What is your opinion on the type of kitty litter to use?

@tinym8 (420)
United States
June 5, 2010 7:57am CST
My friend is getting her first cat and is confused by all the kitty litter choices. When I had my cats there were only a few choices...now there are dozens! I know most cats are very picky about their litter box. Which litter do you use (the type not just the brand) and why did you choose that particular one?
4 responses
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
5 Jun 10
depend on the age of the cat she's adopting very young kittens shouldn't have clumping litter, they might eat it, but anything after 8 weeks shouldn't be doing that
@tinym8 (420)
• United States
5 Jun 10
Thank you for your reply, ElicBxn. I'll let her know about your warning not to use clumping litter for kittens under 8 weeks. I know it's not good to take kittens from their mom too early. I don't think she'll get one much younger than that age anyway. Mine were all about 7 or 8 weeks old when I got them. Do you still have cats?
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
5 Jun 10
do I have cats?... boy DO I have cats! http://tldkeepers.blogspot.com/
@tinym8 (420)
• United States
6 Jun 10
Wow! You sure DO have cats!!! I enjoyed looking at your blog. It is so funny that one of your cats insists on ice cubes in his water in the summer! One of my cats (who's name was also Flower because she was black and white and had a white stripe up her back like the skunk in Bambi)used to play "fetch" with me with bobby pins. I dropped a bobby pin on the floor one day and it bounced over in front of Flower and she delicately picked it up in her teeth and brought it back. That's how many years of playing fetch with her began! She loved it. I really miss her. I also had two cats who were sisters, Pumpkin (orange and white short hair) and Bandit (long haired calico)with a patch of black band around her eyes.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57727)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Jun 10
Over the years I've used several different brands. And, its okay to pick and chose carefully. Sometimes you have to try various types and brands until you find what's right for you. My family made the choice for me when I was growing up, but I don't remember the brand. However, I can tell you almost all cat litter brands are clay-based and some are more 'powdery then others which can be anoying when it comes to cleaning and pooring litter. To make clean up easy, try a clumping brand. Though you'll still have to scoop it out everyday. There are various kinds out there. But, one thing that is good, is arm and hammer baking soda. They make a brand spsiffically for the litter box and its usually used with whatever litter choice you use. This stuff makes cleaning the litter box a breeze when it comes to changing out the litter. It kills orders and helps keep things a little less toxic.
@tinym8 (420)
• United States
6 Jun 10
Thanks for your suggestions, kaylachan. I appreciate seeing your ideas. I'm sure she will try a few litters before deciding on what she and the cat like best. I'm sure the cat will make the final decision as they often do. : )
@savypat (20216)
• United States
5 Jun 10
I use teh clumpint type for my own convience. My cats have never liked the so called natural ones, like paper or alfalfa pellets.
@tinym8 (420)
• United States
5 Jun 10
Thank you for your reply, Savypat, I'll tell her your opinion. She is planning to get her kitty sometime in June.
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
5 Jun 10
Everyone has their own opinion about products they like. When it comes to cat litter, I use regular and mix in some clumping litter. I found that clumping litter helps keep the litter box cleaner in terms of removing the urine, so the litter box basically stays fresh. Clumping litter is also more expensive than regular litter. Our favorite litter is Fresh Step. If you mix it with a generic regular litter, it works just as well. Use more regular litter and add the clumping litter so that you can scoop out the urine.
@tinym8 (420)
• United States
6 Jun 10
Thanks, tomcat23. That's a great idea to mix a little clumping litter in with the regular litter so you don't spend as much. I remember my cousin used Fresh Step for her cats several years ago. Thank you for adding your advice.