Cat Litter: Advantages & Disadvantages to Each Type

Cat Litter: Advantages & Disadvantages to Each Type

Here at J-B Pet Supplies we carry many types of Cat Litter. There are advantages and disadvantages to each kind of litter. Here is a breakdown on the types of litter we carry.

Clay Litter

 (Tidy Cats, Arm & Hammer, Dr. Elsey’s, Scoop Away, Fresh Step and Everclean)

Clay litter, commonly used in cat litter boxes, has both advantages and disadvantages that are important to consider:

Advantages

1. Highly Absorbent: Clay litter is very effective at absorbing liquids, which helps to control odor in the litter box.
2. Cost-Effective: Generally, clay litter is one of the more affordable options on the market.
3. Clumping Varieties Available: Many clay litters form clumps when wet, making it easier to remove waste without changing the entire box.
4. Familiarity: It's a traditional choice and well-accepted by most cats.

Disadvantages

1. Dust and Tracking: Clay litter can be dusty, which might be an issue for people and cats with respiratory problems. It also tends to track outside the litter box.
2. Environmental Concerns: Clay is a non-renewable resource, and its mining is environmentally damaging. Additionally, it doesn't biodegrade easily.
3. Heavy Weight: Clay litter is heavier than many alternative types, which can make handling and disposal more challenging.
4. Non-Flushable: Unlike some other types of litter, clay litter should not be flushed down the toilet due to its potential to clog plumbing.
5. Potential Health Risks: Ingestion of clay particles, particularly by kittens, can lead to gastrointestinal issues. The dust can also be harmful if inhaled.

Clay litter is absorbent, affordable, and widely available, its environmental impact, dustiness, and potential health risks are significant drawbacks to consider.

Corn Litter

(World’sBest, Nature’s Miracle, Sustainably Yours)

Corn litter, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional clay cat litter, has its own set of advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

1. Biodegradable and Eco-Friendly: Made from natural corn, it is more environmentally friendly than clay litter, which is mined and non-biodegradable.
2. Lightweight: Corn litter is lighter than clay, making it easier to handle and transport.
3. Clumping Ability: Like clay, many corn litter brands offer a clumping feature, which makes cleaning the litter box easier.
4. Less Dust and Tracking: It typically produces less dust than clay litter, reducing respiratory irritants for both cats and humans and minimizing tracking outside the litter box.
5. Flushable: Some brands of corn litter are safe to flush in small quantities, offering convenient disposal options.
6. Good Odor Control: Corn naturally absorbs odors, helping to keep the litter box area smelling fresher.

Disadvantages

1. Cost: Corn litter can be more expensive than traditional clay litter.
2. Allergy Potential: Some cats (or humans) may have allergies to corn, which could cause health issues.
3. Attracting Pests: Being a food-based product, it can potentially attract rodents and insects, especially if stored improperly.
4. Mold Growth: If not changed regularly or if exposed to high humidity, corn litter can develop mold.
5. Sustainability Concerns: While more sustainable than clay, the production of corn litter can still have an environmental impact, particularly if the corn is not sourced from sustainable farming practices.

Corn litter offers environmental benefits, is lightweight, and controls odor well, but it can be more expensive and may present issues such as attracting pests or developing mold under certain conditions.

Pine Litter

(FelinePine)

Pine litter, made from recycled pine wood, is another alternative to traditional clay cat litter. It has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

1. Eco-Friendly: Pine litter is often made from recycled wood, making it a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
2. Natural Odor Control: Pine has a natural, pleasant scent that helps neutralize odors without the use of artificial fragrances.
3. Low Dust: It produces less dust compared to clay litters, which is beneficial for cats and owners with respiratory sensitivities.
4. Lightweight: Pine litter is generally lighter than clay, making it easier to handle and transport.
5. Biodegradable and Compostable: Unlike clay, pine litter is biodegradable and can be composted, reducing landfill waste.
6. Non-Clumping and Clumping Varieties: It's available in both clumping and non-clumping forms, offering flexibility in terms of cleanup and maintenance.

Disadvantages

1. Less Effective Clumping: For the clumping varieties, pine litter may not form as tight or as easy-to-scoop clumps as clay or other types of litter.
2. Possible Allergies: Some cats or humans may be allergic to pine, leading to potential health issues.
3. Lower Absorbency: Pine litter is generally less absorbent than clay, which can lead to odor issues if not changed regularly.
4. Adjustment Period for Cats: Some cats may not immediately take to the texture or scent of pine litter, requiring a gradual transition.
5. Not Always Flushable: While biodegradable, not all pine litter is safe to flush, and flushing any type of litter can potentially cause plumbing issues.
6. Pest Attraction: Like other natural litter, pine can sometimes attract pests if not stored properly.

Pine litter is environmentally friendly and offers natural odor control and low dust, its less effective clumping, potential for allergies, and lower absorbency are factors to consider when choosing this type of litter.

Wheat Litter

(Swheat Scoop)

Wheat litter, another eco-friendly alternative to traditional clay litter, is made from processed wheat. Here are its advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

1. Eco-Friendly: Made from natural, biodegradable wheat, it is more environmentally sustainable than clay litter.
2. Good Odor Control: Wheat has natural enzymes that help neutralize odors effectively.
3. Clumping Ability: Many wheat litters clump upon contact with moisture, making it easier to scoop and clean.
4. Low Dust: Generally, wheat litter produces less dust compared to clay, which is beneficial for both cats and owners, especially those with respiratory issues.
5. Lightweight: Wheat litter is usually lighter than clay, which can make handling and disposal more convenient.
6. Flushable: Some wheat litter brands are safe to flush in small quantities, offering an easy disposal option.

Disadvantages

1. Cost: It can be more expensive than traditional clay litter.
2. Allergy Risks: Both cats and humans with wheat or gluten allergies may have reactions to this type of litter.
3. Attracting Pests: As a food-based product, there is a potential for attracting rodents and insects, especially if not stored properly.
4. Mold Growth: If the litter is not changed regularly or exposed to high humidity, it can develop mold.
5. Variable Quality: The effectiveness in terms of clumping and odor control can vary between brands.
6. Sustainability Concerns: While it's more sustainable than clay, the cultivation of wheat for litter can still have environmental impacts, depending on farming practices.

Wheat litter is an environmentally friendly option that offers good odor control and low dust, but its higher cost, potential for allergies, and risk of attracting pests and mold growth are important factors to consider.

Newspaper Litter

(Fresh News)

Newspaper litter, made from recycled paper, offers a different set of advantages and disadvantages compared to more traditional litters like clay:

Advantages

1. Eco-Friendly: Newspaper litter is environmentally friendly, utilizing recycled materials and being biodegradable.
2. Low Dust: It produces minimal dust, which is beneficial for cats and humans with respiratory issues.
3. Soft Texture: The soft texture of paper litter is gentle on cat paws, which can be particularly beneficial for cats with sensitive feet or declawed cats.
4. Lightweight: Paper litter is lighter than clay, making it easier to handle and transport.
5. Good for Post-Surgery: Its soft and non-abrasive nature makes newspaper litter ideal for cats recovering from surgery.
6. Non-Clumping and Absorbent: While it generally doesn’t clump, newspaper litter is quite absorbent.

Disadvantages

1. Less Odor Control: Newspaper litter does not control odors as effectively as clay, pine, or other types of litter, potentially leading to more frequent changes needed.
2. Non-Clumping: Most newspaper litter does not clump, which can make scooping out urine more difficult.
3. Changes Required More Frequently: Due to its lower absorbency compared to other litter, it may need to be changed more frequently to maintain cleanliness and odor control.
4. Less Aesthetically Pleasing: Some people might find the appearance of newspaper litter less attractive than other types.

Newspaper litter is eco-friendly and low in dust, its weaker odor control, non-clumping nature, and more frequent change requirements are considerations for potential users.