The sand or sanitary stones to relieve themselves is one of the essential elements if we are going to live with a cat at home. For sale we find a lot of brands and different varieties that differ in their absorption capacity, odor control, waste generation and environmental impact.
Now, what are the best cat litters? Next, we review the types of cat litter available and give tips for choosing the best one for our cat.
Absorbent mineral cat litter
This type of cat litter, usually sepiolite, is one of the most widespread. It can be found in any supermarket and is the cheapest This is a great advantage for homes or protection associations where many cats stay, butIt is not very efficient at controlling odours and it does not form balls, so although it absorbs urine, it is difficult to separate dirty litter from clean litter. This means that the litter box is going to get very dirty and the litter will need to be removed and replaced almost every day.
Because of all the above, although economical, it is dirtier, less durable and generates bad odours. In addition, it raises dust, hence its use is reduced to those cats that do not accept another or for economic reasons. As a curious fact, we can say that it was the first litter commercialized for cats.
Clumping mineral cat litter
This option, based on bentonite, offers significant advantages, since, as its name suggests, clumps urine into balls This it separates the clean sand from the dirty one, reduces bad odors and the sandbox can be cleaned much more easily, since you only have to remove the balls with the shovel. Of course, it is recommended that this cleaning be done daily so that the sand lasts longer. Likewise, the litter box must be filled with a good layer, about 5 cm thick, to achieve a correct clumping effect.
This cat litter is more expensive than absorbent, but yields more and offers better hygiene, which can be especially interesting in homes with more than one cat or those small houses in which you want to avoid the bad odors generated by the depositions. In addition, it raises less dust, although some are very fine and, consequently, can stick to the cat's paws and leave a trace when leaving the litter box. We can choose between different grain sizes and options, such as the one that includes charcoal or different fragrances.
Silica cat litter
This is a synthetic gel with great moisture absorption power, so it is also a good option if we want to maintain the clean sand longer. It does not compact, but, by removing moisture, the sand remains dry, so it can continue to be used for up to four weeks without changing, removing the faeces daily. In addition, it is especially effective in controlling bad odours. For households with only one cat, it goes a long way.
This sand is made up of white granules that will turn yellow with urine. This change in tone helps us know when it's time to remove it and put a new bag. The downside is that the granules are large and hard, which makes some cats reject them. On the other hand, it does not raise any dust.
Currently there is a silica litter that is known as “diagnostic” because its grains change color depending on the pH of the cat's urine. In reality, it does not diagnose what disease our feline has, but it does alert us to a potential problem in the urine, which allows us to contact the veterinarian early, who will be the one to make the diagnosis.
Check this other article on the most common diseases in cats.
Biodegradable cat litter
Without a doubt, this type of litter is the most environmentally friendly optionIt is a sand made with different plant materials, such as pea shells or wood debris, which form pellets or granules with great absorbent power, which achieves a high agglomeration of urine, keeping the litter box clean for longer and with surprising control of bad odours. Thus, it is biodegradable, but also a binder. In addition, many of these litters can be disposed of by flushing them down the toilet, as they disintegrate, or they can be composted, thus avoiding contamination, reusing them to fertilize orchards, trees and (non-edible) plants.
Given the different options available, you must read the manufacturer's instructions carefully to check the agglomeration capacity or the most appropriate form of disposal. We highlight within this group the Catit Go Natural sand, which offers two varieties with the following characteristics:
- Made with pea shells, they are 1.5 mm pellets that offer great absorption capacity, up to three times their weight, forming compact balls that are easily removed, since they do not stick to the sandbox or the shovel. In addition, they do not give off dust, they do not adhere to the cat's paws and they suppress bad odours. Its production process is 100% sustainable (from the beginning to the method of disposing of the sand). It is available in two light fragrances of vanilla and lavender.
- Made with wood scraps from certified forests, produced in a 100% sustainable way and packaged in a recycled paper bag, stands out for its power of 300% absorption, which facilitates the cleaning of the litter box, by forming very compact balls, and the control of odors and bacteria. It hardly gives off dust, since it has been subjected to a double sieving process, nor does it leave a trace. Contains no chemicals or perfumes.
Tips for choosing the best type of cat litter
After reviewing the different types that exist, what is the best cat litter? The truth is that really it is the cat himself who is going to choose his favorite litter, so he will be the one who decides which is the best for himself. Felines usually show marked preferences, although there are also those that accept all of them without any problem. In any case, it is recommended that the change be made gradually, so that it gets used to it, and the characteristics of the litter box and its location must also be taken into account.
Going back to the arena, in principle we can be guided by our personal preferences. In case the cat does not accept the chosen one, it would be time to consider other options. These are the basic tips to keep in mind to choose the best type of cat litter:
- If you don't want to or can't spend a lot, opt for the cheapest litter, which is the absorbent litter, but don't forget that you'll have to spend more time cleaning, as a lot of it will have to be removed every day, and it will not be able to eliminate the bad smell. Also, having to change it frequently may end up paying off investing in a more durable arena.
- Clumping, silica or biodegradable litter greatly speeds up cleaning tasks of the sandbox. Find a great crowd if you're short on time. Put a layer enough so that it can clump and allow the cat to dig and cover its stools, since that is its natural behavior. We explain it to you in this article: “Why do cats bury their feces?”.
- In principle it is recommended to choose unscented litter, as some cats find it unpleasant.
- If you follow a ecological lifestyle and respect the environment as much as possible, choose a biodegradable sand.
- In homes with more than one cat or a few square meters, it is advisable to opt for those litters that offer greater absorption and elimination of odors for obvious reasons.
- Lastly, if you have a self-cleaning litter box, you have to use clumping litter.
