Cat owners often find themselves confused about the many types of cat litter, wondering what the difference is between scoopable and clumping or whether silica crystals are more than just a marketing gimmick. Claw through the confusion with this guide to the most common types of kitty litter on the market today.
Clay Cat Litter is the Most Common Style – Also Comes in Scoopable and Clumping Options
Clay kitty litter is the cheapest litter option on the market, but it also presents the most problems for cat owners. The clay used to make these litters is strip-mined, so it isn't an environmentally friendly choice. Some owners also worry about dust from clay litter, especially in cats or their human companions who are sensitive to potentially toxic substances in the dust. A few dust free clay litters have been introduced to help with this problem.
One advantage of clay kitty litter, other than its cheap price, is the high availability of scooping, or clumping, litter. Scoopable cat litter and clumping kitty litter are both the same thing, litter that clumps together into a ball so that it can be scooped out of the box and disposed of easily. Most clay cat litter manufacturers make a variant that is clumping or scoopable, promoting the ease of cleanup this type of litter affords owners.
Silica Crystal Litters Have Superb Odor Control but Odd Texture
One of the most expensive types of cat litter is silica crystal kitty litter. This type of litter is made from sand and is extremely absorbent. It doesn't clump together at all, so owners using crystal litters need to entirely clean the litter box when changing litter, as opposed to just scooping and topping off the box. Because of silica crystal litter's ability to almost completely absorb scents, this isn't necessarily a major problem. Crystal litter is also naturally dust free.
A common disadvantage owners find when using crystal cat litter is that some cats may not like the feel of the texture on their paws. The granules of crystals are usually fairly large in comparison to other litter types, and cats with sensitive feet might refuse to use this kind of litter at all.
Environmentally Friendly Kitty Litters Protect the Ecosystem
Some pet owners, concerned about the environmental impact of the cat litter they choose, are opting to buy kitty litter specifically designed to limit the cat's environmental impact.
Eco-friendly kitty litters are available in a variety of materials, ranging from recycled paper to wheat byproducts. The article Eco-Friendly Kitty Litter explains and compares the most common styles.
Flushable Cat Litter Is Convenient but May be Dangerous to Wildlife
Many different types of cat litter can be labeled flushable, which means that these litters can be disposed of in the toilet instead of being thrown in the trash to add to the local landfill.
While flushable cat litter is biodegradable, owners should be careful about a different potential impact this type of litter might have on the local environment. Owners should have their cat tested for toxoplasmosis before flushing waste down the toilet, since this disease, which often shows no symptoms in cats, can kill wildlife exposed to it.
Whatever type of cat litter an owner chooses, the most important factor may be whether the cat will use it. Spending more money on litter with special features or that helps protect the environment may not be worth it if the cat decides that the floor next to the litterbox is a better option than that particular litter.
Bridget Coila - I'm a cell and molecular biologist, freelance writer and photographer currently living in Beijing, China. I'm fascinated by science, ...
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