Clumping cat litters have a lot of benefits. Most notably, cat owners generally prefer clumping litter because it makes litter box cleaning easy and mess-free. Cats also often appreciate this since it means their litter box is cleaner.
Biodegradable litters include cat litter made from corn cobs, pine pellets, or wheat straw; sand; and paper-based (non-clumping) clumping litters. These types of litter are generally considered the most environmentally friendly option for cats and humans.
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.
However, you must shop wisely and avoid clay, wheat, corn, crystal, and wood clumping litters. These clumping litters pose serious health risks to you and your cat. Breathing in these litters can cause respiratory issues, cancer, and starch-based litters are at risk for deadly mold.
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.
Don't put a box in a small, enclosed area, like a tiny bathroom or closet, which will concentrate litter box odors. A larger, well-ventilated area is best.
Sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of the box before adding the litter to create a protective layer. After your cat does its business it will bury its treasure, scooping up some of the baking soda which helps cover up the smell.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
Our choice for Best Overall is Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter. The clay cat litter clumps together for scooping, minimizes odors, and has a texture that agrees with most cats.
You can find dust-free cat litter as pellets, sand, clumping clay, scented, unscented, and more—including many litters that excel at controlling odor as well as dust.
Virtually all cats like clean litter boxes, so scoop and change your cat's litter at least once a day. Rinse the litter box out completely with baking soda or unscented soap once a week.
Unlike plastic litter trays, the non-porous surface of enamel is antibacterial and easy to clean over many years. This is why enamel is also commonly used for sanitary purposes and in the kitchen.
Advantages of wood pellet cat litter
It is eco-friendly. Being made from wood, it is renewable, biodegradable and 100% sustainable. It does not get spread around the house as much as other types of the litter because it is too large to get stuck in a cat's paws. It has less dust compared to other litter types.
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.
When urea, the main component of urine, decomposes, the highly volatile ammonia is released, and as cats have higher levels of urea than dogs, or even humans, this is multiplied in the litter tray. Humans can detect ammonia at very small concentrations, and it has a particularly fishy smell.
Cleaning the area thoroughly with vinegar first and then applying an enzyme treatment will break down and evaporate the uric acid and your home will be free of cat odors. Vinegar and enzyme cleaners work on all surfaces: hardwood floors, carpets, mattresses.
Not only does cat pee smell noxious, but the stench can spread all over your house, making it hard or embarrassing to invite guests over. That's why we all want to make sure that our cat litter boxes smell as little as possible.
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.
Most cats prefer closed litter trays, with a lid. Hooded cat litter trays mean they are safe from prying eyes and feel comfortable and secure. However, that doesn't apply to all kitties!
In this study, no overall preference was seen for covered versus uncovered litter boxes. When individual cats were assessed, 70% showed absolutely no preference (i.e. used both boxes equally), 15% used the covered litter box more significantly, while 15% used the uncovered more than the covered. Pretty even results.
Curious kittens often eat their feces (an unsavory truth), play in the litter box and lick litter off their paws. Clumping litter absorbs and expands when it comes into contact with liquids, and if a kitten ingests the litter, it can create an intestinal blockage.
With a clumping litter, the clumps that form after you cat has used their litter are far less likely to scatter. Not only does that mean less cleaning for you, but it also means less worry!
Your cat could be just trying to maintain her scent in the box, even though you're cleaning it. Animals usually go to the bathroom to give us a message. If it's outside the litter box, they could be stressed or in need of a clean place to go.