After testing dozens of automatic litter boxes, I can say it has been troublesome to find out which is the perfect cat litter (or fairly, if there’s one). Most individuals will need to search for a low-tracking, clumping cat litter that is suitable with their litter field. However there are different components to contemplate, like allergens, materials, the litter field itself, and the way you will cope with the waste.
Lately, there have been leaps and bounds within the pet tech sphere as an entire—together with where our cats go potty and what litter they go potty in. Up to now, the alternatives had been an absorbent clay whose important compound was calcium bentonite, sawdust, or sand. Now, now we have high-tech crystal litter, which goals to point out well being points by altering colour; eco-friendly tofu litter; and all varieties of clumping clay litter between. After a yr of testing litter bins and scooping tons of cat litter, let me sift by (get it?) the choices so you possibly can decide the perfect sort of cat litter for you and your furry good friend.
Desk of Contents
Ought to You Change Up Your Litter?
There are various the reason why you might need to change your litter. Your cat could also be like mine, with sensitivities to robust odors or smells that may trigger allergic reactions or allergy-like signs like crimson eyes or itching. Or possibly your cat is long-haired, like mine, and also you’re bored with litter sticking to their fur.
If you wish to be extra eco- (and budget-) pleasant, a biodegradable tofu or wooden pellet litter could also be higher. However for these, you will must introduce the change slowly, and infrequently you will have to alter the field you are utilizing. (Extra on that beneath.)
As a helicopter pet dad or mum who brushes their cats’ teeth and shaves their butts, I truthfully simply need to be sure that I’ve a litter that retains my cat (and me) comfy, giving them a protected house to potty and a better time to wash it for me.
I search for, and suggest of us do trial and error to search out, a litter that has all of those components:
- Clumping: Many manufacturers declare to clump successfully, however you will want to watch whereas scooping to see if they really are, or in the event that they’re leaving smaller bits that sneak by grates whereas cleansing.
- Scent-free or low scent: Cats can scent 14 times better than people, and powerful odors can irritate their respiratory system and result in itching, watery eyes, and different signs, together with not wanting to make use of the litter field in any respect as a result of the scent is overwhelming.
- Low–monitoring: Similar as clumping litters above, many litters declare to be low monitoring, however I’ve discovered that the easiest way to minimize litter monitoring round the home is to have an incredible clumping litter and add as a lot house as doable between the field and the ground. Which means that, along with clumping litter, add equipment like stairs (in case your cat is cell sufficient), a ramp, or a litter-trapping mat to extend the gap between the field and your flooring, to scale back litter monitoring. Litters that goal to be low-tracking are usually higher at mud management, which additionally assist with common cleanliness and decrease irritants.
I’ve examined a number of varieties of cat litter from Boxiecat, and though expensive, they’ve all managed odor properly, had low mud/monitoring, and scooped simply in clumps (and labored properly with my automated litter field).
Evaluate the Most Fashionable Kinds of Litter
As stated earlier than, there was once restricted litter choices, now there’s tofu, wooden, silica crystals, recycled paper, and even nut shells. Whereas one thing like wooden pellets is extra eco-friendly and cheaper, you will must consider your litter field and whether or not your cat takes to the brand new litter. (Though gradual introduction is vital.)
- Clay cat litter: That is by far the preferred litter sort, and most carefully resembles what cats can be utilizing within the wild. Clumping clay cat litter is what I like to recommend for most individuals, because it primarily makes use of a naturally absorbent bentonite clay. It expands when moist/dirty, making it “clump,” which is simpler to scoop and customarily extra hygienic. Nevertheless, it is not as environmentally pleasant as a result of it is not biodegradable and might comprise carcinogenic silica mud.
- Tofu cat litter: This comparatively new litter is nice as a result of it is environmentally pleasant. It is made out of soybean fiber, making it naturally biodegradable, unhazardous, and means much less dusty than conventional selections. If purchased in pellet type (the preferred choice), they clump properly and might even be flushed in the bathroom, though it may be expensive and might develop mould in humid circumstances.
- Crystal cat litter: This kind of litter is made out of silica mined from quartz sand and blended with oxygen and water to make tremendous absorbent pellets (akin to the absorbing powers of these little silica gel packets discovered in lots of newly purchased objects). It is light-weight and has nice odor management. Crystal litter is expensive, not biodegradable or clumping (requires each day sifting), simply tracks, may be an uncomfortable texture for paws, and is troublesome for some cats to get used to utilizing. Fashionable manufacturers like PrettyLitter truly use a particular silica formulation that goals to trace well being adjustments by altering colours primarily based on urinary PH. Though I am barely reluctant to make use of it due to critiques of the silica litter being ingested and harming cats and causing respiratory issues due to the particle mud.
- Paper or wooden pellets: Paper and wooden pellets are low-cost, have low mud and monitoring, and are eco-friendly as a result of they’re biodegradable. (Paper pellets are additionally nice for injured or post-operation pets, as a result of the litter is low-dust and there is much less probability for litter to get caught in wounds.) Nevertheless, this does not management odor properly, is non-clumping, and must be modified incessantly (you will most likely want a sifting litter box). Wooden pellets are additionally usually manufactured from pine and might have an amazing scent.
- Walnut shell cat litter: Constituted of crushed walnut shells, that is usually used as a a lot lighter, extra pure different to clay litter. It is light-weight and has a texture just like clay, and is biodegradable. Though it may well observe, spoil in moist circumstances, and requires frequent emptying/cleansing.
- We do not suggest corn cat litter, as corn is liable to a toxic mold called aflatoxin. This may trigger health issues for cats and in people who’ve bronchial asthma or COPD and are immunocompromised or aged.
