What is the best cat litter? Consumer reviews.

Anyone who gets a whiskered pet faces the challenge of using a cat litter box. Not only do you need to train your kitten to relieve itself in the designated area, but you also need to maintain hygiene there, eliminate unpleasant odors, and deal with other issues. Therefore, to achieve all these goals, it's essential to choose the right cat litter, fortunately, there's a wide selection available on the market.

You can use newspapers the old-fashioned way, but this method is impractical because it will leave an unpleasant odor, and urine won't be absorbed well, making it a potential hazard for both cat and human. However, choosing good-quality litter will ensure cleanliness in the litter box, and it will also be much easier and more enjoyable for your cat to use. Therefore, before buying any litter, it's important to know the different types and their pros and cons. It's also a good idea to read reviews from cat owners about the litter they use.

Types of fillers

The main function of the filler is urine absorption and eliminate unpleasant odors. Therefore, it must be made of highly absorbent materials that are safe for cats and humans, easy to use, and easy to dispose of. There are two types of fillers:

1. Clumping.
2. Absorbent.

The first type works like this: when it gets wet, it forms clumps that are easily removed from the litter box, leaving the rest of the litter untouched. Clean the litter box daily, removing any clumps and fecal matter, and then simply add more litter to the correct level.

But it is worth following the instructions for using such products and pouring them into the tray at least 8–10 cm in heightIf you use less, the moisture will drain to the bottom of the container without forming clumps. This will make the tray difficult to clean, and an unpleasant odor will permeate the room.

Clumping litter is ideal if you only have one cat, as it creates a litter ball that dries out quickly and can be easily removed. If you have more than one cat, the fresh litter won't dry completely, and the pets will spread the litter around the house on their paws.

The main advantages of this filler:

• Perfectly neutralizes odor;
• Easy to use (just remove lumps and solid waste);
• It is non-toxic and made only from natural ingredients, so it can be safely used for kittens;
• Economical;
• It is as close as possible to the natural environment for cats.

The downside of such fillers is that they are not recommended for use by several cats at the same time.

But absorbent fillers work differently: they completely absorb moisture and unpleasant odors, while do not change their structureIt should be changed after it's completely soaked with liquid, otherwise cat feces will collect at the bottom of the litter box, emitting an unpleasant odor. To determine when it's time to replace the litter box, pay close attention to your pet—if they refuse to use it, it's time.

This type of litter is ideal for both one and several pets. The moisture is quickly absorbed and doesn't stick to cats' paws. A single litter tray will last approximately 7-10 days, making it ideal for those who plan to leave their four-legged friend home alone while on vacation.

Main advantages:

• Fights unpleasant odor well;
• Cleaning can be done infrequently (provided that only one cat defecates there);
• Suitable for multiple cats;
• There are some made from natural ingredients that are suitable even for kittens;
• Relatively cheap.

The downside of such litter is that when changing it, the owner is forced to inhale all the unpleasant odor absorbed by it. Also, some cats won't use a partially dirty litter box, so it will have to be changed more frequently, which isn't very cost-effective.

Types of fillers by constituent material

There are many different types of litter, each with a different composition. But not all of them are suitable for small kittens. Therefore, it's important to decide in advance. What is the best litter for kittens?Today, you can find the following at specialty markets or pet stores.

Clay fillers

They come in absorbent and clumping varieties, and their natural texture makes them ideal for cats. Bentonite is one of the best options for this type of litter. However, when choosing this product, pay attention to the size of the granules, as too large ones can injure your cat's paws.

Main advantages:

• Naturalness and naturalness;
• Availability of different types of clay fillers;
• Animals like to dig in it;
• Suitable for both adults and kittens.

A small drawback of this type of litter is that it can remain on the paws and spread throughout the house. And when replacing it, it's slightly dust rises.

Wood fillers

They also come in two types: absorbent and clumping. They are made from pine sawdust, compressed into granules of varying sizes. This is the most environmentally friendly type, and it will leave a pine-like scent in the room.

Main advantages:

• Pleasant pine aroma;
• Eco-friendliness;
• Suitable for kittens;
• Does not clog sewers;
• Quite cheap.

But there is one downside here too: they can stick to the cat’s paws and fur in the form of small sawdust, which is then spread throughout the house.

Corn fillers

They're not often used for cat litter, but rather for rodents. However, manufacturers also produce special cat litters made from corn cobs in granules of various sizes. These are typically absorbent.

Main advantages:

• Absorb moisture well;
• Eco-friendly;
• Have a light pleasant smell;
• Do not clog sewer systems;
• Do not stick to pets' paws;
• Affordable price.

The downside is that they are not suitable for multiple cats and are quite rare to find in pet stores in Russia.

Silica gel fillers

They absorb liquid better, but they're made from dried polysilicic acid gel, which is far from environmentally friendly. Therefore, they're not recommended for kittens. These pellets should be stored in airtight packaging only; otherwise, they may lose their properties in a humid environment.

Main advantages:

• Excellent fight against moisture and unpleasant odor;
• Suitable for multiple cats;
• Very economical, but quite expensive;
• Easy to use.

One major drawback is that it's not suitable for kittens, as it can cause a chemical burn if it comes into contact with their mucous membranes. Also, some cats may not like the feeling of walking on these pellets.

Popular brands

Nowadays, quite a number of companies, both foreign and domestic, produce entire lines of high-quality toilet fillers at affordable prices. Let's take a look at the most Common brands:

• Cat's Best is a German company that produces high-quality and environmentally friendly fir litter.
• Fresh Step is an American brand of Clorox that produces clumping clay and silica gel litter.
• Ever Clean is also a popular American brand that produces clumping litter with a unique composition (a mixture of clays, minerals, and activated carbon).
• "Chistye Paws" is a domestic manufacturer specializing in high-quality bentonite and wood fillers.
• Pi-Pi-Bent is our line of affordable bentonite products, and we also offer a separate range of litter for kittens.
• "Kotyara" is a domestic brand of good bentonite, wood and silica gel fillers.
• Cat's Choice – This company produces a variety of lines of inexpensive wood and bentonite products with various additives.

There are also other manufacturers of equal quality, such as Catsan, Pretty Cat, Kuzya, Myaudodyr, Murzik, Barsik, and others. With such a wide selection of manufacturers and their product ranges, it's easy to find the right litter.

Which filler is better to choose?

When choosing a cat litter product, it all depends on the owner's budget and the selection on the market. After all, almost all of them are made made from natural, environmentally friendly materials, which do not cause any harm to the animal. Some of them are also suitable for kittens, but be sure to read the instructions before purchasing to avoid making the wrong choice.

Just like with people, the same type of litter may or may not be suitable for animals. Therefore, it's worth trying to find the ideal litter for your pet, starting with the smallest packaging. When puddles no longer appear in inappropriate places, you can confidently say your cat has accepted the type.

But if a cat likes to dig around in its designated hiding place, it will inevitably scatter particles of any litter. Therefore, it's important to consider the appearance of the litter box (a house-shaped one works well) and ensure there's a mat in front of it, whether it's a rubber mat with pimples or a piece of high-pile carpet.

Customer Reviews