The Complete Buyers Guide to the Best Cat Litter

• Easy to clean
• Great for drying cat poop
• Good odour control
• Easily available

• Clumps could be a choking hazard if you cat eats the litter
• Higher dust content 
• Not eco-friendly or biodegradable
• Litter tracking

• 100% Natural & non-toxic
• Biodegradable
• Lightweight
• No added chemicals or scents

• More expensive 
• Can be clumping or non-clumping
• Cats may not like the scent of the wood
• Cats may be allergic to the chosen wood

• Made from recycled materials 
• Biodegradable
• Low dust
• Lightweight 
• Good absorbtion

• Does not clump well
• Weak odour control
• May require more frequent changes
• Litter tracking
• More expensive than clay

• Non-toxic
• Highly absorbent
• Good odour control
• Low dust

• Not enviromentally friendly at all
• Not biodegradable
• May require mixing to effectively absrob moisture
• Tracks easily 

Are you sensitive to smells? Then choosing a cat litter with optimal odour control should be your priority. 

Clumping cat litters are great for odour control as they compact moisture and waste into a single clump that can be removed with spot-cleaning, leaving fresh litter behind.

Silica cat litter is also great for odour control since silica crystals are so absorbent that they trap odours before they can fully develop. 

Non-clumping litter, however, works best when the moisture has been distributed through the litter, which may require mixing the litter to ensure odour control. Paper and wood litter aren't always the best for odour control since the spoiled litter disintegrates and sinks to the bottom of the tray, which can lead to a buildup of odours between changes. 

Overall, the best odour control is achieved through routine cleaning and staying on top of spot cleaning to stop odours from developing. 

Do you want to make cleaning your cat's litter a breeze? Then aim for a litter that's easy to clean, such as a clumping cat litter, which is easy to spot clean and requires less frequent litter changes.

Silica cat litters are also easier to clean since the crystals dry solid like a clumping cat litter, making for easy spot-changes and less frequent litter changes. 

Non-clumping litters, like wood and paper cat litters, are designed so the soiled litter sinks to the bottom of the litter tray, leaving fresh pellets on top. These litters require more frequent changes as the soiled litter can become oversaturated with urine if not properly distributed through the litter, making for a messy cleanup. 

Are you looking to get the best cat litter on a budget? Then it's best to choose a cat litter that is inexpensive to start, such as paper or clay litter, which are typically cheapest per litre depending on the brand. 

Silica cat litters are the most expensive, and are often sold in smaller bags, too, so they aren't the best for buying cat litter on a budget. Wood litter can also be more expensive than paper or clay alternatives. 

To help you save more on cat litter, try: 

• Bulk buying - Many cat litters are available in various sizes, with larger bags often working out cheaper per litre than smaller bags. 
• Cat Litter Subscriptions - Some brands offer discounts when you take out a subscription, which can help you save money and time when buying cat litter. 
• Shop Cat Litter Discounts - Be proactive when shopping and look out for cat litter offers, so you can get your favourite for less. 

Are you trying to be a sustainable cat owner? Then aim for an all-natural cat litter that is also biodegradable, like a recycled paper cat litter or a wood pellet litter. 

Not only are these cat litters entirely natural or made from recycled materials, but they also biodegrade. Some natural cat litters can even be flushed down the toilet (in small quantities), so you can minimise waste for spot cleans, and the remaining litter can be composted. 

Clay and silica cat litters, while made from natural materials, are not biodegradable and require mining to produce, which is typically harmful to the environment, so they should be avoided if you're looking for an eco-friendly cat litter. 

Does your cat suffer from allergies or have a delicate respiratory system? Then choosing a low-dust or hypoallergenic cat litter should be your goal. 

Paper litters are the best for a low-dust option, and are also non-toxic and hypoallergenic, making them ideal for cats with respiratory trouble or allergies. 

Wood cat litters are also a low-dust option, however, cats can be allergic to the wood used, so be selective about which wood cat litters you try. 

Clumping and clay cat litters are the worst for dust, and you may even find they leave a film of fine dust after you've refilled the litter tray. 

Litter tracking is a problem that is universal to cat litters, unfortunately, but there are some that are less likely to be tracked through the house. 

Paper and wooden cat litters are made of larger pellets than the fine clay litters, meaning it's less likely to get caught in your cat's paws and then tracked through the house. The larger pieces are also much easier to clean up and won't spread as far as finer materials. 

Clumping cat litters tend to be fine and almost grainy in texture, which can easily be picked up by your cat's paws and tracked through the house. Silica cat litters have the same problem, with the small crystals able to lodge between your cat's toe beans and then dropping out as your cat wanders the house. 

If you’re on the fence about choosing a litter because of its disadvantages, then we may have the answer. Below, we look at some of the best solutions to common cat litter problems so you can have the best of both worlds with your chosen litter. 

How often you should change your cat's litter will depend on the material used and how many cats are using the tray.

Regardless of the litter you use, you should spot-clean your cat's litter tray daily to remove clumps of waste (if you're using clumping litter) or cat faeces (if you're using non-clumping litter). 

Clumping and silica cat litters are easy to spot-clean and stay fresher for longer. For these litters, you should top up the litter weekly and replace the litter after 4 weeks or when it no longer controls odours. 

Other cat litters will need replacing more frequently since the soiled litter falls to the bottom of the tray. In this case, you should replace the litter once a week to remove the soiled litter and thoroughly disinfect the tray. 

How you dispose of your cat's litter will depend on the materials used. 

Clay and silica cat litters should be disposed of in a bag with your household waste. 

Paper and wood litter, however, are biodegradable, so can be composted at home or thrown away with your household waste in a separate biodegradable bag. 

If your cat is eating their cat litter, there could be a number of reasons why:

• Behavioural problems - such as anxiety or pica (compulsive eating of non-food items)
• Health conditions - such as a vitamin or mineral deficiency, neurological disorder, or anaemia

To get more support for cats eating litter, book an appointment with your vet. 

Cats are very clean animals, and most will take to using a litter tray with few problems, especially if you choose a litter they like and have the tray in a spot where they feel safe enough to be vulnerable. 

However, if you've recently brought home a new kitten or a cat unfamiliar with using a litter tray, then follow these simple steps to make litter training easier: 

1. Set up the litter tray where your cat has chosen to go to the toilet - for kittens, you can place them in the tray to encourage them to use it.
2. Pick the right litter and tray - this stage may require some trial and error to find the right mix. Some cats prefer the privacy of a covered litter tray, while others prefer a litter tray with low edges for an easy exit. Try different litter types to see what your cat is most comfortable using. 
3. Reward toileting in the tray - monitor your cat and learn the signs they're looking to go to the toilet (such as sniffing around, scratching the ground, etc) and then lead your cat to the tray or put them inside it. If they use the tray, reward them with praise and maybe a treat to encourage good behaviour. 

It may take a few tries for your cat to get it right, but with patience and a bit of trial and error, your cat should pick up using a litter tray eventually! 

It depends.

Some cats are more than happy to share a little box, whereas other cats may be too territorial or nervous to use the same litter tray as another cat.

A general rule of thumb for multi-cat households is to have one litter tray per cat, plus one extra in different spots around the house. This will help to reduce territorial behaviours between cats in the house and ensure all your cats feel safe using a litter tray to do their business.