How do I know which type of litter is best for my cat?

There is no, one right answer to the question of which litter is best. Even between experts and vets, the answer will vary depending on who you ask. The truth, however, is that the answer is actually in the question itself – you should use the litter that works best for your cat, as well as the litter that works best with your lifestyle and daily habits if your cat isn’t entirely picky.

“The best litter in the world turns into the worst if the cat won’t use it”

It’s all a matter of what your cat will and won’t accept in their litter box. In this light, your primary concern should be how well your cat likes a certain type of litter. If you’re not sure, we recommend getting a small bag of the litter you wish to try and using it in your box for a few days to see if your cat will even take to it.

If your cat isn’t of the particularly finicky variety when it comes to litter, then you should focus the choice on your purchasing habits and cleaning routines – making sure you choose a type of litter that will help you maintain the cleanest environment for your cat in relation to how and when you clean your litter box.

A note on kittens: If you have a kitten under 6 months old, you will need to take special care with their litter box and litter training. Kittens need special litter and shouldn’t use an automatic litter box until they are over 6 months. For more information on kittens and litter choice, please read Kittens & Litter.

Clumping Litter: The Natural Choice

The Upsides
Clumping cat litter is either fine-grained clay or more eco-friendly corn litter that clumps when it comes in contact with liquids. These clumps are the main benefit, because they allow waste to be easily removed from the box without changing out the litter completely. For this reason, clumping litter quickly became the most popular type when it was introduced – a position it still holds today.

Another benefit of fine-grained clumping litter is that the texture has been shown to be preferred by cats over other types – largely because it most closely resembles what they would use in the wild (sand). In the early 90’s, animal behaviorist Peter Borchelt conducted a test to discover what litter qualities cats prefer. In the texture preference portion of the study, the test cats, “gave the nod to finer-grained scoopable litters.”

The Downsides
There are some downsides to clumping litter that prevent it from being declared the undisputed litter winner. The main drawback is that any type of clumping litter will contain some level dust. The dust can get on floors and furniture near the litter box, which means you may need to clean the area around your box more often. In addition, cats with feline asthma – or breeds that are prone to contracting it like Siamese and Himalayans – will be better served using a no-dust crystal litter to avoid potential irritation. There are low-dust litters, like the LitterMaid® brand litter, which is 99% dust-free. Always use a premium low-dust litter.

The other downside to clumping litter is a product of the clumping agent itself. Since clumping litter absorbs liquids to clump on contact, it may occur that freshly damp litter will clump onto your cat’s paws, instead of in the box. This may lead to litter tracking across your floor, which means extra cleanup around your house. If you’re having problems with litter tracking, you can try switching to another brand of clumping litter, such as a less sticky corn-based litter instead of the standard clay – or you can try another type of litter, like crystal. Litter tracking can also be helped by using a paw cleaning ramp and/or area carpet with your litter box.

The Clumping Litter Checklist

• Is your cat under 6 months old?
• Do you or your cat have asthma or severe dust-related allergies?
• Is your cat an asthma-prone breed like Siamese or Himalayan?

If you answered no to all of the above questions, then clumping litter may be a good match for your cat’s needs. Answer the questions below about what you’re looking for in a litter solution:

• Do you need/want a wide selection of different litters to choose from?
• Are you most interested in maintaining a natural environment when it comes to your cat’s litter box area?

Now, if you’ve answered yes to these two questions, your household is definitely a strong candidate for using a clumping litter system. Make sure you get a low-dust premium litter and test it in your box for a few days before switching from the litter you’re currently using.

If clumping litter is right for you, click here to see our selection of LitterMaid® Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes that use premium clumping litter.

Crystal Litter: The No-Hassle Choice

The Upsides
The most recent innovation in litter came with the introduction of crystal litter. This litter uses silica gel, usually in the form of beads or pellets. Liquids are directly absorbed into the crystals by the silica gel, leaving a dry litter box moments after your cat leaves the box. “Crystal kitty litter has the highest absorbency of any litter, and so [it] has excellent moisture and odor control.”

The benefits of crystal litter are numerous: it is more absorbent and dries better because the crystals release the water vapor once the urine is absorbed, while locking away bacteria in the crystal. In addition, it’s lightweight – so a 4-lb. bag contains enough litter to keep your box clean for 1 month for the average, healthy cat. For cat parents that can’t carry heavy bags or buckets of clumping litter that can weigh up to 50 lbs, lightweight portability is another big advantage.

The Downsides
There are some definite downsides to crystal litter, though, and the most critical may be that your cat may take time to acclimate to it, since it’s less like what they would use the wild. The beads or pellets don’t look as natural or rather they don’t resemble the environment cats would naturally choose in the wild. Some cats are put off by the look and/or texture, so they may be finicky about using it until they’ve acclimated.

In addition, crystal litter – although it’s lighter in weight – can actually be harder in texture, which can potentially cause discomfort to sensitive-pawed kitties. If you’re selecting crystal litter, make sure that the beads have more rounded edges, since some low-quality crystal litters may have sharp edges that can irritate delicate paws. As with any litter type, buying a premium brand will help avoid most of the downsides associated with crystal litter.  

Another potential issue with crystal litter is that it works better in dry environments. If you live somewhere that has an extremely humid climate, it can affect the absorption of the crystals because they will be absorbing moisture from the air, as well. If you live in a humid climate, make sure your litter box is in the driest place possible.

The Crystal Litter Checklist

• Is your cat under 6 months old?
• Is your cat finicky when it comes to litter texture?
• Does your cat have sensitive and/or delicate paw pads?

If you answered no to all of the above questions, then crystal litter may be a good match for your cat’s needs. Answer the questions below about what you’re looking for in a litter solution:

• Do you need/want a litter that focuses on dryness and offers the best solution to keeping your litter box dry?
• Are you most interested in maintaining a clean environment with fewer bacteria when it comes to your cat’s litter box area?

Now, if you’ve answered yes to these two questions, your household is definitely a strong candidate for using a crystal litter system. Make sure you get a premium crystal litter and test it in your litter box for a few days before switching from the litter you’re currently using.

If crystal litter is right for you, click here to see our selection of ScoopMaid™ Litter Boxes that use premium crystal litter.