Let’s chat litter

Our complete guide to cat litter in all its forms

There are lots of different types of cat litter available and, whether it’s for your first cat or your fifth, the choice can be a little daunting. So, wouldn’t it be handy if someone could just pop all of the information you need in one handy place? Yes? We’re glad you agree! Here goes…

Lots of litters

Broadly speaking, there are three main types of cat litter available in the shops – wood and paper-based, silica and clay in non-clumping and clumping varieties.

Wood and paper-based litters are usually cheaper and made from trees, which, if responsibly sourced, can be a sustainable option. Many will offer a flushable version (although we’d recommend caution, as flushing cat litter can help spread toxoplasmosis which is harmful to marine life). Typically this type of litter will not clump, which means you’ll need to replace the whole tray once soiled, because it doesn’t manage odours well.

Silica cat litters are made of an absorbent chemical and can be quite expensive. The texture is usually crunchy under the paw, so it might not be the most comfortable for your cat (some may refuse to step on silica-only litter at all).

The last option is clay cat litter. There are non-clumping varieties on sale (where you have to replace the soiled litter at least weekly) but we recommend clumping clay – specifically, top-quality bentonite clay.

Bentonite clay is a natural material that comes from the earth and has a soft texture – which feels more natural to the cat because they can dig and hide their waste. Highly effective at locking in liquid, it’s also easy to use because you can simply remove the tight clumps which saves  money as you don’t need to replace the whole tray every time. Clay litters are not flushable, so just pop the used litter in with your household waste. In our tests, bentonite clay was by far the best clumping cat litter – which is why it’s all we use in Ever Clean products.

What is ‘clumping’?

Almost every litter describes itself as ‘clumping’ or ‘non-clumping’. But what does that actually mean?

Put simply, clumping litter absorbs moisture after your cat has used the litter tray and, with Ever Clean litters, forms into tight disks. These clumps are scooped out and put into the bin. Our litters also allow you to leave unsoiled litter in the tray and just top it up with fresh litter. It’s easy, hygienic and great for controlling odours.

Non-clumping litters, on the other hand, are less effective. They’ll use absorbent materials to soak up the liquid, but that moisture will continue to spread around the box. This means that there is the possibility of a mess on the bottom of the litter tray, and you’ll need to replace the entire tray once used – which can make it quite an expensive option in the long run.

At Ever Clean, we believe that clumping litters are best for your cat, and best for you too.

Every cat is different

Have you ever met two cats exactly alike? Every cat has their own wonderful personality, with little quirks that make them who they are. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cat litter.

You might have a kitten whose tiny paws are prone to tracking litter out of the tray. Maybe your cat is sensitive to smell and would prefer an unscented litter that’s still effective at fighting odours, or perhaps you need extra-odour fighters for heavy-usage trays.

Take a look at our portfolio of cat litter to find the right one for you and your cat – and help them flourish in your home.