Mary Allen
The litter box should always be clean, large enough, and easily accessible. But the type of litter also decides whether the cat likes to visit this place. In addition to personal preference, the properties of the types of litter should be considered. We present the most common types of bedding and their advantages and disadvantages.
Cats are very clean animals. They don’t like dirt and find it disgusting when something stinks. It is therefore important that the litter box is always clean. But which litter to use? There are many different products, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages. Should it be particularly environmentally friendly and productive? Or easy to handle, fragrant, high-quality? Ultimately, one person, in particular, decides which litter to use: your cat. Because not every cat likes every litter. We have put together the most common types for you.
Mineral Clumping Litter
The classic cat litter is mineral cat litter. This usually consists of bentonite, a mixture of different clay minerals. Bentonite is formed when volcanic ash weathers and has montmorillonite as its main component, which is characterized by the fact that it can absorb a lot of water. This is why the bentonite litter clumps up when the cat pees on it. There are many different offers here. For example, the various stray marks differ in how large the grain is. The smaller the grains of the litter, the smaller the clumps. A practical and productive thing, because only the clumps have to be removed regularly, the entire content only about once a week. However, there are also objections to this type of litter: Some experts suspect that it contains pollutants that can lead to bladder infections, while the fine dust content causes respiratory problems and, in the worst case, even cancer. Clumping litter is very dangerous for kittens that put grains in their mouths, as the swallowed litter particles also clump in the stomach.
- Advantages:
Takes up a lot of liquid.
Includes smell.
Is relatively inexpensive.
Is available everywhere.
- Disadvantages:
Does not rot, as it is basically not water-soluble.
Must be disposed of properly.
Has a lot of weight.
Dangerous for cats that eat the litter as it also clumps in the stomach.
Plant Fiber Litter
Natural cat litter is on the rise. This can consist of plant fibers, corn, beet pulp, cellulose, or wood fibers. Straw bedding is already available. The quality varies: the litter comes in fine and coarse, clumping and non-clumping. One advantage is that it is environmentally friendly and harmless for cats, and disposal is also great: unlike mineral litter, which has to go in the household waste, plant litter can go in the organic waste. Pay attention to organic quality, then it won’t harm the cat and it’s okay if kittens swallow a few small pieces. Therefore, no glue should be included. The litter is not expensive, but also not as productive as mineral litter and it has to be replaced more often. It consists of renewable raw materials. One problem is the relatively fine, light consistency of the litter. The fibers easily get stuck in the fur and are carried through the home. But: For this reason, you don’t have to carry anything heavy when you buy it.
- Advantages:
Is particularly environmentally friendly as it is 100% degradable.
Easy to carry.
Absorbs odor and moisture well.
- Disadvantages:
Is relatively expensive.
Not suitable for diarrhea.
Absorbency varies from brand to brand.
Silicate Litter
A real alternative is silicate litter. It is a material that is used, for example, in the area of human hygiene, i.e. it is harmless and hygienic. Silicate litter does not clump, comes in different grain sizes, and usually produces little dust. The material supposedly binds germs quite well. The disadvantage: silicate litter has to be changed relatively often and is not exactly cheap. But for cats that can get along with the material, it’s a very clean affair. However, some cat owners are bothered by the noise level when burying the litter and the fact that liquid often collects at the bottom of the litter box even though the litter actually looks clean on top. The silicate also discolors according to the legacies, which some cat owners do not find so exciting. Some cats don’t like the type of grit. The split is relatively sharp-edged, which can hurt the animals’ paws. It is not ideal for kittens as it encourages swallowing and is very absorbent in the body. But it is environmentally friendly and can usually be put in the organic waste bin.
- Advantages:
Absorbs large amounts of liquid and odors.
Is relatively low in dust.
Is compostable.
- Disadvantages:
Is relatively expensive.
Gets caught by the cat’s paws.
Dangerous for cats that eat the granules: strongly sucks.
Be Careful With Scented Cat Litter
Various types of scented cat litter are now also available. But be careful: what is pleasant for humans is far from good for the cat’s sense of smell. A super nose like the cat smells citrus or floral scents much more intensively than humans, who appreciate these smells, which is not necessarily the case for cats. Anyone who has ever put on perfume and watched the cat turn away in disgust knows that kitties don’t like many smells that are nice for us. Therefore, even if it’s nice for the human nose: Please no baby powder scent in the litter.
Decision-Making Aids When Choosing The Right Litter
So how do you find the right litter? Watch your cat on the sly, because most of the time it wants to be left alone in the loo. Watch how she behaves on the toilet – you can “read” a lot from it. If a litter doesn’t suit a little tiger at all, it can definitely happen that he refuses to go to the litter box – and instead looks for an alternative in the house. Uncleanliness is the result. Then you should change the type of litter as soon as possible.