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Types of Kitty Litter

Types of kitty litter varies from the basic clay to the most recent introduction of silica gel. This page provides details about the most common types of kitty litter. The information has been gathered from the manufacturer's web sites, from forums, and from various other web sites. General comparison information is first presented in a table format. After the table each ingredient type is discussed in more detail

	Clay	Yellow Pine	Recycled Newspapers	Whole Kernel Corn	Ground Wheat Kernels	Red Cedar Chips	Citrus Peel	Silica Gel
Clumping Variety	Y			Y	Y	Y
Dust Free	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Fragrance Free Variety	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Chemical Free Variety		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Flushable		Y	Y	Y	Y			Y
Biodegradable		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Compostable		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Clay Kitty Litter

The original kitty litter. There are clumping and non-clumping varieties manufactured under various brand names. Additives are used to improve odor control - including baking soda to absorb smells, fragrances to mask unpleasant scents, and antibacterial agents to kill odor-causing bacteria. While clay litter remains most cost effective and is easily accepted by cats, it does track and needs to be changed frequently.

Cost: Starting at $2 for 10 lbs

Brands: Tidy Cats, Fresh Step, many store brands

Yellow Pine Kitty Litter

The litter comes as pellets. The pellets are reduced to sawdust as they absorb the liquid waste. The litter does not need to be changed until all the pellets have been reduced to sawdust. The pellets require a special scoop to clean solid waste out of the litter box. The litter does have a pine smell like a lumber yard. Some users report great odor control while others think the odor control is nonexistent. Some cats may not like the smell and texture.

Cost: Around $10 for 20 lbs

Brands: Feline Pine (Money back guarantee); ExquisiCat (Money Back Guarantee)

Recycled Newspaper Kitty Litter

The litter comes as a tightly compressed pellets. When wet the pellets expand. To clean the wet spots you do have to also remove some of the dry pellets from the litter box. A scoop with large opening is needed to clean the solid waste out of the litter box. Many users do not think that this litter helps with the odor problem. But there are some who think it handles the odors very nicely. The main pros for the recycled newspaper is environmentally friendly, no dust, and virtually eliminates tracking.

Cost: Around $12 for 30 lbs.

Brands: Yesterday News (Money back guarantee)

Whole Kernel Corn Kitty Litter

The microporous surface of whole kernel corn provides a huge surface area that traps and absorbs cat urine odors. When wet the whole kernel corn creates firm clumps which stay together, making clean up quick and easy. World's Best states that a 17 lb bag will last more than 36 days for two cats.

Cost: Around $25 for 17 lbs.

Brands: LitterMaid; World's Best

Ground Wheat Kernel Kitty Litter

The enzymes in the wheat neutralize the odor in the cat urine. The starches in the wheat form firm clumps when exposed to cat urine making clean up quick and easy. Needs to be at least 4 inches deep to avoid having the clumps stick to the bottom of the litter box.

Cost: Around $9 for 14 lbs.

Brands: Swheat

Red Cedar Chips Kitty Litter

Cost: Around $7 for 14 lbs.

Brands: Fresh Step

Citrus Peel Kitty Litter

Made from dried citrus peels, stems and leaves. Has a light citrus scent. Quick absorption and reduced tracking.

Cost: Around $9 for 8 lbs.

Brands: Citra-Max

Silica Gel Kitty Litter

Made from silica dioxide sand, oxygen, and water. The granules come in spheres (pearls), half spheres, or crystal shapes. The granules contain tiny pores that absorb up to 40 times their weight in moisture. This is the most expensive of the kitty litter types but does not need to be changed as often as other types. Tidy Cats states that 8 lbs will last 60 days for one cat. Some users like the great absorbency while other users dislike the fact that it is hard to tell when the granules are at the end of their absorbency. When the absorbency is exhausted the next cat to use the litter tray will leave a urine puddle at the bottom of the pan. The spheres or pearls will roll all over if they get out of the litter box.

Cost: Around $15 for 8 lbs.

Brands: ExquisiCat Crystals; Tidy Cats Crystals

The brands of kitty litter mentioned above may be purchased at

Additional Topics

Choosing Kitty Litter What to consider when choosing kitty litter -- cost, dust & tracking, chemical free, fragrance free, flushable, environmentally safe. More =>

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