Cat Litter Reviews and Buying Guide:

One thing that all cat lovers can agree upon and that is that litter boxes can stink. Choosing the right kitty litter (also called cat litter) can really cut down on the stench of both urine and feces until you have had time to clean out the box. Even the automatic (self-cleaning) litter boxes can have odors and smells that are tough to get rid of. Cat litter is certainly an improved product versus 10 years ago, but there is no true winner in terms of a brand that fights all odors and leaves your house smelling clean. There are 3 main types of cat litter these days - clumping clay litter, crystal cat litter, and the biodegradable organic cat litter. All varieties can be efficient at cutting down odors and making life easier on you if you own a cat. There is even a specific kitty litter for small kittens to learn how to use a litter box in the first place. With millions of cat owners in the United States alone, the market for kitty litter is certainly not going away unless somehow we can all train our precious little kitties to use the toilet.

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Reports show that almost 90% of all cat litter bought in the US is clay based although the numbers are growing rapidly for the biodegradable varieties. There are 2 types of clay cat litters, the coarse non-clumping variety and the clumping clay that is fine textured. The new varieties of organic and biodegradable kitty litters include soy beans, wood chips, corn, silica, and even wood stove pellets. You want absorbent cat litter that clumps well and is easy to scoop. Also, cat litter that controls odors is a must. Cost is another thing to consider with a wide range - Feline Pine goes for $12 (20 pound bag) while World's Best Cat Litter is very expensive at $40 (34 pound bag). Cat experts and owners seem to agree that Feline Pine compared to other brands on a dollar per dollar basis outshines them all. There are certain times you may use another brand - say for kittens or pregnant females. Back to biodegradable versus the clay litters. As advertisers become aware that environmentally sound products sell fairly well in call categories, the new biodegradable kitty litters are marketed to those wanting to help the environment. The organic cat litters can be used as compost or even flushed down a toilet which is not true for the clay cat litters. The top brands in kitty litter are Nature's Choice, World's Best, Tidy Cats, Scoop Away, Arm & Hammer, Fresh Step, Booda, Pet Gold, Swheat, and Dr. Elsey's. There are dozens of reviews online for cat litter although very few are scientific in nature. We have been waiting for Consumer Reports to publish some kind of report on kitty litter but they have yet to research it. In the mean time, you can find great reviews on About.com, Showcatsonline.com, Gomestic.com, and owner feedback on sites like Amazon.com. Pregnant women should not handle the kitty litter in the litter box since cat feces carry a virus that could harm the fetus. RECOMMENDED - We suggest shopping online at Amazon.com if you are looking to buy cat litter. They carry all the major brand names and usually have the lowest prices available. You can view their top selling cat litter here.

Best Cat Litter:

Nature's Choice Feline Pine ($12/bag) is the top rated cat litter based on surveys of cat owners. Most mention they like the fact that it is biodegradable and made from pine lumber pellets. Cats on the other hand may prefer a clumping cat litter compared to Feline Pine which doesn't. The instructions say to only use about 1 inch of the product in the litter box. For the price it's a great deal, but getting your cats to use it is not easy. Cats are creatures of habit and they do prefer the clay litter because of the texture but if you start the kittens at a young age there is a good chance they will accept it. One drawback to the Feline Pine for owners is that it doesn't clean up so easily since due to lack of clumping. World's Best Cat Litter ($40/bag) had its good points too. The litter is made from whole-kernel corn and will clump even with urine. It's biodegradable like Feline Pine but at the cost is too much for most of us. You can buy these cat litter products in your local pet store or online at Petco.com and Amazon.com.

Cat Litter for Pregnant Females:

Pregnant female cats should use wood stove pellets or something similar in the weeks before they are due to give birth to their kittens. Experts say you should never use a clumping clay litter when your female cat is pregnant. The problems arise when the kittens are born since they may get covered with the litter and potentially suffocate if their mouth becomes full. Showcatsonline.com recommends that people with pregnant female cats use wood stove pellets or something similar - "from fir and not pine trees".

Cat Litter for Kittens:

Cat litter for kittens needs to have 2 key features - it should be made with large enough particle so they can't ingest it and the litter should have a scent that attracts them to learning how to use the litter box. Dr. Elsey's Kitten Litter ($13 for 20lb bag) is recommended by veterinarians, cat lovers, and feline experts. This training litter for kittens has great results based on online feedback we read. It's 99% dust free, has superior odor control, and attracts the new kittens to the litter box to do their "duty". Preciouscat.com recommends that you switch over to Cat Attract when the kittens are 1 year old.

Cat Litter Coupon:

We found plenty of sites that offer cat litter coupons. You need to go to the official websites like Tidycats.com, Armhammerpets.com, Freshstep.com, and Naturesearth.com. Feline Pine was the best deal we could find with a "free bag rebate" for new users. You can print out the coupon online and take it into a store. The Internet has definitely helped brands market their products by offering printable coupons and discounts for customers to get access to 24 hours a day.

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