What Kind of Cat Litter Should Be Used for Kittens?

Of the many different types of cat litter, all are generally safe for felines of all ages. Choosing the most appropriate cat litter for your kitten should largely be left up to the kitten's own preferences. Keep in mind, however, that kittens can be prone to digesting their litter and are more susceptible to digestive tract problems because they are so small. Making an informed decision is the best approach in choosing the best litter for your kitten.

  1. Clay Litter

    • Clay litter, while inexpensive and highly absorbent, may not be the most appropriate choice for kittens. Though typically safe, clay litter may pose a risk to kittens ingesting it in large amounts by causing digestive tract blockage. Clay litter may become lodged in wounds causing skin irritation. Also, clay dust may become a respiratory hazard for your kitten if it is susceptible to respiratory problems and regularly kicks up a lot of dust.

    Pine Litter

    • Pine-based cat litters are safe for kittens and have the benefits of being flushable and producing no dust. While pine pellets are liquid and odor absorbent, they do not clump and so need to be changed more frequently than clumping varieties. Pine litters are biodegradable and will not cause skin or wound irritation.

    Corn/Wheat Litter

    • Corn and wheat litters are biodegradable, flushable, soft and safe for digestion, so there is no risk of your kitten developing digestive problems from their use. The most important health consideration is making sure your kitten does not have corn or wheat allergies. These natural litters do not tend to be as absorbent as other commercial litters so they may need to be changed more frequently.

    Recycled Paper Litter

    • Recycled paper litter is soft and more odor- and water-absorbent than clay. This type of litter will not cause skin or wound irritation and produces little dust. Recycled paper litter is also not susceptible to being tracked out of the litter box, so it may cause less of a mess than other types of cat litters such as clay and pine.

    Crystal Litter

    • Crystal litter is a long-lasting, highly absorbent litter with low dust production. This is typically the longest-lasting cat litter and is lightweight, even after use. The "unnatural" look of the crystals may turn your kitten off, causing it to avoid the litter box. To combat this, crystal blends exist that are part crystal and part traditional litter -- clay-, pine- or paper-based).

    Kitten Specific Litter

    • Kitten-specific litters are engineered specifically for kittens. They have smaller grains and contain herbs that attract kittens to the litter. This may help train your kitten to use its litter box. These litters usually clump when wet and produce less dust than clay. Kitten-specific litters are more expensive than other traditional litters and are aimed at cats younger than 1 year old.