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Best Litter For Cats in 2022

Litter for cats is one of the basic components that you must provide to your feline friends when you intend to keep them around your home. Like humans, cats need their own place to clean themselves and for them, it’s the cat litter tray!

litter for cats
(Image retrieved from py-pet )

I am sure many cat owners know the importance of good cat litter for cats which I will break down the details later below. If you are new to this world of having a feline companion, you’ve done the correct first step which is clicking on this article.

What is cat litter for cats and why is it important?

Cat litter is essential for cat owners, particularly because many indoor cats do not have easy access to soil. The cat litter is a great setting for pet cats to relieve themselves. Other than that, the cat litter also helps the environment with its clay-based litter, which is absorbent and has natural odour control. Below, we will list some of the popular types of cat litter.

1. Unscented and Scented Cat Litter

Litter is available in scented and unscented types. Scented litter is intended to hide odours in the litter box; however, some cats hate strong fragrances and prefer unscented litter. On the other hand, unscented cat litter manufacturers use chemicals like carbon and natural plant extracts to absorb odours from urine and faeces and minimise litter box aromas, keeping you and your cat happy.

2. Non-clumping and Clumping Cat Litter

Cat litter can be clumping or non-clumping, which affects how you, as the pet parent, clean and empty the litter box. Clumping litters generate scoopable, solid masses for regular and easy trash collection. Clumping cat litters often provide effective odour control and require less replacement than non-clumping litter.

Types of Cat Litter that are available in the market

a) Clay Cat Litter

Clay cat litter comes in two varieties: non-clumping and clumping. Clay-based non-clumping cat litter was introduced to the market in 1947 while clumping cat litter was found in the 1980s. Cat parents used to rely on sand (which is why cats can't resist an open children's sandbox).

According to Dr Pam Perry, a feline behaviour specialist at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, most cats prefer fine-textured clay litter over other forms. Clay granules are comparable to the soft dirt or sand that wild cats use. Dust may be produced by non-clumping and clumping litter; however, some clay cat litter is made to create less dust. (Medicine, n.d.)

b) Crystal Cat Litter

Crystal cat litter is more costly than other varieties of cat litter because it is made of transparent silica gel. However, it is absorbent, creates less dust than other materials, and aggressively cleans the litter box, which is beneficial to both cats and people, according to VetInfo. Your cat might not enjoy the rough crystals, but there are nicer pearl-like ones available.

Crystal litter, like non-clumping clay litter, can get wet, causing urine to collect in the box. As with clumping litter, you shouldn't use crystal litter until your cat has progressed past the "eating faeces" stage. Silica gel can be hazardous if consumed by your cat, dog, or other pet who enjoys playing in the kitty box.

c) Others

Other than the two most popular choices, natural material cat litter is also high in demand. Here are some of them:

- Corn: It’s a bit pricier than other cat litters as it’s biodegradable and earth conscious. You may find it in the market in varieties of scents.

- Wood or pine: This cat litter does not clump and it’s suitable for kittens. Though it’s good for the environment and cats, the owners might find the scent to be too strong.

- Recycled paper: Derived from newspaper and it does not have scent. Recycled paper litter is the best choice for cats that are recovering from surgery as it’s dust-free, and it costs way less than others. The only downside is you would need to clean the litter box often.

- Tofu: Tofu litter is manufactured from food-grade soy pulp that would otherwise go to waste. It is one of the most long-lasting, easy-to-clean, and odour-absorbent litters on the market. It is a natural, biodegradable solution that can be flushed down the toilet. (catoropets, n.d.)

Top 3 Cat Litter in Malaysia

1. ProChoice Cat Litter

prochoice cat litter

Premium cat litter is low-tracking and hard clumping, resulting in a minimal mess. Its superior formulation prevents moisture from sticking to the tray's bottom. It's also great for odour control and not to mention that it is 99% dust free for maximum cleanliness in your environment.

Its highlights:
  • Its main component is derived from 100% natural mineral ingredients.
  • Non-toxic and non-hazardous, yet extremely efficient in sterilising.
  • It's aromatic and quickly absorbs cat urine and poop.
  • The excellent clumping litter will keep the surface of the litter box clean. (lazada, n.d.)

2. Fussie Cat Litter

perfumed litter

This perfumed litter is particularly popular among cat owners who desire a clumping, low-tracking litter that doesn't leave a mess. The formula utilised achieves a great outcome by preventing moisture from reaching the tray's bottom. It's the ideal solution for your family cat or multi-cat households due to its exceptional odour control.

Its highlights:
  • Comes in varieties of scents.
  • It’s a hard-clumping cat litter.
  • Extremely absorbent and 99% dust free.
  • It’s economical in terms of the price and it lasts longer. (petloverscentre, n.d.)

3. Catlike Cat Sanitary Sand

catlike sanitary sand

Catlike cat litter texture is similar to Japanese dune sand which means that it’s excellent at absorbing cat liquid and is made of completely natural clay. If you own more than 1 cat, you might want to choose this one because a bag of this sand can absorb up to 8 liter of fluid. Its anti-bacterical component also makes it safe for any type of cat to use it. We can attest to Catlike’s likeable scent too by some of the reviews of pet parents.

Its highlights:
  • It has anti-bacterial properties which aid cats that are recovering from any wounds.
  • Fast absorption, making it economical for pet owners.
  • It produces less dust and is safe for cats that have respiratory problems.
  • Catlike cat litter is made of 100% natural bentonite (shopee, n.d.)
Read also: best cat food, best toys for cats