Clumping clay, silica, pine or tofu: how to choose cat litter

The best litter is the one your cat will use reliably. After that come odor control, dust and how easy it is to scoop. Most cats prefer fine, sandy, unscented litter, but every cat has opinions.

The main types

Litter	Pros	Cons
Clumping clay (bentonite)	Firm clumps, easy scooping, widely liked by cats	Heavy; can be dusty; not biodegradable
Non-clumping clay	Inexpensive	Urine soaks in; whole box needs changing more often
Silica crystals	Excellent moisture absorption, light, low dust	Some cats dislike the texture; usually doesn't clump
Pine or wood pellets	Natural pine scent, low dust, light	Pellets break into sawdust; some cats dislike the texture
Corn, wheat, walnut	Plant-based, often clumping, lighter	Varying odor control; check for dust
Tofu (soybean)	Light, plant-based, clumps	Can attract insects if left; higher cost per pound in some cases

Odor control

• Scooping daily does more for odor than any litter.
• Activated carbon or baking soda in some litters helps control smell.
• Scented litters may put off some cats. Unscented is the safer starting point.

Dust and tracking

• Look for "low dust" or "99% dust-free" claims and read owner comments about dust when the litter is poured.
• Larger granules and pellets track less but some cats dislike them.
• A litter mat outside the box catches a lot of tracked litter.

Flushable litter: think twice

Some plant-based litters are sold as flushable. Before flushing:

• Many plumbing systems and septic tanks don't handle it well; check with your local utility.
• Cat waste can carry the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which isn't reliably removed by wastewater treatment. Wildlife officials in California have linked flushed cat waste to infections in sea otters, and many water agencies advise against flushing cat waste.

Kittens

Many breeders and veterinarians suggest non-clumping or unscented litter for very young kittens, who sometimes eat litter while they explore. Ask your vet if you're unsure.

How many boxes?

A common veterinary guideline is one litter box per cat, plus one, placed in quiet spots on each floor. Not enough boxes is a frequent cause of cats going outside the box.

Switching litter

Change gradually: mix the new litter into the old over a week or two, increasing the proportion each time. Sudden changes can make a cat avoid the box.

Questions people ask

How deep should litter be?

Around 2 to 3 inches is a common recommendation for clumping litter, enough for clumps to form without sticking to the bottom.

How often should I change all the litter?

With daily scooping, clumping litter is commonly fully replaced and the box washed every couple of weeks. Non-clumping litter needs changing more often.

My cat stopped using the litter box. Is it the litter?

It could be, but box avoidance can also signal a medical problem such as a urinary issue. Talk to your vet, especially if it's sudden.