Choosing the best litter for your cat: our advice

A litter that doesn't stick to your paws, is effective against odors, is healthy and eco-friendly. Finding the ideal litter for your cat is not easy. In this article, we give you some tips so that you can choose the litter that is best suited for your cat (and for you).

The importance of choosing a good litter for your cat

As cute as they are, cats are delicate and particularly demanding little beings. In terms of their diet: they need a complete and balanced diet , providing them with all the nutrients essential to their health. But their requirements do not stop at the bowl. They are also particularly sensitive to their litter box .

For their well-being

Our felines are indeed very attached to their hygiene. They spend their time licking themselves, even after a little caress. And when it comes time to do their business (big or small), they expect to have a toilet worthy of their pedigree, which is at the same time clean, comfortable for their paws and pleasant for their nose. Otherwise, they risk doing their business outside the litter box, or even holding it. Which can be dangerous for their health.

And their health

Our cats are prone to developing urinary disorders , such as cystitis , a feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). This is an inflammation of the bladder, causing pain and difficulty urinating.

There are many causes of cystitis: congenital malformation, kidney stones, tumor, infection. However, it happens (and in the majority) that the origin of cystitis is not precisely identified. In this case, we speak of feline idiopathic cystitis. The mechanisms of this cystitis are still poorly understood but it seems that it can be linked to stress: moving, arrival of a new animal or a child, transport, etc. Stress that can also be caused by the litter box!

Important: If your cat has a urinary disorder, contact your veterinarian immediately.

To prevent and avoid recurrences, it is advisable to:

• Favor a wet diet . Rich in water, it allows you to obtain more diluted (or less concentrated) urine and therefore avoid urinary problems;
• Increase the number of water points;
• Use appeasing pheromones;
• Provide high structures for the cat to play and rest.
• Spend more time with your cat;
• And of course, provide clean and suitable litter.

Using good litter for your cat is therefore important. It contributes to well-being and the prevention of urinary disorders!

But as a master, let's not forget our own well-being either. We can also suffer plenty of inconveniences. Some litters do not absorb odors (long live the gas mask), stick to the cat's paws which then disperse them throughout the house. Playing Tom Thumb with the vacuum cleaner, no thanks.

The litter box should satisfy both parties, namely the cat and the owner.

What type of litter should you choose for your cat?

There are a plethora of litters: plant-based, mineral, clumping, non-clumping, silica, scented, etc. It's not easy to make a choice. To see things a little more clearly, let's review the different solutions available. Follow the guide!

Mineral litter

Its origin dates back to the 1950s. It was the very first litter to be marketed! In the form of small pebbles of varying sizes, it is composed of clay minerals (natural or synthetic) or sand. Among the clays used, we find bentonite (sometimes activated with sodium to increase its absorption power), calcium silicate (naturally white litter), kaolinite, attapulgite and illite (green clay).

There are two types of mineral litter: clumping and non-clumping.

What is clumping litter?

This is a litter whose grains clump together when they come into contact with urine. When the cat pees, compact balls form. This is very practical for removing droppings and liquid waste with a shovel. No need to replace the entire contents of the tray. One small problem: it can stick to the cat's paws! Non-clumping litters do not clump together urine.

Whatever its property, mineral litter has a high absorbency but does not retain much of the unpleasant smells of the cat. It is also very dusty. We do not recommend it if your cat and/or you have respiratory problems.

Another black point: mineral litters have a strong environmental impact. They consume non-renewable resources (clay extracted from quarries), are not recyclable and biodegradable. Once soiled, they can only be thrown in household waste.

The dust and ashes generated during and after their incineration are a source of pollution. They may also contain chemicals (fungicide or pesticide treatment). This is the case for certain bleached or perfumed litters.

No need to purr in the litter box!

The advantages of mineral litter:

• Its absorbent power
• Its texture
• Its price

Disadvantages of mineral litter:

• Dusty
• An environmental impact
• Not very effective against odors

Silica litter

This is a mineral litter. Presented in the form of transparent and blue crystals, this litter is composed of silica gel, formed from a mixture of sodium silicate (obtained from sand) and sulfuric acid.

Its main advantage is its high absorption power. The crystals effectively absorb cat urine and especially odors (urine and excrement). Our nostrils appreciate it.

Other advantages: it is easy to maintain. A quick shovel to remove solid waste from the bin, and that's it. It does not stick to the cat's paws and produces little dust.

On the other hand, it is very non-clumping (if at all). The urine is simply trapped in the crystals. It is therefore difficult to easily remove the soiled areas. The only possibility: completely clean the contents of the litter box.

Although some manufacturers claim that you can change your cat's litter once a month, it's best to do it regularly. Although the crystals appear dry, they will be soaked in urine. And every time your cat goes into the litter box, they will scratch their pee. Great for kitty!

Some cats may also not like the texture since the “pebbles” are quite large. Of course, there are very fine grain litters, but they are still quite hard for our cats’ delicate little paws.

Silica litters, far from being ecological

Finally, the environmental impact of this type of litter is no less.

As mentioned above, silica gel is formed from a mixture of sodium silicate (obtained from sand) and sulfuric acid. Sand is a non-renewable resource, and its extraction (now mainly maritime) can cause two major problems: coastal erosion and the destruction of ecosystems. When a boat “sucks up” the sand, it creates eddies that darken the water, which damages the underwater flora. To this impact must also be added that of transport. These litters are mostly manufactured on the other side of the world, very often in China.

A manufacturing process that therefore has a cost for the planet. But let's not forget their equally devastating end of life: used, silica litter ends up in household waste. They are neither recyclable nor biodegradable. They are incinerated.

Is silica litter harmful to health?

This is a question that many cat owners ask themselves. According to the magazine 60 millions de consommateurs, silica litter in the form of quartz presents few health risks: “Handling this litter can lead to levels of exposure to crystalline silica reaching 0.107 µg/m3 over a day. This is a thousand times less than the occupational exposure limit value, currently set at 0.1 mg/m3 in France.”

The benefits of silica litter

• Effective anti-odor
• Sticks little to the legs

The disadvantages:

• A thorough and regular cleaning of the litter box
• Not very eco-friendly
• A high price

Plant litter

This is a litter made from natural ingredients. It can be made from hemp, wood, corn cob or even fir.

100% natural, this litter has many advantages: in addition to being ecological (biodegradable and compostable), it is absorbent and retains unpleasant odors well. In addition, its texture is particularly appreciated by cats, much softer on the paws than that of other types of litter. Its smell is natural, and it has the advantage of releasing very little dust.

Some are clumping and others are not. If you choose clumping, be aware that they are made up of a glue that removes the natural, recyclable and compostable aspect of the litter.

Unlike other types of litter, plant-based litter has a very low environmental impact. The raw materials used are revalued, they are not specifically produced. The litter is made up of by-products of the wood industry, corn cobs are unfit for consumption.

They are mostly manufactured in Europe (France and Germany). The environmental impact related to transport is therefore reduced. In addition, they are biodegradable and compostable. It is entirely possible to compost them!

Be careful, however, with excrement, which may contain very resistant forms of parasites such as toxoplasma gondii oocysts (parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis). In all cases (with or without droppings), do not use compost containing litter for plants intended for consumption, namely your vegetable garden.

What type of plant litter should you choose for your cat?

There are different types of plant-based litters. Some are fiber-based and others are pellet-based. They are all absorbent, but the fibers tend to stick to your cat's paws. They are very light and can also get stuck in your cat's fur. If you have a Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, or British Longhair, you may have them all over your house. Pellets are a better option.

Among the different components, the best option is wood: it retains odors perfectly.

Whatever solution you choose, choose a litter labeled NF Environnement. This certification guarantees that the products are of quality and that they respect the environment throughout their life cycle.

Ziggy's (Happy) Cat Litter

At Ziggy, we have chosen a plant-based litter non-clumping but ultra-absorbent (up to 600%), based on crushed softwood pellets. No problem with litter sticking to the cat's paws or hair!

And like all our products, it is French. A plant-based litter is no longer really ecological if it is manufactured on the other side of the world, right? And to top it all off, Ziggy litter is NF Environnement certified.