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There are numerous reasons why many people consider the cat to be an ideal family pet. One of those reasons is simply that there is very little potty training involved. Get some cat litter and a litter box and you now have a pet you can keep inside with you all day.

Many kittens are already litter trained by their mother so there’s really not much for you to do. Once you are sure he knows where the box is, you rarely need to worry about him going someplace else. But you will have to make a decision, and that is deciding what type of litter will work best.

If this is your first cat you’ll be a bit shocked when you see all the different types of litter now available. So how do you decide what’s best for you and your pet?

If cost is a primary factor, clay litter is always a good bet. It’s cheaper and was one of the first commercial litters available. But it does have some drawbacks. You will need to clean it and change it more frequently. Clay absorbs liquid, but it also absorbs odors, and nobody wants their house to smell like cat waste. And if by chance your kitten is prone to allergies, clay may cause some problems. Dust tends to fly up as your pet scratches around in his box.

The most popular litter right now is probably clumping cat litter. That’s because the litter combines with the moisture in the waste to form, as the name suggests, clumps. These clumps are easy to scoop away, meaning there is no need to change out the entire box. Once you scoop the waste, just replace the missing litter with some new litter. And the scents this litter is available in will do a decent job of hiding the smell, although it won’t get rid of the odor all together. The biggest problem with clumping litter is that some cats will actually eat the clumps. Watch your pet carefully.

Silica litters use water, sand, and crystals to control the odor and moisture. You’ve seen those little packets in new shoes or some medicines. Those packets are there to absorb moisture and contain silica. Because of it’s moisture absorbing capabilities, those same crystals are now used in cat litter. You scoop out the solid waste and the liquid is absorbed by the crystals. On the down side there is no clumping. On the plus side, this litter is usually biodegradable, returning to a sandy base when decomposed.

Paper litter is also becoming more popular, especially among those concerned with the environment. It is made from recycled paper or pellets. It’s very absorbent, weighs very little, and of course, is also biodegradable.

Wood litters, in particular pine cat litter, are also biodegradable and quickly growing in popularity. Softwoods are great at absorbing liquids and odors. No chemicals are needed to help with the process meaning you get a more natural litter.

But once you decide on the type of litter you want, it’s always wise to consult with your cat. They will surely let you know if they disagree with your choice by simply not using the litter box. Some cats for example don’t like silica because the crystals hurt their paws. Others avoid pine because they just don’t like the smell. Even though your cat can’t speak, he will definitely let you know if he doesn’t like what you have selected.

The key is to become as informed as possible about all the different options. Then you can make an intelligent selection. Of course you’ll still have to run it by your cat to see if he approves.

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