What’s the Best Cat Litter: Clumping vs Non Clumping litter?

Clumping vs non-clumping litter isn't the most exciting product or conversation point in the world, even when you're talking about cat litter, but it's still pretty crucial.

Even if you have an outdoor cat, there's no guarantee that they're going to want to go outside to go to the bathroom like your pooch. If you want to keep your home in tip-top condition, then you need plenty of cat litter, and enough trays.

Today's cat litter has evolved quite a bit from the products we had a few decades ago. Before the 1940s, most people just filled a box with dirt or sand for their cats. Even then, cats usually ventured outdoors to do their business.

It wasn't until later in the 1940s that the first clay-based cat litter appeared, complete with handy absorbent properties. Since then, the range of cat litters available has evolved at an incredible pace. Now we have all kinds of cat litter to choose from, including those with deodorizing properties.

The biggest choice you'll need to make for your fluffy friend is this:

So, clumping vs non-clumping litter, what will it be?

Different kinds of cat litter appeal to different types of cat. There are silica-gel or crystal litters that are all about reducing odor. You can even find certain "automated" cat litter trays that come with a special kind of litter that you need to use every time.

Alternatively, some eco-friendly cat parents prefer cat litters that are made from all-natural and organic ingredients.

The most common types of cat litter fall into two categories however: clumping and non-clumping. These litters work in specific ways to help your kitty hide their waste and ensure you can keep your home smelling fresh.

Clumping and non-clumping cat litters usually both come with a clay element. Clay is the most popular ingredient for any cat litter, accounting for up to 95% of all the litter sold.

So, what does clumping and non-clumping litter mean in the cat litter world? More importantly, how do you make the right choice between the two?

Let's start with a simple introduction.

Non-clumping cat litter is a kind of litter that doesn't clump when your cat uses it. This means that there are no chunks of litter to dig out when you're cleaning the litter tray. Your cat's urine and poop simply sits where it's left.

Usually, non-clumping litter is a little cheaper than clumping options.

However, this isn't always the case. Non-clumping litter also means that you don't have to clean out the tray as often. You only change the litter when it becomes saturated. When your feline friend has used their bathroom several times, it needs to be emptied completely, cleaned, and re-filled with new litter.

Typically, changing your non-clumping litter once a week will keep it from becoming too smelly.

Non-clumping cat litter is probably the most common cat litter around. It's been on the market since back in the 1940s. For a long time, non-clumping litter was the only option for cat owners.

Most non-clumping cat litter was made with bentonite clay, which is highly absorbent, but needs changing often. Although you have to change non-clumping litter fully more frequently, it comes with several unique benefits. For instance, non-clumping litter doesn't emit much dust. Additionally, many non-clumping litters come with extra features to help with masking odors.

Non-clumping litter is generally not as expensive as clumping litter too. This means that it's better for you if you're shopping on a budget. You can also find non-clumping liter made of other ingredients besides clay, such as odor-controlling silica crystals. However, these choices are a lot more expensive.

On the downside, non-clumping litter isn't ideal if you're trying to manage odors. Urine and other waste just sits around in the litter box, with nothing to dry it out. This means that you need to clean your full litter box more often. Since you need to change the litter once a week, you also might find that you use more of your litter than you think.

Clumping cat litter is remarkably similar to non-clumping in a lot of ways. The main difference is that it's designed to clump together when your kitty uses it. The clay absorbs moisture which then forms lumps. This means that you can easily scoop the waste out of the tray and use it for longer.

Clumping litter is excellent for absorbing urine and drying out cat poop. This makes it easier to remove waste from the litter box. Plus, you face fewer odors this way – which is great if you have a smelly cat or two.

For house proud cat parents, clumping litter is usually the most popular option. It's great for soaking up moisture, and some garage owners even use it for soaking up oil and water spills! Cat litter that clumps can also save you money. Although it's more expensive than non-clumping litter initially, you don't need to use as much. This means that you have less waste to worry about.

When you remove clumps from the cat litter, you need to top up the remaining clay in the box. However, it's easier to do that than replace the entire litter tray every time.

The fact that clumping litter comes with hardened clumps also means it's easier to scoop. This means that cleaning out the litter box is a simpler and faster experience. Although you still need to replace the entire litter box eventually, you can usually do it every 3 weeks or so, depending on how many cats use the litter.

Just like non-clumping litter, clumping cat litter has both positives and negatives to consider. Clumping litter is a newer feature on the cat market compared to non-clumping. It's excellent for people who want a quick and easy way to stay on top of their cat litter. With clumps to remove, you don't have to spend as much time scraping through your cat litter.

Because you can easily remove waste, you can keep your litter box looking and smelling a lot better. Plus, you don't need to change your litter box as frequently with clumping litter either. Clumping products can stay clean and fresh, provided that you're happy to scoop out waste whenever necessary, and top up supplies when your moggy needs it.

However, there are some downsides to clumping litter too. For instance, at first, your clumping litter will cost a little more than the traditional non-clumping versions. The good news here is that you pay more initially, but you should save extra in the long-run because you don't have to replace the tray as often.

Another downside of clumping cat litter is that it creates a lot more dust than it's non-clumping counterpart. When you're filling your litter box, and when the cat uses the litter, you're going to have a lot more dust. This can irritate asthma and cause problems with respiratory issues in humans and animals alike. Additionally, this might mean that you need to clean up around the litter tray more often.

If, for any reason, a cat or kitten accidentally eats some clumping cat litter, there's a danger there. If the litter swells in the kitty's esophagus or stomach, then it might cause blockages which are seriously problematic.

Clumping cat litter is also much heavier to lift and use. If you don't have a lot of strength in your arms, and there's no-one around to help you, then you might have some trouble refilling the cat litter trays that you use around the home.

So, which kind of cat litter should you pick? Clumping or non clumping litter? There's not really a one-size-fits-all option here. The choice between clumping and non-clumping products will come down to your personal preferences. Additionally, you'll probably want to pay close attention to the preferences of Mr. Fluffball too. Remember, cats have their own opinions when it comes to the kind of litter they like to use.

In the meantime, let's go over your options and what each choice is best for one last time.

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https://www.faithmat.com/cat-supplies/cat-litter/cat-litter-pet/is-bentonite-cat-litter-safe.html