Vets often say that unscented clumping litter is best: “I always recommend unscented, clumping cat litter,” says Jim D. Carlson. “Scented litter is designed for humans, not cats. Felines have a strong sense of smell with 67 million scent receptors.
Best Overall Cat Litter: Frisco Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter. This cat litter has many features that are preferred by cats, namely that it's an unscented, clumping clay material. The litter is low-dust, which is helpful for cats (especially those with allergies or feline asthma) and pet parents alike.
Silica litter prevents bacteria with crystals that absorb urine and help dehydrate feces, making your cat's litter box too dry to sustain any growth. This helps prevent kidney problems and UTIs in cats. Environmentally, silica litters will biodegrade and are non-toxic, making them a better choice than clay.
The average cat is happiest with fine, unscented clumping cat litter. Cats are typically not big fans of the scented varieties that many people tend to prefer. They often dislike the crystal-type litters as well — most sizzle when they get wet, so you can imagine why that would be unpleasant for a cat!
Turns out, it really does matter! For one thing, some cats have litter preferences. They may prefer a specific texture or smell to their litter, and you might find they won't relieve themselves in the litter pan if they don't approve of the litter you choose!
More hygienic: Since clumping litter makes it easy to remove waste, it helps keep the litter tray more hygienic. This can help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria that can be harmful to both cats and their owners.
Dangerous types of cat litter on the market include some types of clumping cat litter, those containing sodium bentonite clay and those containing crystalline silica dust.
If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks. If you use a non-clumping litter and have only one cat, changing the litter twice per week is a good guideline. If you have more than one cat, every other day may work better.
Studies have shown that the most appealing type of litter to most cats is unscented clumping litter that's the consistency of fine sand. It's best to purchase different types, though, and offer them side by side to let your cat choose; try clay litters, shredded paper, sawdust, wood pellets, even sand or dirt.
Breeder Celect Recycled Paper Cat Litter is the litter choice for many cat breeders and there are many good reasons!
Studies have shown families who adopt two kittens from the same litter are far more likely to keep those cats in their home long-term than families adopting a single kitten. Most adult cats, in contrast, are not very tolerant of other adult cats outside their family group.
Stainless-steel litter boxes are another worthwhile option, as they are easy to clean and don't absorb odors. However, they're more expensive and heavier than plastic ones.
Covered litter boxes may trap odors and make the human environment smell better but for those reasons they may not be as desirable for the cat. If boxes are not cleaned regularly, the odor may be aversive to them. Most commercial open litter boxes are too small for the average cat.
For most seeking an odor-controlling cat litter we highly recommend Purina Tidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented Cat Litter. The formula uses charcoal to eliminate smells, is easy to scoop, and does not contain a fragrance that can aggravate respiratory issues.
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.
For the most part, all experts agree…the litter box should be scooped 1-2 times each day. “Litter boxes should be scooped at least once or twice a day, and it's even better if you can get to it as soon as your cat has finished his business,” said By Dr.
Scoop waste daily. How often you replace the litter depends on the number of cats you have, the number of litter boxes and the type of litter you use. Twice a week is a general guideline for replacing clay litter, but depending on your circumstances, you may need to replace it every other day or only once a week.
If your cat is eating litter, try switching to a non-clay litter made from materials like paper or wood. You can also try providing a covered litter box or adding more litter boxes. Finally, make sure your cat is getting enough mental and physical stimulation to reduce their stress and boredom.
The main key benefit with non-clumping litter is that it can be at least 50% cheaper than the clumping variety so this is an obvious tick in the box, especially if your cat is happy and content with it.
Unlike traditional litters, non-clumping cat litters are preferred by some cat parents because of its highly absorbent nature, superior odour control, and it's low-maintenance clean-up.
Some of the first commercially available cat litters were of the non-clumping type. Why? Non-clumping cat litter is good at removing odors associated with cat urine because it has the ability to absorb relatively large volumes of urine.
In addition, when looking at cost, don't forget to consider how frequently you'll need to change the litter box. While higher-quality litters might be more expensive initially, in the long run, if they require less cleaning, you actually might end up spending less money.
It's unlikely that a cat doesn't know how to use the litter box. Typically, something is going on that is discouraging your cat from using their litter box (more on that later). But, Nyhuis adds, some cats are downright bad at covering their poo. "I can attest to this after fostering a large grey tabby," she says.
How Big Should the Litter Box Be? In general, bigger is better and many litter boxes are too small. Litter boxes should be 1 ½ times the length of your cat from the nose to the base of the tail. The litter box needs to be large enough to allow your cat to enter, turn around, scratch, and eliminate.