Unlike clay litter, crystal cat litter is non-toxic and totally safe for cats and humans. Even thought crystal litter is made from silica gel, it does not contain crystalline silica (confusing, we know), which is what makes clay litter dust potentially dangerous to inhale.
One main downside about silica crystal litter is that it can be dangerous if ingested too often. The crystals can get stuck between your cat's claws/nails, and they can swallow the crystals when grooming their paws.
Clay litter is usually fairly dusty as well, and it's not as absorbent as crystal litter is. This can cause it to be messier and not last as long. So, just because you've used clay litter your whole life doesn't mean you can't make a change.
What Type of Litter Is Best for Your Cat? The best choice is biodegradable litter because they are made from materials that are safe for cats and the environment. Biodegradable litters include cat litter made from corn cobs, pine pellets, or wheat straw; sand; and paper-based (non-clumping) clumping litters.
Some cats dislike crystal litter because it pokes their paws uncomfortably. Corn, wheat, and pine. These types of litter are made of natural, biodegradable substrates. They don't usually clump (though World's Best Cat Litter does), but most of them have low or no dust.
Crystal litter absorbs urine and dehydrates waste, making it five times more effective at reducing odors than other litters such as clumping clay. It is also more cost-effective as cats use less crystal litter over time.
Non-clumping litter types (such as crystal) absorb more of the waste and usually require completely changing the litter at least once a week.
Best Cat Litter Overall: Dr. Elsey's Ultra. Best Cat Litter For Clumping: Boxiecat Scent-Free Premium Clumping Clay Litter. Best Dust-Free Cat Litter: Arm and Hammer Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Litter.
Both PrettyLitter and Fresh Step litters also offer odor control to promote a naturally fresh and tidy cat litter box. And because they are both types of non clumping cat litter, they work in a pretty similar way.
Reusable. In theory, dirty crystal litter can be reused. It requires extensive washing, soaking, and drying, but it means you can get months of use out of one bag of crystal litter.
Scoop solid waste as needed and lightly stir crystals to maintain freshness. On a monthly basis or when litter becomes saturated, empty litter box, wash, dry and refill with fresh litter. Always wash hands thoroughly after handling the litter box. Some cats may need to be weaned into new litters.
Add baking soda to the litter: Surprisingly, baking soda is a great all-natural deodorizer that is both safe for cats and can help manage the litter box smell. By mixing a little bit of baking soda with the litter, you can help absorb any urine odors also.
Crystal cat litter could be a great choice for your household if: Low dust is a priority — Veterinarian Megan Teiber considers crystal litters to be a better option than clay if you or your cat has respiratory issues or allergies.
No, clay and crystal litter should not be mixed. The reason is that crystals will absorb the bulk of the urine, and the clay litter pebbles will go unused and create unnecessary waste.
Most cats prefer the soft, sandy texture of scoopable litter. If the litter has large granules or is pelleted, he may not like the feel against his paws. Litter that sticks to his paws too much or is too dusty can also lead to aversion.
The clumps form in seconds, trapping odours, and can be scooped out daily without making the rest of the litter tray dirty. Silica cat litters tend to last the longest but are not suitable for ingesting, so aren't recommended for kittens that might chew on stray pieces of litter.
Scented litter
A thin layer of baking soda placed on the bottom of the box will help absorb odors without repelling your cat.
"The rule of thumb is one litter box per cat, plus one extra," Galaxy says. As a cat foster mom, I recommend that new adopters have at least 1.5 litter boxes per cat. So if you have one cat, you need two litter boxes; two cats, three litter boxes.
Normally, the white crystal litter will turn dark yellow or olive green when your cat does their business. If your cat's urine has an abnormal pH or the presence of blood though, the litter will then turn blue, green, or red to let you know.
Filled with crystal litter that controls odor, the disposable tray lasts up to 30 days before it needs to be replaced. Throw the disposable litter trays away. No scooping needed! Silica crystals absorb liquid and bacteria on contact for long-lasting odor control and moisture reduction.
Transition slowly.
Sprinkle some crystal litter into the clay litter, and vice versa. Let the old litter box get dirty. Most cats are finicky and will soon be drawn by the siren song of clean, PetSafe® crystal litter .
You Should Never Flush Your Cat's Poop Or Litter!
One of the biggest problems with flushing your cat's presents is the harmful parasites in your feline's stool called toxoplasmosis.
#2: Reevaluate Your Cat's Diet
Urinary diets have restricted amounts of minerals, such as magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium, which can contribute to urinary crystal and stone formation. They are also formulated to make your cat's urine slightly acidic, which discourages crystal formation.