Which Kinds of Cat Litter to Buy and Why: Corn vs. Clay

You’ve finally given the kitten or cat of your dreams a lifelong home by adopting them. You are now at the litter aisle where there are jugs, cartons, and bags in every hue under the rainbow for you to select from. There are many different kinds of cat litter available. Furthermore, there are so many options available to you that it might be a little daunting.

Thus, how can you choose which cat litter is best for you? How can you tell which litter would provide the finest experience in a litter box for your cat?

Read More: Corn Cat Litter manufacturer

Fortunately, we’ve put together the following analysis to show you and your cat the variety of cat litter options available:

Various Cat Litter Types

Cat litter comes in a wide variety of forms, including synthetic and natural varieties. It will help you focus by educating you about the advantages and disadvantages of each kind.

Clay versus corn litter

Clay

Ever because cat owners moved away from utilizing sand and sawdust in the early 1900s, the majority of conventional cat litters are composed of clay. Strip mining for the mineral seam under clay-containing soil produces clay litter. Bentonite is mined as well because it helps clay litters clump together. In the 1940s, it was discovered by chance that clay was absorbent; nevertheless, certain varieties include silica dust, which can be dangerous if consumed by people or cats and worsen allergies. Although clay litters are not always as durable as other kinds of cat litter, they are often less costly than natural litter.

corn

The first cat litter substitute manufactured from whole kernel maize was commercially successful. Scientists at World’s Best Cat LitterTM developed compact maize granules in the 1990s that were fast to clump, naturally very absorbent, and excellent at capturing odors. Although it continues to be the most often used natural litter, maize has now opened the way for a long list of other natural litters.

Alternate Litters of Choice:

Wheat

Typically, wheat litters are created from wheat that falls short of the quality required for human consumption. Although wheat offers an additional natural substitute for clay, users note that it still has to be improved in terms of clumping and can cause allergies in cats.

Walnut

Walnut litter, which has a finer texture, is created by grinding up shells that the food industry would otherwise throw. Customers provide varying ratings on dust and tracking because of the finer texture; however, some formulae are available in coarser textures, which generally garner higher feedback.

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Like pine litters, paper litters are usually created from recycled newspaper that has been molded into pellets. Veterinarians occasionally advise cats to use paper litters following surgery since they won’t infect the surgical site. To keep it fresh, many owners empty the entire box every few days because this litter does not clump or split like pine litter does.

Coconut

Made from coconut husk, coconut litter is the sandiest of all natural litters. Using coconut litter involves scooping out solids and stirring the litter to absorb liquids, as it does not clump. Although coconut litter doesn’t smell, some claim it has trouble masking the ammonia stench of cat poop. Because of its texture, coconut litter tracks more easily even if it doesn’t form dust.

Silica

The use of silica in litters, akin to the preservative packets included in packaging, is a more recent invention in the litter industry. Although silica litter is very absorbent and produces little dust, it nevertheless tracks like most other litters and can be harmful if consumed in large enough quantities, which is what happens when cats wipe their feet after using the litter box several times. Since silica litter doesn’t clump, it should be scraped for solids and swirled twice a day to promote absorption.

Lawn

Grass litter is a relatively new type of natural litter that clumps beautifully and is incredibly light. This makes it perfect for little cats, but because it’s so light, owners say their larger cats tip over the box and fall into the litter.

Pine

Usually supplied in bigger pellet form, pine litter decomposes into sawdust in the presence of fluids. Since pine pellets don’t clump, you’ll need to shake sawdust to the bottom of the box and scoop out solid waste to maintain the box clean. Once the box is around 90% sawdust, you’ll need to replace it entirely. A smaller, sandier texture is preferred by many cats, however other cats readily accept pellets.

Aspects to Take into Account While Selecting Cat Litter

Depending on your goals for litter and lifestyle, the following characteristics are more subjective decisions that could influence the kind of litter you select.

Odor Management

While some individuals like a subtle perfume to help keep their area looking fresh or to cover up the natural aroma of their litter, others don’t want any scent at all. Since not all litter types come in scented formulations, your preference for scented litter may limit the varieties you may pick from. You will also need to decide between natural and synthetic odors if you are interested in scented litters. Compared to natural litters, clay litters are more likely to be artificially perfumed. Natural smells are usually made with entire components or natural oil blends, and are generally safer for cats than synthetic scents, which are usually not appropriate for eating, as your cat is likely to do when it licks its paws after using the litter box.

Prolonged

Its longevity is one of the most significant—and sometimes contentious—aspects of trash. The choice of when to replace the litter box varies somewhat depending on personal preference, although certain litters are better at controlling odors and holding on to waste for extended periods of time.

Even while a cheap litter may be less expensive at the store, you’ll use a lot more of it if you’re throwing the box out every few days, which raises the total cost over time. This is usually not the case with clay litters, which are frequently less expensive per container but have a shorter shelf life. Since non-clumping litters don’t cluster around excrement to keep it confined in a solid, they might also become unhygienic after brief periods of use.

It usually takes a natural, clumping litter up to a month or longer to lose its effectiveness before the litter box has to be emptied. A higher initial cost is somewhat offset by this long-lasting power.

Flowability

Lastly, if you’re picking a litter, make sure it fits in your toilet. Certain litters, like maize litter, may be flushed right away in little clumps, while other litters, like wheat, require soaking in water for up to twenty minutes before being flushed, and some litters, like clay, cannot be flushed at all. Despite being flushable, walnut litter has been known to produce stains in the toilet bowl that are difficult to get rid of.

Because flushable litters allow you to scoop clumps straight into the toilet, many cat owners prefer them because they cut down on cleaning time.