There are various types of cat litter available on the market, and there are many factors to consider before choosing the one to purchase, which includes its cost, its ability to mask odours, your preference (environment-friendly products), and especially the comforts of your cat when using it.
What is the best type of cat litter?
Here, we have compiled different types of cat litters you can choose from, along with recommended cat litter brands.
Silica crystals
This type of litter is made of small silica gel beads, which is quite similar to the desiccant we can find in many product pouches or packets. This litter is incredibly absorbent, dust-free, and most importantly, it controls odour effectively. But silica crystals are often more expensive than other types of litter. Though they tend to last longer, they can be dangerous for cats since they might stick to a cat’s paw, which can then be ingested when the cat is grooming herself.
The best silica crystal cat litter for us is Felight Anti-Bacterial Litter Crystals by Bob Martin.
Recycled paper
This type of litter is good for cat owners who are eco-conscious. Recycled paper is turned into pellets or tiny granules, which are highly absorbent, dust-free, and biodegradable. Generally, these are non-clumping, but the finer granule form might.
The best-recycled paper cat litter for us is Bio Catolet.
Clumping clay
It is one of the most commonly used cat litters to this day. This litter is made of bentonite, which is a highly-absorbent clay that will turn to clumps once your cat urinates into it. Clumping clay is easy to scoop out. In addition, its price is generally affordable. The downside to using this type of cat litter is, it is non-biodegradable, can be very heavy, and it is dusty, which might be bad for cats or people with asthma.
The best clumping clay cat litter for us are World’s Best Cat Litter and Ever Clean.
Non-clumping clay litter
Non-clumping clay litter is made out of clays with the exemption of bentonite. This was also one of the first commercially-available types of cat litter. This type of litter absorbs urine. This is cheaper than the clumping clay litter. The drawback to using this cat litter is its ability to reduce odour since the urine might sink to the bottom of the litter tray, which may require more frequent cleaning.
Walnut
This is one of the most environmentally-friendly cat litters on the market. This cat litter is made of crushed walnut shells. These walnut litter is highly absorbent, has a clumping ability, biodegradable, effective at controlling odour, and requires less time for complete replacement.
The best walnut cat litter for us is Nature’s Calling.
Pine
This type of litter is also recyclable and made of lumber scraps or leftover wood, which are heat-treated to remove allergens and contaminants from the wood. Pine litter comes in roughly-crushed pine, granules, and pellets. Its natural pine scent will help neutralise odour. Pine pellets will turn into sawdust upon contact with urine, which would then require immediate replacement.
The best pine cat litter for us is Pettex Pampuss Woodbase.
Is cat litter harmful to humans?
There is still no proof that cat litters are harmful to humans; however, parasites and bacteria found in cat faeces can pose harm, We can come in contact with these organisms through cleaning out the cat litter. People with low immune system and pregnant women should avoid getting direct contact to used cat litters. There is a disease called toxoplasmosis, which is caused by a parasite coming from cat faeces that might be harmful to humans.
When should you change your cat’s litter?
Cat litter should be completely replaced at least once a week; that is if you have one cat in the household. But if you have more than one, changing the cat litter every other day is recommended. If possible, it is best to get more litter trays.
If you like to know more about other cat health concerns, click here!
