What type of litter should kittens use

Clay litter is available in both clumping and non-clumping varieties. Clumping clay cat litter is highly absorbent, quickest to absorb moisture, most economical and can be buried in the garden. Non-clumping clay litter can help stop tracking while being absorbent and economical.

Natural litter can be made of corn, wheat or pine. Grain-based litters are fully biodegradable with long-lasting odour control. Pine litters are made from percent sustainable wood sources and made of wood shavings compressed into pellets. This type of cat litter is super-absorbent and biodegradable with great odour control. Some natural litter options are flushable, making them a great option for people living in apartments.

Crystal litter is made from percent silica crystals and is non-clumping. It is long-lasting, lightweight, non-toxic and very absorbent. Find out more about the benefits of crystal litter here. Paper litter is made of recycled waste paper that has been made into pellets or granules. It is chemical-free, ultra-absorbent and suitable for composting. A great option is to leave a litter box with the original litter around until you know your kitten is comfortable with using the new litter type.

These compounds are considered inert and safe for cats, even if they are ingested in small amounts. The potential problem with kittens and clumping litter is that, by nature, these litters expand when they come into contact with liquids. Therefore, kittens that ingest a fair amount of litter may potentially develop an intestinal blockage if the litter expands enough in the stomach or small intestine that it can't move through.

This would be more of a concern in young kittens than older ones or adults for the following reasons:. There really haven't been many verified cases of kittens becoming obstructed by clumping litter.

However, when it comes to babies of all species, "better safe than sorry" is usually a good attitude to take. Most experts recommend that kittens younger than four months of age be given clay or crystal litter. These types of litter have larger granules that are harder to ingest, and they don't stick to a cat's paws, decreasing the likelihood that much will be ingested during regular grooming activities.

Even natural clumping litters may be dangerous because it's their clumping nature rather than their ingredients that cause the risk. When it's time to switch to clumping litter when your cat is older, do so very gradually. Start by mixing just a small amount of the new litter in with the old. Take about three to four weeks to completely change over, so your cat doesn't develop a litter aversion.

It's interesting to note that there is another group of pets that might be susceptible to developing intestinal blockages from clumping cat litters, and that is small dogs.

In case your curious kitten inhales — or accidentally eats — the litter inside their box, you'll want to opt for a substance that's as safe as you can get. In other words, one that's made from a non-toxic source. Which you choose will come down to your personal preference, though there are some high-level differences.

Paper litter is known to be super soft on paws. Pine or wood-based pellets are low-dust and easy to scoop. Coconut litter may be the most expensive of the group but it's also very lightweight and absorbent , which means you can use much less to cover your litter box needs.

Similarly, clay-based litters for kittens are also lightweight, but in order to ensure they're safe for your fur baby, you'll want to look for the traditional non-clumping kind that's made of larger particles that won't stick to soft fur and are much harder for them to eat. In terms of odor control, you'll find the best formulas for kittens are mostly unscented. If you prefer to have extra protection against smells, though, you can look for odor-absorbing additives like baking soda or fragrance.

There are few things in life that can bring the same joy that a playful kitten can, and keeping them happy with the best cat litter will set you both up for a peaceful co-existence. Learn more about four great options from Amazon below! We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team. The recycled paper pellets in Yesterday's News litter is highly absorbent, lightweight, and gentle on tiny paws, so kittens can move them around easily as they dig.

The paper litter is Veterinarian-recommended, this pick is fragrance-free and won't harm furry friends if swallowed. The reviews on odor control are mixed, but with more than five-star ratings, most pet owners still love this eco-friendly, clay alternative.