Litter field obligation is the least favourite day by day job of each cat father or mother, and it’s necessary to seek out the precise kind of litter. However what’s the finest litter for cats? Properly, it comes all the way down to your cat’s wants. Cats are specific, and should you get a litter they don’t like due to its scent or texture, you run the danger of them not utilizing their litter field and doing their enterprise elsewhere in your house.
Earlier than shopping for cat litter, think about whether or not your cat is delicate to scents. Additionally, think about your cat’s age as a result of some varieties, comparable to clumping clay litter, aren’t really helpful for kittens. In case your cat has respiratory points, it is best to search for manufacturers which can be low in mud, comparable to paper or tofu litter. We all know selecting just one possibility will be overwhelming, so we are going to talk about the totally different litter varieties and aid you select the very best one for you and your cat.
What To Do About Litter Field Odors?
As all cat house owners can attest, litter containers can have a really pungent scent. Aside from having the precise cat litter, frequently cleansing the litter field and having it in a well-ventilated space, utilizing a litter additive or deodorizer can considerably assist fight litter field odors. An enzyme cleaner works wonders for pet messes and odors making it a fantastic addition to your kitty cleansing routine.
Combating robust cat litter smells is an ongoing battle for pet mother and father however fortunately, there are merchandise on the market designed to assist! Two merchandise that considerably cut back odors are the Hepper Litter Additive and the Hepper Enzyme Spray.
| Picture | Product | Particulars | |
|---|---|---|---|
Finest For Cleansing 
|
Hepper Superior Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray |
Works on a number of surfaces Mild but efficient Lifts stains & set-in odors |
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Finest Litter Additive |
Superior Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer |
Neutralizes odor inside cat litter Cat-safe Unscented |
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At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for a few years and determined to take a controlling possession curiosity in order that we may benefit from the excellent designs of this cool cat firm!
How Are Cat Litters Categorised?
Some varieties of cat litter use supplies comparable to clay, pine, silica crystals, wheat, walnut, paper, corn, tofu, and grass. Of all the kinds, cat litter will be categorised into two most important lessons: clumping and non-clumping.
Clumping cat litter types clumps when moisture from urine or poop makes contact with it. Folks take pleasure in this kind as a result of it’s simpler to scrub and requires much less work as a result of the clumps will be scooped out with out pouring out and changing all of the litter. Sadly, it’s not ultimate for kittens, as they’re extra more likely to ingest a bigger quantity by grooming and play, which may very well be problematic for his or her tiny digestive tracts.
Non-clumping litter is secure for all cats, however as a result of it doesn’t clump, it doesn’t management the odor as nicely, and requires common cleansing. You’ll want to exchange all of the litter and wash the underside of the litter field as a result of the urine seeps to the bottom. Nonetheless, non-clumping litter is extra reasonably priced.
High 9 Kinds of Cat Litter
1. Clay Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Each |
| Biodegradable: | No |
| Value: | Low |
As the most typical kind used, you’ve probably seen or used clay litter earlier than in some unspecified time in the future in your life. It’s utilized in many houses as a result of it’s extensively out there, low-cost, and presents selection. You’ll be able to select between scented and unscented clay litter and clumping and non-clumping varieties.
The draw back is that it may be dusty and may get in your cat’s paws once they enter their litter field. After they get out, they could observe the mud throughout your own home. It additionally isn’t probably the most environmentally pleasant litter possibility, and is sort of heavy.
If you choose a clay cat litter, search for a clumping low-dust kind. Nonetheless, when you have a kitten, go for the non-clumping possibility as a result of it’s harmful for them to ingest clumping litter, and kittens are more likely to nibble their litter out of curiosity than grownup cats.
2. Pine Pellet Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Low |
In case you’re in search of an eco-friendly and non-toxic possibility, pine pellet litter is an effective one. Though it’s in pellet kind, it’s extremely absorbent and prevents urine from working straight all the way down to the bottom of the litter field.
Though it’s a pure and unscented possibility, it has a woodsy scent that may be overbearing for some cats, particularly in the event that they’re delicate to scents. Nonetheless, some cats is likely to be drawn to the woodsy scent; it simply relies on the cat.
Pine pellet cat litter isn’t a fantastic possibility for cats with nail accidents or delicate paws as a result of the pellets aren’t as comfy to stroll on as different varieties.
3. Silica Crystal Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Most are non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | No |
| Value: | Excessive |
Silica litter is secure for cats, however is the least environmentally pleasant possibility as a result of it’s mined from quartz sand, and it isn’t biodegradable. Nonetheless, the sort of cat litter is nice at controlling odor. It doesn’t clump, but it surely absorbs liquid and dehydrates solids, permitting you to scoop out the poop with out a lot mess. Due to that, it’s nice at controlling odors. You’ll additionally have to stir the litter day by day.
Silica litter is marketed to soak up moisture for as much as a month, so it doesn’t must be modified typically. Though it’s costlier than different choices, it can outlast a bag of the identical measurement of clay litter. It’s also a low-dust possibility for cats (or house owners) with respiratory points. Final however not least, silica litter is inorganic, so that you don’t have to fret about it changing into moldy.
4. Wheat Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Low |
For a softer various, wheat cat litter is pure and flushable*. This litter is freed from dyes, chemical compounds, and fragrances and is biodegradable. Though it has a tender texture, it isn’t significantly dusty. Nonetheless, it does observe to a point. It incorporates enzymes that fight odor-causing micro organism and does nicely at neutralizing odors. Wheat cat litter clumps, so you may scoop waste out with ease.
Like most different pure litters, it’s prone to mildew and may appeal to bugs, which isn’t ultimate. Though it’s perfume-free, it has a pure scent, which can repel your cat or entice them to nibble at it. Control your cat when introducing this litter to them for the primary time, and discourage them from ingesting it.
5. Walnut Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Each |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Low |
Walnut cat litter is on the market in clumping and non-clumping varieties. It has a granular look as a result of it’s produced from the shell of the walnut, which has been crushed down. It has an analogous appear and feel to clay litter, and should you’re transitioning your cat from clay litter to one thing biodegradable, it’s a good choice to attempt.
Due to the fabric the litter is produced from, it’s light-weight, making it simpler to hold and clear out. Your cat can also like how straightforward it’s to maneuver about to cowl their waste.
It does an honest job at odor management and is low in mud. Nonetheless, it could actually observe and make a large number in your house and turn into moldy if not modified frequently sufficient. It has a darkish look, which might make recognizing your cat’s waste slightly tricker. Nonetheless, some house owners might admire this characteristic as a result of it disguises their waste.
6. Corn Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Excessive |
Corn litter is one other widespread possibility that’s environmentally pleasant and tender in your cat’s paws. It clumps nicely, isn’t as dusty as clay litter, and controls the odor out of your cat’s waste. In case your cat isn’t delicate to scents and you want fragranced litter, it might work finest for you and your cat as a result of there are scented and unscented varieties to choose from.
In case you’ve been having hassle getting your cat to make use of their litter field, corn litter incorporates attractants, which emit a scent that’s interesting to cats and should draw them to their litter field.
Sadly, corn litter isn’t resistant to mildew progress, and though most manufacturers declare their litter is secure from aflatoxins, the litter does include this threat. Fortunately, aflatoxins are solely lethal if ingested, and since most cats don’t eat their litter, they need to be secure even when it does develop.
7. Paper Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Low |
Paper litter is produced from recycled paper and is mostly offered in pellet kind. It is without doubt one of the finest choices available on the market for cats with respiratory points or these recovering from surgical procedures as a result of it has one of many lowest mud contents of all of the litter varieties. It’s also a step in the precise course in the direction of sustainable residing. being environmentally pleasant and biodegradable.
Paper litter can also be an reasonably priced possibility, but it surely has disadvantages. Paper litter is non-clumping and, subsequently, must be modified typically. Because the pellets turn into saturated with urine and waste, the litter can turn into mushy and exhausting to scrub out the litter field. It additionally doesn’t management odors in addition to different litter varieties, however there are manufacturers with deodorizers.
8. Tofu Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Excessive |
For one thing slightly totally different, as a result of it’s nonetheless comparatively new to the market, you may attempt tofu litter. It’s produced from soybean fiber, so it’s one other pure possibility. One of many thrilling options of this litter is that it’s biodegradable and secure to flush down your rest room*.
It’s also a really low mud possibility, which is crucial for cats and members of the family with respiratory points. It is available in massive pellets, and it’s not a litter that your cat will observe round your own home simply, apart from a number of pellets right here and there that might have been kicked out of the litter field.
As a result of tofu litter is clumping, it’s straightforward to scrub, and also you’ll simply have to scoop out the clumps every day and flush them down the bathroom. It’s additionally a long-lasting possibility. Nonetheless, as a result of it’s natural, it’s prone to mildew should you don’t retailer it in line with its care directions.
9. Grass Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Excessive |
The feel and look of grass litter might shock you; fairly than filling your cat’s litter field with grass clippings, it resembles corn litter. It’s made up of dried grass seeds that clump instantly once they come into contact with urine and waste, which traps micro organism and odors.
The feel can also be tender on paws, which is likely to be extra inviting to your cat than pellet litter varieties. Grass litter doesn’t include fragrances or perfumes that may irritate delicate cats and is a low-dust possibility.
It makes use of a renewable materials and is biodegradable. Nonetheless, grass litter is without doubt one of the newer varieties available on the market, so it isn’t as extensively out there and is offered at the next worth than many different choices.
*Verify that your pipes/drainage system can address flushing this materials. Could also be unsuitable for arrow pipes or septic tanks and so forth.
What Sort of Litter Is Finest?
As you’ve seen above, several types of cat litter enchantment to totally different cats and their house owners, so the very best litter comes all the way down to your cat’s likes and desires, and what your priorities are. In case your cat likes tender litter, wheat, corn, and grass litter are a number of the finest choices. In case your cat has a respiratory subject, search for low-dust choices comparable to wheat and paper litter.
You’ll be able to select between clumping, non-clumping, or low-tracking litter. Nonetheless, it’s vital to maintain their litter field clear since a unclean litter field is unhygienic and should trigger your cat to keep away from utilizing it altogether.
We advocate selecting a litter low in mud and free from sturdy perfumes, chemical preservatives, and sodium bentonite, as they’ll irritate your cat and trigger sinus and gastrointestinal points.
Conclusion
Bear in mind, all cats are totally different, and what appeals to at least one cat might not enchantment to a different. There are numerous litter varieties available on the market, together with clay, pine, silica crystals, wheat, walnut, corn, paper, tofu, and grass. They’re additionally categorised as clumping or non-clumping litter. You can even choose scented or unscented litter, low mud, biodegradable, low-tracking, and good odor management choices.
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Featured Picture Credit score: New Africa, Shutterstock
