Cat litter, much like toilet paper, is a necessary evil and perhaps one that is more complicated than is necessary. Invariably though, for the sake of our homes and our pets, we want whats not only affordable, but effective in controlling odours. So which kind of cat litter is best for your home? Does clumping cat litter really decrease the number of times you have to completely clean the litterbox? Do those “odour control” crystals really keep the smells at bay?

Before you decide on a cat litter, there are a few factors you need to consider. First, how many cats do you have? If you have more than one cat, it makes sense to get a litter that is specifically made for multiple cat households. Most of the popular litters offer this option, which is simply an additional dose of odour controlling substance. Next, think about where the litterbox is located and where the cat will be stepping, once finished. It sounds peculiar, but it makes sense to avoid clumping cat litter if most of your home is carpeted or the cat will be stepping into a carpeted area outside the litterbox. Clumping cat litter is a good time saver but its finer grain allows it to be carried all over on your cat’s feet and embed itself into your carpet.

Crystal cat litter, which is either made completely of silica gel crystals or has them mixed into regular litter, is effective in controlling litterbox smells. Silica gel removes moisture, which is what maintains the odour causing bacteria in the litter. Just keep in mind when using crystal cat litter that you should stir it up every day, to allow the air to assist in drying faster.

Finally, in order to save yourself the hassle of having to clean the litterbox more than once a week or so, a great tip is to use an enzyme-based spray that is made to eliminate bad kitty smells. Spray the litter when you first add it, and stir it in. By using this product you will have active enzymes eliminating odour causing bacteria in the litterbox all the time, making total clean outs less frequent.