This is a "geeky" cat litter diary. I decided to publish it because Daily Kos has a lot of cat owners. In the past, such diaries have generated good discussion that benefited the Daily Kos community.
I've been using the silica sand crystal cat litter 95% of the time for many years now. This is a non-clumping litter. I used it because I didn't care to scoop out urine clumps and that way I just needed to scoop solids. I usually bought the cheaper brands at Wal-Mart such as this or this.
I wasn't that happy with it because it doesn't last very long. I would usually get 5-7 days out of it. That's half what I got years ago. I didn't know why - is the product cheaper? Is Cleo urinating more due to early stage renal insufficiency? And I keep the box clean. Is a less expensive cat litter truly less expensive if you have to buy a new bag more often?
That made me open to trying something new. I ran across "Tidy Cat Lightweight" cat litter. The jug was so light - 8.5 lbs equaled 20 lbs of the traditional clay clumping liter. I decided to try it. After all, Cleo just turned 14 and she has some arthritis in her elbows - see this diary. Would a lightweight cat litter cause less strain on joints when digging? I don't know.
In February the Vet advised me to confine Cleo to my bedroom for 2 weeks due to her limping. I decided to add a 2nd litter box and put it in my bedroom walk in closet. I left the litter box there after the 2 weeks was up. She used it some for about a week after that, but in time was using the original box 98% of the time.
I decided to put the Tidy Cat Lightweight in the box she rarely used. That same day she began using that box again so Cleo obviously has no issues with the litter.
I'll summarize the Tidy Cat Lightweight pros and cons as I saw them:
Pros:
(1) The litter did a much better job with odor control than the silica sand litter I was using.
(2) The litter may cost more per jug or bag, but it will last longer than what I was using.
(3) The litter is a lot less dusty than what I was using. In fact, I haven't noticed any dust.
(4) The lightweight jug is not only light but the handles are placed in a way that makes it easy to carry.
There is only one con. Unfortunately, it is a significant con that will cause some people to stop using it. The litter tracks a lot more than what I was using and may track more than most cat litters (readers help me on that one!) Here is a picture of the litter mat after ONE use. Yes one use!
Anyone - how does that image compare with the cat litter you are using? This is a lot more tracking than I'm used to but that may not be true for everyone.
I recognize that all cat litters will track some. Unfortunately, this litter tracks as much in one use the silica sand litter did in 3-4 days. I'm using the dirt devil hand held vacuum much more! That's something most people will tire of. That's what got me to consider other litters which is unfortunate because this litter is outstanding in every other way.
I'm not the only person who noticed this! If you read the reviews a lot of people complain the litter tracks. On Amazon, 35% of the people who wrote a review rated the product a "1" due to the tracking. And many people who rated the product a "5" for all its outstanding attributes commented the litter does track.
There are some reviews that claim the product is dusty - I find it less dusty than what I was using. I did find this excellent blog post and video showing it is a lot less dusty than Fresh Step but more dusty than Dr. Elsey's cat litter.
As mentioned, I got tired of using the dirt devil and considered other litters. I read that
Swheat scoop was biodegradable and thus more eco-friendly. I decided to try it and put it in litter box #1. I plan to continue using the Tidy Cat in box #2 until the jug is used up.
Here were my findings:
(1) The litter doesn't clump nearly as well as Tidy Cat - the clumps tended to fall apart.
(2) The litter didn't control odor as well as the Tidy Cat probably because the clumps tend to fall apart so the litter gets dirtier quicker.
(3) The litter tracks more than the silica sand I was using, but less than the Tidy Cat Lightweight. I wish I had taken a picture. I can't now since I'm no longer using it.
(4) The litter is not dusty that I noticed.
(5) The litter is biodegradable - a plus for the planet.
I wasn't satisfied with this litter either.
I still hadn't let go of the idea a lighter litter might mean less strain on a cat's joints? That led me to try Arm & Hammer Clump and Seal Lightweight I put this litter in litter box #1.
Here are my findings:
(1) The litter did a much better job with odor control than what I was using and just as good a job as Tidy Cat Lightweight and a slightly better job than Swheat Scoop.
(2) The litter is not dusty.
(3) I like the lightweight, but I prefer the Tidy Cat jug to the box with handle strap.
(4) This litter doesn't track much! With Tidy Cat Light and Swheat Scoop, I could tell every time my cat used the box. With this litter, I can't. That's what I'm used to.
Here is a picture of the litter mat after 2 uses:
Yes, you'll see some small white granules but that's the old silica sand litter which can stick in the mat. The dirt devil doesn't get what's stuck in that mat out. This didn't bother me so I often let it be. Again, this is what I'm used to.
I've decided to continue buying this cat litter. The litter seems to do everything the Tidy Cat Lightweight does without the excessive tracking.
I haven't used World's Best Cat Litter recently. I did use it in February when Cleo was confined. These are my observations:
(1) Did just as good a job with odor control as Tidy Cat Lightweight and the Arm and Hammer litter.
(2) I didn't notice dust.
(3) The litter does track - more than the Arm and Hammer but less than Tidy Cat.
(4) The litter is biodegradable - a plus for the planet
(5) The bag says the litter is flushable although I chose not to do so. I don't live in California, but in California there is a state law requiring cat litter that's flushable list a warning that doing so is hazardous to marine life - link here
These reviews reflect my experience and my experience alone. Yours may be different.
As of now, I plan to use up the Arm&Hammer in box #1 and the Tidy Cat in box #2. When I run out, I plan to use the Arm&Hammer in box boxes.
In browsing at the store, and in researching this diary I learned there are more and more lighter weight litters. In addition to the Tidy Cat and Arm&Hammer products, Fresh Step, Scoop Away, and Cat's Pride now offer a light weight litter.
If you prefer to use a non-clay litter, there are a variety of light litters to choose from. These newer products are sometimes more eco conscious and I know that's important to many people on Daily Kos. Here are some examples:
Tidy Cat Pure Nature
Feline Pine sold both in a clumping litter or the pellets
Yesterday's News made from recycled newspapers.
Okocat made from recycled wood chips.
Blue Buffalo has a walnut based clumping cat litter
I have not used these products and don't recommend or not recommend any of them. In fact, this diary is about my experience and my preferences which may differ from yours. If you are considering trying a new cat litter, I would recommend you read the reviews on web sites such as Amazon, Chewy, etc. If a certain complaint stands out, then chances are this is an issue to a significant number of people.
Also, if you change cat litters, it is recommended you do so by gradually mixing in the new litter with the old. That is, until you are sure your cat will use the new litter. I didn't do that, and that was a risk. But I have two boxes.
In researching this diary, I also learned some people would advise a single cat owner like me have two litter boxes. I guess N+1 is recommended - here. Also, bigger boxes are better for the cat. We prefer smaller ones because we want them tucked away out of sight. How large should a litter box be? They recommend it be one and a half times the length of the cat. If that is true, then mine are too small because they are exactly Cleo's length (not including the tail) at 17 inches. I've never had a problem, though.
Yeah, I know this is kind of a "geeky" diary but that's just me! I hope this diary will be of interest to some and generate some good but courteous discussion.