Litter field obligation is the least favourite every day job of each cat father or mother, and it’s vital to search out the appropriate kind of litter. However what’s the finest litter for cats? Properly, it comes all the way down to your cat’s wants. Cats are explicit, and should you get a litter they don’t like due to its scent or texture, you run the chance of them not utilizing their litter field and doing their enterprise someplace else in your house.
Earlier than shopping for cat litter, think about whether or not your cat is delicate to scents. Additionally, think about your cat’s age as a result of some sorts, resembling clumping clay litter, aren’t really useful for kittens. In case your cat has respiratory points, it is best to search for manufacturers which are low in mud, resembling paper or tofu litter. We all know choosing just one possibility could be overwhelming, so we are going to talk about the totally different litter sorts and provide help to select the perfect one for you and your cat.
What To Do About Litter Field Odors?
As all cat house owners can attest, litter bins can have a really pungent odor. Other than having the appropriate cat litter, frequently cleansing the litter field and having it in a well-ventilated space, utilizing a litter additive or deodorizer can considerably assist fight litter field odors. An enzyme cleaner works wonders for pet messes and odors making it an awesome addition to your kitty cleansing routine.
Combating robust cat litter smells is an ongoing battle for pet mother and father however fortunately, there are merchandise on the market designed to assist! Two merchandise that considerably cut back odors are the Hepper Litter Additive and the Hepper Enzyme Spray.
| Picture | Product | Particulars | |
|---|---|---|---|
Greatest For Cleansing 
|
Hepper Superior Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray |
Works on a number of surfaces Mild but efficient Lifts stains & set-in odors |
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Greatest Litter Additive |
Superior Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer |
Neutralizes odor inside cat litter Cat-safe Unscented |
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At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for a few years and determined to take a controlling possession curiosity in order that we may gain advantage from the excellent designs of this cool cat firm!
How Are Cat Litters Labeled?
Some sorts of cat litter use supplies resembling clay, pine, silica crystals, wheat, walnut, paper, corn, tofu, and grass. Of all the categories, cat litter could be categorized into two essential lessons: clumping and non-clumping.
Clumping cat litter types clumps when moisture from urine or poop makes contact with it. Folks get pleasure from this kind as a result of it’s simpler to wash and requires much less work as a result of the clumps could be scooped out with out pouring out and changing all of the litter. Sadly, it’s not excellent for kittens, as they’re extra prone to ingest a bigger quantity by means of grooming and play, which might be problematic for his or her tiny digestive tracts.
Non-clumping litter is protected for all cats, however as a result of it doesn’t clump, it doesn’t management the odor as effectively, and requires common cleansing. You’ll want to exchange all of the litter and wash the underside of the litter field as a result of the urine seeps to the bottom. Nevertheless, non-clumping litter is extra inexpensive.
Prime 9 Kinds of Cat Litter
1. Clay Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Each |
| Biodegradable: | No |
| Price: | Low |
As the most typical kind used, you’ve seemingly seen or used clay litter earlier than in some unspecified time in the future in your life. It’s utilized in many houses as a result of it’s broadly obtainable, low-cost, and provides selection. You possibly can select between scented and unscented clay litter and clumping and non-clumping sorts.
The draw back is that it may be dusty and may get in your cat’s paws once they enter their litter field. After they get out, they may monitor the mud throughout your own home. It additionally isn’t probably the most environmentally pleasant litter possibility, and is sort of heavy.
If you choose a clay cat litter, search for a clumping low-dust kind. Nevertheless, if in case you have a kitten, go for the non-clumping possibility as a result of it’s harmful for them to ingest clumping litter, and kittens are more likely to nibble their litter out of curiosity than grownup cats.
2. Pine Pellet Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Price: | Low |
In case you’re on the lookout for an eco-friendly and non-toxic possibility, pine pellet litter is an effective one. Though it’s in pellet kind, it’s extremely absorbent and prevents urine from working straight all the way down to the bottom of the litter field.
Though it’s a pure and unscented possibility, it has a woodsy odor that may be overbearing for some cats, particularly in the event that they’re delicate to scents. Nevertheless, some cats may be drawn to the woodsy odor; it simply is determined by the cat.
Pine pellet cat litter isn’t an awesome possibility for cats with nail accidents or delicate paws as a result of the pellets aren’t as snug to stroll on as different sorts.
3. Silica Crystal Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Most are non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | No |
| Price: | Excessive |
Silica litter is protected for cats, however is the least environmentally pleasant possibility as a result of it’s mined from quartz sand, and it isn’t biodegradable. Nevertheless, one of these cat litter is nice at controlling odor. It doesn’t clump, nevertheless it absorbs liquid and dehydrates solids, permitting you to scoop out the poop with out a lot mess. Due to that, it’s nice at controlling odors. You’ll additionally have to stir the litter daily.
Silica litter is marketed to soak up moisture for as much as a month, so it doesn’t must be modified typically. Though it’s dearer than different choices, it should outlast a bag of the identical dimension of clay litter. Additionally it is a low-dust possibility for cats (or house owners) with respiratory points. Final however not least, silica litter is inorganic, so that you don’t have to fret about it turning into moldy.
4. Wheat Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Price: | Low |
For a softer different, wheat cat litter is pure and flushable*. This litter is freed from dyes, chemical substances, and fragrances and is biodegradable. Though it has a gentle texture, it isn’t significantly dusty. Nevertheless, it does monitor to a point. It incorporates enzymes that fight odor-causing micro organism and does effectively at neutralizing odors. Wheat cat litter clumps, so you possibly can scoop waste out with ease.
Like most different pure litters, it’s prone to mould and may entice bugs, which isn’t excellent. Though it’s perfume-free, it has a pure scent, which can repel your cat or entice them to nibble at it. Control your cat when introducing this litter to them for the primary time, and discourage them from ingesting it.
5. Walnut Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Each |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Price: | Low |
Walnut cat litter is offered in clumping and non-clumping varieties. It has a granular look as a result of it’s comprised of the shell of the walnut, which has been crushed down. It has an identical appear and feel to clay litter, and should you’re transitioning your cat from clay litter to one thing biodegradable, it’s a good choice to attempt.
Due to the fabric the litter is comprised of, it’s light-weight, making it simpler to hold and clear out. Your cat may like how simple it’s to maneuver about to cowl their waste.
It does an honest job at odor management and is low in mud. Nevertheless, it may possibly monitor and make a multitude in your house and turn into moldy if not modified frequently sufficient. It has a darkish look, which might make recognizing your cat’s waste just a little tricker. Nevertheless, some house owners might admire this characteristic as a result of it disguises their waste.
6. Corn Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Price: | Excessive |
Corn litter is one other common possibility that’s environmentally pleasant and gentle in your cat’s paws. It clumps effectively, isn’t as dusty as clay litter, and controls the odor out of your cat’s waste. In case your cat isn’t delicate to scents and you want fragranced litter, it could work finest for you and your cat as a result of there are scented and unscented varieties to select from.
In case you’ve been having hassle getting your cat to make use of their litter field, corn litter incorporates attractants, which emit a scent that’s interesting to cats and should draw them to their litter field.
Sadly, corn litter isn’t resistant to mould development, and though most manufacturers declare their litter is protected from aflatoxins, the litter does include this danger. Fortunately, aflatoxins are solely lethal if ingested, and since most cats don’t eat their litter, they need to be protected even when it does develop.
7. Paper Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Price: | Low |
Paper litter is comprised of recycled paper and is mostly offered in pellet kind. It is without doubt one of the finest choices in the marketplace for cats with respiratory points or these recovering from surgical procedures as a result of it has one of many lowest mud contents of all of the litter sorts. Additionally it is a step in the appropriate course in direction of sustainable residing. being environmentally pleasant and biodegradable.
Paper litter can also be an inexpensive possibility, nevertheless it has disadvantages. Paper litter is non-clumping and, subsequently, must be modified typically. Because the pellets turn into saturated with urine and waste, the litter can turn into mushy and laborious to wash out the litter field. It additionally doesn’t management odors in addition to different litter sorts, however there are manufacturers with deodorizers.
8. Tofu Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Price: | Excessive |
For one thing just a little totally different, as a result of it’s nonetheless comparatively new to the market, you possibly can attempt tofu litter. It’s comprised of soybean fiber, so it’s one other pure possibility. One of many thrilling options of this litter is that it’s biodegradable and protected to flush down your rest room*.
Additionally it is a really low mud possibility, which is crucial for cats and relations with respiratory points. It is available in giant pellets, and it’s not a litter that your cat will monitor round your own home simply, apart from a couple of pellets right here and there that might have been kicked out of the litter field.
As a result of tofu litter is clumping, it’s simple to wash, and also you’ll simply have to scoop out the clumps every day and flush them down the bathroom. It’s additionally a long-lasting possibility. Nevertheless, as a result of it’s natural, it’s prone to mould should you don’t retailer it in accordance with its care directions.
9. Grass Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Price: | Excessive |
The feel and look of grass litter might shock you; relatively than filling your cat’s litter field with grass clippings, it resembles corn litter. It’s made up of dried grass seeds that clump instantly once they come into contact with urine and waste, which traps micro organism and odors.
The feel can also be gentle on paws, which may be extra inviting to your cat than pellet litter sorts. Grass litter doesn’t include fragrances or perfumes that may irritate delicate cats and is a low-dust possibility.
It makes use of a renewable materials and is biodegradable. Nevertheless, grass litter is without doubt one of the newer sorts in the marketplace, so it isn’t as broadly obtainable and is offered at a better worth than many different choices.
*Examine that your pipes/drainage system can address flushing this materials. Could also be unsuitable for arrow pipes or septic tanks and many others.
What Sort of Litter Is Greatest?
As you’ve seen above, several types of cat litter attraction to totally different cats and their house owners, so the perfect litter comes all the way down to your cat’s likes and desires, and what your priorities are. In case your cat likes gentle litter, wheat, corn, and grass litter are among the finest choices. In case your cat has a respiratory situation, search for low-dust choices resembling wheat and paper litter.
You possibly can select between clumping, non-clumping, or low-tracking litter. Nevertheless, it is important to maintain their litter field clear since a grimy litter field is unhygienic and should trigger your cat to keep away from utilizing it altogether.
We suggest selecting a litter low in mud and free from robust perfumes, chemical preservatives, and sodium bentonite, as they will irritate your cat and trigger sinus and gastrointestinal points.
Conclusion
Keep in mind, all cats are totally different, and what appeals to 1 cat might not attraction to a different. There are numerous litter sorts in the marketplace, together with clay, pine, silica crystals, wheat, walnut, corn, paper, tofu, and grass. They’re additionally categorized as clumping or non-clumping litter. You can even choose scented or unscented litter, low mud, biodegradable, low-tracking, and good odor management choices.
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Featured Picture Credit score: New Africa, Shutterstock
