
But just because litter is marketed for cats doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your cat. It’s not just about preference. Some litters can be physically uncomfortable for your cat to use. They can even potentially be harmful to their health and yours.
I will say upfront, that more research needs to be done on the various types of litter and how they affect our cats’ health. Unfortunately, the information available to consumers is often limited and conflicts depending on the source. It’s important for each of us to stay informed if and when new research comes out.
It’s also challenging because just about every type of litter has pros and cons. That’s why it’s helpful to study up. Everyone has a different situation, meaning there’s no “this is the only litter you’ll ever need” option. You’ll have to make some sacrifices in order to get some gains. Your priorities may be different than mine, and they may change throughout your cat’s life.
Let’s get the scoop on kitty litter!
Clumping litter absorbs moisture more rapidly, turning pee spots into tight clumps that you can easily scoop and toss. It’s the cleanest option in terms of being able to remove the stinky bits quickly.
Clumping litters are not created equal. The firmness of the clump matters. If it’s a loose clump, you’ll have a hard time removing all the ick. It will crumble and leave wet bits in the box.
A firm-clumping litter is best.
Non-clumping litter absorbs moisture more slowly. You can remove poop pretty easily. But pee doesn’t clump. It just saturates the litter. Instead of scooping pee daily, you have to dump all the litter and replace it every couple of days.
Litter boxes with non-clumping litter can be much more smelly since that urine stays in the box, making it less appealing for you and your cat.
Our vote:
Go with clumping litter. It may cost a little more, but it’s easier to keep clean, especially if you live in an apartment or condo and can’t easily carry the litter box out to the garbage can to dump it every couple of days.
Scented litter products have artificial scents or deodorizers added, in an attempt to mask the pee and poop smell.
Unscented litter is made without additional scent agents and is often referred to as ‘odorless’ litter.
Just because there’s no “added” scent doesn’t mean the litter is truly odorless. It will often retain the smell of the products it’s made from. And not all of those are scent-free, especially to your cat.
The biggest offender can be litter made from pine. I have extremely sensitive sinuses, and I’ve tried multiple unscented litters that were still too much for me. That means they were way too much for my cats.
A cat’s sense of smell is up to 40x more sensitive than ours. With nearly 200 million odor receptors in their nose, what might seem like a lightly scented litter to you could be overwhelming and off-putting to them. It can be even more of an issue if your litter boxes are enclosed or in small spaces. This can lead to house soiling because a super-smelly area (even if it’s a good smell) isn’t a natural place for a cat to pee and poop.
Our vote:
Skip the scented litter that tries to cover up the stink. The best way to avoid a smelly box is through regular scooping!
Clay is one of the faster-absorbing litters on the market and one of the most popular. It closely resembles what cats would CHOOSE to use in the wild — sand or dirt that allows them to dig and bury their pee and poop.
After all, when you’re a predator, you don’t want your potential lunch to smell you in the area and take off. And when you’re prey, you don’t want to be lunch to the predator who followed your scent right to you. Cats are both, so they like to dig and bury.
On the downside, clay litter can often be very dusty. This is problematic for cats and people with respiratory issues.
The fine grain that makes it so appealing to cats can lead to a lot of tracking — it can stick to paws, be easily kicked out of the box, and tracked throughout the home. This is a turnoff for many. It took me years to finally make peace with the fact that the most appropriate choice for my cats, in my opinion, meant I would have to suck it up and deal with tracking.
Many people understandably have concerns about the sustainability of clay litter. It’s not a renewable material and can add to landfill waste. Unfortunately, this is the case with many litter types.
Crystal litter is made from silica crystals. You’ve seen silica packets in household products. They absorb moisture. Silica/crystal litter is the same idea. It’s incredibly absorbent.
While it doesn’t clump, meaning you have to toss the entire box instead of scooping clumps of pee, it absorbs well enough that you don’t end up with soggy litter. Some claim to last a full month before replacement is needed. It’s also known to control odor quite well. And it’s low dust.
But there can be drawbacks. Some crystal litter granules are quite large and sharp, making them uncomfortable or even painful on kitty paws. This is especially true for cats who have mobility issues, osteoarthritis, or are declawed.
Concerns have also been raised about the safety of silica. Remember, anything your cat touches can be ingested as they lick their paws. And digging around in any litter can create dust or small particles that can be inhaled. Some types of silica can be dangerous when inhaled.
I avoid silica litter, but this is certainly an area where more research is needed. There are a few studies for both cats and humans, where silica-based litter was deemed dangerous. This article explores the safety of Pretty Litter, and they deem it isn't.
