How To Choose The Right Cat Litter [Answered]

Finding the right cat litter for your feline friend doesn't have to be a perplexing puzzle.

Imagine standing in the pet store aisle, surrounded by bags and boxes, each promising the perfect solution for your cat's litter needs.

Clumping or non-clumping? Scented or unscented? Silica, clay, flushable, or even wheat, walnuts, corn, or recycled newspaper?

several cat litters display at a local grocery store

Your eyes widen as the choices multiply, but don't worry - you're not alone in this litter labyrinth.

Feeling overwhelmed? Let's untangle the mystery together.

We're here to guide you through this maze with a quick, comprehensive guide tailored to you and your cat's unique preferences.

Remember, your cat's comfort is paramount, and finding the ideal litter may involve a bit of exploration and experimentation. But fear not; this guide is your compass, leading you to the perfect choice.

What Kind Of Litter Does Your Cat Like?

Cats have their personal preferences when it comes to litter. These can result from sensitive paws, habits created during kittenhood, or simply a whim.

Why your cat prefers one kind of litter and not another may forever be a riddle shrouded in mystery.

Guess what? The "Why" doesn’t really matter.

What matters is that you provide your cat with the kind of litter he or she feels comfortable with. Otherwise, they may reject the litter box altogether.

Elimination problems are easier to prevent than fix, so read through this guide with your cat’s preference in mind.

Why Even Consider The Type Of Litter?

Are you thinking of changing the type of litter your cat is using faithfully? The adage "If it ain't broke - don't fix it" works well here.

If your cat uses the box regularly and seems okay with your current type of litter, you should probably count your blessings and let it go.

ginger cat besides the litterbox with cat litter

You need a good reason to start messing with a cat's litter preference. Remember - this is about what the cat prefers. For some cats, the type of litter doesn't make much of a difference.

For others, it can be crucial enough to make them avoid the litter box following a litter box. That said, there are situations where choosing a new type of cat litter makes sense.

  1. Adopting a new cat without knowing his or her previous litter preference.
  2. Bringing a formerly outdoor cat indoors.
  3. A serious issue with the current type of litter used
  4. Dealing with litter box avoidance may be related to the type of litter used.

If you're dealing with a litter box avoidance problem, then take a minute to read our guide about litter box problems. It will help you figure out what's wrong and help Kitty return to using the box.

So, how to find the best litter for your cat? What considerations play a part in choosing the perfect cat litter?

Cat Litter Considerations

Let's review the various considerations that should guide you in finding the best cat litter for your cat.

Clumping Vs. Non-Clumping

Perhaps the most notable characteristic of cat litter is whether it clumps in the presence of liquid or not.

Clumping litter usually contains bentonite, which absorbs the urine and creates a nice solid lump, leaving the rest of the litter around it dry and clean.

When it’s scooping time, you remove the hardened urine clumps and the feces.

clumping Cat Litter on white scoop

Non-clumping litter lets urine sift through, absorbing some of the odor through additives such as baking soda or charcoal.

You can only scoop out feces while the urine dries up in the rest of the litter. The only way to clean the urine from the box is by changing all of the litter, usually once a week.

Some non-clumping litter is based on silica crystals. The silica crystals are very similar to those used in desiccants.

They absorb the urine more quickly than grains of clay, allowing the water to evaporate while slowly keeping the "smelly stuff" inside.

For the cats, clumping or non-clumping is a matter of personal preference.

Owners often prefer clumping litter because it’s easier to clean the box, and there's no need to change all the litter at once.

Clumping litter is usually more expensive, yet you need less of it in the long run. Some owners find clumping litter tends to “stick” to the cat.

This may be of concern with long-haired cats and kittens, as they are more likely to get litter on their coat, ingesting it as they groom themselves. This brings us to our next consideration…

Safety Issues With Cat Litter

Cats may ingest some cat litter, either by inhaling its dust as they dig around in the box or by accidentally licking litter grains that get stuck in their fur or between their toes.

Ginger cat step inside a litter box

Generally speaking, manufacturers are aware of this issue, and cat litter is non-toxic to cats.

Sometimes, kittens or cats with a rare disorder called Pica may attempt to eat the litter. If you think your cat may have swallowed a considerable amount of litter, do contact your vet.

If dust is a concern for you, you can find formulas intended to be dust-free or low in dust. What the dust is actually made of can also be a consideration.

Basically, it can be food-based dust from corn or wheat or mineral-based from clay or silica. Some cats may be allergic to either kind.

Generally speaking, it's best to avoid clumping litter for young kittens. This prevents the risk of ingesting clumping litter as well as the risk of irritating their delicate airways.

Many shelters opt for non-clumping litter to avoid putting kittens at risk.

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Cat Litter Odor Control

It is probably one of the most essential factors for cat owners - and for cats, too, even if for an entirely different reason.

Some cat owners like deodorized litter because they don't like the smell of pee and poo around the house.

Woman cleaning the little box, feeling stinky

Who does?

Cats don't like the stench of the litter box, either. And no amount of scent will cover that stench - when a sensitive feline nose is concerned.

This is why using scented litter isn't the answer. To begin with, the litter box should be clean enough so as not to produce any stench.

You should opt for cat litter that absorbs odor rather than masking it. Scented litters usually do the latter, surrounding the litterbox with some floral scent.

Some cats don't mind it, as long as you realize it does not give you license to leave the litterbox dirty for a more extended period!

Cats have a sensitive sense of smell. They will notice if the box is dirty, even if all you can smell is the air freshener in the litter.

Some cats may even be bothered by a strong floral scent. It’s usually best to stick to unscented, good-quality litter and ensure the box is cleaned as often as possible.

Cat Litter: Environmental Considerations

The accumulated waste produced by used kitty litter can significantly impact the environment.

Disposing of litter by flushing it down the toilet or dumping it in bags inside trash bins is not very earth-friendly, yet those are your only options with many types of litter.

Man cleaning cat Litter tray and throws out clumps in plastic garbage bag

If you have access to a garden, you can opt for a “greener” solution by switching to plant-based litter to be disposed of in the compost pile.

This solution can only work with organic matter, i.e., litter made of wheat, corn, or some other plant material.

Specific Sensitivities And Allergies

Some cats have allergies to specific ingredients in the litter. Both natural minerals and plants, as well as lab-manufactured additives, can trigger allergies in cats.

If your cat develops an allergy, you should consider the litter a possible source as you work with your vet to eliminate potential allergens.

Even without triggering an allergic reaction per se, some kinds of litter may be uncomfortable for Kitty’s paws.

Declawed cats are prone to having litterbox problems due to associating the litter with pain in their paws. Sometimes, switching to softer litter helps.

Cat Litter Price And Packaging

Last but not least, you should consider cost and ease of use. Comparing the prices of litter is not always easy.

It’s not only the amount of litter, whether by weight or volume, that needs to be considered, but how long you can use it.

collection of cat litter and cat food on supermarket shelves

The primary consideration here is if and when you need to completely change all of the litter in the box.

Packaging can also affect your choice of litter. Huge sacks or boxes of clay or silica-based litter can be too heavy for some people to carry into their homes.

This is especially true of non-clumping litter, which is often available in huge containers due to the need to change all of the litter once a week.

So, Which Cat Litter Is Best For My Cat?

Now that you know what you need to consider, grab a pen and paper and start assessing your cat's needs.

1. Do You Know If There's A Type The Cat Has Been Using Loyally?

Don't disrupt the cat's habits. At least, at first, provide the same kind of litter.

If this is a cat that you recently adopted from a shelter, sticking to the same type of litter may help ease the transition. You can deal with switching the litter more gradually later on.

2. Is This A Kitten?

Try non-clumping litter, to begin with.

3. Is The Cat Allergic To Any Substances?

Make sure the litter doesn't contain any of them.

Switching To A New Type Of Litter

If you have no choice and need to start using a new type of litter, make the transition as gradual as possible.

An excellent way to go about it is to place an additional litter box near one of your existing ones and place the new litter in that box. Give it a few days.

Different types of gray cat litter boxes

Allow Kitty time to get used to the very presence of the new box.

Most cats are curious enough to start exploring right away. With any luck, your cat will begin playing with the litter and digging around. Don't remove the old box just yet. Please give it a week or two.

Next, start pouring some of the new litter into the old box. You lose some litter whenever you scoop, so you can now begin to replace that amount with litter from the new box.

As you keep going, you'll gradually replace the type of litter.

What About Actual Recommendations For Cat Litter?

Judging by what our members use, clumping litter seems to be a popular choice. If clay-based litter doesn’t appeal to you, plant-based litter is also commonly used.

Check out our Cat Litter Reviews to see which brands are more popular and why. Don’t forget, though - your cat is the ultimate judge of litter, not you!

Unless your cat is already experiencing an elimination problem, your safest bet is to stick with the litter you already use.

If you decide to try something new, gradually transition from one type to another, and always leave a litterbox with the old kind of litter around until you’re sure your cat is happy with the new litter.

Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Cat Litter

Choosing the right cat litter is more than a simple decision; it's a commitment to understanding and catering to your cat's unique preferences and needs.

By considering factors such as clumping, scent, material, and your cat's likes and dislikes, you can create a comfortable and happy litter experience for your feline friend.

With the guidance provided in this guide, finding the right cat litter for your cat's optimal well-being is not only achievable but also a rewarding journey in pet care.

Spread the knowledge! Pin the image below and help fellow cat lovers discover the secrets to choosing the right litter.

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How To Choose The Right Cat Litter

Check the articles below for more information that will help you with this matter.

Banish Litter Box Stench: 4 Foolproof Tips

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15 comments on “How To Choose The Right Cat Litter [Answered]

Kenny_T March 11, 2024
I use clumping litter a scoop and a garden sifter.
Zoey Samson January 18, 2024
Very well written. I had searched for cat litter on PetCareRx, and there were so many options that I could not decide what to buy. After reading your post, I have a pretty solid idea of what I should look for!
MONSTURR_mom September 26, 2023
I've never had any litterbox issues. The few cats I had growing up knew to use their litterboxes. Now after all these years I suddenly have cats again after taking in a pregnant stray. I read you shouldn't use clumping litter with kittens- so we have just been using normal non-clumping litter for them. I use the fresh step deodorizing crystals in it and you can't even tell there is a litterbox in my room. I'm down to the momma and one of her kittens and still it doesn't smell at all even with two cats using it. I scoop daily, add the crystals, and then change the whole box and wash it out once a week. So I guess the ONLY litterbox issue I have is when the kitten flips the whole box over when playing lol. He loves to do that every night.
Laurie Ablog June 27, 2021
I have 3 cats (2 female,1 male) One of my females' urine doesn't clump like the other 2. When cleaning the box it just falls apart making the box "not clean". I have no problem with the other 2. They all eat the same thing and have access to the same water. I don't think it's the brand of litter or clumping capability as I have not issues with the other two. They are all SPCA domestic short hair cats. She uses all 4 boxes around the house and I can tell which clumps are hers because they fall apart and sift through the scooper. So annoying!!! Anyone else have this issue or have any advice?
Ellie Davis December 12, 2019
I was not aware that clumping litter will be more expensive, but you will need to use less in the long run. My husband and I adopted a cat recently, and we are looking for advice about how to take care of him. I will let him know about your recommendations to choose the right litter for our cat.
Colourcloud August 30, 2018
Good article..but my cat, Rudy, had a horrible special problem...he would get horrific anal gland abscess infections. For about a year, once every 2-3 months, he would get an impacted anal gland, which was horrible, I wn,t describe the graphic detail,but if I was fortunate, the infected area (we are talking an open wound about 1 1/2 inches) would burst, and I could clean it out with diluted peroxide..if not, I would have to take him to the vet, to have him Lance it. I was sure it was the dust in the various non clumping litter I was using, trying several different types, but it still kept happening. A friend suggested Yesterday’s News, which is rolled up news paper pellets..I got the non scented version, and by some miracle it worked!!! It has been 8 months, and so far all is good. Ironically, I kept asking my vet if the litter could be the cause, and he didn,t think so...so if anyone else is having this problem, this might help your kitty.
tarasgirl06 August 29, 2018
mmsatkins said:
I put baking soda into Lea's litter periodically and scoop it 2x a day. Is the baking soda ok?
Yes, baking soda is harmless and is added to some commercial litters.
mmsatkins August 29, 2018
I put baking soda into Lea's litter periodically and scoop it 2x a day. Is the baking soda ok?
tarasgirl06 August 28, 2018
Thanking you for yet another informative, educational and interesting article! I'm glad to see that most TCS members seem to prefer clumping litter, as experts state cats in the wild prefer sandy substrate, and clumping litter is the closest thing to that. Also, thank you for suggesting the use of non-perfumed litter -- most cats hate it, and I do, too!
kapush April 26, 2017
Clumping over non-clumping is a personal choice, yes, but choosing the wrong kind of clumping litter could get your kitty in serious trouble. There's a whole lot of (scary) anecdotal material which is rubbished by manufacturers of sodium bentonite clumping litter with - guess what?- a whole of anecdotal material! There's been hardly any research on what may happen to a cat if they were to ingest a clumping material that you are warned against flushing as it will most certainly clog your plumbing. Interestingly, it is these same manufacturers who say things like 'our doctors never found a single case of bentonite poisoning in cats' will warn you about the cement like hardening quality of sodium bentonite. If you're interested, here's a complete article on why your cats are better off without clumping litter that uses sodium bentonite: Clumping Cat Litter & Sodium Bentonite Clay Hazards (2016 Updated) There are loads of safer alternatives (World's Best clumps rather well), please consider using them.
samuel medina December 26, 2016
Great article, very interesting comments. I've been using Special Kitty, and wondering how much i'd need to use if I switched to WB. With special kitty, I've got more half a box left after two weeks, as the box is about 40 lbs,, versus WB's 15 lb bag.
therese July 30, 2016
I have tried them all and my favorite is World's Best Kitty Litter, Multi-cat ( in red and black bag)  It is a little more pricey but is the absolute BEST for scooping clean, no sludge, perfect pee balls, etc., no dust, no smell, no nothing.  See my review for WB Kitty Litter, I have reviewed several " flavors" because it comes in several types.  They also have a pine one that is also very nice but the Multi cat ( I have two large cats, one with IBD ) is the best for odors.  I scoop twice a day and top it off about every other day and I get about six weeks out of a full litter pan of it.  ( I use the extra large open litter pans I get at the big-box pet stores ) 
nansiludie April 29, 2015
I use non-clumping as I think it may cause urinary tract issues, through the dust up the cat and the ingesting during grooming. I do scoop out the urine and feces daily, it doesn't clump but I just use a small sand-castle type shovel. I prefer non-scented. I use baking soda. I use vinegar to neutralize cat urine odor in the litter box when I wash it.
caltritwiamb4 September 27, 2014
I choose pine pellets and a sifting litter box

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