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This article will help you cut through all the fancy packaging and marketing to find the right litter for your cat. Doing so won’t just make them happier; finding the right litter can also make it more likely that your cat will reliably use their litter boxes, which should also make you happier! The Type of Litter Most Cats PreferWhile every cat can be different, studies have shown us that cats tend to have certain “universal” preferences when it comes to litter. Here are two things that we know generally about cats and their litter preferences:
The Type of Litter Most People PreferSo, your cat is most likely to prefer an unscented, fine particle, clumping clay litter. Fortunately, there is no shortage of those to choose from. And now that you’ve got an idea for what’s most likely to make your cat happy, you can consider the qualities in a litter that will keep you happy, too.
My Recommended LittersSo, given what’s likely to be favored by your cat and what’s likely to be important to you, here’s what I typically recommend as some of the best cat litters out there for general use: Clay, Low-Dust LittersBoxiecat Premium Clumping Clay Cat LitterDr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat LitterNon-Clay, Low-Dust LittersTry one of these litters if your cat doesn’t like clay, or you can’t handle any clay dust World's Best Cat Litter Clumping FormulasWheat Scoop Fast-Clumping All-Natural Cat Litter Litters for Cats (and People) With Special NeedsSome cats, and even their people, will require special litter. This is particularly true if your cat or anyone in your home has a breathing condition like asthma, but there are other conditions and living situations that will necessitate special litter. Below are three common conditions/scenarios where special litter might be needed. Best Litters for Cats with AsthmaAnything that irritates an asthmatic cat's lungs can bring on or worsen an asthma attack. Unfortunately, litter dust — whether clay or otherwise — can be a potent respiratory irritant for cats. So, for cats with asthma, it's a good idea to go with a litter that is as "low-dust" as possible. The litters linked below typically fit that bill, while also having some of the other characteristics of litter that both you and your cat will like. Dr. Elsey's Respiratory Relief Cat Litter Yesterday's News Unscented Cat Litter sWeat Scoop, World's Best Cat Litter Clumping Formula, and Boxiecat (all shown above) are also great litter options for cats suffering from asthma or respiratory issues. Best Litter for Cats Recovering From SurgeryIf your cat is recovering from surgery and they have sutures ("stitches") or surgical staples in their skin, or if your cat has on a cast, splint, or bandage, or if they have an open wound or a surgical drain, it's important to prevent litter from getting stuck and built up in these sites. Because of this, it's often best to switch to a paper-based cat litter, like Yesterday's News, until your cat is fully healed. These are less likely to cause problems for these cats. If your cat doesn't take immediately to this new, temporary litter, you could try adding a little bit of the "Cat Attract" litter additive discussed and linked in the section below. Best Litter for Cats That Need Help Learning (or Remembering!) to Use Their Litter BoxSometimes a new kitten might need a guide map — or, more specifically, a guide scent — to find and know to do their business in their litter boxes. And this may be especially true in households without any other adult cats to show the new kitten the "ropes" of their litter boxes. For these guys, using a cat attractant litter or litter additive like the ones linked below can sometimes help. And it's not just young kittens that can benefit from these attractant litters and additives... adult or senior cats who start going outside of their boxes can sometimes benefit from them, too. (Just realize that there are often multiple things going on in a litter-trained cat that suddenly stops using their boxes — check out some of the additional articles listed below for more help on that issue.) Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Cat Litter Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Litter Attractant I hope this helps you find the best litter for you and your cat. I’d love to know what you think and what litter you use with your cats. What has worked well for you and what hasn’t? Please share your litter experiences in the comments section below. Do kittens need special cat litter?While clumping litter might be the standard for adult cats, it's a risk to kittens if ingested, and should not be provided until the kitten is at least 2-3 months old and well accustomed to the litter box. Instead, opt for a natural, pellet-based litter that is less likely to be inhaled or ingested by a young kitten.
How long do kittens need nonIt's best to avoid clumping litter until your kitten reached four months old as it can cause stomach upset or blockages if ingested. Try to use non-clumping litters or pelleted litters until your furbaby is older.
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