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6 Best Types of Cat Litter:

1. Clay Litter

   
   

2. Wood Litter

   
   

3. Crystals Litter

   
   

4. Paper Litter

   
   

5. Corn Litter

   
   

6. Tofu Litter

Also in this article:

• How Do I Choose the Best Cat Litter?

  
  

• Which Litter Is Best for Kittens?

  
  

The modern kitty has more choice today than ever before, from food to furniture and everything in between - as if they weren't pampered enough already! Sometimes too much variety can cause confusion, especially when it comes to litter. While traditional clay remains a popular option, you can also get wood, crystals, paper, corn, wheat, grass, tofu and others.

Factors that influence buying decisions include:

• Price.

• Absorbency.

• Odour control.

• Dust levels.

• Clumping ability.

• Tracking levels.

• Environmental impact.

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However, the biggest consideration has to be your cat's individual preference, as they may refuse a certain type of litter if it feels uncomfortable on their paws or they don't like the smell. This isn't only inconvenient for your floors, but forcing a cat to toilet outside the litter tray can cause stress and urinary issues from holding in its pee for long periods of time.

Ideally, litter should be designed for cats to perform the natural behaviour of digging and burying their waste. Some large pellets simply do not replicate this.

This article explores six types of litter that are popular in the UK, the pros and cons of each and some handpicked recommendations.

1. Clay Litter

As the original form of commercial cat litter and the first product designed for use in a litter tray, clay remains the most accessible and cost-effective choice amongst owners. Some clay litters are made from large gravelly pieces, while others are finer and more like the consistency of sand. It's easy for cats to dig and bury their mess without causing discomfort to their paws.

You can get different formulas of clay litter, such as low dust, low tracking (doesn't stick to paws and leave trails around the house), scented and unscented. While unscented clay is most recommended, many owners use scented clay without any issues. Depending on the brand, some formulas may be overwhelming to a cat's sense of smell or contain chemicals that trigger allergies.

The two main types of clay litter are clumping and non-clumping.

Clumping litter is most popular as it absorbs urine into solid "clumps" that can be scooped out, leaving the remaining litter clean. It should last 3-4 weeks with regular spot cleaning, depending on how many cats are using the litter tray.

Non-clumping litter creates more wastage as it has to be poured away after use, which should be every day for hygiene reasons. While it's cheaper than clumping litter, the cost builds up in the long-run with frequent emptying and refilling of the entire litter tray. It also has poorer odour control.

Double Layer Cat Litter Mat that collects loose litter for easy shaking into a bin. Made from flexible and comfortable EVA material with a waterproof bottom. Multiple sizes available.

Clay litter does come with a few drawbacks, regardless of which formula you get. Even low-dust clay carries more dust than some other types of litter, which can cause issues for both cats and humans with breathing problems like asthma. It also has high tracking, although a litter mat can help to prevent this.

Clay litter is primarily made from bentonite clay, which is mined from the ground and not biodegradable. It can get quite heavy when saturated and tends to stick to the bottom of the litter tray.

Recommendation:

2. Wood Litter

Wood is the second most popular type of litter, the main one being pine but other varieties include cedar, bamboo and spruce. It's highly absorbent, with some brands claiming that litter absorbs 5-7 times its weight in urine. This is ideal for cats that have massive pees like my Drax with his urinary diet, or those with kidney disease.

The natural scent of wood is said to help neutralise odours, although I find that it makes the litter tray smell like a farmyard. Many owners complain of the same problem, but this may depend on the brand and type of wood. You can get clumping or non-clumping wood litter, and it usually comes in pellets or a sawdust consistency.

Pellets have less dust but not all cats will appreciate the large size, and it crumbles into finer pieces when saturated. The sawdust texture creates more dust and tracking, but typically less so than clay - again, a litter mat may be beneficial.

One of the main selling points of wood litter is that it's eco-friendly and can usually be disposed of in the toilet by flushing individual clumps; or composted. I have used the clumping version before and found it to be excellent for absorbing urine and scooping, but not so great at odour control. Most importantly, my boys were happy to use it for the trial period!

Recommendation:

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3. Crystals (Silica Gel) Litter

Crystal litter is a crystalised form of silicon dioxide that absorbs liquid and helps to control and trap odours. Since there's no need for clumping, maintenance involves removing poop like normal and stirring the litter to evenly distribute the dry crystals. It's marketed to be longer lasting than other types of litter, which is ideal for those who don't have time for spot cleaning. However, it may still need need regular emptying with multiple cats, leading to increased wastage.

Crystal litter is less dusty than clay, but the crystals can break down over time which will create some dust. Larger crystals are less likely to get stuck to a cat's paws so won't track as much as finer particles. Some owners favour crystal litter for its absorbency, odour control and ease of use; but it's an expensive option and some crystals are sharp on a cat's paws. Mine refuse to use it!

Crystal litter is mined from quartz and sand so is not considered eco-friendly. If you have a cat that eats litter or are training young kittens then it's not the best choice.

Recommendation:

4. Paper Litter

Paper litter doesn't sound appealing or hygienic, and it's usually made from recycled newspaper in the form of large pellets. However, it's highly economical, biodegradable and cheaper than other natural options like wood.

This is often used for cats recovering from injuries or surgery as it can't get into wounds. The low dust is beneficial for cats with breathing problems and training kittens on a budget. Paper is only absorbent to a degree and quickly becomes saturated, requiring regular cleaning and replacement. It also has minimal odour control.

Paper litter is best used on a temporary basis and is an ideal solution for travelling as it's lightweight and easy to transport.

Recommendation:

5. Corn Litter

Made from dried corn kernels or corn by-products, this natural cat litter is lightweight and biodegradable. It's highly absorbent with natural clumping abilities due to the starch, although it doesn't clump as well as other types of litter like clay or wood. It has little odour control but some brands offer scented options.

Some corn litter has low dust and tracking if you get the pellet forms, but smaller particles will create dust and stick to a cat's paws.

Corn litter is vulnerable to bugs and mould growth if not stored correctly, particularly aflatoxins which can be lethal to cats. While they shouldn't be eating litter, they may lick off remnants while grooming so it's not recommended for cats with corn allergies.

Recommendation:

6. Tofu Litter

Tofu litter has been around for a few decades but has gained recent traction due to people searching for more eco-friendly options. Litter is made from soybean fibre, a by-product of tofu which reduces human food waste. It's plant-based and non-toxic, although you might want to avoid it if your cat is allergic to soy.

Tofu litter is advertised as having all the benefits of clay, with great absorption and clumping due to the starch in soy fibre. It traps odours naturally without relying on artificial scents, but it can quickly become saturated so may need regular scooping. The main benefit of tofu is that it has minimal dust and tracking, which is excellent for breathing problems and allergies.

Litter is usually available in pellet form and so will depend on your cat's preferences and comfort levels. It can be flushed down the toilet in clumps or composted.

Due to tofu being a plant-based material, there's a risk of mould growth if stored in humid conditions. It's also one of the most expensive litter options.

Recommendation:

How Do I Choose the Best Cat Litter?

You can start by balancing hygiene and maintenance with your cat's comfort and environmental impacts. Budget is one of the biggest factors for owners, but even if you can afford the best of the best, it's redundant if your kitty doesn't approve!

Tofu litter is becoming increasingly popular as a more economical and high-performing option, but if the price tag is too high then wood is a good alternative. If you live in a small apartment then you might want to focus on odour control, while multi-cat households may benefit from good clumping and low tracking to keep mess to a minimum.

When trying new litter, it's a good idea to keep a spare litter tray filled with the old stuff just in case your cat doesn't like it. You can place trays next to each other to try and spark their curiosity - cats appreciate variety, after all - or sprinkle a layer of their regular litter on top of the new litter. As with most things cat related, trial and error is usually the best approach!

Which Litter Is Best for Kittens?

Kittens are inquisitive creatures and, much like babies, will eat things that they're not supposed to. Catsan advise using a coarse-grained, non-clumping litter made from natural materials. This won't cause a problem if ingested (in small amounts), as well as being soft on their paws and less likely to stick to fur.

The Catsan Hygiene Cat Litter is highly recommended, but wood and paper are also good options.

If you've adopted a cat or kitten that's already used to a particular litter, wait until they've settled into their new home before making any changes to their litter box and keep their routine as normal as possible.

What's your preferred type or brand of litter? Do you find that some perform better than others, or does your kitty have a favourite? Comment with your recommendations to help out other cat parents.