Which Cat Litter Has the Right Stuff?

by Rita Reimers, Multi Cat Behavior Expert

Choosing the right kitty litter can feel impossible. There’s so many different types and brands. Here we review the ones we’ve tried PURRSonally.

Be sure to check out the Cat Litter Comparison Chart at the end of this article, too!

What Makes a Cat Litter GREAT?

What exactly makes a good cat litter? It sounds so obvious and simple that one wouldn’t think it could be so hard to choose. The reason I think it gets so confusing is that the brands are all marketing to what WE THINK our cat’s want.

More often than not, cat litter companies appeal more to the cat owners than they do to what actually makes a cat want to use a litter box. Does it cover litter odors in perfume? Is the contain of litter light enough to carry and pour? And can the company convenient send monthly shipment box right to my door? All those qualities appear to us humans, but not so much to our cats..

So, what DOES a Cat Prefer?

Keep in mind how cats behave in nature, and we can begin to understand what a cat might expect from his cat litter. What cats really need is:

• litter that is easy on tender kitty paws
• one that does not smell like a perfume bottle broke inside of it
• a substance they can scratch to cover up what they’ve left in the box.

The 3 Basic Types of Litter Substrate

Let’s talk about the 3 Basic Types of Cat Litter substrate that are on the market, and  the pros and cons of each. Just about every type of cat litter falls into one of these main categories:

1. NATURAL SUBSTANCE LITTERS:  These are litters made from substances such as corn, wheat, nut shells, compressed pine, compressed recycled newspaper, or tofu.
   • Pros: eco-friendly, bio-degradable, and won’t end up in a landfill once used.
   • Cons: some cats try to eat it, and often odor control isn’t very good.
2. CLAY LITTERS:  Clay is the most common type of litter on the market, and is the best performing type, especially for multi-cat households. Some clump, some don’t. We prefer the clumping brands.
   • Pros: most cats accept clay easily, is also the most affordable.
   • Cons: not eco-friendly, some can be dusty.
3. SILICA CRYSTAL LITTERS: Crystal litters are easy to use, because you only scoop out the poop. The Silica crystals absorb the urine, so scooping is much easier. Crystal litters can also be formulated to check for medical issues as well.
   • Pros: easy to scoop/stir, very little dust.
   • Cons: expensive, doesn’t contain odor well, not great for multiple cats.

Changing Litter Brand or Type

With the recent shorts of certain brands of kitty litter caused by the Cyberattack at Clorox, maybe people were forces to switch their cat litter with no warning. Linda and I were affected, since our favorite cat litter is Fresh Step Calm Litter.

It’s a good idea to have a couple of brands you know your cat will use, just in case we’re faced with more shortages in the future. I tried another litter that had what I thought was a similar texture so my cats would use it.

CAT LITTER COMPARISON CHART

Are you still unsure which kitty litter is best for your cat? Below we have listed the various cat litters one or both of us have tried. Due to recent shortages in cat litter brands (like Fresh Step) caused by supply chain disruptions, many pet owners have had to quickly switch their preferred litter type. Here’s how to find a suitable replacement without stressing your cat.

We have grouped the cat litters by type: Natural Substance, Clay, and Silica Crystals, and included the following factors:

• Price
• How well it Clumps
• Does it Control Odor
• Is it Low Dust
• Are the pieces easy on those little kitty feet

Linda and I both have an unusual number of cats. Just because a litter isn’t good for the needs of our large cat households doesn’t mean it won’t be good for you and your cat, so you should review the chart carefully.

Remember, when trying to choose the right cat litter, the best cat litter for your cat is the one that he will use! 😻

NATURAL SUBSTANCE CAT LITTERS Highly Recommended: World’s Best
Brand	Price	Clumps Well	Odor Control	Low Dust	Easy On Paws
	$18.35 for 15 lbs	✅	✅	✅	✅
	$21.69 for 18 lbs	❌	✅	✅	✅
	$11.99 for 20 lbs	❌	✅	❌	❌
	$11.59 for 12 lbs	❌	❌	❌	❌
CLAY CAT LITTERS Highly Recommended: Fresh Step Calm, Cat’s Pride, Fresh Step Simply Unscented, Dr. Elsy’s
Brand	Price	Clumps Well	Odor Control	Low Dust	Easy On Paws
	$17.49 for 22.5 lbs	✅	✅	✅	✅
	$9.48 for 15 lbs	✅	✅	✅	✅
	$18.99 for 15.4 lbs	✅	✅	✅	✅
	$16.99 for 20 lbs	✅	✅	✅	✅
	$14.99 for 20 lbs	✅	✅	❌	✅
	$9.99 for 20 lbs	✅	✅	❌	❌
	$10.99 for 20 lbs	✅	✅	❌	❌
	$9.99 14 lbs	❌	❌	✅	✅
	$15.99 18 lbs	❌	❌	❌	✅
SILICA CRYSTAL CAT LITTERS Recommended: Pretty Litter
Brand	Price	Clumps Well	Odor Control	Low Dust	Easy On Paws
	$27.49 for 8 lbs	❌	❌	✅	✅
	$16.99 5 lbs	❌	❌	✅	✅
	$21.48 8 lbs	❌	❌	✅	❌