Skip to content 
If you are a cat’s frenzied, you can agree with me that taking care of cats can be overwhelming and time-consuming.
Most homeowners fear the risk of investing a lot of money in basic needs in a cat’s household.
As a matter of fact, you have to purchase cat litter which makes disposing of cat waste easy and less messy with litter tracking.
But the market is currently flocking with different types and brands of cat litter.
The two most common types are clumping and non-clumping cat litter.
To help you discern between these two, this article covers their major differences, pros, cons, and risks.
Different types of Cat Litters
There are four main types of cat litters that you can come across in the market today.
These are the clumping, non-clumping, Natural or Biodegradable Cat litters, and Crystal Cat litters.
In this case, I’m only going to discuss the first two which are clumping and non-clumping cat litters.
Clumping and non-clumping cat litters are made from a special type of clay that has been used since the first cat litter hit the market.
The only existing difference between the clumping and non-clumping cat litters is the fact that the clumping cat litters have an extra ingredient known as bentonite.
This is what makes liquid wastes absorb quickly and turn into clumps.
This is actually where the name clumping litters come from.
The biggest advantage of clumping litter is that it can easily be scooped from the litter box which leaves it fresh and clean.
This is the same reason why clumping cat litter has been very popular with cat owners.
But remember it’s the same clumping effect that has potential health risks to your cat.
Clumping cat litter
As explained earlier, clumping cat litter has its own shares of benefits.
It causes clumps with the liquid wastes which is very easy to scoop off the box.
They also contain sodium bentonite which binds with the moisture to form the clumps.
It’s also very effective in controlling odor.
But when it clumps, you might have to replace the litter entirely.
The clumping cat litter stays clean and fresh.
Unlike other types of cat litter, this one will be the best for a house with more than one cat.
You might also have to clean or completely replace your best cat litter once in every two weeks or at least twice every month.
The downside of the clumping cat litter holds more weight.
These types of cat litters cost more than non-clumping cat litters.
They also raise more dust than the non-clumping litters.
The dust produced in this case means that it can cause health issues.
Silica dust is considered a possible carcinogen when inhaled.
The clumping cat litter should not be used for kittens mainly because of the dust.
Kittens may also lick the litter from the paws and swallow it which can eventually swell in their intestines and cause blockages.
Non-clumping cat litter
Non-clumping cat litter is the number one go-to cat litters especially because of its priceless benefits.
They are the best alternatives for risky clumping and other types of cat litters.
The main reason why most cat owners choose the non-clumping cat litter is because of the health risks associated with the other types.
The non-clumping cat litter is made using zeolite, diatomite, and sepiolite which means different types of earth and absorbent materials that are generally very safe for cats and humans.
In this case, the urine doesn’t form into clumps and it doesn’t cause any type of blockages and swelling.
This reason is enough to explain why most cat owners have started using non-clumping cat litters.
Another benefit of non-clumping cat litter is the fact that they are cheap and very effective in containing cat waste.
Disadvantages of using non-clumping cat litter
Besides all the above benefits, the non-clumping cat litter has its own share of disadvantages.
The main con is the regular cleaning of the litter.
Unlike the clumping cat litter that is easy to scoop, the cat owner will be forced to clean the litter box more often to reduce the odor and keep the room clean and fresh.
You might have to clean the litter box two times a day.
The cat litter soaks in the clay which means that it will eventually be saturated.
In this case, you might have to replace the cat litter entirely.
The box will still need to be replaced and new and fresh litter introduced.
FAQs
Is Clumping or non-clumping litter better?
Most people go with the clumping litter because it absorbs more waste.
The clumping litter traps more odor.
This means that each of them has its own benefits.
If you go with the non-clumping litter, then you must be ready to change it at least once every week.
The clumping litter might not require you to change more often.
Why do shelters use non-clumping litter?
The reason why shelters use non-clumping litter is that the urine doesn’t form into clumps but remember it will be absorbed by the clay.
Consequently, there are zero risks of blockages or swelling.
This alone explains why more households and shelters with more than one cat will go for non-clumping litters.
Is clumping litter Bad for the cats?
Most of the clumping litters out there contain risky amounts of silica dust.
This has been linked to respiratory issues in humans and cats.
The chemicals used can be fatal for use in small houses.
This alone explains why some owners might not go with the clumping litter.
Choosing the best cat litter for your feline friends and discerning between non-clumping and clumping cat litter can be overwhelming.
However, I’ve shared some important information that might help you in decision-making.
Recently, clumping cat litters have become very popular for their ease of cleaning.
But remember they can cause blockage and pose respiratory health risks.
On the other hand, non-clumping cat litters are hard to clean and need replacements more often.
