Best Overall Cat Litter
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Tips To Keep Your Cats Litter Box Odor
Of course, the area where to put a cat litter box in a small apartment will still amount to nothing if the box itself is not regularly cleaned. So, here are some litter box hacks for you!
- Be sure to clean the litter box daily.
- Scoop the clumps at least twice a day.
- Wash and clean the litter box on a weekly basis.
- Replace the litter completely at least once a week.
- Use vinegar to deodorize the litter box.
- Use box liners and a litter mat.
- Deodorize the litter by using dried tea leaves or baking soda.
- Opt for unscented and clumping litter.
Suffice it to say, while the place or spot on where to place the litter box is important, good hygienic practices are equally essential. That way, your litter box stays clean and odor-free and your cat will be thankful for it.
The Best Flushable Corn Cat Litterbut Use Caution
Again and again while working on this guide, we heard from people who swore by Worlds Best Cat Litter, which is made of corn. We ordered some to test, just to see what the fuss was about. It smells like a farm, and objectively, it forms soft mushy clumps. But those who love it mainly love it because the company claims that the litter is flushable .
However, putting your litter down the drain can do damage to local wildlife. As weve written in our guide to dog poop bags, the US Environmental Protection Agency , which can introduce excess nutrients and harmful microorganisms like parasites and coliform bacteria into rivers, streams, and groundwater. An issue particular to cat waste is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection carried by cats that in humans can cause serious complications during pregnancy and for those who have weakened immune systems. In California, evidence has linked toxoplasmosis from cat feces to increased mortality in sea otters, prompting legislation to attach anti-flushing notices on cat litter bags. As a sanitation operations manager told The New York Times about wet wipes, which are also supposedly flushable: I agree that theyre flushable. A golf ball is flushable, but its not a good idea.
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Good Pet Stuff Company Hidden Cat Litterbox
As I mentioned in my intro sections, I love this typedue to their unusual outlook. It is adorable and can keep in your living roomwithout any problem .
However, I did not select this one because it doesneed a cat litter mat, and I suspect the overall build quality. It did not satisfyme as a long term product. Some user reviews were supporting my argument too.
But if you are interested in this one, feel free to check it here.
The Cat Litter Matters A Lot
The second most important thing: the type of litter that you use. This was my mistake in the beginning: as a new cat owner, I thought I was using the best possible litter in my area. And as it happens by coincidence one day I bought a new type of cat litter and my life changed, that is how much cat litter matters.
So now I use only one type of cat litter and I would never change it as long as I have money to buy it and it is available in stores: its a crystal cat litter.
The reason I love it so much is that it simply doesnt smell! It is truly amazing how good those crystals trap the odor and once trapped they stay trapped. I literally cant smell that I haver a litter box on my balcony even in summer. Now you may think that since it is on my balcony I shouldnt smell it anyway but this is not the case: with my past litters there were days where I couldnt stand the smell.
Now what I would suggest is you try this crystal cat litter, I am absolutely convinced that once you try how good it is youll never look back :
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What Is Cat Litter Allergy
Just as humans can have allergies to just about anything pollen, dust mites, nuts, and other food sources just to name a few cats also suffer from allergies. Litter allergies are usually caused by the dust or the fragrance in the litter which triggers an allergic reaction. For that reason, litters that have no dust and are fragrance-free are best for cats with allergies.
Also, it may be the chemicals in your cat litter rather than the dust or fragrance that is triggering an allergic reaction. The chemical sodium bentonite is used in many clay clumping litters and is what causes the clumps to form. However, it also has a damp smell which can irritate your cats lungs, causing an allergic reaction.
Many owners wrongly assume that cats are born with allergies, and so when cats develop allergies, they often go overlooked. However, cats can develop allergies to litter or any other irritants at any point in their lives. That being said, kittens and senior cats are more susceptible to litter allergies as they have a weaker immune system. Cats that already have existing allergies to other things are also more likely to become allergic to their litter, especially as they age.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks For Best Cat Litter For Multiple Cats
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Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, weve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. Youll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
- Very low dust compared to clay litters
- Forms hard, tight clumps on contact with urine and feces
- Eco-friendly and all-natural
- Forms hard clumps on contact to destroy odors and make cleanup easy
- Very low dust and low tracking for minimal mess
- Power of baking soda ensures a full 7 days of odor protection
- Helps alert you to changes in your cats urine
- Lightweight silica materials, soft sand-like texture
- Dehydrates solid waste, eliminates liquid waste
- Works very quickly to get rid of odors
- Ideal for sensitive cats
- One of the most cost-effective cat litter products available
- Powerful odor guard
- Clumps quickly to keep messes to a minimum
- Environmentally friendly litter
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How Many Litter Boxes Do You Need
First up. How many litter boxes are you even going to have in your small apartment? Theres a general rule when it comes to litter boxes: one for each cat, plus one extra. So for one cat, thats two litter boxes. For two cats, three boxes. And so on.
But why? Well, its recommended that you set up an alternative box for your cats to use in case their primary box is considered no longer clean. An already small apartment might feel even smaller because of the additional litter boxes.
Our solution? Dismiss the extra box and clean up more regularly. This means regular scooping, daily if thats possible, and frequent litter changes every two weeks at a minimum. Being in an apartment, you must be diligent about litter box maintenance.
Sounds like a tall order? Then opt for a self-cleaning litter box. If you think you cant maintain a litter box manually, then get yourself an automatic one. It can clean itself right after each time your cat is done.
Our Favorite Cat Litter For Small Apartments: Fresh Step Clean Paws Advanced Multi
Fresh Step Clean Paws is the winner for us. It has the best odor-control of all the cat litter for small spaces that we reviewed, which is probably the single most important aspect of keeping cats in a relatively small space. On top of that, it doesnt track and produces little to no dust. What more could you want?
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Why Regular Litter Boxes In An Apartment Are The Worst Options
The problem with most apartments is that they dont have an outside terrace or a backyard where your cat can easily explore and do their business outside, instead they are in an apartment where there is not much outside time and the litter box is the only place where they can do their business.
Living in an apartment with a cat or multiple cats comes with a list of problems:
- Little Box odor is more prevalent because your cat only uses the litter area
- If your litter box is not constantly clean then your cat has no choice to go elsewhere which can create a bad habit in the long run.
The Best Cat Litter Is Litter Your Cat Wants To Use
With inappropriate elimination near the top of the list of reasons cited when people relinquish their cats to the animal shelter, its clear that a harmonious litter box situation spells happiness in a cat-inclusive home.
If you look at it from your cats perspective, youll have a good foundation for evaluating any cat litter on the market. Will this litter feel good under your cats paws? Will dust fill his hooded box and make him uncomfortable? Is the artificial fragrance overwhelming?
Once youve satisfied your cats needs, you can start considering your own. Humans deserve a comfortable home too, and the ideal litter box benefits both you and your cat.
In an ideal world, the best cat litter offers a beautiful combination of features that meet both your needs and your cats. Your cats natural instincts get the respect they deserve, and you get to control the smell and appearance of cat waste in the house.
Your cat wins. You win. And any cat litter that contributes to this situation is a winning product.
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Do You Have An Idea About The Ideal Location For The Litter Box
The ideal location for the litter box is out of the way but accessible to both of you. When its time for your cat to use the restroom, you must be able to quickly and conveniently clean the litter box. Although it may seem obvious, some people try to hide the litter box or put it somewhere where it is not visible, but this simply leads to additional trouble.
Overall Is Pretty Litter Cat Litter A Good Choice
In testing Pretty Litter with my own two cats, I found it lived up to its promises pretty well. Not only did it offer strong odor control, but the color-changing health monitoring system performed predictably in my experiment. When I was finished, my subscription was easy to cancel.
I did find that one bag of Pretty Litter didnt last a full 30 days, but I was using it in a multi-cat household.
The crystal litter did a great job of absorbing liquid and it made solids easy to scoop, so I am confident in saying that one bag would probably last a full month in a single-cat household.
Overall, Pretty Litter is a pricey product, but the health monitoring system makes it worth it. If budget is your primary concern, however, you might be better off with a cheaper crystal cat litter.
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What Else Could My Cat Be Allergic To
Litter allergies are much more common than cat owners realize. And if cat litter is what is responsible, hypoallergic cat litter is a fantastic solution. However, theyre far from the only cause of allergies in cats. Like people, cats can be allergic to all kinds of things. Examples include pollen, dust mites, or your cats may be allergic to each other!
Below I talk about the main causes of allergies in cats. If switching to a hypoallergenic cat litter hasnt eased their symptoms, you might be dealing with one of these instead:
The Best Alternatives To Clay Litter
Our experts said most cats do well with clay litter. And we think owners using clay clumping litter need to experiment less with their setup, which will save them money, too. Still, we plan to consider alternatives to clay litter in our future research. In the meantime, here are a few personal recommendations from Wirecutter staff.
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Best Organic Cat Litter For Small Apartments: Kocat Natural Wood Cat Litter
Ökocat Natural Wood is a dream for lazy environmentalist cat owners. It is an all organic wood litter you can flush down the toilet! No more walking up and down between your apartment and the dumpster. You could even use it to toilet train your cat, if thats something youre into. Just remember that you are doing that for you, not for your cat.
Even though this is not a clay litter, Ökocat does a pretty decent job forming clumps. They are easy to scoop out and separate from the unsoiled litter. The pellets arent too big, so most cats will be fine going on a litter box with this cat litter for small apartments.
However, there have been reports of cats refusing to use it. Either they dont appreciate the scent of the wood litter and never even try it. Or they try it, but get turned off by the smell of their own urine. Because despite its acceptable clumping, the absorption is less than optimal with this litter. Be sure to clean the litter box more often if you use Ökocat Natural Wood.
The Best Cat Litter Is Easy To Clean
Clumping cat litter is usually the easiest to keep clean and dry, but not all clumping litter works equally well.
If your litter creates loose, crumbly clumps and leaves chunks of waste behind after every scooping, think about finding a better litter. Move on to another product that creates firm, scoopable clumps.
If youre using a non-clumping product, it must do its job well. Any non-clumping litter should be insanely absorbent and not completely saturated after a days use. Keep in mind that because its non-clumping, youll likely end up emptying the entire box at once.
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The Best Cat Litter Offers Great Odor Control
The best cat litter helps keep odors at bay, but dont expect a box of litter to take over your job. Weve found that the best odor control comes from great clumping and regular cleaning.
The more waste you can remove from the box, the better. Thats why we look for cohesive clumps, minimal stickiness, and great absorbency.
Some products amp up the odor control with activated carbon and baking soda, which can significantly cut back on odors.
Omega Paw Large Roll N Clean Self Cleaning Litter Box For Cats
The Omega Paw Large Cat litter box is simple to use and easy to clean. This litter box self-cleans itself, and there is no scooping required.
You just have to roll the box, and it will automatically get cleaned. It contains a unique patented grill inside that separates the clumped waste and deposits it into the pull-out tray.
This litter box has a unique design that will fit your home even if you have a small apartment. The box prevents any litter dust in your home and also provides complete privacy to your pet.
Its large capacity can fit more than one cat at a time. The Omega Paw litter box has a wide entry option and can be easily accessed by kittens or older cats.
Product Features
- Dimensions- 23 x 19 x 18.5 inches
- Weight- 5 pounds
- Self-Cleaning- There is no need for scooping the litter out of this litter box. You just have to roll the box and will clean itself.
- Attractive design- The beautiful design is suitable for small households.
- Dust-free- The litter box prevents any dust from the cat litter.
Pros
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Buyers Guide: Purchasing The Best Litter Box For A Small Apartment
When youre getting a litter box for a smaller apartment, you need to be a bit creative. You will need to use your space wisely while also ensuring that your cat has everything that they need. In this section, we help you determine what the best box is for your space.
Not all small apartments are the same. You might have an easy-to-access space that you can use to keep decently large litter boxes. Or, you may only have one small corner. Either way, it is essential that you take your overall space into account when choosing the best litter boxes for a small apartment, as well as your cats needs. There is no one-size-fits-all answer as to the best litter box.
The Best Cat Litter Is Made Without Irritating Fragrances
Some people prefer litter made with added perfume, but these fragrances may irritate sensitive noses. The best cat litter doesnt lean on fragrances to disguise the smell of cat waste. Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM confirms this, encouraging cat owners to avoid highly-scented cat litters. She says that cats have a much better sense of smell than we do, so even if the litter smells good to us, cats can find it very irritating.
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