Types of cat litter: how to choose the right one for your cat

Clay, plant-based, silica crystals… in the litter aisle, it's hard to know where to start. Yet the choice is far from trivial: the wrong litter is one of the leading causes of cats going outside the tray. For a cat, everything counts — the texture under their paws, the smell, how clean the tray is. Types of cat litter, what to look for, the ideal tray, cleaning and what to do if your cat snubs their litter: here's everything you need to know to make the right choice.

The main types of cat litter

There are three broad families of litter, each with its pros and cons.

Clumping clay litter

Made from clay (bentonite), this is the most widespread. It forms solid clumps on contact with urine, which makes cleaning easier; it controls odours well, is inexpensive and is accepted by most cats. Its drawbacks: it's dusty, heavy, scatters easily outside the tray, and isn't biodegradable. Worth knowing: avoid clumping clay litter for very young kittens, who could swallow some and risk a blockage — choose a non-clumping or specially adapted litter instead.

Silica litter (crystals)

Made of silica gel beads or crystals, it's highly absorbent, offers excellent odour control, gives off little dust, stays light and needs changing less often. On the downside, it's more expensive, and its unusual texture underfoot doesn't suit every cat. It isn't biodegradable either.

Plant-based and biodegradable litters

Wood pellets, corn, tofu, recycled paper, plant fibres… these litters are increasingly popular. Eco-friendly, often compostable and sometimes flushable (in small amounts — check first), they're generally light and low in dust. Some clump well, notably corn and tofu, the latter having become very popular. Their limits: odour control and clumping vary from product to product, the price is sometimes higher, and your cat may need time to adjust.

How to choose the right litter

The secret fits in one sentence: the best litter is the one your cat is willing to use. Their opinion outweighs yours. To steer your choice, keep several criteria in mind.

Texture first: most cats prefer a fine, sand-like substrate that echoes their natural behaviour. Then scent: contrary to popular belief, many cats hate scented litters, and a good unscented litter, well looked after, controls odours better than added fragrance. Also think about dust, which matters for cats (and humans) with sensitive airways, about clumping ability and odour control, how much the granules scatter outside the tray, weight, budget and environmental impact. Finally, if you switch litter, do it gradually, mixing the old and the new over several days: a sudden change can be enough to make your cat reject it.

The litter tray: just as important

It's often overlooked, but the container matters as much as what's in it.

Tray size and type

The tray needs to be big enough: allow at least one and a half times your cat's length, as many models on sale are too small. As for style, cats often prefer open trays: covered trays may stop litter flying out and keep things out of sight, but they trap odours inside, which some cats don't like. And self-cleaning trays, with their mechanism and noise, can frighten more than a few cats.

How many trays, and where to put them?

The go-to rule is “n+1”: as many trays as cats, plus one. So two cats means three trays. Put them in quiet, easy-to-reach, low-traffic spots, away from food and water bowls and from noisy appliances. Avoid corners where your cat could feel trapped, have one tray per floor in a house, and choose a low-entry tray for kittens and elderly cats.

Daily care

Cats are clean animals that demand a clean litter tray. Remove waste once or twice a day, and empty the tray completely to wash it at regular intervals — more often for non-clumping litter, less often for clumping or silica litter, but always regularly. Use a mild cleaner: strong-smelling products (bleach, citrus) can put your cat off using their tray. Finally, keep a sufficient depth of litter, around 5 to 7 cm, so they can dig and bury naturally.

My cat is snubbing their litter tray: what should I do?

A cat who does their business next to the tray is trying to tell you something. The most common causes are: a tray that isn't clean enough, a litter or scent they don't like, too few trays, a poorly chosen spot, a covered tray they can't tolerate, or stress and boredom.

Important — one safety rule comes before everything else: if your cat suddenly starts avoiding their litter, strains to urinate or has blood in their urine, see a vet promptly to rule out a medical cause. In male cats especially, a urinary blockage is a life-threatening emergency.

Once a medical cause has been ruled out, think about their environment too: stress and boredom are common triggers for toileting problems. A fulfilled, stimulated cat — play, scratching posts, high hiding spots and, for some, safe outings in a harness — is less prone to these problems.

In summary

Choosing the right litter means striking a balance between your priorities (odours, environment, dust, budget) and, above all, your cat's preferences, which most often lean towards a fine, unscented texture. Add enough trays, each one big enough, well placed and cleaned daily, and you'll avoid the vast majority of problems. And because a calm cat is a clean cat, don't forget to look after their everyday wellbeing too.