Clay Vs. Corn for Cat Litter

Clay cat litters have been in use for the last 70 years and are still highly popular. Corn cat litter, a relatively new alternative to the traditional clay litter, can be made from the corn cobs or from corn kernels. Kernel litters are more popular, since they clump well and do not fall apart like the cob litters do. Both clay and corn litters have advantages and disadvantages, and an individual pet owner's concerns and values will determine which type of litter best fits his situation.

  1. Benefits of Clay Cat Litter

    • Clay cat litter is very common. It is therefore easy to find, comes in many varieties and bag sizes, and is affordable. Clay cat litter comes in both clumping and non-clumping forms, and cat owners can decide which variety works best for them. It is also available in scented and unscented forms; the scented forms are intended to help control litter box odors.

    Cons of Clay Cat Litter

    • Clay cat litter does generate a large amount of dust, which can cover surfaces. Questions exist as to whether clay litters can cause respiratory problems in cats since most varieties of it contain silica, which can become airborne. Scented clay litters can cause irritation to a cat's eyes. Clay litters aren't biodegradable, so they contribute greatly to landfills. Clay litter is also heavy, making transportation sometimes difficult, especially when litter is needed for multiple litter boxes.

    Pros of Corn Cat Litter

    • Corn cat litter forms hard clumps, so it can be used in a self-cleaning litter box. It is also flushable, though some towns prohibit the flushing of cat stool due to the risk of toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by a parasite found in cat feces that can survive even in water that has been treated. Corn litter is lightweight and easy to transport, and kernel corn litter is highly absorbent. Because it is so absorbent, corn litter typically controls odors well.

    Cons of Corn Cat Litter

    • Corn cat litter naturally has a strong scent to it, so much so that even though it is "unscented" its smell can be noticeable. Fewer brands and varieties of corn litter exist, and it is more expensive than the traditional clay cat litter. Additionally, corn litter is lightweight, so that a cat can easily tip over the litter box even if it is full of corn litter. Corn cat litter may pose a health risk to cats: if pesticides are used to grow the corn, they may still be present in the corn once it has been converted to litter. If traces of pesticide are present in the litter, they could easily be transferred to cats.