With a clumping litter, the clumps that form after you cat has used their litter are far less likely to scatter. Not only does that mean less cleaning for you, but it also means less worry!
Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Some of the first commercially available cat litters were of the non-clumping type. Why? Non-clumping cat litter is good at removing odors associated with cat urine because it has the ability to absorb relatively large volumes of urine.
The Downsides to Clumping Litter
Clumping litter is often finer than non-clumping litter, this is part of what makes it clump. As a result, it can often be dustier. So if your cat has allergies or asthma, it might not be a good choice.
There are two main types of cat litter - either clumping or non-clumping. Clumping is simply where the waste (especially the urine) “clumps” together in lumps. Non-clumping is where the constituent litter particles do not clump together (i.e. they remain as separate particles) despite being soaked in urine.
Cats generally prefer clumping litter with a medium to fine texture. They also usually prefer unscented litter. To help your cat pick her preferred litter, put a few boxes side-by-side with different types of litter in them. She'll use the one the she likes best.
Best Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Unlike traditional litters, non-clumping cat litters are preferred by some cat parents because of its highly absorbent nature, superior odour control, and it's low-maintenance clean-up.
Clumping litter generally has better odor control than non-clumping litter. Clumps seal in odors and can be easily removed from the litter box, keeping the remaining litter nice and clean. Non-clumping litter does not have this advantage, so odors can build up more quickly.
What Type of Litter Is Best for Your Cat? The best choice is biodegradable litter because they are made from materials that are safe for cats and the environment. Biodegradable litters include cat litter made from corn cobs, pine pellets, or wheat straw; sand; and paper-based (non-clumping) clumping litters.
If you use a non-clumping litter and have only one cat, changing the litter twice per week is a good guideline. If you have more than one cat, every other day may work better. There are no hard and fast rules for how often you should change the cat litter.
Non-clumping litters
Once a week, you'll need to completely empty the litter tray, clean it and then fill it with fresh litter. This is a more frequent cleaning routine than if you were using a clumping litter but it's still not very arduous.
Scoop waste daily. How often you replace the litter depends on the number of cats you have, the number of litter boxes and the type of litter you use. Twice a week is a general guideline for replacing clay litter, but depending on your circumstances, you may need to replace it every other day or only once a week.
Just 2-3 inches of litter in the box is the ideal amount for you and your cat. But don't worry, your best bud will most certainly let you know if you're using too much litter. Keep an eye on your feline if you feel they're having a hard time and be sure to to talk to your vet if you have concerns.
How often should you change cat litter? Ideally, you should spot-clean your cat's litter tray every day and replace the litter at least once a week. If the tray is left to become dirty, your cat may prefer to use the floor instead!
Silica litter prevents bacteria with crystals that absorb urine and help dehydrate feces, making your cat's litter box too dry to sustain any growth. This helps prevent kidney problems and UTIs in cats. Environmentally, silica litters will biodegrade and are non-toxic, making them a better choice than clay.
Best Cat Litter Overall: Dr. Elsey's Ultra. Best Cat Litter For Clumping: Boxiecat Scent-Free Premium Clumping Clay Litter. Best Dust-Free Cat Litter: Arm and Hammer Slide Easy Clean-Up Clumping Litter.
Clumping litter tends to last longer compared to non-clumping litter because all you need to do is remove the solids that have formed after your pet has used the litter box. On the other hand, non-clumping litter is difficult to clean out.
In most cases, clumping litter is the easiest to clean. You'll also want to consider how much time and maintenance you're willing to dedicate to litter box cleaning.
You can flush down the toilet any litter that's made of corn, wheat, tofu, shredded paper, or wood remains. Some pine varieties are not flushable, however. The best way of knowing whether you are allowed to flush your cat litter is to make sure that you read the label.
Litter boxes should be scooped at least once or twice a day, and it's even better if you can get to it as soon as your cat has finished his business. There are self-cleaning litter boxes available that use a sensor to tell when a cat has entered and then left the litter box.
Healthy cats will generally visit the litter box between three and five times each day, and this includes going both number one and number two. If your cat is relieving itself more than five times each day, this doesn't necessarily point to a health issue.
Cats can develop painful kidney infections, bladder infections, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections if their litter boxes are not kept clean. Leaving a litter box too long before cleaning can also lead to stress in cats, which can exacerbate these issues.
On one hand, too much litter in your cat's litter box can cause overflow and spillage problems all over your bathroom floor. On the other hand, too little litter in the box can create smelly and messy poo problems when your cat isn't able to dig enough litter to hide their solid waste.
Your cat could be just trying to maintain her scent in the box, even though you're cleaning it. Animals usually go to the bathroom to give us a message. If it's outside the litter box, they could be stressed or in need of a clean place to go.