Guide: cat
What to buy
- Megi Super Absorbent, cat litter: Bentonite, clumping cat litter.
- Megi Eco Pellets: Natural pelleted substrate for cats and other animals.
- Megi Lawenda cat litter 5 l: Lavender-scented litter in a 5 l pack.
In this article
Which cat litter is best?
The best litter is the one your cat accepts. Cats Protection says many cats like a fine, heavy, sand-like litter, and Battersea says most prefer a soft, sandy surface1,3.
The RSPCA says wood pellets performed best in its tests, although some cats prefer fine sand2. If you are not sure what to choose, put two litter trays with different litters side by side and see which one your cat uses more willingly2.
Cats often prefer the litter they used as kittens1. If you switch to a different one, for example a scented litter, do it gradually and watch whether your cat still uses the tray willingly.
How do bentonite, silica and wood litters differ?
The most important difference is clumping. Clumping litter usually contains bentonite, which absorbs moisture and swells, so you remove soiled clumps with a scoop4,5. Crystal litter does not clump4, and whether wood pellets clump, check in the product description.
| Feature | Bentonite | Silica (crystals) | Wood (pellets) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clumping | Yes, forms clumps4 | Non-clumping4 | Depends on the product |
| Dustiness | No data | No data | No data |
| Odour absorption | No data | No data | No data |
| Rating in sources | No data | No data | Best in RSPCA tests2 |
| For kittens up to about 4 months4 | Not recommended4 | Approved by one source4 | No data |
| Disposal | In the bin, not the toilet7 | In the bin, not the toilet7 | In the bin, not the toilet7 |
None of the sources we checked compares dustiness or odour absorption, which is why the table says "no data". Check these features in the description of the specific product.
In the shop you will find bentonite litters Megi Super Absorbent and Megi Economic, the lavender-scented Megi Lawenda and Megi Eco Pellets, described as a natural substrate. The shop does not offer silica litter.
At domowypupil.pl
Is litter harmful to a cat or kittens?
Clumping litter swallowed in larger amounts may swell in the digestive tract. Washington Poison Center warns that this can cause an intestinal blockage, which is an emergency5. That is why Michelson Found Animals Foundation recommends non-clumping litter, clay or crystal, for kittens up to about 4 months old4.
"can cause an intestinal blockage, which can be an emergency"
Washington Poison Center, "Cat litter" (translated from English)
Kitten up to about 4 months: non-clumping litter4.
The same organisation notes that kittens usually grow out of nibbling litter, and does not give data on how often blockages occur4. There is no reliable data on silica litter itself: the ASPCA describes only silica gel sachets, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and rarely a blockage.6.
If your cat has eaten litter and is lethargic, vomiting or has a painful belly, contact a vet. Do the same if your cat suddenly stops using the tray and changing the litter does not help.
How much litter should I put in, and how often should I change it?
Put in a layer of about 3 cm, because according to Cats Protection cats usually like it, while Battersea gives 3 to 4 cm1,3. The RSPCA does not give a figure, saying only that the cat should be able to dig a hole and cover its waste.2.
- Cats Protection: remove waste and urine twice a day, and once a week empty and wash the tray1.
- RSPCA: spot-clean daily and replace all the litter at least once a week2.
- Battersea: scoop out soiled litter at least once a day and wash the tray once a week with a mild, unscented liquid3.
Introduce new litter gradually: the RSPCA advises mixing it with the old for a week or putting out a second tray2. Once your cat uses the tray confidently, stick with one type of litter3.
Can cat litter be flushed down the toilet?
No. Veterinary nurse Jane Davidson writes in Vet Times that the sewage system does not destroy the Toxoplasma gondii parasite from cat faeces, even with litters labelled as flushable7. She adds that clumping litter rarely breaks down in water7.
Dispose of used litter with waste in the bin, not the toilet7. You will find all the litters we offer in the category cat litter, and the catnip pouch and other toys in the category cat toys.
Please note. Do not flush litter or cat faeces down the toilet: the sewage system does not destroy the Toxoplasma gondii parasite7.
Frequently asked questions
Which cat litter should I choose?
One your cat likes. Welfare organisations point to a fine, soft litter, and the RSPCA rated wood pellets well. The surest way to find out is to try two trays with different litters.
Is bentonite litter good for kittens?
For kittens up to about 4 months old, non-clumping litter is recommended, because clumping litter can swell if swallowed. If a kitten has eaten litter, contact a vet.
How often should I change all the litter?
The RSPCA and Cats Protection recommend replacing all the litter and washing the tray at least once a week. Remove waste and urine daily.
Is "bentonian" the same as bentonite?
The sources we checked use only the name bentonite and do not explain the name "bentonian". If you see it on the packaging, read the full ingredients on the label.
Sources
- Cats Protection, "Your cat's perfect loo", cats.org.uk
- RSPCA, "Cat litter", rspca.org.uk
- Battersea, "Cat litter trays", battersea.org.uk
- Michelson Found Animals Foundation, "Best litter for kittens" (2020), foundanimals.org
- Washington Poison Center, "Cat litter", wapc.org
- ASPCA, "Learn more about silica gel, a common pet toxin" (2016), aspca.org
- Vet Times, Jane Davidson, RVN, "To flush or not to flush" (column), vettimes.com
Photos: photo: Roman Eisele, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, crop changed; photo: TaurusEmerald, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, crop changed.
Prepared by the domowypupil.pl editorial team on the basis of the sources listed above. The article is for information only and does not replace the advice of a vet.
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