Cats may be small members of the family but they can require some extra care. Managing stinky Litter boxes is perhaps the most unpleasant task that must be done at least one to three times per day. Cat litter has changed and evolved over the years. Today’s cat litter can be purchased in a clumping form, making it much easier to scoop waste out of the box.

There are many different types of cat litter to choose from. Besides clumping, you have your choice of materials, and scented, unscented, or deodorized. Some litter can be hard on the feet, particularly if you wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and your cat has kicked their litter all over the floor. Some litter is soft and flushable. Both cats and people can prefer different types of litter, so it may take more than one try to find the best that works for both you and your cats.

Is Clumping Cat Litter Better?

Most cat owners can agree that Clumping Cat Litter is better than non-clumping types. But non-clumping litter still serves a purpose, particularly for younger kittens, and for cats who may have issues with the litter in the past. The main reason clumping cat litter is so good is that it absorbs urine and feces in the box. When you go to scoop it, you simply scoop up the clumped ball. This also keeps the cat box cleaner, as the urine is absorbed, rather than making puddles around the box.

5 Best Clumping Litter Brands for Your Cat

Cat litter is a lot safer to use today. Last century, many cat litters were of questionable safety, as often any type of materials were used, with little thought for your cat’s safety. Today, cats are considered members of our family so people are demanding the safest pet products for their cats.

Here are 5 of the best clumping cat litter brands to choose from. Each is slightly different, but there may be the perfect one for your cat or cats on this list.

1. Dr. Elsey’s Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter

Many cat owners have allergies, so sometimes the plant-based litters may not be the best choice. Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter is hypoallergenic, as it’s free of plant proteins. This litter is also scent-free and doesn’t have any deodorizers. This clumping cat litter will quickly absorb moisture so that it won’t reach the bottom of the litter box. This helps to reduce smells.

This litter is also 99.9% dust-free, with heavy non-tracking granules. This will help to lessen the mess around the box, and keep cat litter from getting all over your home. If your cat has a sifting or a mechanical type of litter box then Dr. Elsey’s is the best type for your cat. This litter is composed of non-tracking granules and a medium grain clay. It doesn’t contain any additional chemicals, only naturally-sourced products.

This type of cat litter is suitable for homes with multiple cats. It’s similar to the line’s Classic type with strong odour control. This cat litter needs to be scooped and disposed of in a garbage bin. It should never be flushed. It takes only three inches of litter to provide full sanitary coverage of your cat litter box. Use a scooper to remove waste and add a bit of extra litter to the box every few days to maintain that level.

2. World’s Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat Clumping Formula

The World’s Best Cat Litter has been made for households with multiple cats. This cat litter is gently clumping. It’s also clumps quickly and has excellent odour control. This litter is 99% dust-free.

This light litter is easily scoopable from the cat box. It doesn’t stick to the bottom of the box. It’s also flushable, as long as you break up larger chunks before flushing. Since it’s made from natural corn and natural plant-based ingredients, it’s also safe for your septic tanks.

World’s Best litter has been designed to be safe for your cats, even if they lick the cat litter from their paws. It’s also safe around young children, and is friendly to the environment. This litter is scent-free. If you have multiple cats using the same box, this is a great cat litter that will help to keep odours under control.

World’s Best litter is more absorbent than clay litter. The litter will be soft on your cat’s paws, so they should enjoy using their litter box.

3. Fresh Step Multi-Cat with Febreze Freshness, Clumping Cat Litter, Scented

If you need a good multi-cat litter with odour control and deodorization, Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter has Febreze in it. It’s also scented for extra protection. It contains activated carbon which will work at trapping and stopping odours. One fresh load of litter will give you a good ten days of odour control before you need to discard it and put fresh litter in the box.

When the cat enters the box they’ll be stepping on the litter. This paw activation will release a fragrance as they’re using the box. This is a high-quality and tightly clumping cat litter. It doesn’t leave behind any stinky crumbles. Clumps will be smaller and more compact than other types of cat litter so you don’t have to scoop as often.

Fresh Step is a clay-based cat litter that scoops well. It also contains borates, which are antimicrobials that inhibit bad odours.

4. Ever Clean Extra Strength Cat Litter, Unscented

If you’ve been seeking a clumping cat litter that has extra-strength with odour control, but it contains no fragrance. This litter is suitable for family members who may have allergies or get headaches from fragrances. It contains activated carbon, so that when moisture touches the litter it will eliminate the odour on contact. The carbon is bonded and mixed with the litter granules.

Ever Clean litter also contains an antimicrobial chemical that inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes odours within the litter. This litter will help to keep your home smelling clean and fresh. You’ll discover how your cats enjoy stepping into this sandy cat litter, and it will encourage problematic cats to use their boxes.

This is a good dust-free litter that has granules much like coarse sand that minimize powdered dust. This litter is non-flushable, so must be disposed of in a garbage bin. You’ll appreciate how this cat litter has zero smell, even from chemicals or materials. It also does an excellent job of masking bad odours.

5. Arm & Hammer Multi-Cat Clump & Seal Clumping Litter

Arm & Hammer Platinum Clump and Seal Litter is suitable for a multi-cat household. It offers extra odour protection. The package says it has 10X more odour eliminators than other cat litters. This is a zero dust formula, so it won’t track around your house or make you sneeze.

This cat litter has a seven day guarantee that it will lock in and seal odours for up to seven days, even if you haven’t scooped. This is a patented formula that not only locks in and seals odours but that it also destroys odours on contact with moisture and fluids. This litter is moisture-activated so it works when you need it most.

This clumping litter makes rock-hard lumps that are easy to scoop into the garbage bin. These tight clumps are also smaller, so you won’t have to scoop as often. You’ll appreciate how there are no dust clouds when your cat is digging in the box, and that dust won’t get all over your bathroom. This pet litter works well around urine and feces. The optimum amount to place in the box should be about three to four inches high.

Is Clumping Cat Litter Safe for Cats?

Recently, the safety of clumping cat litter has come into question. Fortunately, this issue is not applicable to most of the natural brands of cat litter. The main problem has occurred with types that contain sodium bentonite, which is a natural type of clay. In itself, the clay is generally inert and nontoxic for most pets, children, and adults. The issue comes from when kittens may become curious and nibble on it. The clay can also stick to cat’s feet. Most cats like to groom themselves after they have gotten out of the box.

Since the clay is clumping, it can form hard, cement-like clumps. Your cat can ingest these. While a small amount will pass naturally through the digestive systems of most cats and kittens, there is a small chance that these can cause blockages in your pet.

Generally, most pet products have been tested and designed for safety. It’s up to you as to what type of cat litter you buy your cat, but there are more natural options on the market, including paper, wheat, nut hulls, wood, and corn. If your cat ingests these substances, their body’s digestive system breaks them down, much like it does food, so that they’re easily eliminated from the body.

Hygiene & Safety Measures When Using Cat Litter

Everyone loves their cats and wants them to stay safe, as well as to have the family stay safe too. Here are a few hygiene and safety tips when using litter boxes in your home.

• If you have kittens, use regular litter until they reach the age of 3 or 4 months old, then introduce them to the clumping cat litter.
• Many cats carry toxoplasmosis, which can be harmful to pregnant women. Either wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after scooping the box, or have another family member tackle this chore. Note that this parasite is relatively harmless for healthy people, but if you have concerns, your vet can do a test on your pet.
• Some cities are banning the practice of flushing cat litter down the toilet, so you may want to purchase small plastic bags to dispose of cat waste.
• If your cat has suffered an intestinal blockage due to clay-based clumping cat litter, switch to a different brand that will pass safely through your pet’s digestive tract.
• If you use a clay-based cat litter, check your cat’s paws on a regular basis to ensure that the litter isn’t sticking inside their paw pads.
• Scoop your cat’s box regularly. If you keep the boxes in the bathroom, scoop their box after you’ve used the toilet, as this will help you to remember.
• Wash your cat’s box once every two weeks and fill the box with fresh litter. Don’t use Lysol or other harsh cleansers. Use a bit of vinegar and paper towels and wipe it out. Experts say that you don’t want to totally erase the cat’s urine smell as this smell guides a cat to their box.
• Buy a plastic litter mat. When cats get out of their litter boxes, the litter will naturally collect inside the mat. This means fewer chances for the cat to ingest the litter while they wash their paws, and less cat litter all over your floor.
• Always wash your hands after scooping or cleaning your cat’s box, or wear gloves.
• If you have dogs or younger children, you can buy a litter box with lid to keep them out.
• Some of the natural cat litter brands may cause allergic reactions in people. Once the litter has been used up, choose a different type.

Closing Thoughts on How Clumping Cat Litter Makes Pet Care Simpler

It wasn’t that long ago that pet litters were messy and didn’t clump. Pet owners had to do a lot more litter box maintenance than they do today. Clumping cat litters have also evolved, making them much safer for your cats and family.

They’ve also eased that burdensome and sometimes unpleasant chore. And when your cat’s litter box is kept clean and tidy, your cat will also be happier and less likely to make messes where they shouldn’t.

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