Types of Kitty Litter

Cat owners are well aware of the constant quest for complete odor control in litter boxes. Cat urine can not only be harsh on the nose but prolonged exposure to elements of cat urine like ammonia can be detrimental to an owner's health and cause respiratory problems. Kitty litters are made from varied materials and all of them aim to make litter disposal easier, provide a hygienic environment for cats and owners alike and most of all, keep odor under control.

  1. Clay Litters

    • Clay litters are made from small granules of clay that easily absorb moisture and odor. Clay litters usually have additional odor-controlling elements like baking soda or scented granules. Clay litters can be in small granules or a sand-grade powder that clumps when it comes into contact with moisture. Urine and feces clumps are scooped out of the litter tray daily to prevent a build up of odor. Clumping litter is not recommended for kittens, as they can easily ingest the substance which may cause intestinal-track blockages. Clay litters may also clog plumbing and should not be flushed down the toilet.

    Synthetic Litters

    • Synthetic litters are beads or pearls of sodium silicate. The porous beads absorb a great amount of moisture and do not need to be changed as often as clay litter. Cat litter beads provide excellent absorption of cat urine and keep odor under control. Feces will still need to be removed daily and the litter should be changed before its saturation point is reached to avoid loose urine in the litter box. Beads and crystals are more expensive than clay litters and come with health concerns, as the main ingredient is a known carcinogen if ingested.

    Organic Litters

    • In an effort to keep cats healthy and protect the environment, many natural alternatives to the chemical-heavy cheaper litters have been developed. Litters made from pine, cedar, wheat, corn and barley are biodegradable, good for the environment and highly effective against odor. Pine and cedar pellets are made from the shavings of trees and the woods' natural scents keep odors under control. The pellets are highly absorbent and flushable. Similarly, corn- and wheat-based litters are environmentally friendly and flushable.

    Paper

    • Recycled paper is an eco-friendly and very economical alternative to kitty litter. Several brands produce paper-based kitty litter in the form of both pellets and a loosely packed mulch. Newspaper is highly absorbent, and the addition of baking powder or citrus peels can help reduce odor. Newspaper is the preferred method of house training for kittens, as some other types of litter can be harmful to them. Newspaper litter is also easy to make at home by either shredding old newspapers or wetting, kneading and drying it to make a loose mulch.