How to choose cat litter. The question can be overwhelming. All you have to do is go to the pet store to see the aisle of different choices available to you. Some are made of clay, silica gel, wheat, and even corn. Where do you start?
Moreover, many litter companies will claim to make the best cat litter- but is that even possible? Is this a problem that can really be solved? Keep reading to find the best cat litter- once and for all for you and your cat.
Let this article save you some time, and speed up your journey on this noble quest. The quest to answer the great question: How to choose cat litter!
As a new cat owner, it didn’t take me long to discover that not all litters were alike. And now after years of owning a cat, it is even more clear to me that finding the right litter is not straightforward. It was and is as messy as you would think.
At the start, I wanted someone to hand me the best cat litter, and in a neat and tidy package with a bow on it. I didn’t care if it was more expensive because of that- because it was the best. I wanted that peace of knowing that this truly was the best product-the best cat litter.
In my imagination, the box is always white and wrapped with a light blue bow. It’s very hard for me to imagine it any other way.
Sometimes this kind of thing is possible in the product world. For example, someone may like the no-name brand orange juice because it suits their taste buds and is easier on their wallet, but even then most people, including those people, would agree that a big brand like Tropicana is probably of better quality.
However, cat litter is a different beast.
When it comes to cat litter, experimenting until you find what is best for you and your cat in the season of life that you are in is essential. And for each person and their cat, this will be as unique as you and your cat are. However, if you keep in mind that it may take some trial-and-error, and time, it is possible to find the best cat litter.
Also, notable is that the needs of yourself and your cat may change over time. Be willing to also adapt their litter to suit the rhythms and seasons of your lives.
Cat Litter is complex. There is a huge market for it all over the world. And, the reason why it can be a challenge to find the right one is due to the many aspects of cat litter, as well as the widely available variety of types and brands.
This is not my own opinion. Others have had the same experience.
Karen Iorio Adelson and Ambar Pardilla, from The Strategist, relate to this experience in their article The Best Cat Litter, According to Vets:
” In my decade of owning a cat, I’ve learned that some cat litter stinks up your whole apartment, some erupts in a cloud of dust whenever you scoop, and others get caught in your cat’s paws and track all over the floor. It doesn’t help that cats are famously finicky and one cat’s favorite litter could be totally off-putting to another. As Jessica Herman, a veterinarian with Fuzzy Pet Health, says, “It can take trial by error to figure out what type of litter your feline friend will enjoy.”
*Let’s look at the Kaleidoscope of aspects that together form the obstacles to be overcome in order to find the perfect litter*
Some litter smells your house up overnight; other litter smells within a couple of days; still, others will take a week; and if you are lucky, you will find one that lasts.
It all smells different! Some smells will bother you, and others won’t. Some litter smells one of your cats might hate, but the other might not care about.
And by smell, of course, I mean the smell that wafts up when your kitty’s business mixes with it, not the smell of the litter straight out of the bag or box.
The Strategist issues this fair warning:
“It’s tempting to choose a cat litter that promises to mask smells, but veterinarians advise against litter with added fragrance. Laura Pletz, a veterinarian and scientific services manager for Royal Canin, says these scents can deter cats from using the litter box.”
The best defense against odor is to keep on top of scooping the litter box every day. Moreover, you can trust good-quality litter brands that are fragrance-free to do a good job. The absorbent nature of the litter will cover up a lot of smell. Potentially more than any fragrances that could be added.
Generally, fragrant litter is not appealing to cats and will turn them off. This is due to how strong their sense of smell is! Think of how gross it is to humans when we have to spend time with someone drenched in perfume. It can make a person feel sick!
I have personally dumped the litter in my litter box that wafts up in clouds and floats off into the sunset. Other brands will show some dust, but only clouds that lift a few mm or cm from the surface of the litter in the box.
Moreover, some brands are perma-dusty. By that I mean that the dust just goes on even after you dump it into the box, and it gets onto everything.
The dust aspect can be complicated further if you suffer from allergies or your cat does. If you or your cat is reacting, don’t continue with that litter!
Told you it was complicated.
For more on the dangers of clay litter, a notoriously dusty variety, see our article.
Some varieties will not track far from the Litterbox, but others you will find track large distances across your house, but don’t make a huge mess. Still, others will track far distances and cover vast territories.
I have yet to find a litter that doesn’t track at all. Keep in mind that this really doesn’t exist. It’s a nice thought, but it’s not possible. Your cat will track the litter, but you can minimize the damage depending on what brand and variety of litter you choose.
Take note of this aspect of the litter. Is it clumping or non-clumping?
Clumping simply means that particles will take in waste material and absorb it. A clump of litter will form in the box. You can then scoop this out instead of doing a complete change of the litterbox.
Next, make sure that you are aware of the litterbox that you are using. If you are using your average litterbox, you can use whatever kind of litter you want. If you have an automatic litter box, your robotic box may only be compatible with certain types of litter.
For example, I have an automatic litter box, and some litter is too big to be pushed through the automatic grate that sifts the litter.
Do you want to be kind to the earth? If so, you may want to consider steering clear of clay litter, which is harmful to the environment and your cat.
For more on environmentally friendly and cat and human-safe litters, see our article here.
If you want to extend the life of your cat litter or dull down the smell, cat litter box deodorizing products do exist! This can be great if you love a certain litter, but its only downside is that it smells too fast, too much, or in a way that bothers you!
I know that I don’t need to convince you that cats can be quirky and finicky. At times, they will not take to certain types of litter. This may boil down to your cat’s disposition and preferences.
Listening to their preferences will save you money on rejected cat litter and time cleaning up messes. Your cat will find other places to do his/her business if they don’t take to the litter that you choose. I don’t think there is any cat that is above this.
Anything can become a target- especially blankets, laundry piles, couches, and beds.
I have experienced this firsthand. It will happen. Additionally, once your cat goes somewhere- say your couch- that is their new spot. It will be very hard to keep your cat from returning there repeatedly. That will become their new litterbox, and your new challenge will be to train them away from that new place.
While the vast array of cat litter options may seem overwhelming, all is not lost. If you focus on what is best for you and your cat, while considering the key aspects of litter outlined in this article – you will already be well on your way to finding a good fit.
Next, to cut through the marketing claims, some trial and error will be inevitable. After doing a bit of research, don’t be surprised if it takes some time and some experimentation with different varieties and brands to get it right.
Spending some time on your choice will end up bringing more ease to the daily chores in your life and will greatly please your furry friend! Your cat will notice your care and attention to them through your care and attention to their litter, and they will be tickled and thank you for it!
Any tricks you want to share on how you choose the best litter? Please do fill us in below in the comments!
Why Litter Matters!
Examples of Great Cat Litter
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