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Since there are so many types of cat litters in the market today, it is very important to know how to choose the best cat litter.Bear in mind that the best litter is the one your cat likes. However, it’s also important to choose a litter that works well for you too, because you are your cat’s clean-up crew and share the living space with them. To know how to find the perfect cat litter, you need to answer various questions such as what is the best cat litter for odor?, best litter for sensitive cats, best cat litter for allergies etc.

Types of Cat Litter

There are different types of cat litter available in the market. You have to choose the best for you and your feline friend. Following are some available types of cat litter along with their pros and cons:

Clay based Cat litter

This is the oldest form of cat litter. Clay based cat litter has two variants: one is non clumping cat litter which was introduced in 1947 and the other is clumping cat litter introduced in the 1980s. Before 1947, cat parents would use sand as litter. Here are the pros and cons of clumping vs non clumping cat litter variants of clay based cat litter.

Clumping Cat Litter

Clumping clay cat litter is a popular choice due to its ease of use and soft feeling on paws.

Pros:

• Easy to Scoop – Clumps well, making it easy to clean.
• Widely Available – Found massively in almost all stores and online platforms.
• Good Odor Control – Many varieties include other ingredients making it a best cat litter for odor control.
• Affordable – Generally cheaper than other eco-friendly and special litters.
• Familiar to cats – Soft on paws, making it easy for cats to get familiar with.

Cons:

• Non-eco-friendly – Unsustainable and not able to break down naturally.
• Dusty – Produces dust and may not be a best litter for allergic cats and humans with respiratory sensitivity.
• Contains chemicals – Many clay litters contain harmful chemicals to help with odor-controlling abilities; opt for fragrance-free options.
• Health Concerns – Kittens may ingest clumps which cause intestine blockage. Moreover, the dust may worsen asthma or respiratory issues.

Non Clumping Cat Litter

Instead of making clumps, this kind of litter absorbs urine and odor until it gets fully saturated. The saturated litter is then replaced a new litter.

Pros:

• Affordable – Non clumping cat litter is generally cheaper than clumping and specialty litters.
• Good Absorbency – Non-clumping cat litter soaks the liquid very quickly.
• Readily Available – Non-clumping cat litter is the oldest form of cat litter and is easily available in almost all stores.

Cons:

• Poor Odor Control – Since the urine stays in the box until the litter is completely changed, it may not control the odor properly.
• Frequent and Full Replacement Needed – Since the litter works like a sponge, a full and frequent replacement of the litter is needed.
• Dusty – This can cause respiratory irritation for cats and owners.
• Tracking Issues – Some clay litters’ particles stick to the paws and spread around the home.
• Less Hygienic – Since the urine and bacteria remain in the box until the whole litter is changed, unlike the clumping litter where the clumped litter can be scooped away after every usage, it may create health issues for your feline friend.
• Non-eco-friendly – This is a non-biodegradable option and creates more waste.

Sustainable Cat Litter

Many other alternatives to traditional clay-based and modern crystal litter are available in the market including litter made from wood, paper, wheat, nutshells, and corn, etc. These litters are completely natural and environmentally friendly. Following are some by-kinds of biodegradable cat litters along with their pros and cons.

Wood-Based Litter (Pine, sawdust, paper pellets, coconut husks)

They are made up of compressed wood like pine pellets, recycled paper, or coconut husk. Most of its variations available are non clumping cat litters. They absorb liquids and neutralize odor naturally.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly – These are made from natural resources and they break down themselves, becoming a perfect choice for environmentally conscious cat parents.
• Low Dust – They produce less dust compared to other biodegradable variants, making it an ideal choice for cats and humans with respiratory sensitivities.
• Natural Cat Litter – They are made from natural ingredients like recycled paper, wood or coconut husks etc. making them environmentally friendly cat litter.

Cons:

• Non-Clumping – Most of its variants are poor in clumping, resulting in changing the entire litter instead of the clumped part.
• Weak Odor Control – Although some variants like pine-made are effective in odor-controlling, most of them are comparatively weaker in odor control.

Plant-based Litters (Corn, Wheat, Soy, etc.)

They are made from edible crops like corn and wheat, etc. These litters usually clump well when used by cats, making them closer to clay litters in convenience.

Pros:

• Naturally Clumping – These litters have natural abilities to clump well when wet. This ability makes them easy to scoop.
• Lightweight – These are light in weight and easy to handle.
• Biodegradable – These are highly sustainable cat litters, sometimes even flushable.

Crystal Cat Litters

Crystal litter is also known as silica gel cat litter. They are made from tiny beads or crystals of silica gel. These beads work like a sponge. Instead of clumping, these crystals absorb urine and trap odor inside. The solid waste is scooped out and the litter remains inside the box until it gets fully saturated. Crystal or silica gel litter is the best option so far.

Pros:

• Excellent odor control – Crystal is the best cat litter for odor control among all the litters available on the market. They absorb the moisture and lock the smells well.
• Low Dust – Crystal litters produce the lowest dust, making them a perfect choice for cats and owners with respiratory sensitivities.
• Lightweight – Crystal litters are lighter than clay litters in weight.
• Low Tracking – Crystal litters have minimal tracking, keeping your home neat and clean.
• Long Lasting – Crystal litters can last comparatively longer than any other kind of litter. A single bag can work for weeks if solid wastes are regularly scooped.

Cons:

• Requires traditional waste disposal methods – The crystal-based cat litters do not break down naturally and therefore you need to use traditional disposal methods to decompose them after usage.
• Priced higher – These litters are usually more expensive than other kinds of cat litter because they last longer than any other kind of cat litter.
• Texture – Some cats may not prefer the texture initially but you can help them get used to it.

How to Choose the Best Cat Litter?

Choosing the best cat litter for your feline friend depends on various factors such as your cat’s preferences, health issues, ease of use, odor control needs, and environmental impact of litter, etc.

Factors to consider when choosing the right litter:

Following are some of the considerable factors you should keep in mind while choosing the best litter for your feline friend.

• Cat Preferences:Some cats may like or dislike a particular texture, scent, or clumping ability of the litter. You must consider your cat’s preferences. If you are changing the kind of litter already being used, be patient and follow the guidelines on how to train your cat to use new litter.
• Health Concerns: Keep a track record of your cat’s health. If it is suffering from asthma, allergies, or respiratory issues, FreshAires’ silica gel cat litter is the best option for it.
• Odor Control: If you prefer strong odor-controlling abilities, clumping clay or certain natural litters can be a good choice. You must consider FreshAires silica gel cat litter which has been formulated for odor control features.
• Ease of Cleaning: Clumping litters and silica gel are the best options if ease of cleaning is your concern. You can remove the clumped litter or solid wastes in the case of silica gel cat litter.
• Environmental Impact: If you prefer sustainable cat litter, natural biodegradable cat litter can be a good option for you.

Conclusion:

To wrap up, there are multiple kinds of cat litters available in the market. You must contact your vet beforehand to get their suggestions, keep your cat’s preferences, health, and sensitivities in mind, consider your own preferences, and then choose the best option for your feline friend and yourself. If you want the best option for odor control, minimal tracking, lightweight design, health friendliness, superior absorbency, and low dust, consider none other than FreshAires freshness-lasting cat litter, to make your feline friend happy and comfortable and your home’s environment clean, fresh, and inviting.