Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
Selecting a cat litter sounds easy sufficient, however there are extra kinds of cat litter accessible at this time than ever earlier than. Clay-based litter is by far the most well-liked selection—greater than 50% of cat litters are constituted of clay in accordance with gross sales information from Chewy.com. However pet mother and father trying to find options to clay can even discover cat litter constituted of different supplies, reminiscent of wooden, silica, soybeans, corn, wheat, and extra.
To get an up-close have a look at the varied kinds of cat litter accessible, take a look at our video from Cats.com contributor Sarah, who has personally examined lots of the various kinds of liter together with her personal cat, Gordon.
In case you’re questioning what your choices are, learn on for our information to kinds of cat litter. We’ll discover the various kinds of cat litter so as of recognition, in accordance with Chewy.com cat litter gross sales information. For every sort of cat litter, discover out what’s accessible, the way it performs, professionals and cons, value level, and common evaluation on Chewy.com.
1. Clay Litter
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
- Common value per pound: $1.06
- Common evaluation: 4.03/5
Clay cat litter has been across the longest—it was the unique industrial product meant for use in a cat’s litter field. Of all of the various kinds of cat litter, clay cat litters are the most well-liked and usually essentially the most reasonably priced. Clay cat litter may be clumping or non-clumping, however clumping cat litter is extra widespread.
With day by day scooping, clumping litter stays recent and absorbent for a very long time (as much as per week) earlier than you need to dump and refill it. Clay litter is available in many alternative formulation, together with low-dust, low-tracking, light-weight, and unscented.
Clay cat litter works properly. It’s extremely absorbent, straightforward for cats to dig in, tender on paws, and controls odors properly. Most cats like utilizing clay cat litter—an important consideration when selecting a cat litter! Clumping, unscented cat litter is a common favourite of cats and cat homeowners.
Clay litter does have some downsides. Cats are inclined to scatter and observe clay litter, and it may possibly create mud, which may be dangerous to cats with bronchial asthma or respiratory points. Clay litter can also be heavy, which may pose issues for some individuals who discover it troublesome to carry heavy litter containers and pour litter into the field. Lastly, clay cat litter is just not environmentally pleasant.
It’s constituted of bentonite clay and have to be strip mined from the bottom. Clay litter can also be not biodegradable. Pet mother and father who want to scale back their affect on the setting usually flip to various litters, a lot of that are renewable, sustainable, and/or biodegradable.
What We Preferred:
- Inexpensive
- Simple to scrub
- Extremely absorbent
- Supplies glorious odor management
- Cats like the feel
- Extremely rated
What We Didn’t Like:
- Mud can trouble delicate cats or homeowners
- Scatters and tracks simply
- Not environmentally pleasant
- Heavy
2. Wooden Litter
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Common value per pound: $1.58
- Common evaluation: 3.81/5
Wooden-based cat litters rank second when it comes to recognition, however there are far fewer choices in comparison with clay litters. Wooden-based cat litter comprised simply 12% of the market share for cat litter merchandise. Chewy presents about 50 wooden cat litters in comparison with greater than 200 clay litters. Wooden-based litters are barely costlier per pound in comparison with essentially the most clay litters, however nonetheless very reasonably priced.
Wooden litters could also be clumping or non-clumping. Pine is usually utilized in wood-based litters, although additionally, you will discover litter constituted of cedar, fir, cypress, spruce, and bamboo, in addition to blends of those woods. Wooden-based litters are an ideal possibility if you happen to’re trying to scale back your affect on the setting.
They’re biodegradable (some are compostable) and renewable—many wooden litters repurpose by-product supplies from the wooden business. Most comprise no chemical compounds and produce little or no mud. Wooden litters are additionally lighter than clay litters, which is a bonus when lifting baggage or containers of litter.
Wooden cat litters aren’t excellent. They don’t seem to be as absorbent as clay litters, which suggests they gained’t management odors as properly. Moreover, most wooden cat litters scent strongly of wooden, one thing which may or may not be a difficulty for you or your cat. Some cats dislike the feel of wooden litters, particularly pelleted litters.
What We Preferred:
- Inexpensive
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Light-weight
- Extremely rated
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay or silica
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Some cats may not like the feel or scent
3. Silica Gel (Crystal) Litter
Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock.com
- Common value per pound: $3.35
- Common evaluation: 3.42/5
Silica gel cat litter (usually known as crystal cat litter) is the third hottest sort of cat litter, making up about 9% of cat litters bought. They’re constituted of silica, a substance that’s associated to quartz and sand. Silica gel cat litters are light-weight, extremely absorbent, and supply glorious odor management.
Silica doesn’t clump; as an alternative, urine is absorbed into the crystals. With correct upkeep (scooping strong waste day by day and stirring the litter to evenly distribute dry crystals all through the field) silica gel lasts a very long time between full litter modifications.
Like clay cat litters, silica litters are mined from the earth, so they don’t seem to be as environmentally pleasant as wooden and different litters constituted of renewable supplies. Like clay litter, silica gel can create mud, which could trouble cats with respiratory points.
Silica gel litters are non-clumping, however they take in urine and entice odors successfully. Some crystal litters are considerably giant and rough-textured, which some cats may not like. Others have a smaller and softer design.
What We Preferred:
- Simple to scrub
- Extremely absorbent
- Wonderful odor management
- Lengthy lasting
- Light-weight
What We Didn’t Like:
- Costly
- Mud can trouble delicate cats or homeowners
- Some cats may not like the feel
- Not environmentally pleasant
4. Corn Litter
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
- Common value per pound: $1.47
- Common evaluation: 3.86
Corn cat litter may be constituted of floor corn kernels or floor corn cobs. Corn-based cat litter has a pure clumping potential because of the starch present in corn. Corn litter is extremely absorbent and low in mud, and it’s typically lighter than clay litter. It’s a pure, renewable, and biodegradable cat litter, making it a sensible choice for pet mother and father who’re involved concerning the setting.
Some corn litters may be flushed (small quantities solely). Corn litter prices somewhat greater than clay litter, however it’s an reasonably priced various to clay. Corn litters account for roughly 7% of the market share for cat litter.
A difficulty concerning cat litter constituted of natural supplies and meals merchandise is the truth that they’re extra inclined to issues like mildew or bugs, so it’s crucial to retailer the litter rigorously and to scrub the litter field regularly so moist litter doesn’t sit.
Though very absorbent, corn litter doesn’t present nice odor management as soon as it turns into saturated, so the litter would possibly should be fully modified out extra usually than clay or silica litter.
Though corn cat litter is just not meant to be eaten, it’s necessary to notice that corn litter is just not an applicable selection for cats with allergic reactions or intolerances to corn because it’s attainable for the cat to ingest small quantities of any litter after they self-groom.
Though some corn litters are very finely floor and tender, some cats may not like the feel of manufacturers with coarser granules or pellets. Some cat homeowners discover that corn litter tends to trace significantly outdoors the litter field.
What We Preferred:
- Inexpensive
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Light-weight
- Extremely rated
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay or silica
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Not applicable for cats with corn allergic reactions or intolerances
- Prone to mildew or bugs
- Tends to trace (high-quality granular corn litters)
5. Wheat Litter
Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock.com
- Common value per pound: $1.52
- Common evaluation: 3.96/5
Wheat cat litter may be constituted of entire wheat grains or wheat byproducts like husks and bran. Like corn cat litter, wheat-based cat litter is of course clumping because of the starch present in wheat. It’s absorbent and low in mud, and weighs lower than clay litter.
Wheat cat litter could be very eco-friendly. It’s pure, renewable, and biodegradable; some wheat litters are even designed to be flushed in small quantities. Wheat litter has an analogous value level as corn litter—barely greater than clay litter, however nonetheless reasonably priced. Wheat cat litters account for roughly 4.5% of the market share for cat litter.
As with corn litter, wheat litter is just not a sensible choice for cats with wheat allergic reactions or intolerances because of the opportunity of ingesting small quantities of the litter after they groom after utilizing the litter field. It’s additionally inclined to changing into moldy or bug-infested, so retailer wheat litter rigorously and scoop and clear the field regularly.
Though it’s very absorbent, wheat litter gained’t present nice odor management as soon as it turns into saturated. Wheat litter must be dumped and changed extra regularly than clay or silica litter. Though wheat litter could be very tender, some cats may not like the feel. Superb-grained wheat litters have a tendency to trace outdoors the litter field.
What We Preferred:
- Inexpensive
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Light-weight
- Extremely rated
- Comfortable on paws
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Not applicable for cats with wheat allergic reactions or intolerances
- Prone to mildew or bugs
- Tends to trace (high-quality granular wheat litters)
6. Grass Litter
Ma’ayan Gutbezahl / Cats.com
- Common value per pound: $2.46
- Common evaluation: 3.95/5
One other plant-based possibility, grass cat litter may be made with grass seeds or grass fibers. Grass litter makes up about 4.5% of the litter market. It’s costlier than corn or wheat litter, however according to the typical value of cat litter (which is $2.44 per pound). Grass cat litter is environmentally pleasant as it’s constituted of sustainable assets and is biodegradable. It’s light-weight, kinds clumps, and is tender on cats’ paws.
As a result of grass litter is so mild, it may be liable to monitoring. It could possibly additionally develop mildew if it turns into moist, so correct storage and common scooping is necessary. Lastly, cats with grass allergic reactions shouldn’t use grass cat litter. In case your cat is strictly indoors, you may not know if they’ve a grass allergy, so be looking out for itchy, purple, irritated pores and skin or hair loss.
What We Preferred:
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Light-weight
- Extremely rated
- Comfortable on paws
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay or silica
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Tends to trace
- Prone to mildew
- Not appropriate for cats with grass allergic reactions
7. Walnut Litter
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Common value per pound: $1.15
- Common evaluation: 3.84/5
In case you’re searching for an eco-friendly various to clay cat litter, walnut litter checks a whole lot of containers. Created from walnut shells—a byproduct of the walnut business that will in any other case be thrown away—walnut litter is renewable, sustainable, and biodegradable. It’s absorbent, light-weight, tender, low in mud, and clumping.
Some pet homeowners like the truth that the darkish shade of walnut litter camouflages what’s within the litter field, so it doesn’t look as yucky. After clay, walnut litter is the second-most reasonably priced cat litter. It has about 3% of the litter market share.
Walnut litter is just not a sensible choice if anybody in your loved ones (or anybody who visits) is allergic to walnuts. Additionally, the light-weight, darkish litter is liable to monitoring and would possibly stain light-colored carpets or furnishings.
Like different litters constituted of natural supplies, walnut cat litter has the potential to turn out to be moldy if the litter field is just not scooped regularly; unused litter have to be saved away from moisture. Any such litter must be cleaned and fully modified extra usually than clay or silica litters.
What We Preferred:
- Inexpensive
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Light-weight
- Extremely rated
- Comfortable on paws
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay or silica
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Tends to trace
- Prone to mildew
- Not appropriate for households with nut allergic reactions
8. Tofu/Soybean Litter
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
- Common value per pound: $3.69
- Common evaluation: 3.62/5
Tofu/soybean litter is among the costlier cat litters accessible (solely hemp is costlier). It makes up about 2.5% of the market share. Tofu/soybean litter is constituted of soybeans or from the byproducts leftover from making tofu (which is constituted of soybeans).
Tofu/soybean litter is light-weight, low monitoring, and incorporates little mud. It’s absorbent and has robust clumping properties. This plant-based litter is an environmentally pleasant possibility because it’s renewable and biodegradable.
Like different eco-friendly litters, tofu/soybean litter is inclined to mildew if not correctly saved. This may be particularly problematic in humid environments. As with different litter constituted of meals sources, tofu/soybean litter is just not a sensible choice for cats with soy allergic reactions or intolerances.
Though it’s absorbent, the sort of litter will rapidly turn out to be saturated so it must be modified out extra usually than clay or silica litters. Most tofu/soybean cat litters are pelleted, so some cats may not like the feel.
What We Preferred:
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Light-weight
- Low monitoring
What We Didn’t Like:
- Costly
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay or silica
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Not applicable for cats with soy allergic reactions or intolerances
- Prone to mildew
- Cats may not like the feel
9. Paper Litter
ice_blue / Shutterstock.com
- Common value per pound: $1.35
- Common evaluation: 3.75/5
Created from recycled or reclaimed paper processed into pellets, the sort of litter could be very eco-friendly (it’s additionally biodegradable). Paper cat litter is light-weight, low in mud, and reasonably priced. As a result of the paper pellets can’t get into wounds, it’s usually beneficial for kittens and cats which might be recovering from surgical procedure.
Paper doesn’t carry out in addition to many different cat litters. It’s absorbent, however it doesn’t clump and rapidly turns into saturated, so it must be cleaned and fully changed extra regularly than clay or silica litters. It additionally has little odor management. Not all cats like the feel of pelleted litters, together with paper.
What We Preferred:
- Inexpensive
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Low monitoring
- Light-weight
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay or silica
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Some cats may not like the feel
10. Cassava Litter
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
- Common value per pound: $2.82
- Common evaluation: 3.41/5
Cassava litter is constituted of the basis of the cassava plant, which is a starchy tuber just like a potato. Cassava-based cat litter has a pure clumping potential as a result of the cassava root is excessive in starch. Nonetheless, the clumps may not maintain collectively in addition to clay. Cassava litter is absorbent, low in mud, and light-weight. It’s additionally renewable, sustainable, and biodegradable, making it very eco-friendly.
Some cassava litters are designed to be flushed in small quantities. Cassava litters account for barely greater than 1% of the market share for cat litter. By way of value, cassava litters are costlier than common.
As with different cat litters constituted of meals, cassava litter is extra inclined to growing mildew or insect infestations. It’s important to retailer the litter rigorously and to scrub the litter field regularly so moist litter doesn’t sit. Cassava litter must be fully modified out extra usually than clay or silica litter. As a result of most cassava litters are finely floor and tender, they have a tendency to trace.
What We Preferred:
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Light-weight
- Comfortable on paws
What We Didn’t Like:
- Costly
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay or silica
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Prone to mildew or bugs
- Tends to trace
11. Pea Husk Litter
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
- Common value per pound: $2.09
- Common evaluation: 4.53/5
Pea husk litter is similar to tofu/soybean litter. It makes up solely about 0.5% of the market share. Although costlier than clay litter, peak husk litter is under common in value throughout all litter sorts. Pea husk litter is constituted of the byproducts leftover from the pea business.
Pea husk litter is light-weight, low monitoring, and incorporates little mud. It’s absorbent and kinds clumps when moist. This plant-based litter is an eco-friendly possibility because it’s sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable.
Like different litters constituted of natural supplies, pea husk litter is inclined to growing mildew and bugs if the litter field isn’t scooped usually and if the unused litter is just not saved correctly.
Although not meant to be eaten, pea husk litter is just not a sensible choice for cats with pea allergic reactions as they may eat small quantities when grooming. It’s very light-weight, which suggests it tends to trace. Pea husk litter is absorbent, however turns into saturated rapidly so it must be modified out extra usually than clay or silica litters.
What We Preferred:
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Light-weight
- Low monitoring
- Extremely rated
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay or silica
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Not applicable for cats with soy allergic reactions or intolerances
- Prone to mildew
- Cats may not like the feel
12. Hemp Litter
Hempalta.com
- Common value per pound: $5.40
- Common evaluation: 2.55/5
With a mean value of $5.40 per pound, hemp litter is the most costly sort of cat litter accessible. Curiously, it additionally has the bottom person rankings amongst all litter sorts. Hemp litter makes up solely about 0.5% of the market share, and there are only a handful of manufacturers to select from.
One of many greatest promoting factors of hemp litter is its eco-friendliness. Hemp is a sustainable and renewable useful resource that wants little or no water to develop. Hemp can also be biodegradable and a few hemp litters may be flushed in small quantities. Hemp litter can also be low in mud and light-weight.
Hemp litter could also be pelleted or granular. Granular litters are extra liable to monitoring. Although absorbable, hemp have to be scooped and changed extra regularly than clay or silica litter. Hemp can develop mildew if not correctly cleaned and saved, although this appears to be much less of a difficulty with hemp in comparison with different litters constituted of natural supplies, reminiscent of corn or wheat.
What We Preferred:
- Environmentally pleasant
- Low mud
- Light-weight
What We Didn’t Like:
- Costly
- Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
- May not management odors in addition to clay or silica
- Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
- Prone to mildew or bugs
The Backside Line
There’s no scarcity of cat litter merchandise on at this time’s market to suit many budgets and preferences. Clay and silica gel litters get among the highest efficiency marks, however if you happen to’re wanting to make use of one thing extra pure and environmentally pleasant, you’ll discover loads of litters constituted of natural supplies.
When making an attempt out a brand new litter, all the time hold an additional litter field crammed along with your outdated cat’s litter simply in case they don’t like the brand new stuff. In case your cat gained’t use the brand new litter, take into account making an attempt one thing else. In the long run, a litter product is simply good it in case your cat will use it!
