Litter field obligation is the least favourite day by day job of each cat father or mother, and it’s vital to seek out the best kind of litter. However what’s the greatest litter for cats? Effectively, it comes right down to your cat’s wants. Cats are explicit, and for those who get a litter they don’t like due to its scent or texture, you run the chance of them not utilizing their litter field and doing their enterprise someplace else in your house.
Earlier than shopping for cat litter, contemplate whether or not your cat is delicate to scents. Additionally, contemplate your cat’s age as a result of some varieties, comparable to clumping clay litter, aren’t really helpful for kittens. In case your cat has respiratory points, it is best to search for manufacturers which are low in mud, comparable to paper or tofu litter. We all know choosing just one possibility will be overwhelming, so we’ll talk about the completely different litter varieties and enable you to select the very best one for you and your cat.
What To Do About Litter Field Odors?
As all cat house owners can attest, litter containers can have a really pungent odor. Aside from having the best cat litter, recurrently cleansing the litter field and having it in a well-ventilated space, utilizing a litter additive or deodorizer can considerably assist fight litter field odors. An enzyme cleaner works wonders for pet messes and odors making it an ideal addition to your kitty cleansing routine.
Combating robust cat litter smells is an ongoing battle for pet dad and mom however fortunately, there are merchandise on the market designed to assist! Two merchandise that considerably scale back odors are the Hepper Litter Additive and the Hepper Enzyme Spray.
| Picture | Product | Particulars | |
|---|---|---|---|
Greatest For Cleansing
|
Hepper Superior Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray |
Works on a number of surfaces Light but efficient Lifts stains & set-in odors |
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|
Greatest Litter Additive
|
Superior Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer |
Neutralizes odor inside cat litter Cat-safe Unscented |
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At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for a few years and determined to take a controlling possession curiosity in order that we may gain advantage from the excellent designs of this cool cat firm!
How Are Cat Litters Labeled?
Some kinds of cat litter use supplies comparable to clay, pine, silica crystals, wheat, walnut, paper, corn, tofu, and grass. Of all the kinds, cat litter will be labeled into two fundamental lessons: clumping and non-clumping.
Clumping cat litter varieties clumps when moisture from urine or poop makes contact with it. Individuals get pleasure from this sort as a result of it’s simpler to wash and requires much less work as a result of the clumps will be scooped out with out pouring out and changing all of the litter. Sadly, it’s not excellent for kittens, as they’re extra prone to ingest a bigger quantity by means of grooming and play, which might be problematic for his or her tiny digestive tracts.
Non-clumping litter is secure for all cats, however as a result of it doesn’t clump, it doesn’t management the odor as properly, and requires common cleansing. You’ll want to exchange all of the litter and wash the underside of the litter field as a result of the urine seeps to the bottom. Nevertheless, non-clumping litter is extra inexpensive.
High 9 Forms of Cat Litter
1. Clay Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Each |
| Biodegradable: | No |
| Value: | Low |
As the most typical kind used, you’ve possible seen or used clay litter earlier than sooner or later in your life. It’s utilized in many houses as a result of it’s broadly accessible, low cost, and gives selection. You’ll be able to select between scented and unscented clay litter and clumping and non-clumping varieties.
The draw back is that it may be dusty and may get in your cat’s paws once they enter their litter field. After they get out, they could monitor the mud throughout your own home. It additionally isn’t essentially the most environmentally pleasant litter possibility, and is kind of heavy.
If you choose a clay cat litter, search for a clumping low-dust kind. Nevertheless, if in case you have a kitten, go for the non-clumping possibility as a result of it’s harmful for them to ingest clumping litter, and kittens are more likely to nibble their litter out of curiosity than grownup cats.
2. Pine Pellet Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Low |
When you’re on the lookout for an eco-friendly and non-toxic possibility, pine pellet litter is an effective one. Though it’s in pellet type, it’s extremely absorbent and prevents urine from operating straight right down to the bottom of the litter field.
Though it’s a pure and unscented possibility, it has a woodsy odor that may be overbearing for some cats, particularly in the event that they’re delicate to scents. Nevertheless, some cats may be drawn to the woodsy odor; it simply is dependent upon the cat.
Pine pellet cat litter isn’t an ideal possibility for cats with nail accidents or delicate paws as a result of the pellets aren’t as snug to stroll on as different varieties.
3. Silica Crystal Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Most are non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | No |
| Value: | Excessive |
Silica litter is secure for cats, however is the least environmentally pleasant possibility as a result of it’s mined from quartz sand, and it isn’t biodegradable. Nevertheless, this sort of cat litter is nice at controlling odor. It doesn’t clump, nevertheless it absorbs liquid and dehydrates solids, permitting you to scoop out the poop with out a lot mess. Due to that, it’s nice at controlling odors. You’ll additionally must stir the litter day-after-day.
Silica litter is marketed to soak up moisture for as much as a month, so it doesn’t should be modified typically. Though it’s dearer than different choices, it would outlast a bag of the identical measurement of clay litter. It’s also a low-dust possibility for cats (or house owners) with respiratory points. Final however not least, silica litter is inorganic, so that you don’t have to fret about it turning into moldy.
4. Wheat Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Low |
For a softer different, wheat cat litter is pure and flushable*. This litter is freed from dyes, chemical substances, and fragrances and is biodegradable. Though it has a smooth texture, it isn’t notably dusty. Nevertheless, it does monitor to a point. It incorporates enzymes that fight odor-causing micro organism and does properly at neutralizing odors. Wheat cat litter clumps, so you possibly can scoop waste out with ease.
Like most different pure litters, it’s prone to mould and may appeal to bugs, which isn’t excellent. Though it’s perfume-free, it has a pure scent, which can repel your cat or entice them to nibble at it. Keep watch over your cat when introducing this litter to them for the primary time, and discourage them from ingesting it.
5. Walnut Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Each |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Low |
Walnut cat litter is accessible in clumping and non-clumping varieties. It has a granular look as a result of it’s made out of the shell of the walnut, which has been crushed down. It has the same appear and feel to clay litter, and for those who’re transitioning your cat from clay litter to one thing biodegradable, it’s a good choice to attempt.
Due to the fabric the litter is made out of, it’s light-weight, making it simpler to hold and clear out. Your cat might also like how simple it’s to maneuver about to cowl their waste.
It does a good job at odor management and is low in mud. Nevertheless, it might monitor and make a multitude in your house and turn into moldy if not modified recurrently sufficient. It has a darkish look, which might make recognizing your cat’s waste slightly tricker. Nevertheless, some house owners might admire this characteristic as a result of it disguises their waste.
6. Corn Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Excessive |
Corn litter is one other well-liked possibility that’s environmentally pleasant and smooth in your cat’s paws. It clumps properly, isn’t as dusty as clay litter, and controls the odor out of your cat’s waste. In case your cat isn’t delicate to scents and you want fragranced litter, it might work greatest for you and your cat as a result of there are scented and unscented varieties to choose from.
When you’ve been having bother getting your cat to make use of their litter field, corn litter incorporates attractants, which emit a scent that’s interesting to cats and will draw them to their litter field.
Sadly, corn litter isn’t proof against mould progress, and though most manufacturers declare their litter is secure from aflatoxins, the litter does include this danger. Fortunately, aflatoxins are solely lethal if ingested, and since most cats don’t eat their litter, they need to be secure even when it does develop.
7. Paper Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Non-clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Low |
Paper litter is made out of recycled paper and is mostly bought in pellet type. It is without doubt one of the greatest choices available on the market for cats with respiratory points or these recovering from surgical procedures as a result of it has one of many lowest mud contents of all of the litter varieties. It’s also a step in the best route in the direction of sustainable residing. being environmentally pleasant and biodegradable.
Paper litter can also be an inexpensive possibility, nevertheless it has disadvantages. Paper litter is non-clumping and, subsequently, must be modified typically. Because the pellets turn into saturated with urine and waste, the litter can turn into mushy and exhausting to wash out the litter field. It additionally doesn’t management odors in addition to different litter varieties, however there are manufacturers with deodorizers.
8. Tofu Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Excessive |
For one thing slightly completely different, as a result of it’s nonetheless comparatively new to the market, you possibly can attempt tofu litter. It’s made out of soybean fiber, so it’s one other pure possibility. One of many thrilling options of this litter is that it’s biodegradable and secure to flush down your rest room*.
It’s also a really low mud possibility, which is important for cats and members of the family with respiratory points. It is available in giant pellets, and it’s not a litter that your cat will monitor round your own home simply, apart from just a few pellets right here and there that will have been kicked out of the litter field.
As a result of tofu litter is clumping, it’s simple to wash, and also you’ll simply must scoop out the clumps every day and flush them down the bathroom. It’s additionally a long-lasting possibility. Nevertheless, as a result of it’s natural, it’s prone to mould for those who don’t retailer it based on its care directions.
9. Grass Cat Litter
| Clumping or non-clumping: | Clumping |
| Biodegradable: | Sure |
| Value: | Excessive |
The feel and look of grass litter might shock you; moderately than filling your cat’s litter field with grass clippings, it resembles corn litter. It’s made up of dried grass seeds that clump instantly once they come into contact with urine and waste, which traps micro organism and odors.
The feel can also be smooth on paws, which may be extra inviting to your cat than pellet litter varieties. Grass litter doesn’t comprise fragrances or perfumes that may irritate delicate cats and is a low-dust possibility.
It makes use of a renewable materials and is biodegradable. Nevertheless, grass litter is without doubt one of the newer varieties available on the market, so it isn’t as broadly accessible and is bought at a better worth than many different choices.
*Verify that your pipes/drainage system can address flushing this materials. Could also be unsuitable for arrow pipes or septic tanks and so forth.
What Kind of Litter Is Greatest?
As you’ve seen above, various kinds of cat litter attraction to completely different cats and their house owners, so the very best litter comes right down to your cat’s likes and desires, and what your priorities are. In case your cat likes smooth litter, wheat, corn, and grass litter are a few of the greatest choices. In case your cat has a respiratory problem, search for low-dust choices comparable to wheat and paper litter.
You’ll be able to select between clumping, non-clumping, or low-tracking litter. Nevertheless, it’s vital to maintain their litter field clear since a unclean litter field is unhygienic and will trigger your cat to keep away from utilizing it altogether.
We suggest selecting a litter low in mud and free from robust perfumes, chemical preservatives, and sodium bentonite, as they will irritate your cat and trigger sinus and gastrointestinal points.
Conclusion
Bear in mind, all cats are completely different, and what appeals to 1 cat might not attraction to a different. There are numerous litter varieties available on the market, together with clay, pine, silica crystals, wheat, walnut, corn, paper, tofu, and grass. They’re additionally labeled as clumping or non-clumping litter. You may also choose scented or unscented litter, low mud, biodegradable, low-tracking, and good odor management choices.
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Featured Picture Credit score: New Africa, Shutterstock
