Thinking Inside the Box
OTHER THAN WHAT MOTHER NATURE PUT ALL OVER THE EARTH, I don’t think that there’s a perfect cat litter out there. But here is my list of pros and cons for the different types of litter that my clients use. My top two “picks of the litter” are recycled walnut shell litter and recycled-wood litter. I like a clumping litter. However, I don’t want to support strip mining for bentonite clay, which is used in most clumping litters. I also want it to be easy to scoop, to avoid corn and wheat, and to have moderate odor control. Recycled walnut shell or recycled-wood natural clumping litter makes the most sense to me. I do not recommend composting any cat litter, as there are potential pathogens in cat waste that most compost piles do not get hot enough to destroy.
Clay Litter
PROS
Effectively absorbs moisture
Effectively absorbs odor
Easily found in most stores
Inexpensive
Has other uses, such as traction for icy driveways
Very dusty
Has been known to cause permanent respiratory problems in cats and humans
Not biodegradable
Is obtained through strip mining
Needs to be replaced often to avoid ammonia-like smell
Clumping (Scoopable) Clay Litter
PROS
Dust-free
Clumps eliminate odor buildup
Easy to scoop
Works well for multi-cat households
CONS
Not biodegradable
Not flushable
Has been suggested that this litter can cause intestinal blockages in cats who ingest it
Obtained through strip-mining
More expensive than regular clay litter
Clumping Recycled Walnut Shells
PROS
Made from recycled walnut shells
Good texture
Good odor control
Low tracking/dust
Environmentally friendly
Great for cats with allergies
CONS
Hard to find in stores
Dark color makes pee and poop hard to find to be scooped
Caution for humans with nut allergies
Urine clumping is not perfect
Clumping Recycled Wood/Green Tea
PROS
Made from recycled wood
Good texture
Low tracking
Easy to scoop
One bag lasts a long time
Okay for multi-cat household
Environmentally friendly/biodegradable
Nice odor
CONS
Dusty when poured
Hard to find in stores
Corn Litter
PROS
Soft texture
Very little tracking
Biodegradable
Clumps for easy scooping
CONS
Expensive
Not all cats like the texture/smell
Very dusty
When they lick their feet, they may ingest it and have corn-related allergy, GI, and health issues. Perhaps corncob litter (not the corn kernel itself, but the cobs only) might be better, as it contains more fiber. Some consumers express concerns about genetically modified (GMO) corn affecting the cats, and about aflatoxins, a deadly mold that grows in corn products with a high moisture content. This mold could conceivably flourish in the wet atmosphere of a litter box. I have not seen any substantiation to the worries about aflatoxins, but it is serious enough to consider.
Crystal Litter
PROS
Very absorbent
Unlikely to grow mold/bacteria
Dust-free
Owners will use less crystal litter compared to traditional clay
CONS
Some cats do not like the feel of crystals on their paws
Must be stirred daily to keep urine from pooling in the litter box
Some controversy on whether chemicals in it are safe if ingested
Paper Litter
PROS
Made from recycled newspaper
Safe for septic systems
Dust- and scent-free
Safe for kittens and cats after surgery/declawing
Very absorbent
CONS
Some cats do not like the feel or texture of litter
Can be more difficult to scoop, leaving behind soiled clumps of paper
Not easily found in stores
Pine Litter
PROS
Biodegradable
Recycled product
Safe flushing
CONS
Some cats do not like the scent
Scent can aggravate asthma/allergies in cats
Not easy to scoop
Sand Litter
PROS
Natural
CONS
Dust can aggravate allergies in humans
Dusty
Easily tracks through the house
Messy in general
Does not clump well
PROS
Biodegradable
CONS
Does not clump well
Minimal odor control
Dusty
Can aggravate allergies/asthma, and can be a problem if ingested by licking paws. The same possible issues with GMO and aflatoxins as with corn litter.
MYTHCONCEPTION
Cats pee out of the litter box because they’re angry.
Not true.
Usually there is a medical reason for inappropriate urination.