People can be picky about their own bathroom habits, so is it any surprise that cats will be picky about theirs? Choosing a kitty litter can be an important decision, since dissatisfaction with their litter can contribute to litter box-training problems that are difficult to correct. For best chances of pleasing your feline, make sure you know the information necessary to choose the right litter for her – and for you.

Traditional Kitty Litters

Most people are familiar with the traditional types of kitty litters: clumping and non-clumping. Are these litters obsolete now that there are so many alternative litters available? Not in the least! Just like the new-age varieties, traditional litters have their upsides and downsides. In general, most cats will be accepting of either of the traditional styles of litter, so the choice is entirely based on your preference.

Clumping Litter

Probably the most common litter used is clumping litter. The beauty of clumping litter is that rather than absorbing urine until the litter becomes saturated and smelly, the litter forms hard clumps around the urine. As a result, the litter box is easy to manage: just use a slotted scoop (available in pet stores) to remove clumps and feces, leaving the loose litter in the box for next time. As the level drops, just refill the box with fresh litter – no more struggling with bags and trashcans and heavy, smelly litter in order to change the box! The litter will naturally cycle out the old litter, staying fresh with little work on your part. Additionally, many clumping litters use baking soda or are otherwise chemically engineered to preserve freshness.

Despite its obvious advantages, clumping litter has several downsides. One downside is the dust. Every time you scoop or refill the litter box, an acrid dust will float free of the litter. A face mask or a bandana tied across the nose and mouth may be useful for those especially sensitive to litter box dust. Another downside is that the sand-like litter will get tracked out of the box on your cat’s paws; however, this is a downside to most litters, and can be remedied with a special mat or rug (available in pet stores) placed at the entrance to the litter box. Also, be aware that in rare instances clumping litter has been known to clump onto the cat’s genitals, causing medical problems. Be sure to check your pet occasionally and watch for abnormal bathroom habits. If your cat tends to squat right down to the litter, it may be best to avoid clumping litter entirely.