A Full Information to the Totally different Forms of Cat Litter

Selecting a cat litter sounds easy sufficient, however there are extra kinds of cat litter out there as we speak than ever earlier than. Clay-based litter is by far the most well-liked selection—greater than 50% of cat litters are made out of clay in accordance with gross sales knowledge from Chewy.com. However pet mother and father looking for alternate options to clay may also discover cat litter made out of different supplies, resembling wooden, silica, soybeans, corn, wheat, and extra.

To get an up-close have a look at the varied kinds of cat litter out there, try our video from Cats.com contributor Sarah, who has personally examined lots of the several types of liter together with her personal cat, Gordon.



When you’re questioning what your choices are, learn on for our information to kinds of cat litter. We’ll discover the several types of cat litter so as of recognition, in accordance with Chewy.com cat litter gross sales knowledge. For every sort of cat litter, discover out what’s out there, the way it performs, professionals and cons, value level, and common evaluate on Chewy.com.

1. Clay Litter

Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

• Common value per pound: $1.06
• Common evaluate: 4.03/5

Clay cat litter has been across the longest—it was the unique industrial product supposed for use in a cat’s litter field. Of all of the several types of cat litter, clay cat litters are the most well-liked and customarily essentially the most reasonably priced. Clay cat litter will be clumping or non-clumping, however clumping cat litter is extra widespread.

With every day scooping, clumping litter stays recent and absorbent for a very long time (as much as per week) earlier than you must 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 nicely. It’s extremely absorbent, simple for cats to dig in, mushy on paws, and controls odors nicely. 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 monitor clay litter, and it might create mud, which will be dangerous to cats with bronchial asthma or respiration points. Clay litter can also be heavy, which may pose issues for some individuals who discover it tough to elevate heavy litter containers and pour litter into the field. Lastly, clay cat litter will not be environmentally pleasant.

It’s made out 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, lots of that are renewable, sustainable, and/or biodegradable.

What We Favored:

• Reasonably priced
• Straightforward to scrub
• Extremely absorbent
• Gives glorious odor management
• Cats like the feel
• Extremely rated

What We Didn’t Like:

• Mud can hassle 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 evaluate: 3.81/5

Wooden-based cat litters rank second by way of reputation, 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 gives about 50 wooden cat litters in comparison with greater than 200 clay litters. Wooden-based litters are barely dearer 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 often utilized in wood-based litters, although additionally, you will discover litter made out of cedar, fir, cypress, spruce, and bamboo, in addition to blends of those woods. Wooden-based litters are an incredible choice in case you’re seeking 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 trade. Most include 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 aren’t as absorbent as clay litters, which suggests they received’t management odors as nicely. Moreover, most wooden cat litters scent strongly of wooden, one thing that may or won’t be a difficulty for you or your cat. Some cats dislike the feel of wooden litters, particularly pelleted litters.

What We Favored:

• Reasonably priced
• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Light-weight
• Extremely rated

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay or silica
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Some cats won’t like the feel or scent

3. Silica Gel (Crystal) Litter

Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock.com

• Common value per pound: $3.35
• Common evaluate: 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 made out 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 every 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 made out of renewable supplies. Like clay litter, silica gel can create mud, which could hassle 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 won’t like. Others have a smaller and softer design.

What We Favored:

• Straightforward to scrub
• Extremely absorbent
• Glorious odor management
• Lengthy lasting
• Light-weight

What We Didn’t Like:

• Costly
• Mud can hassle delicate cats or homeowners
• Some cats won’t like the feel
• Not environmentally pleasant

4. Corn Litter

Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

• Common value per pound: $1.47
• Common evaluate: 3.86

Corn cat litter will be made out of floor corn kernels or floor corn cobs. Corn-based cat litter has a pure clumping capacity due to 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 will 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 relating to cat litter made out of natural supplies and meals merchandise is the truth that they’re extra inclined to issues like mildew or bugs, so it’s essential to retailer the litter fastidiously 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 may must be totally modified out extra usually than clay or silica litter.

Though corn cat litter will not be meant to be eaten, it’s essential to notice that corn litter will not be an applicable selection for cats with allergy symptoms or intolerances to corn because it’s potential for the cat to ingest small quantities of any litter once they self-groom.

Though some corn litters are very finely floor and mushy, some cats won’t like the feel of manufacturers with coarser granules or pellets. Some cat homeowners discover that corn litter tends to trace significantly exterior the litter field.

What We Favored:

• Reasonably priced
• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Light-weight
• Extremely rated

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay or silica
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Not applicable for cats with corn allergy symptoms or intolerances
• Vulnerable to mildew or bugs
• Tends to trace (effective granular corn litters)

5. Wheat Litter

Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock.com

• Common value per pound: $1.52
• Common evaluate: 3.96/5

Wheat cat litter will be made out 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 the same 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 will not be a sensible choice for cats with wheat allergy symptoms or intolerances because of the potential of ingesting small quantities of the litter once they groom after utilizing the litter field. It’s additionally inclined to changing into moldy or bug-infested, so retailer wheat litter fastidiously and scoop and clear the field regularly.

Though it’s very absorbent, wheat litter received’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 mushy, some cats won’t like the feel. High-quality-grained wheat litters have a tendency to trace exterior the litter field.

What We Favored:

• Reasonably priced
• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Light-weight
• Extremely rated
• Delicate on paws

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Not applicable for cats with wheat allergy symptoms or intolerances
• Vulnerable to mildew or bugs
• Tends to trace (effective granular wheat litters)

6. Grass Litter

Ma’ayan Gutbezahl / Cats.com

• Common value per pound: $2.46
• Common evaluate: 3.95/5

One other plant-based choice, grass cat litter will be made with grass seeds or grass fibers. Grass litter makes up about 4.5% of the litter market. It’s dearer than corn or wheat litter, however in step with the typical value of cat litter (which is $2.44 per pound). Grass cat litter is environmentally pleasant as it’s made out of sustainable sources and is biodegradable. It’s light-weight, kinds clumps, and is mushy on cats’ paws.

As a result of grass litter is so gentle, it may be vulnerable to monitoring. It will probably additionally develop mildew if it turns into moist, so correct storage and common scooping is essential. Lastly, cats with grass allergy symptoms mustn’t use grass cat litter. In case your cat is strictly indoors, you won’t know if they’ve a grass allergy, so be looking out for itchy, crimson, irritated pores and skin or hair loss.

What We Favored:

• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Light-weight
• Extremely rated
• Delicate on paws

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay or silica
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Tends to trace
• Vulnerable to mildew
• Not appropriate for cats with grass allergy symptoms

7. Walnut Litter

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

• Common value per pound: $1.15
• Common evaluate: 3.84/5

When you’re in search of an eco-friendly various to clay cat litter, walnut litter checks quite a lot of containers. Produced from walnut shells—a byproduct of the walnut trade that might in any other case be thrown away—walnut litter is renewable, sustainable, and biodegradable. It’s absorbent, light-weight, mushy, low in mud, and clumping.

Some pet homeowners like the truth that the darkish colour 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 will not be a sensible choice if anybody in your loved ones (or anybody who visits) is allergic to walnuts. Additionally, the light-weight, darkish litter is vulnerable to monitoring and may stain light-colored carpets or furnishings.

Like different litters made out of natural supplies, walnut cat litter has the potential to turn out to be moldy if the litter field will not be scooped regularly; unused litter have to be saved away from moisture. One of these litter must be cleaned and fully modified extra usually than clay or silica litters.

What We Favored:

• Reasonably priced
• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Light-weight
• Extremely rated
• Delicate on paws

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay or silica
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Tends to trace
• Vulnerable to mildew
• Not appropriate for households with nut allergy symptoms

8. Tofu/Soybean Litter

Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

• Common value per pound: $3.69
• Common evaluate: 3.62/5

Tofu/soybean litter is without doubt one of the dearer cat litters out there (solely hemp is dearer). It makes up about 2.5% of the market share. Tofu/soybean litter is made out of soybeans or from the byproducts leftover from making tofu (which is made out of soybeans).

Tofu/soybean litter is light-weight, low monitoring, and comprises little mud. It’s absorbent and has sturdy clumping properties. This plant-based litter is an environmentally pleasant choice 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 made out of meals sources, tofu/soybean litter will not be a sensible choice for cats with soy allergy symptoms or intolerances.

Though it’s absorbent, this kind of litter will shortly 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 won’t like the feel.

What We Favored:

• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Light-weight
• Low monitoring

What We Didn’t Like:

• Costly
• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay or silica
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Not applicable for cats with soy allergy symptoms or intolerances
• Vulnerable to mildew
• Cats won’t like the feel

9. Paper Litter

ice_blue / Shutterstock.com

• Common value per pound: $1.35
• Common evaluate: 3.75/5

Produced from recycled or reclaimed paper processed into pellets, this kind 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 really helpful for kittens and cats which are 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 shortly 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 Favored:

• Reasonably priced
• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Low monitoring
• Light-weight

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay or silica
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Some cats won’t like the feel

10. Cassava Litter

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

• Common value per pound: $2.82
• Common evaluate: 3.41/5

Cassava litter is made out of the foundation of the cassava plant, which is a starchy tuber just like a potato. Cassava-based cat litter has a pure clumping capacity as a result of the cassava root is excessive in starch. Nevertheless, the clumps won’t 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. When it comes to value, cassava litters are dearer than common.

As with different cat litters made out of meals, cassava litter is extra inclined to growing mildew or insect infestations. It’s important to retailer the litter fastidiously and to scrub the litter field regularly so moist litter doesn’t sit. Cassava litter must be totally modified out extra usually than clay or silica litter. As a result of most cassava litters are finely floor and mushy, they have a tendency to trace.

What We Favored:

• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Light-weight
• Delicate on paws

What We Didn’t Like:

• Costly
• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay or silica
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Vulnerable to mildew or bugs
• Tends to trace

11. Pea Husk Litter

Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com

• Common value per pound: $2.09
• Common evaluate: 4.53/5

Pea husk litter is similar to tofu/soybean litter. It makes up solely about 0.5% of the market share. Although dearer than clay litter, peak husk litter is under common in value throughout all litter sorts. Pea husk litter is made out of the byproducts leftover from the pea trade.

Pea husk litter is light-weight, low monitoring, and comprises little mud. It’s absorbent and kinds clumps when moist. This plant-based litter is an eco-friendly choice because it’s sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable.

Like different litters made out of natural supplies, pea husk litter is inclined to growing mildew and bugs if the litter field isn’t scooped frequently and if the unused litter will not be saved correctly.

Although not supposed to be eaten, pea husk litter will not be a sensible choice for cats with pea allergy symptoms as they could 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 shortly so it must be modified out extra usually than clay or silica litters.

What We Favored:

• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Light-weight
• Low monitoring
• Extremely rated

What We Didn’t Like:

• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay or silica
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Not applicable for cats with soy allergy symptoms or intolerances
• Vulnerable to mildew
• Cats won’t like the feel

12. Hemp Litter

Hempalta.com

• Common value per pound: $5.40
• Common evaluate: 2.55/5

With a mean value of $5.40 per pound, hemp litter is the most costly sort of cat litter out there. Apparently, it additionally has the bottom person scores 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 largest 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 will 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 vulnerable 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 made out of natural supplies, resembling corn or wheat.

What We Favored:

• Environmentally pleasant
• Low mud
• Light-weight

What We Didn’t Like:

• Costly
• Not as absorbent as clay or silica litter
• Won’t management odors in addition to clay or silica
• Requires extra frequent scooping and litter modifications
• Vulnerable to mildew or bugs

The Backside Line

There’s no scarcity of cat litter merchandise on as we speak’s market to suit many budgets and preferences. Clay and silica gel litters get a few of the highest efficiency marks, however in case you’re wanting to make use of one thing extra pure and environmentally pleasant, you’ll discover loads of litters made out of natural supplies.

When attempting out a brand new litter, at all times hold an additional litter field stuffed along with your outdated cat’s litter simply in case they don’t like the brand new stuff. In case your cat received’t use the brand new litter, think about attempting one thing else. In the long run, a litter product is simply good it in case your cat will use it!