Cat Litter Types: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Litter
When you’re shopping to restock on cat litter, the options can be overwhelming. The choices between different brands, prices, uses and ingredients can throw any cat owner for a loop when trying to make the best selection for their furry companions. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP),
“Cat litter is marketed to people, not to cats. Marketers appeal to cat owners by using product descriptions such as ‘less tracking’, ‘multi-cat’, ‘scented’, ‘organic’ and ‘natural’. Consequently, litter may have descriptions or attributes that appeal to humans but not to their feline companions. For example, cats often find aromatic litter and litter deodorizers offensive. No product reduces or removes the need to regularly clean and maintain litter boxes.”
A great way to make a more informed decision when it comes to your cat’s litter box is to learn more about the pros and cons of different materials used in litter and how they effect your cat. We’re here to share what you need to know about different types of litter and how to pick the best choice for your pet.
Clay
According to the AAFP, unscented clumping clay litter takes the number one spot for most cats when it comes to choosing a litter. Not only is it one of the more affordable litter types, but it’s also the best choice for keeping your space clean with its ability to clump and absorb unwanted odors. Clay litters also cater to your cat’s natural instincts — cats prefer to dig in sand-like substances, and unscented clay litters are the closest to replicating that environment. For those wary of dust, rest assured — Dr. Elsey’s Ultra litter is 99% dust-free, tackling the common concerns of traditional clay-based litters and keeping your home clean for a fresh living environment.
Crystal Silica
Crystal litters might look pretty, but are they the best choice for your pet? Crystal silica litters contain properties that make them highly absorbent and dust-free, while also catering to our longer-haired furry friends. It’s common to have bits of litter get stuck to your cat’s fur, and crystal litter is a great choice if you frequently have that issue with your long-haired cat. Dr. Elsey’s Crystal Silica litter offers great benefits, but unlike clay litters, they don’t contain clumping properties and are a bit more absorbent, resulting in fewer litter refills.
Pine
As one of many more eco-friendly litter options, Dr. Elsey’s Pine litter is known for its low-tracking and low-dust qualities. While also being one of the more affordable options, it naturally has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. On the downside, pine litter might not feel the best on your cat’s sensitive paw pads. It needs to be changed much more frequently than clay or crystal silica litters, and no clumping means a more involved clean up.
Corn
As a more natural, lightly-clumping option, corn has a soft texture that most cats enjoy. However, due to its natural properties, corn litter can be susceptible to mold, bugs and even the possibility that your cat might mistake it for a tasty treat. Exposure to mold can be toxic to your cat, so it’s best to opt for a hypoallergenic and mold-resistant option.
Grass
Grass litter may sound like a strange choice, but it has surprising clumping capabilities and odor control. As a natural choice, it’s also biodegradable and more environmentally friendly. However, similarly to corn (or your house plants), your cat might think their grass litter is food. Grass litter also has the tendency to track and scatter easily, making it one of the messier options for litter materials. If you’re seeking to add a natural touch to your cat’s litter box, Dr. Elsey’s Touch of Outdoors litter is a great option.
Paper
While paper litter would rank high on the list as low-dust and gentle on your pet’s paws, the downsides can be significant for pet owners. Paper litter doesn’t clump and gets soggy when saturated, making it one smelly and messy clean up for cat parents. Not only is the clean up daunting, but the texture of paper doesn’t align well with a cat’s natural instinct to dig and cover after they use the litter box.
Tofu
Tofu litter, like many other more natural litter options, ranks high on the list for sustainability. Made from food waste, tofu litter can be a great option for low-tracking and absorbency. While it has many similar properties to great litters like its clumping properties and odor control, it can be on the more expensive side and holds the same risk of mold and pests as corn litter.
Ultimately, it’s up to cat parents to decide which litter type is best for their furry companion. We encourage pet owners to conduct their own research to make an informed decision when choosing what’s best for their cat. Here at Dr. Elsey’s, our recommendation aligns with clumping clay and crystal silica litter for overall scent control, absorption and catering to your cat’s natural instincts to minimize house soiling.
