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.
It's cleaner. When it comes to the other stuff, non-clumping litters don't clump around solid waste, meaning they can spread around, contaminating the rest of the clean litter. Non-clumping litter is typically made of clay, and if you've ever used it, you'll be familiar with the mess it can cause.
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.
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. Clumping litters need changing less frequently because you can use a litter scoop to remove the coated clumps of cat pee and poop.
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.
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.
Conventional non-clumping litter is made from clay, but many alternatives are available today. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma. But, if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, it is important to protect yourself from infection.
Place it in a plastic bag, tie it shut, and put it in your regular garbage. A biodegradable bag will give it a better chance to break down in the dump.
In most cases, the litter should be disposed of in the rubbish bin like any other waste - it isn't suitable for recycling, as toxins found in cat waste can be harmful to health.
Non-clumping cat litter
If just one cat is using the tray, aim for at least once a week, but if multiple cats are going to the toilet in there, the whole lot will need changing a few times a week.
3-4 inches of litter in your cat's tray is ideal for most cats. This goes for both clumping and non-clumping litter. It's deep enough for your cat to dig into and cover over after. If you use clumping cat litter, it'll clump without sticking to the bottom of the tray.
To clean non-clumping litter, remove solids every day. Any solid stool can usually be removed with a scoop and placed in the trash. If you notice urine pooling in the bottom, it is time to change out your cat litter.
After months of testing, our overall favorite is Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter, which clumps well, absorbs scents even better, and won't spread dust everywhere. We've found it to be especially effective in multi-cat households.
Dirty litter boxes can cause kidney, bladder, and urinary tract diseases in cats. When a kitty squats over a pile of feces, bacteria can travel up the urethra, wreaking havoc all along the way.
Clumping litter, often made from sodium benotite clay, sticks together when mixed with urine or feces. If eaten, it can create clumps in the cat's digestive system and create a potentially deadly intestinal blockage. The clay may also strip minerals such as iron and potassium from the cat's body.
Kittens may eat litter out of curiosity, so it's recommended not to use clumping litter until they are older. Ingesting clumping litter may cause an intestinal blockage. Be sure to use a non-toxic litter and monitor use.
If it's not clean enough, too small or too deep (cats prefer about 2 inches of litter), difficult to access, or has a liner that makes her uncomfortable, she may decide to pee outside of her litter box. She also may not have enough litter boxes around the house, or dislikes their locations.