Choosing cat litter can be a very daunting experience, especially for new kitty parents. There are so many options to choose from! What is a cat parent to do! Choosing the best cat litter isn’t as hard as it seems if you’re armed with a little bit of information.
Absorbent Cat Litter
Using absorbent litter may require less upkeep in the litter box. It is made up of a clay that does not clump, yet it’s still absorbent. The litter absorbs cat urine and thus allows you to just scoop feces each day. It is cheaper than clumping litter. Although, while upkeep is less frequent, non-clumping litter can cause odors sooner than clumping litter. If the odor bothers you, you’ll definitely want to refresh the litter more often.
Clumping Cat Litter
Clumping litter is an easy maintenance choice. It’s made up a type of clay called bentonite. The clumping nature pulls together “clumps” collecting to a solid. Easily scoop out the clumps and add fresh litter to replace the clump removed. This litter is very dusty and might not be the best option for people suffering from allergies or COPD.
Silica gel Cat Litter
Silica gel litter is known for its absorbent qualities. It keeps odor at bay and has seemingly no dust. Cost wise, this litter is on the higher end of the spectrum, but may last longer than most cat litter. Caution… there are those who warn against the possible toxicity of silica for both cats ( and dogs ) if ingested. For that matter, large amounts of inhaled clay dust may prove to be toxic. Use your common sense, investigate, study up, keep a close eye every day.
Eco-friendly Cat Litter
Environmental conscious cats and their owners have a few options to consider as well. There are cat litter options on the market that are biodegrable, which means can be decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms. There are pine, grass, corn, wheat, and recycled paper based options to choose from!
Now that you are armed with some information, there’s something else you need to know. Your cat will have the final say when it comes to his cat litter. Cats are picky about where they do their business. In fact, many pet parents report that their cats have a fancy for clumping cat litter compared to any other kind. Cats also seem to prefer unscented litter, too. Furthermore, Karen Becker, of Healthy Pets Mercola references a study that reports that cats “consistently and significantly” prefer clay, sand-like, clumping litter.
In short, the whole process of choosing cat litter may take a little trial and error. Be patient, be diligent and most importantly, keep the litter box clean as you seek the best option for your cat’s box. For more information, the Cat Site has a very in depth review page for many different brands of cat litter.
Peggy, at Petsitting by Peggy LLC, prides herself on keeping her client litter boxes “tip top!” Daily visits always include an immaculate scooping, added litter as needed, and a loving chat with the cats about how nice it is to have “clean digs”, a “sparkling pot”, and a sitter who loves them!
To learn more about how we can help you and your cat, check out our Services page. And to speak with us directly, please contact us here or call us on 205 516-7720.
