It’s arguable that crystal litters are a better option because people are using less of it, and dumping it out less frequently – therefore, less of it ends up in landfills. They’re pricier than clay litters, so cat owners (especially those who own multiple cats) may find it a bit impractical for their budget. They also need daily stirring to keep the litter working as well as possible. Otherwise, urine can pool at the bottom and get really nasty.

But keep in mind that 8 lbs of silica litter by volume would look more like around 12-13 lbs of clay, plus it’s not necessary to use as much silica litter in the litter box (the box only needs to be 2 inches deep, vs. the recommended 3-4 inches with clay). Some of the best advantages to using crystal litters is they’re much lighter than clay, and they last a lot longer. You can easily fill a box with 4-6 lbs of silica gel litter, which means for most people, it’s relatively easy to dump out without help.Recycled paper cat litter: Those looking for a greener and more sustainable litter option may consider recycled paper litter, created from recycled newspapers. Recycled paper litter comes in granule or pellet form. Granule litter may be easier on your cat’s paws, while pellet litter tends to bring up less dust. Though good for the environment, recycled paper cat litter can be pricy.

Because the particles in these litters are typically larger, there’s very little dust that’s produced while handling and neither you nor your cat will really be able to inhale it. This is great for people or pets with asthma or allergies, as clay litters are notorious for being extremely dusty. Even if you have no respiratory issues, the dust is annoying to inhale. Are silica crystal litters a good environmentally friendly alternative?Activated Carbon for Ultimate Odour Control: Petsentials takes odour control to the next level by infusing this cat litter with activated carbon. Derived from natural sources, activated carbon possesses incredible porosity. Its micro-pores act as a natural sponge and filter, attracting, binding, and absorbing both liquids and undesirable odours. Using this type of litter is probably different from what you’re used to. Instead of scooping clumps out, you only need to scoop out the poop. But unlike other non-clumping litters, the urine is actually absorbed by the litter, so you don’t have to change it out very frequently. You’ll know when its time to replace the crystals when one or some of these things start to happen: If you examine the cost per pound of silica gel litters vs clay (both clumping and non-clumping versions) it appears significantly more expensive. Silica gel vs Clay litter cost breakdown (per pound) Cat Litter

That depends on your cat’s preference. The following are the four most common types. Dr. Sara Ochoa of Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital in Texas recommends a low-dust variety. “The dusty litter can cause your cat to have upper respiratory issues,” she says. Fresh Step Crystals or the famous health monitoring Pretty Litter are examples of litter made out of this material. Clumping vs. non-clumping silica litter When using a cat litter made of silica gel, you want to make sure you fill it high enough that your cat’s urine (or at least most of it) doesn’t reach the bottom of the pan, otherwise, it won’t be absorbed as effectively.Advanced Clumping Technology: Crafted from high-quality Bentonite clay, a naturally occurring substance with a remarkable liquid absorption capacity, this cat litter is designed to provide superior performance. It can absorb liquids up to 3 times its own weight, ensuring a dry and comfortable litter box. Typically crystal (silica) cat litters are non-clumping litters, but certain varieties have additives that give them the ability to clump. In general, the clumping silica litters don’t work as well as non-clumping versions. Is silica gel litter safe for cats? Instead of adding fresh litter, you’ll need to rake through the litter box a few times with the cat litter scooper each day. This helps keep the litter properly aerated so it can evaporate and do its job – otherwise, it won’t work as it should. If you don’t stir it up, some spots will become oversaturated, especially if your cat likes to pee in the same spot in the litter box (like mine does). Step 4: When crystals wear out, dump out the litter box entirely and start with a fresh batch Many cat litter manufacturers recommend two to three inches. If your cat tends to dig deeper or make a mess, consider three to four inches instead. How Do You Keep a Litter Box Clean? Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned.