A variety of studies have found that cats prefer their litter to be soft and fine-grained. A recent study compared three types of unscented litter—wood pellets, silica microgranules, and nonclumping clay granules. Overwhelmingly, the cats chose silica and clay over the pellets.
Elsey's Ultra Litter Attractant works by emitting a scent that naturally attracts cats and kittens to use the litter box. Dr. Elsey's Ultra Litter Attractant is the only litter attractant to provide a clinically tested and consumer proven solution.
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.
The choice of clumping versus non-clumping litter is a personal decision. Though many cats appear to prefer clumping litter because it is easier for them to push aside, some cats prefer non-clumping clay.
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. You're short on time — Cleaning the litter box should be part of every cat parent's daily routine, but sometimes life gets in the way.
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.
Cons of clay litter:
It is dusty and can cause respiratory problems in both cats and humans. It is obtained through strip mining, which has a negative impact on the environment. It does not break down naturally - leaving landfills full of soiled cat litter.
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.
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 you clean the litter box daily, you might only need to change clumping litter every two to three weeks.
Most cats prefer an open litter box. Most cat owners prefer a covered litter box. 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.
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.
Not sure how many litter boxes you need? Let Tidy help you do the math. Follow this simple rule: one box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should have three boxes.
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.
Also, animal behaviorists find that cats prefer clumping litter to any other type, so I'd trust them. If you're thinking of switching and experimenting with new litters, remember that cats do not do well with acute change.
“Cats will sometimes jump into the litter boxes and often use them while, and right after, their people have scooped them,” says Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behavior consultant. “Cats love clean litter boxes, ones that are freshly scooped and don't smell of excrement.
If you think your cat may dislike her litter type, texture or smell, try offering her different types of litter to use. Cats generally prefer clumping litter with a medium to fine texture. They also usually prefer unscented litter.
Dirty litter boxes can cause your cat health problems! Cats can develop painful kidney infections, bladder infections, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections if their litter boxes are not kept clean.
Aside from bacteria, cat waste is also home to parasites, which can cause hookworms, roundworms, and ring worms in your cat. When you have a dirty litter box, it's even easier for a parasite to enter your cat's body and land in its gastrointestinal tract.
Just 2-3 inches of litter in the box is the ideal amount for you and your cat. But don't worry, your best bud will most certainly let you know if you're using too much litter. Keep an eye on your feline if you feel they're having a hard time and be sure to to talk to your vet if you have concerns.
Pine litters are generally better than clay when it comes to producing the least dust. They are a low dust cat litter option, which also means a better choice for cats with allergies or sensitivities.
Non-clumping litters don't clump around your cats “solids”, so they can get spread around and contaminate the rest of the litter, which isn't only unsanitary but can also be dangerous as cat poo may carry Toxoplasmosis or other harmful bacteria.
Non-clumping litter is often made from clay which can contain silica dust, this can be harmful to both you and your cat. Clay litter is also strip-mined, which is very bad for the environment.