Which Cat Litter Would Your Cat Like? We Help You Narrow Down The Choices...

There are many brands of cat litter available, but they usually fall into these types:

Clay Cat Litter:

Traditional cat litter, it is the least expensive and a good "when-in-doubt" choice.

• Pros: less cost, more volume for your money; good for all life stages from kittens to senior cats.
  
• Cons: while solid waste can be scooped out the entire pan must be emptied and refilled to get rid of urine; can be dusty. Some cats may object to the damp litter if it is not dumped out frequently.

Clumping Litter:

Clumping litter is usually made from ground clay, with additives to make the clay stick together when wet. It is another very popular litter choice.

• Pros: Can be cleaned as often as you like, keeping the box fresh; while more costly at first, it does not have to be dumped out all at once as often as clay litter.
• Cons: Should not be used for kittens; can be dusty - some brands make a low-dust version.
  

You will know if it is time to fully change your clumping litter when the clumps break up easier while you are scooping. How long your litter will last depends sometimes on the brand, but usually on how many cats are using it.

Silica Litter:

This litter is make from silica gel that is hardened into crystals or pearls. The pearls soak up the urine, trapping it in the gel. Solids are removed by scooping.

• Pros: much less urine smell than traditional litter; pearls turn yellow after they are used so you can tell when to change the litter; very little dust.
  
• Cons: Silica litters can be very expensive if you have a multi-cat household, since once the litter is used up the box must be fully emptied and refilled; you will also need a new litter scoop if you are using litter pearls. This should not be used for kittens. Litter pearls and crystals cannot be used with automated litter boxes like a Littermate.

"Recycled" Litters:

These litters are made from pine or newspaper that has been compressed into small cylinders. When the litter gets wet it dissolves the cylinders into pine dust or paper dust.

• Pros: More environmentally friendly than regular litters; cost is usually in the medium range.
  
• Cons: Cats can take a while to get used to this litter as the cylinders are larger and harder than any other litter; the pine litter has a very strong pine scent - some cats may mind this; box must be fully emptied and refilled when dirty. Should not be used for kittens.

Swheat Litter:

This litter is made from ground wheat and is an interesting cross between clumping and recycled litters.

• Pros: more environmentally friendly; clumps like other clumping litters for easier clean up.
  
• Cons: Can be expensive for a multi-cat household - it costs more per pound than standard clumping litter.

If you decide to change your cat's litter, it will go more smoothly if you transition them gradually to the new product.

Do not flush any litter or solids (solids are usually covered in litter) unless the brand specifically says it is safe! Flushing litter can cause damage to your septic or sewer system.


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