Best kitty litter?

This might not be your normal type of question, but I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions or information about kitty litter? I watched a show once where this guy said that clumping is best (obviously), and that most cats don't like the scented (deodorizer?) litter. He said more, but I forgot. >:-[ Just wondering if anyone knew something about why one type of litter might be better than others because I'm pretty clueless in that department of kitty care.

What type of litter is best really depends on your cat. Clumping litter is quite popular and most cats like it, although lots of people have great luck with silica, paper-based, corn, etc. I think the best litter is the one that your cat likes to most and works best for your life. I have heard of cats disliking scented litters, and I know my Freya does - she won't use anything but unscented, clumping clay.

You can find a bit of information on litter types here: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/litter-box-maintenance

Thanks so much for your answer ms. freya! Also, a lot of cats , in my opinion, don't really care what their litter is like, as long as they can use it. :lol3:

Are you looking to change litter?

No, just researching.

Ms. Freya provided a good link for you to utilize.  Personally I use clumping.  I have 4 cats and 5 litter boxes.  I've always used Fresh Step but have been looking to change because I don't like the dust it creates.  Right now I'm weighing the pros and cons of some of the natural pine litters out there.

When I was having litter woes a good recommendation given to me by TCS members was to find a really fine clumping litter.  The smaller pieces clump better & stronger to keep the urine deposits from breaking up in the litter.  I was using Dr. Elsey's at that point, then switched to Tidy Cat because it was a finer texture.  I hated the scent, though, and wanted to try flushable, so I switched to Swheat Scoop & haven't looked back.  It has a nice, fine texture, clumps well, once the deposits are cleaned out the remaining litter is still clean and still smells like it just came out of the packaging, so it takes a lot longer for the litter to get "sullied" and I am able to go much longer between litter changes than when we used clay litter.  If you haven't tried it, I recommend it!

Thanks so much for the recommendations and advice Nutromike and parsleysage!

We've been through numerous varieties of litter. we started with that arm and hammer stuff it didn't do any good for us because the smell that came out of the litter box was terrifying!. Next we tried "fresh step" the smell from the litter box got worse. Finally we settled on "scoop away" it works for us. there is no smell from the litter box unless she goes # 2. when she cover's it up still no smell. the scoop away we use is also scented. I'm not too sure if the scent has to do with the cover up but what ever it is it WORKS!..for us anyway. 

parsleysage said:

When I was having litter woes a good recommendation given to me by TCS members was to find a really fine clumping litter.  The smaller pieces clump better & stronger to keep the urine deposits from breaking up in the litter.  I was using Dr. Elsey's at that point, then switched to Tidy Cat because it was a finer texture.  I hated the scent, though, and wanted to try flushable, so I switched to Swheat Scoop & haven't looked back.  It has a nice, fine texture, clumps well, once the deposits are cleaned out the remaining litter is still clean and still smells like it just came out of the packaging, so it takes a lot longer for the litter to get "sullied" and I am able to go much longer between litter changes than when we used clay litter.  If you haven't tried it, I recommend it!

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Clumping litter is ok but I just don;t like it specialy the real fine grain stuff its to dusty for my liking.Even just filling the litter box I hack and cough for an hour after. I also only have one cat so maybe its better for multi cats but I just can;t use it becasue its just so dusty my cat scraches it up and when I pour it into the box its self

Tidy Cats scoop is all we will use.

Changing litter to Cats Pride one time and smokie got an upper respiratory infection with 105 fever and infected paws that oozed open!

I started using Cat Attract after Precious was diagnosed with chronic renal failure and it's been a huge hit.  Clumps great and doesn't seem to have the dust.

My cats use (nearly said I use!) Ever Clean.  Comes in four varieties, two scented, two non-scented, two allegedly low-track (coarse grains), two not (fine grain).

http://www.everclean.com/buy.html

I am in the UK, the people I buy from give free carriage on orders over a certain value, and there is a price break at 10 boxes.  However if I go to a show where the supplier has a stall they have a 3 for the price of 2 offer which is cheaper again.

My cats were using Feline Pine at the shelter so that's what I bought. I LOVE it. It's odor control truly amazes me, and visitor's have remarked about the lack of odor even standing directly over the box. Also it's fully compostable and sustainable.

The only problem is, is that many cats do not like pellets (including mine which for all I know had never experienced anything else).

Every time I did a litter change the cats were extremely hesitant about breaking in the new batch. They would hold it in for 12-24 hours. Although there were no accidents, it made me nervous. I want to see litter box enthusiasm.

So now I cover a layer of Feline pine with unscented clay litter - whatever is cheapest. Now they jump right in as I pour the clay litter.

I hate clay litter. It's damaging to the environment and I don't like for me or the cats to be breathing in its dust. I would prefer not to use it, but for now, it's the best solution I've got.

The only corn based litter I have used is the Nature's Miracle. It's horrible. It seems to amplify and condense the ammonia stench to where after just a few whizzes my eyes burn from the ammonia if I'm standing over the box to clean it.

Integrity Clumping Cat Litter. Best stuff ever. 

I saw Arm and Hammer has a new one out a nutural clumping litter. Sounds like a advertizing gimmick to me. I use Tidy cat.

Cheap and it works. I use clumping litter for it keeps the boxes cleaner than the regular clay. Pine maybe too differnet. Might try one box of that one to see if they like it.

noxcnx said:

Integrity Clumping Cat Litter. Best stuff ever. 

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If you can find someone who sells this type of litter in your area, I would highly recommend it. It is only $9.99 for a 25lb bag here in Boise. The litter feels more like the white sand you find at the beach and it actually clumps without falling apart when you scoop it out. The clumping is so effective that very little litter is actually used, so with 4 cats I only have to buy 1 bag a month  for refills (but I also feed them high protein food with no additives, so they don't eat as much or have to poop as much) and it rarely ever has to be changed out completely. There are no added perfumes or fragrance, but it has a naturally pleasing smell that lingers on the cats. I love it so much that if they stopped selling it at our humane society I would order it online (I believe they are based in Colorado). The litter is awesome and everyone I have recommended it to is still using it as well. 

Good luck with the search. I'm sure there is another type of litter that has these same qualities that others will love, but if you can find the Integrity product in your area I recommend giving it a try.

Is this maybe a local or regional brand? I've never heard of it and I've gone through a lot of different kinds of litter. I looked it up online and the price looks good. But (there's always a "but" ) the shipping for a $10 bag of litter is $23!

It may be regional and yeah, I would have it shipped to me for $23 without having tried it myself either. As I said before, there are probably other brands that have similar properties that you could find in your area as well. 

just bought some and have used it for several days. It is so good, but I do have concerns about the environment, etc. I tried the others, but with four indoor cats, I am weary of the inconvenience. This one is the easiest. Haven't noticed dust yet, will give it more time. Hope the stories about cats ingesting it are not something to be concerned about.