Non-clumping litters, such as
Some people prefer non-clumping litter because it is often less expensive than clumping litter, and others choose it because their cats prefer it.
Non-clumping litters don't clump around your cats “solids”, so they can get spread around and contaminate the rest of the litter, which isn't only unsanitary but can also be dangerous as cat poo may carry Toxoplasmosis or other harmful bacteria.
Many experts recommend that the best litter for kittens under four months old is non-clumping clay or crystal litter. These types of litter have larger granules and don't stick to your kitten's paws or fur. That means the risk for ingesting litter while grooming is much lower.
It's best to avoid clumping litter until your kitten reached four months old as it can cause stomach upset or blockages if ingested. Try to use non-clumping litters or pelleted litters until your furbaby is older.
If you use non-clumping litter, urine will be absorbed by the clay or other ingredients such as corn or wood, with some falling to the bottom of the cat box under the litter.
Vets often say that unscented clumping litter is best: “I always recommend unscented, clumping cat litter,” says Jim D. Carlson. “Scented litter is designed for humans, not cats. Felines have a strong sense of smell with 67 million scent receptors.
Dr. Elsey's recommends completely changing the litter in your box every 4 weeks if you are using a clumping clay litter. Be sure to remove the clumps daily and top off with fresh litter to maintain a three-inch level. For non-clumping litter, we recommend changing the litter box every 7-10 days.
A variety of studies have found that cats prefer their litter to be soft and fine-grained. A recent study compared three types of unscented litter—wood pellets, silica microgranules, and nonclumping clay granules. Overwhelmingly, the cats chose silica and clay over the pellets.
Using non-clumping cat litter is very simple: scoop solid waste, stir the litter daily to ensure all liquid waste is absorbed, and then change out the whole litter box every week or so.
We do not recommend mixing a non-clumping litter with the clumping clay and it could inhibit the scoopable litter's ability to clump.
Dangerous types of cat litter on the market include some types of clumping cat litter, those containing sodium bentonite clay and those containing crystalline silica dust.
Turns out, it really does matter! For one thing, some cats have litter preferences. They may prefer a specific texture or smell to their litter, and you might find they won't relieve themselves in the litter pan if they don't approve of the litter you choose!
Purina Tidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented Cat Litter
After testing dozens of cat litter options, the Tidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented litter is our top pick.
Add 2-3 inches of non-clumping litter with your dry box and leave your cat to do its business. What is this? Furthermore, soaking your litter box in hot water for a few minutes without using soap or other detergents can be done if you have a sensitive pet.
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.
How often should you scoop a litter box? For best odor control, you should scoop the box twice a day. If you're busy or you just forget, you can probably go with a daily single scoop. You don't want clumps and lumps to sit undisturbed for longer than a day though.
Breeder Celect Recycled Paper Cat Litter is the litter choice for many cat breeders and there are many good reasons!
“In early 2023, we have started to see those start to taper off a little bit. Prices are still increasing but at a lower rate than they were in 2022.” The price hikes have been attributed to rising input and ingredient costs, she added.
Covered litter boxes may trap odors and make the human environment smell better but for those reasons they may not be as desirable for the cat. If boxes are not cleaned regularly, the odor may be aversive to them. Most commercial open litter boxes are too small for the average cat.
Placing cat litter – flushable or not – down any kind of drain isn't the best thing you can do for your plumbing. Clogs and backups will eventually occur if you flush any kind of kitty litter down your toilet, especially one with older pipes.
Virtually all cats like clean litter boxes, so scoop and change your cat's litter at least once a day. Rinse the litter box out completely with baking soda or unscented soap once a week.
Your kittens might enjoy having an affectionate grooming and napping partner. As well as having someone to play with and learn from, siblings can also offer affection to each other. By rehoming in pairs, your new kitten will have someone to clean or to clean them as well as someone to cuddle during nap time.
Scoop the Litter Box Frequently
Using a litter scoop with small and closely set holes, clean the clumps out of the litter at least once daily—more often if you have more than one cat. To keep the smell to a minimum after cleaning, add some litter to replace what you removed while cleaning.