Rating TOP 5 best clumping cat litter: reviews, prices

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Fresh Step Crystals

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Smart Cat

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N1 Crystals

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Since time immemorial, cats have lived in human homes. In the old days, cats relieved themselves outdoors. Later, toilets for cats appeared in homes. Since natural instinct makes cats bury themselves, hygienic litters were invented. The first fillers were sand and sawdust, later their modern analogues appeared.

When a cat appears in the house, the owners are faced with the question: how to arrange a toilet for the new family member. The toilet should be comfortable for the cat, retain unpleasant odors, and be environmentally friendly. The best solution to this issue is to purchase a tray and filler for it.

How to choose the right filler

The correct choice of filler is the key to harmonious and happy coexistence between pet and owner. If chosen incorrectly, the cat may ignore the litter box and do its business in the wrong place. Some cats are picky. If they are accustomed to one type of filler, they will refuse to go to another. When choosing for a small kitten, you need to consider the safety of the filling, since kittens sometimes chew on granules and can swallow them. The safest and best option for a kitten are pellets made from natural materials: sawdust, corn, paper. For a cat taken from the street and accustomed to relieve itself in sand or soil, it is more difficult to choose a litter. In this case, it is advisable to give her a choice of two trays with different contents.

Clumping fillers are very convenient. When urine gets in, it forms a lump that can be thrown away. This filling sticks less to the paws and spreads around the apartment. The price of such products is higher, but there are also more advantages.

Which litter is best for kittens?

Owners are accustomed to the fact that kitten food is specially labeled, but such information is not indicated on the filler packaging. However, not every cat litter is suitable for kittens and adolescents, due to physiological and mental characteristics.

Fillers are classified according to the following principles:

1. By composition. A distinction is made between hard and clayey mineral materials. Sawdust, cereal granules, and silica gel can also be used as components.
2. By absorbency. Clumping litter is more economical and convenient, since there is no need to replace it every day; it is enough to remove the formed lumps as needed.
3. By granule size. Not only from different manufacturers, but even within the same line, compositions with large, medium and small granules can be found. For a small kitten, it is better to choose finely granulated products, because large pebbles can injure the delicate paw pads, and the baby will avoid the tray.

Let's consider which filler to choose for a kitten, weighing the pros and cons.

Types of cat litter

1. Wooden (wooden). Made from sawdust and wood shavings. It looks like granules about 1-2 centimeters in size. It is one of the cheapest and most environmentally friendly. Hypoallergenic and safe, it will not harm if the kitten swallows the granules. The wood smells nice. When using wood filler, the toilet can not be changed for about a week; it retains the smell of urine well. Can be flushed down the toilet. Wood filler can be recommended to the happy owners of a small kitten.
2. Corn. Like wood, it is safe for kittens and adult animals. It is often used by rabbit and guinea pig owners. It is natural and holds odors well. Soft and pleasant for cat's paws. Suitable for allergy sufferers, both humans and cats. The disadvantages of corn filler include the fact that when buried, it scatters a lot around the tray, since it is very light.
3. Clay. Otherwise called bentonite. This type of filler is made from bentonite. Its main advantages are price and availability. Clay filler can be bought cheaply at any supermarket. It can be poured under the grate in a tray with a grate to retain the smell. The main disadvantage of clay litter is the dust that the cat carries around the apartment on its paws. You cannot throw it down the toilet, only in the trash can.
4. Mineral. Consists of porous minerals. It can be flavored. Many cats like this type of mound; it is small and pleasant to dig. An ideal solution for cat owners who have picked up an animal from the street. The clumping version of the mineral filler is very convenient; it generates less dust and spreads around the house. After the cat goes to the toilet, the lump is thrown into the trash.
5. Silica gel. The most modern and expensive type of filling. Looks like small white or colored gel balls. Made from dried silicic acid gel. The most economical type of filler to use, you need to change it in the tray every two to three weeks. Not all cats like silica gel. Since it hisses when it gets wet and rustles loudly, some animals are afraid to step on it. Some cats are amused by this feature, and they enjoy using such a tray. When using silica gel, owners must ensure that the cat does not grab or swallow it. Silica gel is one of the most expensive fillers, this is its drawback.
6. Paper. Otherwise called cellulose. Made from recycled paper products. It comes in both white and colored. When moisture gets in, the granules become soggy and turn into a lump. The smell doesn't hold very well. Advantages: does not stick to the cat’s paws, can be disposed of in the sewer.
7. Herbal. Made from grass clippings, crushed and compressed. It often clumps, so it doesn’t get pulled around the apartment. Environmentally friendly, has a pleasant grassy smell. Does not contain flavorings or chemical additives. Can be used on rodents as it is safe to swallow. The downside is that the grass does not hold the smell of cat feces well.

It is better to choose wood filler made from coniferous wood, such as pine. Hardwood pellets do not retain odor well.

Top brands and manufacturers

Since the first cat litters appeared on store shelves, many manufacturers from different countries have picked up the profitable baton. It is, of course, difficult to understand them. But for every seller there is always a buyer.

If you are the owner of a cat miracle, then one way or another you have to visit pet stores and purchase the necessary goods for your pet. Which manufacturers should you pay attention to?

Domestic

• "Clean paws" . The brand first appeared on the Russian market in 1996 with clumping filler based on Indian bentonite clay. “Magic” granules have since gained one of the leading positions among domestic consumers. Currently, silica gel, mineral, wood and clay fillers are sold under this brand.
• "Barsik". The owner of the trademark is, which began its activities in the Krasnodar region and the North Caucasus since 1991. The first hygienic litter for cats appeared in 1998 and is still popular among Russians. In the last 10 years, it has been ranked first as the most popular and popular brand. Production does not stand still; the range of fillers includes 11 types.
• LLC "Leading" The company sells clumping fillers based on bentonite clay, natural wood fibers, as well as absorbent silica gel under its own brands: Pi-Pi-Bent , “Kotyara” , and “SiSiKat” , which annually become diploma winners and laureates of the all-Russian competition “100 Best Products of Russia” "
• In 1991, Ecosoft company the Murzik brand. Ten years later, she was already producing 11 types of different cat litters. Currently, the product line includes more than 20 varieties of cat granules. The main emphasis is on silica gel and zeolite (volcanic mineral), which most effectively absorb moisture and odors.

American

• Ever Clea. Motto. This is a world-class brand that combats unpleasant cat waste odors. He is trusted by millions of people on Earth.
• Cat's Choice. This brand has a large number of lines of cheap products made from bentonite clay with various impurities and wood waste.
• Fresh Step. This is a trademark of The Clorox Company, which began producing its products back in 1984. They specialize in silica gel fillers, but also include clumping types made from red cedar wood. The main rule of the company is that cats and a clean-smelling house can coexist.
• Catsan . This is a brand of the largest US company, Mars Incorporated, it has existed for more than a hundred years, although fillers have been produced relatively recently, a little over twenty years. Its subsidiaries are located in 50 countries around the world, so production is on a large scale. The special formula and natural ingredients for the granules (quartz sand, chalk and mineral additives) have won the love and appreciation of many cat owners around the world due to their high odor-blocking properties.

German

• Cats Best. The brand has been around since 1878 and specializes in pet products. High-quality coniferous wood fibers are used for fillers, the distinctive feature of which is easy disposal - you can simply flush it down the toilet. Please note that it is fibers, not sawdust, that are used to produce pellets, so they do not “trample down” so quickly and do not carry as much debris.

The Best Silica Gel Cat Litters

Fresh Step Crystals

Fresh Step Crystals is an antibacterial silica gel filler made in the USA. A specially developed formula can prevent the unpleasant odor of cat urine. It looks like small crumbly granules of white, blue and dark blue colors. To use, pour 5-7 cm into a tray with high sides. Solid cat waste is discarded with a scoop. For uniform distribution, you need to stir the contents several times a day. It has excellent reviews and ranks first in online ratings.

Advantages:

• Clumping.
• Very economical. The package will last for 20 – 30 days.
• Excellent retention of excrement odor.
• The sea smells nice.

Flaws:

The only drawback of Fresh Step Crystals filler is its high price. Otherwise, the filler has excellent reviews from cat owners all over the world.

Smart Cat

High quality silica gel filler. Made in China. Available in four flavors: orange, apple, lavender and fragrance-free. This variety allows you to choose the option that suits you and your cat.

To use, pour about 4-6 cm of silica gel into a tray with high sides. After the cat goes to the toilet, collect solid waste with a scoop and throw it in the trash. This type of filler cannot be disposed of in the sewer system.

Advantages:

• Doesn't spread around the house. Will provide clean floors and sofas in your apartment.
• Very economical to use. A pack will easily last for a month if there is only one cat in the house.
• The price is more economical than Fresh Stepa.
• Smells nice.

Flaws:

• There is no way to throw it down the toilet.
• Quite a high cost.

N1 Crystals

They are premium fillers. Produced in Russia. Available in several versions: blue, green, purple, pink, lavender, sakura, antibacterial, for kittens. Such a wide range allows you to choose the appropriate litter for each cat. Antibacterial N1 retains the odor better. The granules are smooth, round, about 3-4 mm in size. According to reviews online, cats love N1 Crystals.

Mode of application:

Pour 3 cm of filler into the tray in an even layer. Periodically you need to stir the contents.

Advantages:

• Relatively inexpensive.
• Holds the smell well.
• Looks beautiful.
• Economical. A pack is enough for a month of use.

Flaws:

• Cannot be disposed of in the sewer.
• Colored granules color the tray.

Cat Step

Inexpensive domestic cat litter. It comes in both scented and unscented. The granules are small, their color is white, red or blue. According to reviews, the odor does not hold well. Instead of the stated month of use, the pack lasts for 2 weeks. The packaging is blue with a red cat, made of dense polyethylene. The manufacturer offers three packaging options: 3.8, 7.6 and 15.2 liters.

When using Cat Step, 3–4 cm of granules are poured into a high tray. Waste is not flushed down the toilet, but thrown into the trash.

Advantages:

• Does not generate dust and does not spread on the paws.
• Beautiful.
• Many cats like small kibble.
• Low price.

Flaws:

• When used, an unpleasant odor quickly appears.
• There is no way to throw it in the toilet.

Which litter tray holds odor better?

Among inexpensive cat litter models, a closed litter box holds odor best. In addition, it prevents litter from scattering and provides privacy, which almost all cats like. Such a toilet is the only suitable solution for those animals that have a habit of doing their business bypassing the tray.

Pet stores offer regular and corner tray houses with and without a door. Toilets with a door are better at trapping odors, but may be frightening to an animal accustomed to an open litter box.

Cat toilets with a carbon filter provide excellent protection against unpleasant odors. Some models are even equipped with a fan that blows unpleasant-smelling air directly onto the filter. However, such a dry closet has a high cost and quite large dimensions. In addition, the carbon filter has to be changed every 5-6 months.

Another option for an odorless litter box is a cat litter box with an automatic cleaning function. This tray is a high-tech device with a mechanism for sifting and collecting contaminated filler.

There are automatic toilets that are connected to sewerage and water supply. Such models do not require replacement of the sorbent; they wash and clean themselves after the animal uses the toilet. The only drawback of such automated toilets is the high cost. You will also need special washable cat litter.

When choosing a litter box for your cat, consider the size of your pet. The cat should be able to spin and turn freely inside the “toilet” house, otherwise you will find unpleasant surprises in the corners and behind the furniture.

If you have enough time, you can train your cat to do its business directly into the toilet. For this purpose, special toilet seat covers and training trays are used. True, training takes quite a long time. And besides, not all animals agree to go to the toilet.

The best clay cat litters

Ever Clean Multi-Crystals

One of the best clay fillers. The composition, together with bentonite, includes activated carbon. Charcoal granules filter ammonia and prevent bad odors. The product does not contain aromatic substances and can be recommended for sensitive cats. Packed in a cardboard box, convenient for storage. Has excellent reviews among cat owners and breeders.

Advantages:

• Excellent odor retention.
• The small granules are soft and cats like them.
• No dust.
• Beautiful appearance.

Flaws:

• Very expensive.

Fresh Step Extreme Clay

Clay clumping litter made in America. Just like Ever Clean contains activated carbon granules that help retain odor. Contains fragrance. The backfill needs to be changed every two weeks. Conveniently packaged in a cardboard box. The manufacturer offers four packaging sizes: 6, 12, 18 and 30 liters. Large packaging is beneficial for owners of several animals. According to reviews from those who have used it, the filler is excellent.

Advantages:

• There is no smell in the apartment.
• Quite economical.
• Doesn't stick to paws.
• Small granules.

Flaws:

• Buyers noted only one drawback of Fresh Step Extreme Clay - high cost.

Barsik Standard

Domestic clay filler. The composition contains only bentonite, coal and flavorings. The granules are small and gray in color. Soft on paws, but very dusty. Requires complete replacement in a week. Packed in a paper bag with a portrait of a cat. For those looking for a cheap clay litter option, this will work well.

Advantages:

• Cheap.
• Soft and pleasant for cats.
• The scent lasts for about a week.

Flaws:

• Dusty.
• It spreads around the house on its paws.
• Doesn't absorb liquid very well.
• There is no way to pee into the toilet.

With odor protection

Catsan Hygiene Plus (10 l)

pros

• Absorbs moisture and odors well
• Lasts a long time
• Hygiene
• Protection against bacteria

Minuses

• Expensive

From 750 ₽

Unique granules made of quartz sand, chalk and additives perfectly absorb moisture. The smell is absorbed almost immediately. A special technology for interrupting biological and bacterial processes allows this odor to remain inside the filler for a very long time. One tray can last about a week.

Fresh Step Extreme Clay (6.35 kg)

pros

• Retains odor
• Doesn't stick to paws
• Possibility to flush down the toilet without risks
• Crumples well

Minuses

• Large packages contain a lot of dust from abrasion of granules

From 700 ₽

Clay filler for permanent use. Absorbs odors perfectly without spreading them throughout the house. The granules do not stick to cats' fur and do not spread throughout the apartment. Additionally, it has antibacterial properties.

The best wood litter for cat litter

N1 Naturel Green tea

Excellent quality clumping wood filler. Made from high mountain Himalayan cedar and green tea. Completely plant-based product. Tea smells nice. Combines the advantages of wood and clumping filler. There is only one packaging option on the market with a volume of 4.5 liters.

Advantages:

• Nice smell.
• Great composition.
• It clumps when exposed to moisture.

Flaws:

• Quite expensive.
• No big packages.

Kuzya

Kuzya is a Russian-made filler. Doesn't clump. Made from coniferous wood. Does not contain fragrances. Packed in a paper bag with convenient handles. This filler is chosen by owners of several animals and breeders because of its efficiency, naturalness and low price. Optimal price-quality ratio.

Advantages:

• Inexpensive. The cost of packaging is about 100 rubles.
• Pleasant smell of pine wood.
• Excellent absorption and retention of urine odor.

No shortcomings were noticed.

Clean paws

Natural filler, contains only wood. Does not cause allergies. Easy to recycle, can be used as fertilizer. The granules are smooth and small. Packaged in a beautiful paper box with handles. There are two packaging sizes: 4.5 and 14 kilograms. The manufacturer included a gift in the package - a small ball.

Advantages:

• Low cost.
• Sold in many stores.
• Has a pleasant smell of wood.
• Absorbs moisture well.

Flaws:

• Users report poor urine odor retention.
• Scattered from the tray and spread throughout the apartment.

Inexpensive (up to 100 rub.)

Barsik Alpine freshness (4.54 l)

pros

• Cheapness
• Flavoring used in production
• Convenient packaging

Minuses

• High consumption

From 87 ₽

One of the cheapest products in this segment. It will allow you to save on the purchase of filler, but is somewhat inferior in quality to all other types. The filler is scented and does not allow unpleasant odors to pass through. The clay structure absorbs moisture well, but it requires quite a lot of substance to be poured into the tray.

The best corn litter for cat litter

Homecat Ecoline Corn

100% natural product. Contains low-fat soy powder, corn flour and flavoring. It is light granules two centimeters in size. It clumps up nicely and the lumps can be thrown down the drain. Packed in a 6 liter plastic bag. The package has a handle for easy carrying. Produced in the Moscow region. Shelf-life Unlimited.

Advantages:

• Crumples beautifully.
• Natural and eco-friendly.
• Absorbs odor well.
• A pack is enough for a month (for one cat).

Disadvantages: several times more expensive than wood.

Golden Cat Corn

It is made from dried corn stalks and contains no chemical additives. Absolutely harmless. Kittens can chew it without problems. The packaging is a black plastic bag with a window through which the granules are visible. The granules are uneven, rather like lumps, light brown in color. The pack comes in four and six liter volumes. The manufacturer claims that one kilogram can absorb two liters of liquid. However, according to reviews, it does not absorb such a volume of liquid. It has no expiration date and does not deteriorate during storage.

Advantages:

• Good price.
• Eco-friendly and natural.

Flaws:

• Doesn't matter, doesn't smell bad.
• Poorly absorbs urine.
• Disintegrates when buried.

Barsik Corn

Made in Krasnodar. Made from compressed corn stalks. Externally, it is granules about a centimeter in size. The color is light brown. It smells like boiled corn. The product is packed in a thick plastic bag with a volume of 4.5 liters. An excellent solution for those who have a toilet-house. It spills out of a regular litter tray when the cat buries it behind itself.

Advantages:

• Great price.
• Availability, available in many stores.
• Natural and environmentally friendly.
• The used filler can be used as fertilizer in the country.

Flaws:

• Absorbs moisture worse than wood or clumping.
• After two to three days, the tray begins to smell unpleasant.
• Requires frequent replacement.

Filler "Clean paws"

The modern domestic market offers a varied selection of wood fillers manufactured by many brands. The most successful brand was “Clean Paws”. “Clean Paws” is a wood filler that is produced to make life easier for people who have cats in their homes. Thanks to special research, it was found that the product of this label can be used all year round. There is no need to regularly replace the contents of the tray. It is only important to remove contaminants.

This is an incredibly beneficial filler. One package of it completely replaces four packages of a product from another brand. Due to the fact that excrement does not come into contact with air, this litter eliminates odor in the best possible way.

The best mineral litter for cat litter

Sanicat Classic

Classic mineral filler. Product from the mineral sepiolite. Without fragrances or additional additives. Outwardly similar to beige grains. Doesn't clump. Very soft to the touch and pleasant for cat's paws. Packed in a paper bag with handles. Packages of 10, 20 and 30 liters are available for sale.

Advantages:

• Natural mineral composition.
• There is a large package, enough for a long time.
• Soft, cats like it.
• Affordable.

Flaws:

• Doesn't clump.
• Disintegrates when buried.

Sepiolsa Natural

Sepiolsa is a Spanish company engaged in clay mining. It also produces products for animals. The consistency of the product is fine, similar to gray sand. Doesn't clump. Packaged in bags of 5, 10 and 18 kilograms.

Advantages:

• Soft and crumbly.
• Absorbs and locks in odor normally.

Flaws:

• It generates dust and spreads throughout the house.
• Not economical.

Cat without worries Absorbent

Produced in Moscow. This product contains only the mineral diatomite. According to the manufacturer, diatomite absorbs better than other minerals. Does not contain flavorings or chemical additives. Compared to other mineral fillers, it has a large fraction, the particle diameter is 6-10 cm. It is safe if swallowed by a cat.

Advantages:

• Absorbs animal urine well.
• Large particles do not stick to the paws.
• Doesn't stick to fur.
• Economical.

Judging by the reviews, it has no shortcomings.

People's opinions regarding the filler

Wood cat litter has long received excellent reviews. The owners who tried to use it once no longer want to buy any other options. Moreover, the wood composition is suitable not only for adult cats and kittens, but also for small kittens. Therefore, there is no need to rack your brain every time about what to fill the animal’s tray with.

Owners of furry pets unanimously claim that not only they, but also the animals themselves get pleasure from using wood filler. The latter happily go to the tray filled with wood.

Choosing the right filler

If you choose the wrong wood filler, your cat may refuse to go to the litter box. Some animals do not like the feel of large granules under their paws, so for them it is better to buy small ones or choose a clumping composition.

1. Before purchasing a product, you should pay attention to the components from which it is made. It should not contain cobalt chloride and silicon dioxide, since these substances can enter the lungs of animals and cause diseases of the respiratory system. It is also necessary to pay attention to the absorption capacity of the product and what cats it is intended for.
2. It is better to buy fillers sold in bags with transparent inserts, as this makes it possible to assess the condition of the product. When choosing an absorbent composition, it is important that the granules are the same color and do not crumble. In addition, you need to make sure that there is no excess moisture in them. To do this, shake the packaging. Dry granules will make a rustling sound. If you purchase clumping litter, the bag with it also needs to be shaken. If the product is not damp, the sawdust will move easily in the package.
3. To buy the best wood litter for your cat, you need to give preference to products from well-established brands, as they monitor the quality and safety of their products.

After purchasing the litter, you need to observe the cat for several days. She should go to the litter box without any problems. It is undesirable for particles of filler to be carried around the apartment by her paws or stick to the fur. If the product does not meet these requirements, it is advisable to discard its use.

Also, you should not use granules if they do not absorb moisture enough or do not absorb unpleasant odors.