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Cat Litter

Cat litter selection preferences depends on what your cat likes and your budget. The key is to keep the litter odor free and dry so that your cat doesn't mind using the box when he or she urinates or defecates.

Litter Material

Some cats have a preference for specific litter materials which could be based on their early learning experiences. It usually varies by the feel of the material such as carpet, wood floor or linoleum. Textures vary by granularity, and coarseness.

Research shows that cats prefer fine materials. These include a finely textured clay litter, a fine grain litter or sand. This preference was expressed even over popular choices such as wooden pellets. Other common materials are rice husks and diatomite. A low cost solution is to use newspaper as a liner and newspaper strips as the litter material.

If you are desperate to find a surface that your cat likes you can even try diapers, carpet swatches, and towels.

Be sure that the material you choose is dust free as that can cause respiratory issues. The litter should also be odor free.

Best Cat Litter Brands

As mentioned cats tend to prefer litter that resembles fine granules or sand. In our opinion clumping litter is the most hygienic for adult cats since you can easily identify areas that need to be scooped. Since cats can a strong sense of smell we also prefer brands that are unscented. According to Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, typical litter types and suggested feline litter brands are as follows:

Dr. Elsey's is recommended as the best cat litter brand since clay is least likely to aggravate asthma in cats since it has low levels of dust.

1) clay (Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra)
Note that not all brands of clay litter is flushable.

Other good choices that deserve to be called some of the best cat litter brands since they are biodegradable and flushable:

2) corn (World's Best Litter Original Formula)

3) wheat (Swheat Scoop Natural Wheat Litter)

4) pine (Feline Fresh Clumping Natural Pine Cat Litter)

See our complete list of cat and kitten litter ratings.

Switching Litter Material

If you are switching the litter in a litter box do it gradually. Over time replace some of the litter you are currently using with the new litter. Eventually you will replace all the litter.

Cat Litter Box Selection

In general buy the biggest litter box you can. Cats like to have room. One side of the box should be lower than the others to make entering the box easy. You might want to have a cardboard box on hand for easy travel and disposal.

Some litter boxes have hoods or are enclosed. This type might not be ideal since urine may get on the walls and are therefore more difficult to clean and keep odor free.

Many believe that the best litter box is one with deep sides to keep urine and litter inside the box and that has no cover.

The advantage of a cover is that is provides your cat with privacy and blocks odor, litter and urine from leaving the box. The problem with the cover is that it traps dust and if odor builds up, your cat might avoid the box.

You can't go wrong with a large basic box as long as you frequently keep it clean.

Number of Cat Litter Boxes Needed

You should have a litter box for each cat in your home plus 1. Your cat (s) should be able to easily access the box. These boxes should be located in different locations. Your cats preference for sharing a box or wanting one of its own is dependent on how your cats relate to each other.

Litter Box Location

Outdoor Cats: These cats prefer litter boxes that is in a more private place vs. a busy hallway or near a place where other pets sleep such as a dog. Some cats prefer a covered tray.

Kitten Litter Box Training

Kittens should be trained to use a litter box on the first day in your home. Begin training by putting the kitten in the box after a play session or you believe it is going to urinate or defecate.

During training, always leave some urine and feces behind. Your cat will smell it and know that the box is for going to the bathroom. That said keep the box clean by removing solids every day and stirring the litter so your kitten never encounters a wet surface.

DO NOT use the litter box as a punishment or any time you are scolding your cat since they will associate the box with a bad experience.

Replacing Litter

Litter that clumps should be replaced as soon as the litter starts to smell. Other types of litter should be changed weekly. Remember that cats to not like wet or dirty litter. Failure to clean the litter could result in your cat not wanting to use the litter box.

Click here for a review of cat, human and kitter litter health issues.

Cat Litter Box and Older Cats

The key to helping older cats is making sure that the litter box is accessible. Here placement could help by putting the box where your cat rests.

Litter Box Cleaning

It is important to keep the litter box clean by scooping it at least once a day. The threshold for cleaning trays will vary enormously between cats with some wanting the tray cleaned each time they use it and others tolerating less frequentcleaning. The litter should be completely changed and the box washed with mild soap and water every 1 to 2 weeks. It�s also a good idea to place the litter box in the cat�s core area - where he spends most of his time. Ideally, it should be placed in an area that�s quiet and well-lit, away from the food and water.

Sources

CatInfo.org

Feline Elimination Concerns
T.M. Curtis
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida
Gainesville, FL, USA

Feline Housesoiling
Sarah Heath BVSc DECVBM-CA MRCVS
Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice
10 Rushton Drive, Upton, Chester CH2 1RE England

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