How to Choose a Cat Litter

Check out the cat litter choices at stores where you regularly shop. Knowing about the products and prices available will help you choose a litter that you can easily restock. This will also help you find the best value. Clay-based cat litter currently dominates the market, but other kinds are gaining in prominence and popularity.

Consider cost and upkeep. "Gravel-like" litters are made of crumbled dried absorbent clay. This is one of the least expensive litters per unit. However, one downside is that it isn't "scoopable." You must discard all the litter at least once a week for one cat and more often for multiple cats. Then you have to wash, dry and refill the litter box with fresh litter. This added effort and the need to regularly replace the litter can make this choice more cumbersome and expensive than it may at first appear.

Research "sand-like" cat litters, which are also made of absorbent clay. However, true to the name, this litter is ground to a very soft, fine texture. Sand-like clay litter is extremely popular because cats tend to like its texture and absorbency and owners like the "scoopability." Urine collects into a hard clump that can be removed with a slotted scoop along with any feces. If you scoop at least once a day and top off the box with fresh litter as needed, you have a consistently cleaner and fresher smelling litter box. One caveat of the sand-like litter is that cats tend to track the fine granules outside the box. Also, while many manufacturers claim that their "sand-like" litters are flushable, it can be risky, especially for low-flow toilets and septic systems.

Look at biodegradable options. While they may be more difficult to find and perhaps more expensive than the clay-based litters, their production and disposal are usually more environmentally friendly. Cats may also prefer the more "natural" scents and textures. Promising newcomers include litters made from recycled newspapers, ground cedar wood and plants like kenaf, corn, wheat or oat hulls. Most of these are scoopable and several are flushable, but you should still change out the litter every few days to avoid mold growth. These specialty litters are available in some stores and online.

Know about odor and dust control advantages and pitfalls. Many cat litter manufacturers sell products with scents or other odor neutralizers and dust controlling additives. Often such a product is marketed for "multiple cat households." While controlling odor is always desirable, cats can react negatively to the texture or scent of some litters because of these additives. There is also some concern that the dust and the additives used could have some health impacts for cats and humans.