After testing dozens of automated litter bins, I can say it has been tough to find out which is one of the best cat litter (or fairly, if there may be one). Most individuals will need to search for a low-tracking, clumping cat litter that is appropriate with their litter field. However there are different elements to contemplate, like allergens, materials, the litter field itself, and the way you will take care of the waste.
Lately, there have been leaps and bounds within the pet tech sphere as an entire—together with the place our cats go potty and what litter they go potty in. Prior to now, the alternatives have been an absorbent clay whose major compound was calcium bentonite, sawdust, or sand. Now, now we have high-tech crystal litter, which goals to indicate well being points by altering coloration; eco-friendly tofu litter; and all sorts of clumping clay litter between. After a yr of testing litter bins and scooping tons of cat litter, let me sift by (get it?) the choices so you possibly can decide one of the best kind of cat litter for you and your furry good friend.
Desk of Contents
Ought to You Change Up Your Litter?
There are various explanation why chances are you’ll need to change your litter. Your cat could also be like mine, with sensitivities to robust odors or smells that may trigger allergic reactions or allergy-like signs like pink eyes or itching. Or possibly your cat is long-haired, like mine, and also you’re uninterested in litter sticking to their fur.
If you wish to be extra eco- (and budget-) pleasant, a biodegradable tofu or wooden pellet litter could also be higher. However for these, you will have to introduce the change slowly, and infrequently you will have to alter the field you are utilizing. (Extra on that beneath.)
As a helicopter pet father or mother who brushes their cats’ tooth and shaves their butts, I actually simply need to be sure I’ve a litter that retains my cat (and me) snug, giving them a protected house to potty and a better time to wash it for me.
I search for, and suggest of us do trial and error to search out, a litter that has all of those components:
- Clumping: Many manufacturers declare to clump successfully, however you will want to observe whereas scooping to see if they really are, or in the event that they’re leaving smaller bits that sneak by grates whereas cleansing.
- Scent-free or low scent: Cats can scent 14 instances higher than people, and robust odors can irritate their respiratory system and result in itching, watery eyes, and different signs, together with not wanting to make use of the litter field in any respect as a result of the scent is overwhelming.
- Low–monitoring: Identical as clumping litters above, many litters declare to be low monitoring, however I’ve discovered that one of the simplest ways to reduce litter monitoring round the home is to have an ideal clumping litter and add as a lot house as attainable between the field and the ground. Because of this, along with clumping litter, add equipment like stairs (in case your cat is cell sufficient), a ramp, or a litter-trapping mat to extend the space between the field and your ground, to scale back litter monitoring. Litters that goal to be low-tracking are typically higher at mud management, which additionally assist with common cleanliness and decrease irritants.
I’ve examined a number of sorts of cat litter from Boxiecat, and though dear, they’ve all managed odor effectively, had low mud/monitoring, and scooped simply in clumps (and labored effectively with my automated litter field).
Evaluate the Most In style Varieties of Litter
As stated earlier than, there was restricted litter choices, now there’s tofu, wooden, silica crystals, recycled paper, and even nut shells. Whereas one thing like wooden pellets is extra eco-friendly and cheaper, you will must consider your litter field and whether or not your cat takes to the brand new litter. (Though sluggish introduction is essential.)
- Clay cat litter: That is by far the preferred litter kind, and most intently resembles what cats could be utilizing within the wild. Clumping clay cat litter is what I like to recommend for most individuals, because it primarily makes use of a naturally absorbent bentonite clay. It expands when moist/dirty, making it “clump,” which is less complicated to scoop and usually extra hygienic. Nonetheless, it isn’t as environmentally pleasant as a result of it isn’t biodegradable and might include carcinogenic silica mud.
- Tofu cat litter: This comparatively new litter is nice as a result of it is environmentally pleasant. It is made out of soybean fiber, making it naturally biodegradable, unhazardous, and manner much less dusty than conventional selections. If purchased in pellet type (the preferred possibility), they clump effectively and might even be flushed in the bathroom, though it may be dear and might develop mould in humid situations.
- Crystal cat litter: Such a litter is constructed from silica mined from quartz sand and blended with oxygen and water to make tremendous absorbent pellets (akin to the absorbing powers of these little silica gel packets discovered in lots of newly purchased objects). It is light-weight and has nice odor management. Crystal litter is costly, not biodegradable or clumping (requires each day sifting), simply tracks, could be an uncomfortable texture for paws, and is tough for some cats to get used to utilizing. In style manufacturers like PrettyLitter really use a particular silica method that goals to trace well being adjustments by altering colours primarily based on urinary PH. Though I am barely reluctant to make use of it due to evaluations of the silica litter being ingested and harming cats and inflicting respiratory points due to the particle mud.
- Paper or wooden pellets: Paper and wooden pellets are low-cost, have low mud and monitoring, and are eco-friendly as a result of they’re biodegradable. (Paper pellets are additionally nice for injured or post-operation pets, as a result of the litter is low-dust and there is much less probability for litter to get caught in wounds.) Nonetheless, this does not management odor effectively, is non-clumping, and must be modified continuously (you will in all probability want a sifting litter field). Wooden pellets are additionally typically product of pine and might have an amazing scent.
- Walnut shell cat litter: Constituted of crushed walnut shells, that is typically used as a a lot lighter, extra pure different to clay litter. It is light-weight and has a texture just like clay, and is biodegradable. Though it could observe, spoil in moist situations, and requires frequent emptying/cleansing.
- We do not suggest corn cat litter, as corn is vulnerable to a poisonous mould known as aflatoxin. This will trigger well being points for cats and in people who’ve bronchial asthma or COPD and are immunocompromised or aged.
