What Kind of Cat Litter Is Best?

There are certain factors that you need to consider when making your next purchase of cat litter. Take into account the amount of money you want to spend, if urine odor is an issue, the frequency that you want to change the litter box contents, the mess factor and the impact on the environment. The best cat litter for you depends on the cat and your personal needs.

  1. Clay-based

    • Clay-based is the recommended choice if you want an absorbent, economically friendly and easy-to-find cat litter. There are several brands from which to choose. Many have additives that help with urine odor control, and can be scented or unscented. The downside to this kind is that you will have to change it once a week, which is more frequently than other kinds of litter. It also can be dusty.

    Clumping

    • Clumping clay usually has a bentonite clay base. Moisture causes this kind of clay to clump together and makes it easier to scoop out of the litter box. This is a good choice of litter if you want to only scoop out the waste when needed. Changing the entire litter box contents once a month should be sufficient.

    Silica-based

    • Silica-based litter is the best choice if you have problems with strong urine odors. Silica is a highly absorbent crystal-based litter. With regular scooping, it only needs to be fully changed every few weeks. The downside to this one is that the crystals can be messy and roll all over. Some cats may dislike the texture of the silica crystals.

    Bio-degradable

    • This plant-based litter is the popular choice for the environmentally friendly consumer. You will find that there is little dust produced from this litter and you can flush the waste down the toilet. There are clumping and non-clumping formulas. Unfortunately, this kind of litter is more of a strain on your pocketbook.