What style of cat litter is best?
1. Clumping Litter Versus Non-clumping Litter
Clumping litter absorbs moisture more rapidly, turning pee spots into tight clumps that you can easily scoop and toss. It’s the cleanest option in terms of being able to remove the stinky bits quickly.
Non-clumping litter absorbs moisture more slowly. You can remove poop pretty easily. But pee doesn’t clump. It just saturates the litter. Instead of scooping pee daily, you have to dump all the litter and replace it every couple of days.
2. Scented Versus Unscented Litter
Scented litter products have artificial scents or deodorizers added, in an attempt to mask the pee and poop smell.
Unscented litter is made without additional scent agents and is often referred to as ‘odorless’ litter.
Just because there’s no “added” scent doesn’t mean the litter is truly odorless. It will often retain the smell of the products it’s made from. And not all of those are scent-free, especially to your cat.
A cat’s sense of smell is up to 40x more sensitive than ours. With nearly 200 million odor receptors in their nose, what might seem like a lightly scented litter to you could be overwhelming and off-putting to them.
3. Cat Litter Consistencies
（1）Clay Litter
Clay is one of the faster-absorbing litters on the market and one of the most popular. It closely resembles what cats would CHOOSE to use in the wild — sand or dirt that allows them to dig and bury their pee and poop.
On the downside, clay litter can often be very dusty. This is problematic for cats and people with respiratory issues.
（2）Crystal (Silica) Litter
Crystal litter is made from silica crystals. Silica/crystal litter is the same idea. It’s incredibly absorbent.
While it doesn’t clump, meaning you have to toss the entire box instead of scooping clumps of pee, it absorbs well enough that you don’t end up with soggy litter.
But there can be drawbacks. Some crystal litter granules are quite large and sharp, making them uncomfortable or even painful on kitty paws. This is especially true for cats who have mobility issues, osteoarthritis, or are declawed.
Concerns have also been raised about the safety of silica. And digging around in any litter can create dust or small particles that can be inhaled. Some types of silica can be dangerous when inhaled.
（3）Paper Litter
These litters are made out of recycled paper. Some claim to be chemical-free and super-absorbent. A benefit of this litter is its sustainability.
It comes in a pellet form, a texture often used by veterinarians after surgical procedures so the smaller litter particles don’t get stuck in surgical wounds. It's also helpful for long-haired breeds who tend to drag their fur through wet litter that then sticks to their fur.
However, for everyday use, pellet litters aren’t necessarily ideal. The larger pellet size is different than the fine-grain sand or soil cats would choose in the wild. It can be painful on sensitive paws and cause instability for senior cats or those with mobility issues.
What style of cat litter is best?
1. Clumping Litter Versus Non-clumping Litter
Clumping litter absorbs moisture more rapidly, turning pee spots into tight clumps that you can easily scoop and toss. It’s the cleanest option in terms of being able to remove the stinky bits quickly.
Non-clumping litter absorbs moisture more slowly. You can remove poop pretty easily. But pee doesn’t clump. It just saturates the litter. Instead of scooping pee daily, you have to dump all the litter and replace it every couple of days.
2. Scented Versus Unscented Litter
Scented litter products have artificial scents or deodorizers added, in an attempt to mask the pee and poop smell.
Unscented litter is made without additional scent agents and is often referred to as ‘odorless’ litter.
Just because there’s no “added” scent doesn’t mean the litter is truly odorless. It will often retain the smell of the products it’s made from. And not all of those are scent-free, especially to your cat.
A cat’s sense of smell is up to 40x more sensitive than ours. With nearly 200 million odor receptors in their nose, what might seem like a lightly scented litter to you could be overwhelming and off-putting to them.
3. Cat Litter Consistencies
（1）Clay Litter
Clay is one of the faster-absorbing litters on the market and one of the most popular. It closely resembles what cats would CHOOSE to use in the wild — sand or dirt that allows them to dig and bury their pee and poop.
On the downside, clay litter can often be very dusty. This is problematic for cats and people with respiratory issues.
（2）Crystal (Silica) Litter
Crystal litter is made from silica crystals. Silica/crystal litter is the same idea. It’s incredibly absorbent.
While it doesn’t clump, meaning you have to toss the entire box instead of scooping clumps of pee, it absorbs well enough that you don’t end up with soggy litter.
But there can be drawbacks. Some crystal litter granules are quite large and sharp, making them uncomfortable or even painful on kitty paws. This is especially true for cats who have mobility issues, osteoarthritis, or are declawed.
Concerns have also been raised about the safety of silica. And digging around in any litter can create dust or small particles that can be inhaled. Some types of silica can be dangerous when inhaled.
（3）Paper Litter
These litters are made out of recycled paper. Some claim to be chemical-free and super-absorbent. A benefit of this litter is its sustainability.
It comes in a pellet form, a texture often used by veterinarians after surgical procedures so the smaller litter particles don’t get stuck in surgical wounds. It's also helpful for long-haired breeds who tend to drag their fur through wet litter that then sticks to their fur.
However, for everyday use, pellet litters aren’t necessarily ideal. The larger pellet size is different than the fine-grain sand or soil cats would choose in the wild. It can be painful on sensitive paws and cause instability for senior cats or those with mobility issues.
