FAQ: Litter & Accessories for cats

Manufacturers choose how to state the amount, and litters differ greatly in density: a litre of silica or wood litter weighs differently from a litre of clay. Compare litter of the same type using the same unit.

Mix the new litter into the old gradually, increasing its share over a week or two, so your cat gets used to the new smell and texture. A sudden switch leads some cats to go outside the box.

The most common are clumping bentonite (clay) litter, non-clumping mineral litter, silica gel litter, wood pellets or clumping wood, tofu (soy) litter and litter from other plant materials, such as corn or paper.

Most importantly, the cat must like it: most cats prefer fine, soft, unscented litter. After that, consider how well it controls odour, how dusty it is, how heavy it is, how it is disposed of and how much you use per month.

Clumping litter sticks together into firm clumps when wet with urine, and these are easy to scoop out. That way only the soiled litter is removed from the box, while the rest stays clean and can be used further.

Bentonite is a natural clay that absorbs a lot of liquid and forms firm clumps. This litter is popular because it controls odour well and most cats happily use it, but it is heavy and can be dusty.

Clumping litter forms clumps that you scoop out daily, so the whole box is changed less often. Non-clumping litter absorbs liquid into the granules, so it has to be changed more often and in larger amounts at a time.

Clumps can crumble if the litter layer is too thin and urine reaches the bottom, if the litter got damp in storage or is of lower quality. Use a deeper layer and keep the pack dry.

When there is too little litter, urine reaches the bottom and the clump sticks. A deeper layer of about 5–8 centimetres helps, and some owners sprinkle dry litter on the bottom first or use a liner.

Some bentonite litter, especially finer types, can be dusty when poured and when the cat digs. If the cat or owner is sensitive to dust, choose litter labelled as low-dust and pour it slowly, close to the bottom of the box.

Fine litter is softer on the paws, usually more popular with cats and forms firmer clumps. Coarser litter is tracked around the home less, but some cats dislike it.

Clay is dense, so a bag of bentonite litter weighs much more than the same volume of silica or wood litter. This matters when carrying shopping or ordering delivery to an upper-floor flat.

No, bentonite swells in water and can block the drains. Dispose of used bentonite litter with household waste, sealed in a bag.

Most kittens use bentonite litter without problems, but very young kittens sometimes taste it. If you notice a kitten eating litter, switch for a while to non-clumping or plant-based litter and keep an eye on it.

It is coarser granules of clay or other minerals that absorb urine but do not stick together. It is often cheaper, but it holds odour for a shorter time, so the box has to be fully emptied more often.

Non-clumping litter usually needs a full change every few days or once a week, depending on the number of cats. Remove faeces daily, and when the litter starts to smell or feel wet, replace all of it.

Zeolite is a porous mineral that absorbs moisture and odours, so it is sometimes used in litter or as an odour absorber. It usually does not clump, so box care is similar to other non-clumping litters.

It is clear or white silica gel granules or crystals that absorb urine and lock in odour. It is light, low-dust and long-lasting, but it does not form clumps and some cats dislike its texture.

For one cat, silica litter often lasts several weeks if faeces are removed daily and the litter is stirred. When the granules turn yellow and stop holding odour, all of the litter needs replacing.

Remove faeces daily and stir the litter so urine spreads out and the granules dry evenly. Do not keep topping up old litter with new: once it is saturated, empty it all and wash the box.