Determining the best kitty litter is best left up to your kitten to decide. You may prefer to use a scented or other type of kitty litter. However, your kitten may have its own preference. All kittens are individuals. And each has its own unique taste in terms of the best cat litter to use.
Kittens can be very particular about the type of litter that they like. If they don’t like the litter that you choose for them, then they won’t use it. Kittens develop preferences early in life for the type of litter that they prefer. So, if you are in the process of changing the type of litter, do so gradually.
Mix in approximately 2/3 old and 1/3 new litter in the kitten box. If not, your kitten may reject the new litter and find other places in your home to eliminate.
When it comes to choosing litter, there are literally dozens of brands and types to choose from. It can be a process of trial and error to determine what the best kitty litter is for your kitten.
Clumping vs. Non-Clumping
Clumping kitty litter forms balls or clumps when in contact with moisture and urine. It is easy to clean and remove waste. You must add more litter after daily cleaning and scooping out solid waste. Clumping kitty litter can be used up to one month without changing the entire litter box. Many clumping litters have activated carbon added to help absorb unwanted odors.
There are downsides to using clumping litters. There are some reports that clumps can lodge in kittens small digestive tracts and cause health problems. Kitten can ingest the granules during routine grooming and develop intestinal blockages. Dehydration and lack of nutrient absorption have been reported in kittens that have accidently eaten clumping litter.
Certain types of clumping kitty litter can also clog toilets and pipes due to its expansion in water. Be sure to read the label on the kitty litter box to determine if it can be flushed.
Non-clumping, as the name suggests, does not clump. When using non-clumping litter, you kitten’s litter box will need to be changed more frequently after use.
Clay
Clay litter tends to be cheaper than other types of litter. Clay can be non-clumping or clumping. Most clay used in litter is derived from sodium bentonite. It is highly water and odor absorbent. However, clay can pose a danger to kittens if they ingest large quantities of the litter. Clays may not be the best kitty litter for young kittens as it can swell and block small kitten digestive systems.
If you have a kitten who has had recent surgery (especially to its paws), you might want to reconsider using clay litter. The clay can enter surgical wounds and irritate your kitten’s delicate skin.
Some kitten owners also report problems with feline asthma and other feline respiratory problems developing due to clay dust. Clay can also be tracked through the home as it easily sticks to kitten paws.
Pine
Pine trees are used to make pine based litters. Environmentally-friendly kitten owners don’t worry! The pine is gathered from shavings and not from new trees. Pine litter is biodegradable and comes in pellets. Pine is great at absorbing water and odor. There’s no clay no dust, it’s flushable, and can even be used as mulch. Pine is kitten-safe and is also great for kittens that have had recent surgical procedures.
Crystals
Crystal kitty litter is silica based. It is highly water and odor absorbent. Crystal litter also lasts a long time. One bag typically last about a month. Compared to clay, crystal litter has very minimal dust.
The most common reason kitten owner love crystals are that they are lightweight when wet.
Despite, all of the positives about crystal kitty litter, there are claims that it can be dangerous for kittens and their owners. Silica has been known to be a cancer causing agent when used for industrial purposes.
Corn
Corn-based kitty litter is biodegradable, flushable, and safe in kittens accidently ingest the product. Just make sure your kitten does not have allergies to corn products. Corned-based kitty litter typically has a mild corn smell.
Wheat
As with corn-based litters, wheat kitty litter is another alternative to chemical laden commercial litters.
Wheat-based litters are kitten-safe, flushable, soft on paws, and are renewable and earth friendly. Simply make sure that your kitten has no allergies to wheat products.
Coloring Changing
Color changing kitty litter’s claim to fame is that it determines if there medical problems with your kitten. Color changing litter monitors chemicals produced in your kitten’s body to check for urinary abnormalities. The drawback is expense. And don’t rely upon the litter for a medical diagnosis. Your still must take your kitten in for regular checkups.
Recycled Paper
Using recycled paper kitty litter not only helps your kitten, it helps the environment. Recycled paper may be the best kitty litter to use post-surgical procedure. It is highly absorbent (more than clay), unscented, low in dust, and low tracking.
Scented
It may be best to avoid heavily chemically scented kitty litter. First, kittens usually don’t like strong scents. Second, scented litter may not be the best kitty litter for allergy prone kittens. Srong scents can trigger feline allergies and respiratory problems.
Natural pheromones added to kitty litter may be more tolerable to kittens. They are natural, softer scents that can encourage your kitten to use its box.
Kitten Specific Litter
Kitten specific litter is the latest way owners can appeal to the special needs of kittens. Kitten specific litter has smaller granules. Smaller granules are gentler on petite kitten paws and cause less digestive problems if kittens ingest the product.
Kitten specific products are infused with herbs that appeal to kittens. They’re all-natural, scoopable, and emit less dust than traditional litter. The downside is that they are much more expensive than regular-clay based litters. Kitten specific litter is for use in kittens from ages 8 weeks to 1 year.
Remember…the best kitty litter is absorbable, easy to clean, and devoid of heavy scents and dust.
Kittens can be very particular about the type of litter that they like. If they don’t like the litter that you choose for them, then they won’t use it. Kittens develop preferences early in life for the type of litter that they prefer. So, if you are in the process of changing the type of litter, do so gradually.
