Types of Cat Litter & How to Choose the Right One

Types of Cat Litter

The types of cat litter available on the market vary in terms of consistency, clumping ability and scent.

Consistency Choices

Clay

There are two types of cat litter made from clay: non-clumping and clumping. Clay-based non-clumping cat litter was introduced to the market in 1947, and in the 1980s, clumping cat litter was discovered. Prior to that, cat parents relied on sand (which is why cats can't resist an uncovered children's sandbox). Most cats prefer fine-textured clay litter over other types, said Dr. Pam Perry, a feline behaviour specialist at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Clay granules are similar to the soft soil or sand that cats use in the wild. Both non-clumping and clumping litter can produce dust, but some clay cat litters are specifically formulated to produce less dust.

Crystal

Made of clear silica gel (just like the little packets of gel that come in a box of new shoes), crystal cat litter is more expensive than other types of cat litter. But it's absorbent, produces less dust than other materials and actively cleans the litter box, which is good news for cats and humans, noted VetInfo. Your cat may not like the feel of the rough crystals, but smoother pearl-like options are available. Like non-clumping clay litter, crystal litter can become saturated and urine will pool in the box. And as with clumping litter, you shouldn't use crystal litter until your cat is beyond the "eating faeces" stage of life. Silica gel can be toxic when ingested by your cat, dog or other pet that may like to play in the cat box.

Other Natural Materials

Many natural alternatives to traditional clay litter are available, including paper, pine, wheat, nutshells and corn. International Cat Care pointed out that "many of these are lightweight, biodegradable and have excellent odour-neutralising properties," making them desirable options. For those humans and cats with environmental allergies and asthma, many natural types of cat litter, such as walnut, come in pellet form, and some natural cat litters, like those made with corn kernels, are clumping, reducing the amount of dust in the air and litter strewn about the house. However, if you or your cat have food allergies or intolerance, read the ingredient labels carefully to ensure the litter is safe to use in your home.

Clumping vs. Non-Clumping Choices

To clump or not to clump? Inquiring cat parents want to know.

Non-Clumping

Non-clumping litter is popular because it's affordable — you can get a giant bag for not much money — and it's great at absorbing urine and odors. With non-clumping clay litter, your cat is less likely to scatter litter around the house because its larger granules don't cling to their paws the way other types of cat litter do. One drawback of non-clumping litter is that it requires switching out the litter completely at least once a week; otherwise, the litter becomes too saturated and urine will puddle at the bottom of the box.

Clumping

Although more expensive than the non-clumping version, clumping clay litter is a popular choice for pet parents because it's easy to use: The litter absorbs the urine into clumps that you can easily scoop up and toss, and then you're done. Because urine doesn't pool in the litter box with clumping litter, cleaning out the box and replacing it with entirely new litter is more of a once-a-month chore rather than once a week.

However, if you're choosing cat litter for a kitten, clumping cat litter should be avoided because of the risk of ingestion. Curious kittens often eat their faeces (an unsavory truth), play in the litter box and lick litter off their paws. Clumping litter absorbs and expands when it comes into contact with liquids, and if a kitten ingests the litter, it can create an intestinal blockage. It's best to take a "better safe than sorry" approach, recommended by Cat Health, and avoid using clumping cat litter until your fur baby's kittenish antics decrease.

It's a good rule of thumb to avoid clumping cat litter with cats of any age that ingest faeces. If your cat eats their faeces and/or litter, call your vet right away to determine the cause.

Scented vs. Unscented Choices

You may prefer the smell of freshly cut lavender in the litter box, but it can irritate your cat's highly developed sense of smell. Cats have about 200 million scent sensors while humans only have about 5 million, noted PAWS Chicago, making cats much more sensitive to fragrances. Cat litters that contain baking soda or carbon don't seem to bother cats too much. But rather than relying on scented products, eliminate odours by scooping out the litter box at least once a day (more often, if you have multiple cats) and about once a week, change out the litter and clean the box with water and baking soda or unscented dish soap. Don't clean the litter box with chemical cleaners or disinfectants, as many of these are toxic to cats. Place a thin layer of baking soda on the base of the box, then add clean litter on top of it to help absorb odour.

A good way to try out a few litters at a time is to set up multiple trays, each with a different kind of litter, to see what is the best cat litter for your furry friend (and what works well for you, too). Because many cats are sensitive to the smell and the texture of a new litter, pay close attention to your cat's litter box behaviour while they're trying out the new litter. If they go outside the box, try another type of cat litter. If the behaviour continues, speak with your vet to discuss your cat's urinary health.