Which cat litter is best? How to choose litter for a small kitten

Cats are one of the most popular pets. But it’s one thing when you have your own house, and another thing when you live in an apartment. And here comes the need to purchase cat litter and litter for it.

There are several types of fillers, differing in the raw material base. Wood - consists of sawdust pressed into granules. They perfectly absorb odors and moisture and rarely cause allergic reactions. Fillers made from bentonite clay, zeolite or mineral - clump well. Silica gel - created from synthetic materials with high absorbency. Well, the last type is corn, made from processing corn cobs.

We have compiled a list of the best cat litters based on expert assessments and reviews real buyers. Our recommendations will help you make a choice that suits your needs and desires. There are many competitors in the pet industry, but we have selected the best manufacturers and we recommend paying special attention to them:

Budget / Inexpensive

Happy paws
Pussy-Cat
Zoonic

Fresh Step
Ever Clean
Catsan

Expensive/Premium class

Cat's Best
Crystals

Hypoallergenic With odor protection Absorbent Clumping Flavored Antibacterial

*Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

Hypoallergenic

Absorbent / Hypoallergenic / With odor protection

Main advantages

Budget filler good quality, which may well ensure hygiene and absence of unpleasant odor in your pet’s litter box
Thanks to the special shape of crystalline granules - the manufacturer’s own development - it does not stick to the animal’s paws
Has good absorbent properties. One “portion” of filler can be enough for a week
Environmentally safe for people and animals, does not cause allergies or other negative reactions
Odors are reliably “sealed” in the structure of the granules, so there is no characteristic cat smell in the room

Hypoallergenic/ Clumping / With odor protection

Main advantages

Has unique absorbent properties. Thanks to the use of natural microfibers, the absorption rate is about 700%
Consumption is very economical - the main portion is used in the cat's toilet for 4 to 6 weeks
The formula contains 100% biodegradable natural ingredients. The filler can be flushed down the toilet, simplifying the disposal process
The large volume of packaging is very convenient. 40 liters of product can be enough for more than six months of use
The product is of high quality, typical of most German products.

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With odor protection

Flavored/ Clumping / With odor protection

Main advantages

The main advantage of the filler is the absence strong smell. It has a light aroma coniferous tree, but there is no feeling that you are living in a pine forest. This is facilitated by a natural base, without additional flavorings.
The filler consists of large granules that have antibacterial properties and quickly dissolve in water. However, it is not recommended to wash it off in large quantities.
Suitable for trays equipped with a hygienic mesh
Thanks to special technologies processing of raw materials, the filler is quite economical. 16 liters can last more than 3 months per cat
Optimal for both adult animals and kittens - the natural aroma of wood does not scare away animals and promotes rapid adaptation to the tray

Clumping / With odor protection

Main advantages

Instantly absorbs moisture. This was achieved thanks to natural mineral components that underwent special technological processing.
The filler fraction is quite small. This is good for small kittens if a litter box without mesh is used
It has a gray-pink natural color and darkens a little when wet. In the tray, your pet feels confident, as if he is on real soil.
The filler quickly sets, turning into hard lumps. But you need to clean the tray in a timely manner, since kittens love to play with these lumps and scatter them around the room
Packaged in multilayer paper bag, stitched with synthetic thread on top. This combination allows 100% to avoid moisture penetration into the packaging.

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Absorbent

Antibacterial/ Absorbent / With odor protection

Main advantages

The filler is easily removed as solid waste and does not need to be completely replaced every day. A complete replacement can be carried out once a week - this is quite enough
The smell appears inversely proportional to the amount of litter in the cat litter - the more you add, the longer you do not change it
The composition contains particles of quartz sand and chalk, micropores on the surface of which effectively absorb moisture, like a sponge
Has antibacterial properties that prevent the development of microorganisms and unpleasant odors three times more effective than conventional filler
Does not contain asbestos and bleaches, absolutely safe for the health of people and animals

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Clumping

Antibacterial/ Clumping / With odor protection

Main advantages

The filler clumps well and does not fall apart when disposed of, which means comfortable cleaning without unnecessary debris.
The main advantage is cost-effectiveness. For kittens up to 6 months, it lasts 3-4 weeks. But problems may arise with large animals - the filler may not cope with big amount moisture
The granules do not stick to fur and paws, and almost do not let through unpleasant odors, do not create dust
The base of the filler is clay, production is carried out in accordance with all international safety and quality standards
Available domestic manufacturer, which had a positive effect on the price of the product

Antibacterial/ Clumping / With odor protection

Main advantages

The filler differs from most analogues in its almost complete absence of dust and high absorption properties
Patented innovative formula with activated carbon completely eliminates unpleasant odors without masking them
Clay High Quality Provides super-powerful clumping with improved ammonia vapor control. But for the effect to correspond to the declared one, you need to pour a layer of at least 8 cm into the tray
Long-lasting freshness is achieved thanks to the unique ability of the filler to release aroma only in direct contact with the pet’s paws
Does not contain synthetic components or flavors, which means no harm to the health of your animal

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Flavored

Antibacterial / Flavored/ Clumping / With odor protection

So, all family members agree that a pet should appear in the house - a cat, to which you are ready to give your love and care for many years, receiving in return no less love and endless devotion of a living creature. Are you ready to become a responsible cat owner? Then let's start preparing for the arrival of a new family member!

You already have:

small veterinary first aid kit;
grooming kit;
a pair of convenient bowls for water and food;
cozy soft lounger;
a suitable scratching post;
Even a tray for performing natural needs has already been purchased!

All that remains is to figure out how to fill this container for excrement. Which cat litter is best? The choice is truly huge!
Which one is right for your “pet”? Doesn't it matter to him what kind of sand he writes in?!

Does the choice of litter depend on the breed and age of the cat? And is it worth spending money on purchased granules?
And, in general, are there any significant differences among this mass of granules?

Let's start from the end - it will be easier to understand, and the reviews of cat litter purchasers and the “opinion” of the litter box owners themselves – whiskered-striped, tailed and tailless – will help us resolve these issues.

Let's look at what litter tray fillers we have and what we can offer our meowing pet:

Homemade homemade litters

The first of the known ones is what is called “grandfather’s method” - ordinary torn paper or sand. Thousands of thousands of cats around the world willingly relieve themselves in such litter for their trays, there is no problem with that. But there are significant disadvantages.

Firstly, having gotten used to paper, a kitten or an adult animal has every right to claim any paper parcel, newspaper or magazine as a toilet area, which you are unlikely to like later.

Secondly, pieces of smelly paper will invariably stick to the cat's paws and be carried around the house. Also “no ice”!

Thirdly, newspaper paper does not have the proper absorbent qualities. This means that a cat with wet paws after visiting the litter box will walk along the carpet, jump on the sofa, settle on your lap, leaving drops of its urine where it walked, jump, and settle down. Gradually, aromas accumulate and naturally turn into scent marks. Result - be prepared that at some point the cat will pee on the carpet, sofa, or your thing.

Almost the same applies to sand toilets. We can only add that attempts to write in flower pot(dry sand or greasy peat – the cat doesn’t give a damn) will result in death potted plant– cat urine is poisonous to green indoor animals. No, sand is not really an option at all!

And there’s no escape from the smells! Even if you use a tray without any filler, just a mesh, the odorous fluids will eat into the furniture, into woolen and pile fabrics, and will follow you even on the street (your clothes are also made from various fabrics). The smell from the tray can be neutralized with some chemical. method, but guarantees that the cat will be loyal to such intervention and will want to use the tray, which stinks of carbolic acid or chlorine, for its intended purpose. In addition, caustic substances can be dangerous for the animal itself!

You'll have to train your cat to go to the toilet or shell out for factory-made litter!

Factory production fillers.

Woody

From the name it is clear that it consists of sawdust, which can be “loose” or compressed into granules of various sizes, which is more common. For production, wood from cedar, pine, fir, alder, apple and other trees is used, first clearing them of bark.

Sawdust, even pressed, has excellent absorbent properties, reliably blocks odors, is environmentally friendly and economical, both in terms of use and in terms of finances. The cedar or pine tray filler also slightly deodorizes the air, releasing a weak antibacterial aroma, characteristic of all conifers.

Some owners, instead of factory-made granulated wood filler, successfully use juniper, walnut or larch bark mulch.
But mulch cannot be used in trays without a mesh - one, and secondly, it cannot be disposed of in the toilet. But factory-made wood filler is possible! Unless, of course, you pour it into a faience bowl in large portions.

The granules, when moisture gets into them, easily crumble into small particles, which are completely harmless to cats, do not cause allergies, and are convenient for both adult animals and their little children. It is recommended to change 2-3 times a week as the granules scatter.

If there are 2 or more cats in the house, try to provide each with a separate tray with an individual portion of filler.
An exception can only apply to a mother cat with kittens: the cat teaches the kittens to do their business in their mother’s tray.

Advice! When purchasing a kitten, ask the breeder not only about what vaccinations were given and how complementary feeding was started, but also what kind of litter was used for the mother’s litter box - this will help the baby quickly get used to the new place.

Pressed wooden chips also have a number of inconveniences that cat owners note:
when “overflowing”, the particles swell greatly, stick to the paws and spread throughout the house;
Smelling the smell of nature and freedom, cats happily begin to dig holes in the litter, as a result, “they stick to their paws and spread throughout the house.”

All issues can be solved with the help of a mesh. Or clumping litters.

If you have the means, you can also buy wood clumping filler - fir sawdust. It is produced by the Germans, the name is “Cat`s Best”. So far, this is the only representative on the Russian market offering similar products.

Questions about wood filler

Question:
What is clumping cat litter?
Answer:
Filler made from quartz sand, chalk or bentonite. Since all these materials, after moisture enters, are fixed - they become almost monolithic, with a dense single structure, then the filler on these bases does the same - fixed or clumped. This dense, fixed lump can be easily removed from the tray with a slotted scoop to replace the litter. Only the lump itself will need to be removed, since the rest of the granules will remain clean.

Question:
How often should clumping litter be changed?
Answer:
You can completely replace the filler once every 2-3 months, adding a little bit at a time so that the “cushion” of granules does not fall below 8 cm. This optimal height layer for clumping fillers!

Question:
What about the smell?
Answer:
Reliably absorbed

Question:
If the base of the granules is chalk and sand, then they probably generate a lot of dust?
Answer:
No. Thin layer pollen is formed only when the cat litter box is filled; after the granules are “set” there is practically no dust.

Question:
Can the pellets get between my cat's fingers or claws or stick to my cat's paw?
Answer:
No. The formation of a lump occurs within 20-30 minutes. During this time, the cat manages to leave the toilet area.

Question:
If there is a mother cat with kittens living in the house, is it possible to use this litter?
Answer:
It is not advisable, even if the cat is accustomed to it. Kids are very curious, and their taste preferences are still poorly developed; they can try to eat wonderful-smelling granules. This will lead to dire consequences, since a solid concrete lump, having formed in their stomachs, will not be able to come out naturally.
Until the kittens have grown to 2-2.5 months, it is better to use a different filler, ideally without any smell at all.

Question:
Cost of clumping litter?
Answer:
3-4 times more expensive than absorbent. But its price is compensated by its efficiency and ease of use - you don’t have to change the “cushion” often.

Question:
If there are several adult animals in the house (2 or more), is it possible to use one type of litter for all?
Answer:
Yes, if the cats agree. Some representatives of felines show an enviable aversion to this or that type of filler, individualism like a cat. Such picky people should choose a different filler, for example, mineral or silica gel.

Mineral

It's wide known species granules that absorb and “hold” the smell well from various minerals with a porous structure, most often - the residue after casting foam-gas blocks (sibit), screenings of expanded clay, after firing bricks, fine volcanic zeolite, better known as volcanic tuff.

The cost of filler made from volcanic zeolite tuff is an order of magnitude higher than the rest of the line of mineral fillers. There are reasons for this.

The structure of volcanic stone is porous; in nature, these voids are filled with water. In fillers, this water is evaporated during firing, after which the filler is ready to absorb animal waste products, like a sponge or a vacuum cleaner.

pros

This natural mineral is capable of absorbing any organic compounds, down to dust and mold spores, which are often the source of various diseases, both in domestic “pets” and in owners. It is a natural antibacterial absorbent!

Volcanic zeolite has long been used as a filter for drinking water, eliminating from it the slightest contaminants, bacteria, harmful rods, biological impurities and odors.

Purchase cat litter made from tuff - an excellent, albeit “expensive” solution. So, a package weighing 5-6 kg. will cost 300-500 rubles, and a regular “Barsik” with the same antibacterial properties, but made from the remains of a foam block, will cost the same weight 100-120 rubles.

If the composition says “opoka”, don’t be alarmed! These are not the remains of a broken foundry mold at all! This is the Polish name for chalk limestone, a fairly durable siliceous stone from a sedimentary rock.

In Russian, this clay stone has been known since ancient times under the name “marl” or “marl clay”, “siliceous marl”. Marl was used for laying stoves and filling cracks in walls and masonry. Its peculiarity is that after firing the clay became a strong compound, not inferior in strength modern concrete, but retained the ability to absorb large amounts of liquid without swelling and deformation. After drying, the marl again restored its stone fortress.
These pieces of mineral stone fired clay form the basis of the filler marked “opoka”. Very good data!

All of these materials have a clean, environmentally friendly mineral composition, which eliminates allergic reactions in mustachioed animals and their owners. After firing, such a material completely loses its ability to adhesion (the ability to adhere to other surfaces), which means it does not stick to the paws of animals.
Since the material for making the filler itself is industrial waste, the price for them will definitely not hit your pocket.

There are such granules in “loose” form (then you will have to remove the tray once every 3-4 weeks), there are also those with the addition of bentonite - a clumping version (then we follow the instructions for clumping fillers).

Cats and kittens enjoy digging into these granules, mistaking them for sand or earth because of their natural smell. In addition, the granules are selected according to size: small for kittens, larger for adult animals.

In addition, clay granules are round and do not have sharp edges, which is what all cats like.

Minuses

Cats also like the taste of these granules - the smell natural freshness. Try to prevent the cat from eating the litter, but if it does get into the kitty’s stomach, it will work as a sorbent and will come out freely naturally, unless, of course, it is a clumping option.

Disadvantages of using:

Dusty!
When very wet, it loses “odor control” and begins to actively release aromas into the external environment.
You need to be careful with mineral fillers mixed with bentonite if there is a kitten in the house! The reason is the same as for all clumping litters - blockage of the gastrointestinal tract when eaten.
All waste from brick-block-kiln production must not be put down the toilet! – Pipe clogging is guaranteed!

Silica gel

More often you can hear the abbreviated name of the filler - gel. However, such granules do not contain gel or helium in their pure form.
This is a fairly expensive filler, made from clay treated with a special composition of polysilicic acid, which gives the compound the properties of a dried gel.

Appearance: cloudy white or creamy balls with colored speckles.

Properties: coarse sand with excellent absorption of liquid, odor control, does not form a viscous, mushy form - does not swell and always remains dry to the touch.

Because of their properties, silica gel capsule granules are very economical - you won’t have to completely change the contents of the tray more than 2 times a month or a month and a half. If we take into account the high antibacterial qualities of silica gel fillers, it becomes clear why the price corresponds to the quality.

Often these granules are treated with special fragrances with various aromas. Do you want “May lilac”? - Please! Do you want “Alpine freshness”? - Be kind! And how pleasantly they crunch and squeak!

However, there is a catch here: not all cats like strange sounds under their paws, and they can even scare kittens. The kitten may like a particular scent and mistake the soil for grilled food, which is dangerous for its little life. On the other hand, if you have several pets, then the best option than silicagen, it will be difficult for you to choose.

Test for diseases?

We read the annotation on the package: “It is important for owners to use preventive measures to prevent ICD in your pets.” - Full agreement!

We observe the development: “You should monitor the change in the color of the granules, according to the proposed scale.” — A drawing of the scale is proposed. What's missing here! Even cystitis and viral infections!

Next comes the name of a company specializing in the production of this filler or a company that produces food, with which mutual support and promotion agreements have been signed. At the same time, the call to contact a veterinarian is not forgotten.

What is the deception? When “gel” granules are treated with liquids containing any percentage of acids and alkalis, their color does not change in any way, just yellow and that’s it! No food can cure diseases! And even more so viral ones. Ask anyone veterinarian, he will explain to you on his fingers what you need for treatment medications, and feed can only support the animal from allergy manifestations.

Follow the feeding regime and sufficient movement of your pets, undergo the required veterinary procedures in a timely manner. examinations and carefully monitor the health of the “pet” - and may all troubles pass you by even without invented tests for ICD!

Fortunately, not all companies producing Selicagen are committed to deception. Many people calmly add flavoring and are quite happy with that.
There really is a granular test for urolithiasis, but it is sold separately.

Yes! Here's another thing that's important! After each visit to the toilet by your handsome or beautiful woman, the granules in the tray should be mixed and leveled again!
Selicagen cannot be disposed of in the toilet - the pipes will become clogged.

Biodegradable

100% biodegradable litters are still rare on pet store shelves, but they exist!
The first one that animal owners and cats themselves became familiar with was corn, made from pressed corn cobs. An excellent litter that clumps, absorbs, locks in odors, and flushes down the toilet, can be composted. It is lightweight, which is both a plus and a minus of the filler.

On the one hand, its lightness allows moisture not to linger at the top, but to flow down and form a lump under top layer granules This is especially convenient for long-haired cats, who do not risk getting their fluffy pants and the bottom of their luxurious tail wet.
On the other hand, to use such “corn” you will have to purchase a tray with sides curved inward, otherwise the light compact will be scattered throughout the house.

And a couple more important facts about biodegradable fillers:

The plant filler is prone to mold formation if the formed urine lump is not removed in time.
Smells like sour corn after use. Not all cats approve of such scents.
If corn litter smells like corn, then herbal biodegradable litter smells like grass or freshly cut hay. In terms of characteristics, grass filler is not inferior to corn filler: it is environmentally friendly, economical, clumps and is disposed of in the sewer.

So far, only one company from St. Petersburg has mastered herbal cat litter made from meadow grass by drying, grinding and pressing granules without any chemical additions. She developed this technology!

The company's principle is contained in the motto: “100% nature!” Following this motto, the company has developed a line of plant-based, absorbent and clumping litters for cats, dogs, rodents and other pets, including exotic specimens.

If you use FIX herbal filler (the so-called domestic product), then it is impossible to determine that there is any pet in the house by smell, these granules block it (the smell) so well, which will only be a plus for small apartments.

Since grass granules are heavier than those made from corn chips, they do not spread as actively, but you will have to change the tray for another one with curved sides. Or buy a closed cat litter box, then any cat can dig for dark green medium-sized granules for as long as he or she likes.

Removing lumps is not a problem - the formed lump seems to stick to the bottom of the tray and is easily removed with a spatula. If the granules are covered on top with a mesh, then even when very wet, the filler does not swell and does not push out the mesh.

Since herbal is a vegetable, the formation of mold cannot be avoided if you do not follow the rules of hygiene, although the smell will be different - it will smell like rotten hay. It will smell strong! So much so that the cat may not like it at all and he (she) will make a puddle somewhere nearby.

The consumption of innovative filler per animal is small: a layer of 2 cm for an animal’s weight of 4 kg.

It is clear that for a large Maine Coon, weighing 7-8 kg, the filling will be doubled. It turns out that a 3 kg bag is enough for a couple of weeks, since 1 kg of granules absorbs 2 liters of liquid.

Considering that the cost of domestic herbal filler is 3-4 times cheaper than corn filler, and their consumption is the same, then for the same money you can buy 3-4 FIXs. Saving!

We must pay tribute to all types of biodegradable fillers - they are so anti-allergenic that their use is indicated for cats suffering from chronic skin diseases.

When a kitten gets inside the small body, if it decides to eat grass or corn, the pressed granules disintegrate into small crumbs, are excreted through the intestines and do not harm the baby’s health at all.

Of course, all cats are purely individual both in character and in their preferences, but there are general rules to select litter for cat litter boxes:

for kittens, choose a small fraction of granules;
for adult animals with long hair – fraction 5-10 mm.

To conclude the topic, it is worth watching two videos:
Testing fillers for absorption rate and moisture capacity

How to choose cat litter

A litter box for a cat is not a necessary item, but it is extremely convenient, so if your budget allows, we recommend using it. After reading the article, you will be able to determine the best cat litter that is suitable for your pet.

CONTENT

Tray with filler: photo

Which litter tray is best?

The best cat litter is the one that best suits your cat and you. There are no universal recipes here, as well as in the matter of choosing a tray for a cat, but there are general recommendations.

If several cats in your house go to one tray, then silica gel litter will be indispensable, which lasts a long time and does not allow odors to pass through.

If you or your cat is allergic to dust and chemicals, the safest option is wood or corn litter.

In the end, the answer to the question of which litter is best for a cat litter box can be given by the pet himself: if you see that he keeps missing the litter box, it means that he may be hinting to you that you need to change the type of litter.

Paper filler

The Soviet method of filling a tray is to simply cut up some paper and throw it in. This cat tray is a little more interesting than an empty one, since the paper partially absorbs water, and feces can be buried. But newspaperPeople use filler less and less because it is unhygienic, because the paper gets wet and then it is difficult to remove it from the tray.

In addition, newspapers are usually allowed on the tray, and this is harmful to the cat due to the printing ink. That is, if you are already using paper, it should be clean. And in this case, no savings are achieved - and any meaning disappears in the paper tray.

Clay filler

The most popular litter for trays is clay clumping litter (bentonite). It is made from clay or opalcristobalite minerals. The result is a mixture that, after contact with liquids, clumps and becomes solid. Hardened pieces of filler can be easily removed from the tray using a scoop. If you have poured a sufficient layer of filler (from 3 cm), it will not allow moisture to pass to the bottom, so you will need to wash the tray less often.

There are clumping fillers different sizes: one has more grains, the other has less. The caliber is written on the packaging. If the litter consists of very large pieces, it may leak urine to the bottom and clump poorly. Therefore, it is better to choose a smaller caliber. Although it still depends on the manufacturer: you need to try several brands and settle on the most suitable one.

Tails love this type of litter the most: it looks like earth, so cats happily dig holes and bury all their stuff.

But this type of filler also has some disadvantages: if the cat likes to dig too much, then the skin on the paw pads may become a little rougher.

In addition, sometimes kittens play with this filler and eat it. If you see that this problem has become serious, then it is better, at least temporarily, to change the type of filler to a more environmentally friendly one, because Eating clumping can result in intestinal obstruction.

Another caveat is that clay litter, when scattered and dug, raises a cloud of dust, to which the cat may be allergic. Monitor your pet: if he shows signs of illness, such as watery eyes, try changing the litter and see if the symptoms go away.

Tray with wood filling

Wood filler cannot be classified as the most hygienic, convenient and loved by cats, but it is the most environmentally friendly clean look. It consists of wood blocks - compressed sawdust pellets. The logs smell pleasant, do not raise dust when poured, and do not cause allergies.

But the filler also has disadvantages: when moisture gets on them, logs of wood do not clump together, but, on the contrary, disintegrate into sawdust, so cleaning a toilet with wood filler is quite inconvenient. We recommend using wood filler only with a tray with a mesh (grid), so that all the logs that have broken down into sawdust seep through the grate into the tray, from where you remove them.

Also, wood fillers occasionally contain random sharp pieces of wood, and this is undoubtedly another disadvantage.

The advantage of wood filler is its low price and widespread availability. According to these parameters, it competes with clay.

Silica gel tray filler

Silica gel filler is a relative newcomer to the market. It is an artificially created white crystals of silica gel formed from silicic acids. These crystals absorb moisture perfectly, they don’t even need to clump. This is how they differ from absorbent filler. Silica gel retains the smell very well. IN Everyday life We deal with this substance when we buy, for example, shoes: the package usually contains a bag of balls. This is silica gel.

This filler is available in pet stores and online stores, but it is not always available in supermarkets.The packaging costs several times more than a bag of clumping litter, but it is more economical: 5 kg is enough for 1 month for one cat.

The disadvantages of the filler are the high price, the less love of cats for litter boxes with silica gel: it hisses a little when it gets wet, which is scary, and besides, silica gel does not look like earth. There is also a danger if it enters the gastrointestinal tract. The fact is that if silica gel gets into the stomach and intestines in large quantities, it absorbs all the moisture, resulting in blockage. That's why this type litter is strictly not recommended for kittens who like to play in the litter box. There are numerous cases where animals died.

Zeolite filler

Zeolite is a volcanic substance and an excellent adsorbent, having a porous structure into which liquid and odor are locked and from which moisture evaporation and, consequently, aromas do not spread. But such fillers are difficult to find in our latitudes.

The best litter for a kitten is wood, due to its environmental friendliness. But, on the other hand, cats like this kind of toilet less, and it doesn’t really hold the smell. Therefore, owners often abandon it in favor of clay, which is an excellent alternative, albeit less environmentally friendly.

But silica gel litter is generally not suitable for kittens, because, although they do not like to go to it when they need to, they may love to eat it: let us remind you that if ingested, such a litter will absorb all the moisture it encounters and can lead to blockage gastrointestinal tract. This can also happen when eating clay litter, but only if the cat eats a large amount of it, and this is unlikely.

Litter for litter box training

People often search online for “kitten litter for litter training.” There is no separate type specifically for litter tray training, but clay can be considered as such. Why? This is what kittens like most: they happily jump into such a litter box, rummage around there, and going to the litter box becomes a kind of ritual and attraction - they rummaged around, did their business and carefully buried it. Kittens, as a rule, love this process very much, because it helps realize important instincts: in nature, cats bury their little things.

But a tray without filler will, on the contrary, be of no interest to the kitten, so the animal for a long time can ignore it. If you have the financial opportunity, still accustom your pet to the litter - this will solve many problems.

How often should I change the litter in the tray?

How often to change the litter in the litter box will directly depend on the type of litter, as well as how many cats you have, what gender they are and what is currently happening to them.

For example, cats pee very often during estrus - and the litter box needs to be removed as urine accumulates.

If there is more than one cat in the house, but there is a common litter box, then what good filler no matter what it contains (except for silica gel), it will have to be changed every day. Not the whole thing, of course, but only the contaminated part.

In the usual case, when your cat lives in splendid isolation and reigns supreme over the tray, most often you need to sort out the wood filler, because... it doesn't hold the smell. It is advisable to do this once a day. Clumping clay filler can be sorted out once every 2-3 days. You just need to sift the clumped part with a scoop and add a little new sand, that is, you don’t need to change everything. The silica gel filler lasts longer than others, which is changed approximately once every 7 days if there is only one cat, but the whole thing needs to be changed. That is, do not sort through the waste, but simply pour out the old and add in the new.

Deciding to have a pet is a big responsibility. Now you have to think not only about your convenience, but also about the comfort of the four-legged creature brought into the house. And the issue of the toilet plays an important role in this. Especially when it comes to cats and owners who want to keep their home clean and hygienic. In this difficult matter, cat litter, which is available in a large assortment on the domestic market, is of great help. But which filler should you choose?

Operating principle

Getting your cat used to the litter box - important element raising a pet

First, let's look at how cat litter works. It can be clumping and absorbent.

Pros and cons of clumping litter

Clumping litter is especially convenient for kittens, as they go to the toilet more often than adult cats.

This litter box works as follows: when moisture gets into the contents of the litter box, lumps form. That is, every day it is necessary to remove clots and solid waste, and then add filler to the required level. Owners who prefer this material are among strengths the product is distinguished:

economical (especially if there is only one cat in the house);
high-quality odor removal;
ease of maintenance (it is very convenient to remove formed clots);
the naturalness of the product, what makes it ideal solution for organizing a toilet for a kitten;
as close as possible to what cats are used to in the wild.

As for the disadvantages, there is only one noted - for several cats, clumping litter will be inconvenient, and for the owner it will be economically unprofitable.

Pros and cons of absorbent filler

The absorbent filler must be changed as it gets wet, which means that kittens use a lot of product

This product acts differently: it absorbs odors and moisture, but does not change. It needs to be changed when it becomes completely wet. Among the strengths of this filler, consumers call

low price;
Convenient for use by multiple cats;
excellent ability to neutralize repulsive odors;
Possibility of use for kittens, as the material is environmentally friendly.

But the absorbent filler also has disadvantages:

in the process of replacing the contents, the pet owner will have to inhale the odors that the filler has absorbed;
if the cat is fanatically clean, then she may refuse the tray, even if half of it has not yet been used, resulting in a large waste.

Classification

The main thing is that your pet likes the litter, otherwise all attempts to accustom him to the tray will be unsuccessful.

Proof of cats' love of cleanliness is the fact that they spend a third of their lives grooming themselves. And a convenient toilet plays an important role for this.

Mustachioed and striped pets quickly get used to the place allocated by the owners for the toilet. However, it is a matter of honor for every cat to want to rummage in the sand, dig, and then bury a hole. And if earlier the matter was solved quickly and simply: “raw materials” were obtained from a nearby sandbox, or old newspapers were used, then modern cats can choose and, due to their character traits, even sort through.

Characteristics of cat litter - table

View	Compound	Operating principle	Advantages	Flaws
Woody	Wood sawdust in the form of granules	Clumping or absorbent	The size of the granules can be selected depending on the age of the cat; environmental cleanliness; does not provoke allergic reactions in both cats and people; V small quantities can be flushed down the toilet.	Clean once every 2-3 days; remove lumps daily; a cat can spread dust that sticks to its paws around the house; Doesn't absorb odors very well.
Corn (subspecies of wood)	Shredded corn cobs	Absorbent	Added to the above advantages is very reliable absorbency.	Due to the lightness of the composition, the animal can scatter the filler throughout the rooms.
Clumping (sometimes called clay)	Clay of varying abrasiveness - from strong particles with almost no dust to a sand-like composition	Clumping or absorbent	Absorbs odor and moisture well; You need to completely change the toilet once a week.	Not recommended for kittens - they may choke on lumps of clay.
Silica gel	Synthetic crystals white(dried polysilicic acid gel)	Absorbent	You need to clean it once every 5-6 days; completely change - once every 3 weeks; is economical.	Not all cats like the rustling sound that particles make; for an animal, a smell that is almost imperceptible to humans can be repulsive; possible contraindications have not yet been fully studied.

Variety of materials in the photo

Clumping fillers are considered the most convenient

Wood filler does not cause allergies, but the cat can spread small dust throughout the house

Silica gel litter is suitable only for those cats that calmly respond to the specific sound made by the granules

Corn litter is the most environmentally friendly, but small particles are easily spread throughout the house

Rating of the most popular funds

When choosing a filler, do not forget to find a convenient tray

It’s difficult to say which litter will suit you best, since it all depends on the character of the pet and you. And if the pet “evaluates” the product by testing the litter for its intended purpose, then the owner decides how convenient/inconvenient it is for him to clean up after his beloved cat. In addition, you need to take into account the fact that litter with large granules will be uncomfortable for a kitten, and small ones can be dangerous for the health of large cats. So be sure to pay attention to the size of the granules: small, medium, large.

Whatever product you choose, it is unlikely to protect you from partially scattering the filler around the house. The only salvation: lay a special mat with long silicone pile near sleeping place cat or next to the toilet, which would serve as a kind of brush for the paws.

Rating of the most popular brands - table

Filler	Brand	Average price in the Russian Federation for 5 liters, rub.	Peculiarities
Clay	Katty hygienic (Russia)	250	The most natural litter for your cat
Woody	Cat's Best Eko Plus (Germany)	415	The best filler in terms of environmental friendliness and ease of cleaning
Woody	SuperCat Standard (Ukraine)	150	The most popular filler for its environmental friendliness, ease of cleaning and pleasant smell
Corn	Golden cat "Ecoline" (Russia)	139	The cheapest and most environmentally friendly option for cat litter
Clay	Fresh Step Triple Protection (USA)	300	Excellent litter for kittens
Silica gel	No. 1 Crystals Antibacterial (Russia)	390	The most economical cat litter

If we talk about the difference in price, then popular fillers differ more in the manufacturer than in the quality of the product. Thus, when buying German wood filler “Cat’s Best Eko Plus” you will overpay for the label, and you are unlikely to notice the difference with the Ukrainian analogue “SuperCat Standard”. As for the Russian version “No. 1 Crystals Antibacterial”, its main difference from the previous ones is the medium-sized crystals. This allows it to be used for both small breeds of cats and large ones. IN economically This fact slightly increases the cost of the product.

Wood fillers differ in the country of origin (like silica gel) and the presence/absence of aromatic additives. In other words, you will have to pay extra for a pleasant smell. But this is not always justified, since your pet may simply not like the fact that the contents of the tray have a foreign odor.

How to choose a quality product for your cat?

Whatever filler you choose, the main thing is that your pet is happy

So, we’ve figured out the types and operating principles of absorbent compounds, and it’s time to choose. AND The best way To do this, buy small packages of fillers that act according to different principles. And only then answer the questions that will help you decide on the most suitable option:

What is the litter made of? Are you or your cat allergic to this composition?
How well does the product absorb moisture? This point becomes especially relevant if the animal has disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system.
Is the smell of the litter suitable?
The cat’s reaction - does he go to the toilet calmly, does he scatter the contents of the tray, etc.?
Is it possible to flush the litter down the toilet? This is very convenient and important.
How long does the packaging last?
Pricing policy - which packaging is more economically profitable to buy - large or small?
Are there any harmful additives? If almost the entire periodic table is listed in the composition, then even with all its effectiveness, it is better to refuse such a toilet in the name of preserving the health of the cat.
Is it convenient to add or change the filler - partially or completely, how often?

Based on the above factors, as well as having studied the reviews of experienced cat owners, it turns out that clumping clay litter is the most suitable. He:

looks like a familiar natural toilet for a cat;
easy to clean by replacing lumps with fresh composition;
economical;
neutralizes unpleasant odors well;
does not spread too much on the paws;
is not toxic.

It seems that there is nothing simpler than cat litter, but with the development of the pet industry, many types of this product have appeared, which are radically different in composition and properties, but all serve the same purpose. And understanding all this diversity, at first glance, is not so easy. Today we will look at the main types of litter for cats, find out their pros and cons, and also try to find out which cat sorbent is better, and what causes this.

All commercially available hygienic granules for cats can be divided into three large groups:

wood (made from wood waste by pressing);
mineral (obtained from natural clays and materials);
silicate (or, as they are also called, silica gel).

All of them are designed for the same thing: to absorb the liquid waste of the animal, preventing the smell from escaping. However, the effectiveness and operating principle of each type of sorbent differ.

Wood pellets

This type of product is made by pressing sawdust, and the output is neat granules. high density. When moisture gets on them, they instantly absorb it, swelling and crumbling into a homogeneous mass. This is an excellent option for litter for kittens - even if the baby chews a few pieces out of curiosity, it will not suffer any harm.

However, such granules also have disadvantages - the smell of cat urine is too strong for wood shavings to contain. It is best to remove swollen lumps immediately so as not to get the characteristic “amber” throughout the house.

Positive points:

environmentally friendly, safe for pets;
quickly absorbs large amounts of moisture;
the cheapest from the assortment of any store;
can be flushed down the toilet (in small portions);
economical (due to the increase in volume, a fairly thin layer at the very bottom of the tray).

does not retain the smell of ammonia (the main “flavor” of urine);
lightweight, and therefore capable of flying outside the tray of particularly “diligent” cats when burying.

There is one more nuance - many manufacturers, trying to improve their products, add flavorings to sawdust to make it smell more pleasant. However, not all cats agree with this state of affairs: some particularly sensitive natures may completely refuse such a “fragrant” tray and choose another place in the house, which is not good.

When trying to figure out which wood filler is best for a cat, you can easily get confused: there are a lot of manufacturers of this type of granules. Many consumers believe that there is no point in overpaying for an imported pack - and they are partly right: the composition of imported wood granulates will be identical to the composition of any Russian manufacturer. Among the most popular domestic brands of pressed wood chips are:

TM “Kuzya” has been produced by the Arkada company for 18 long years. According to the manufacturer, the technology has been improved all this time. Judging by the reviews, it’s a really high-quality product. Price – from 120 rubles per 4.5 kg.
Barsik is a product of Intel, known on the market since 1991. For such a long time, the company has managed to earn the trust of many thousands of consumers, and is a leader among domestic manufacturers of wood pellets for cat litter boxes. The cost of granules is from 140 rubles per pack of 4.5 kg.
“Clean Paws” is a product of a Ukrainian plant located in Dnieper. It has been produced since 2008, and has occupied a leading position in the zoosorbents market for a long time. Price – from 170 rub. for 4.5 kg.

You can now see the current price of cat litter and buy it right here:

Mineral fillers

All mineral sands can be roughly divided into bentonite (palygorskite, made from clay) and zeolite. These sands are much more practical than wood pellets, and retain the odors of feces well. However, there are a number of disadvantages - they are not recommended to be flushed down the toilet, and they are not the best litter for kittens. If the granules are swallowed, the baby can get a blockage of the esophagus and more serious injuries.

Clay-based minerals clump very quickly, forming a dense, sticky structure. Thanks to this, the animal’s paws remain clean, and the smell is securely retained inside the lump.

Zeolite granules have a very porous structure, due to which they are able to absorb much more liquid than they weigh.

Many animals like this type of sand for the cat potty - it reminds them wildlife, and they start digging into it as best they can. Therefore, when choosing such a hygienic filler, it is necessary to choose a tray with a high side, or even a closed one. Such sands cost more sawdust, however, the smell is retained better.

Opinions regarding disposal vary: some experts (and even the manufacturers themselves) claim that clay sands can be flushed down the toilet, while their opponents are afraid of inevitable sewer blockages. The truth is approximately in the middle: small lumps can be flushed down the toilet, but you cannot pour out a full tray of clay - this is almost guaranteed to lead to a clogged pipe.

The best mineral adsorbents for cat litter, according to reviews from Russian customers, are:

Catsan - white mineral granules, sold at any pet store. The manufacturer, Mars, guarantees that the granules will reliably retain the odor and will not stain your pet’s fur. Requires complete replacement times 5-7 days (in addition to removing lumps and solid waste). The cost of such pleasure is from 400 rubles for 5 liters. pack.
"Siberian Cat" is one of the leaders in the filler market in Russia. Produces many types of both wood pellets and mineral cat sands. The raw material is high-quality bentonite clay mined in Khakassia. Price 5 kg. packs start from 210 rubles.
Fresh Step is a product of Clorox, which is headquartered in the USA. Many breeders from all over the world have already determined for themselves which cat litter is best, because Fresh Step is very popular in many countries, and has long been recognized as one of the leaders in this market. Cost – from 750 rubles for 6.35 kg.
Pi-Pi-Bent is a Russian product made from bentonite clay. It is produced by Liding LLC, and judging by the reviews, this sand is one of the most popular domestic products in this area. The cost of a pack is from 270 rubles per 5 kg. The flavored series is a little more expensive (from 290 rubles).

The most practical, but also the most expensive hygienic sorbent. It is made from dried solutions of silicic acids. The result is crystals with a huge surface area - up to 800 square meters in 1 gram (!) of product. Due to this porosity, this material is capable of absorbing liquid 30 times larger in volume than the sorbent itself. This is guaranteed to hold back unpleasant odors for a long time, which means there is no need to change the granules frequently. You just need to remove solid waste, and this portion of crystals will last for 14-25 days (depending on the size of the pet).

The disadvantages of this type of granules include the high price, as well as the fact that the crystals make quite a lot of noise when an animal walks on them. This can scare away timid cats and also disturb owners at night. In addition, silica gels are not recommended for use in the toilet of kittens - they can become poisoned by swallowing the crystals out of curiosity. Disposal by flushing into the toilet is prohibited - it is guaranteed to lead to clogging sewer pipes, and cleaning out such a plug is very problematic.

The most popular manufacturers in our country are:

Fresh Step made in USA. Its price starts from 714 rubles per pack of 1.81 kg. Despite the high price, this filler is in constant demand among Russian consumers.
“Our Brand” are popular and inexpensive crystals manufactured in China by order of the company ZAO Gatchina KKZ. This product costs from 430 rubles per 1.66 kg, which makes it a worthy competitor to more expensive brands.
TM "Kotyara" is a domestic silica gel, very popular among Russian breeders. The cost of this product is from 470 rubles per 1.5 kg package. In addition to silica gel crystals, the composition contains so-called “magic balls” designed to remove unpleasant odors.
“Siberian Cat” is a brand already familiar to us. The cost of such crystals starts at 390 rubles per 1.85 kg.