The stinky, sometimes sticky mess that cats leave in the litter box is easier to handle if you have the right cat litter. After two years of testing 17 cat litters, we think Dr. We sniffed out how well each formula controlled odors by adding the sulfur-smelling hing spice and an ammonia mixture to each pan.
We preferred litter that produced minimal dust while refilling or scooping dirty litter from the pan. This cat litter forms sturdy clumps, effectively controls odors, and is one of the cheapest options available.
No brand of cat litter outperforms Dr. But this litter is sold in a giant plastic bag, which is a pain to carry and pour from. And like most of the litters we tested, Dr. No litter is so good at controlling scents that it can replace regular scooping and strategic box placement. This large and easy-to-hold scoop makes a gross chore as pleasant as possible. Shannon Palus was a senior staff writer who wrote the original version of this guide.
She tested the top-performing cat litters at Brooklyn Cat Cafe, where dozens of cats provided their, er, input. Cat litter was invented in by a something named Edward Lowe to help out a neighbor who ran out of sand which is what people put in litter boxes those days, if they let their cats inside at all. Lowe gave the neighbor some of the dried clay bits his father used to help clean up grease spills at factories.
He called it Kitty Litter, as a People magazine story on Lowe explains. Lowe made a career of selling Kitty Litter under a handful of brands including the enduring Tidy Cats name. The term he coined became generic, and the number of options for litter exploded. Today, you can also purchase litter made of corn, pine, silica, or recycled newspaper. If you prefer non-clay litter, we have some recommendations at the end of this guide.
Clay litters are inexpensive and can produce solid clumps to make scooping easier. And because clay litter dominates the market, it comes in a variety of scents and grain sizes. Plus, cats like clay. Clay is similar in consistency to soil, as veterinarian Alexandra Medley pointed out, so going in a clay litter will feel pretty natural for your cat. About a decade ago, the company tried out a silica litter that consisted of white spheres the size of marbles.
To put it less politely: On a white background, pee and poop stick out. Clumping litter forms a block when your cat pees on it, allowing you to scoop out the waste rather than having to change the entire pan.
Most clumping litters we found averaged 58 cents per pound, but they can cost up to 78 cents per pound. Scooping out clumps means you change the entire box less often. Lund and other vets recommend changing the litter entirely about every two weeks to clean out any ammonia build-up, which can be irritating to cats if you scoop your litter box very regularly, you might be able to get away with changing the whole thing a little less often.
If your cat is eating litter, take them to the vet: It could be a sign of anemia or pica, the desire to eat things that are not food. Some people are especially worried about kittens eating clumping litter, because kittens have smaller stomachs and may be more curious. He notes that clay litter in general could be a concern for kittens under two weeks—younger than their typical adoption age—if they are feeding from a mom cat who is housed in a crate near a litter box.
We graded the cat litters on how easy their containers were to carry and pour, their dustiness and scent, how well they masked stand-in odors an ammonia mixture and hing , a spice that smells like sulfur , liquid-waste scoopability and clumping hardness, and how easy it was to clean caked-on messes at the bottom of the pan. Cat litter that performed poorly in multiple categories were eliminated.
For an earlier version of this guide, we took the four litters that performed the best in those previously mentioned tests— Dr. We paid attention to how well each brand of cat litter masked litter box odors, clumped pet waste, and prevented litter scatter. We also brought five different scoops—which were highly rated on Amazon or that came recommended by another source—with us to the cat cafe, and took notes on how easy each was to hold, how effective each was at collecting clumps, and how much litter stuck to the scoop.
For your money, Dr. It also produces less dust and is significantly cheaper than many other cat litters we tested. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Account Profile. Sign Out. Litter Box Odor Eliminator. Tags: the strategist recommended by experts pets cats.
Most Viewed Stories. My Honeymoon by Backpack through Montenegro. The Dr. A great option is to leave a litter box with the original litter around until you know your kitten is comfortable with using the new litter type. Come speak to a friendly Petbarn team member if would like to find out more about the best cat litter for kittens or use our simple Litter Finder tool.
All Rights Reserved. There are a few key factors to consider when it comes to deciding what cat litter is best for your kitten. Step 2: Choose clumping or non-clumping litter There are several different types of litter but overall they can be split into clumping litter, such as clay and natural grain, and non-clumping litter, such as paper, pine and crystal.
Some types of litter include: Clay litter is available in both clumping and non-clumping varieties. Posts you might like.
Does my pet need a jumper? Learn More. Do cats get cold? How to keep your cat warm and healthy in winter Learn More. A cat may also choose to go outside of the litter box if they find a spot that satisfies their need to scratch and bury their waste, such as a pile of dirty laundry or a potted plant. Whereas toileting typically occurs on horizontal surfaces, marking occurs on vertical surfaces. Instead of squatting, when a cat marks they back up with a raised tail to spray their pheromones.
Cats that mark are typically intact males, but fixed males and females can spray, too. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.
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