Cat Litter Guide

Litter trays existed before 1947; owners had simply lined them with sand, ashes, sawdust or torn newspaper. When Kay Draper a neighbour frustrated with her cat tracking ashes throughout the house, asked an entrepreneur named Edward Lowe who worked in his fathers company which sold industrial absorbents for some sand, he convinced her to try clay instead. So Lowe sent the neighbour home with a clay called ‘Fullers Earth’ (Fullers Earth is actually a catchall term for a chemically diverse set of absorbent clay minerals capable of absorbing their weight in water).

The neighbour loved it and soon would use nothing else in her litter tray. Her enthusiasm spurred Lowe on to start marketing it as Kitty Litter. First through pet stores and then by going to cat shows. As alternatives to Kitty Litter were available for next to nothing, Lowe began giving it away free of charge.

Eventually Kitty Litter became immensely popular and a new industry was born.

Litter Guide

There are several different kinds of litter available, the most popular types are:

1) Clay. Within this category there are two sub types. Non Clumping and Clumping.
a) Non Clumping: - is the oldest type of commercial cat litter. The clay minerals used are extruded into pellets and dried. They are very absorbent and help prevent cat urine odours. Fill litter tray 2-3cm deep, remove solid waste regularly between complete litter tray changes and add more litter each time. Change entire litter tray once a week (based on one adult cat).
b) Clumping: - is among the most popular, this is made from Bentonite. Bentonite clay clumps together when moist. Fill litter tray 6-7 cm deep, remove clumps and solids, add more as necessary to replace what you have removed. Empty entire tray once a month (based on one adult cat).

 2) Crystal Based/Silica Gel: - The main benefit is that it has the highest moisture absorbency and absorbs liquids almost instantly, reducing odours. Remove solid waste daily after it has dehydrated and stir crystals to extend life. This type of litter can be used for up to a month for one cat without changing the material.

3) Organic. These are made from renewable resources and recycled materials that would have otherwise gone to waste
a) Pine and Cedar Sawdust: - This litter is recycled from sawdust. It is kiln dried and compressed into pellets that absorb many times their weight in moisture before they break back down into sawdust. Because Pine naturally absorbs and neutralises Ammonia, odours are eliminated. This litter should be changed completely every 2-3 days (based on one adult cat).
b) Recycled Paper: - Litter in pellet form is available made from recycled paper. It is biodegradable, flushable, and burnable and almost dust free.
c) Plant Based Litters: - These include litters made from whole kernel corn, wheat bi-products, wheat grass, beet pulp, oat hulls and Kenaf. Litters such as whole kernel corn have all the advantages of clay – outstanding absorbency, good clumping, low tracking and great odour control.  Wheat husks are another organic waste product mixed with natural bonding ingredients. Clumps form but fall apart when scooped. They have good odour control and can be flushed. Kenaf plant is a plant related to cotton and hibiscus. This litter is said to be super absorbent, non-clumping, dust-free and biodegradable.

N.B. Different litters should be used in different ways – always follow the directions on the bag. After emptying your litter tray, clean with a mild detergent before re-filling.

If you want to try out or change litters any abrupt change in the type of litter used can make the cat anxious. Make changes gradually phasing in the new by mixing with the old. The change over should take about a week. If you have a kitten, remember to get a litter tray that a kitten can climb into and out of. Some litter trays have very high sides and a kitten would not be able to get in or out.

Toxoplasma gondii

You should always wash your hands after handling litter because of a parasite sometimes found in cat faeces. This parasite can cause Toxoplasmosis and pregnant women or persons with weak immune systems can be vulnerable. Anyone with concerns should visit the NHS direct website (see links).