Trying to decide between natural cat litter and a clay version? You'll find that there are different types of litter options available, including natural and commercial clay litters. If you're unsure which type of litter you should be using, here is a closer look at both of these options to help you make an informed decision.

What Your Cat Litter Should Do

It's a good idea to know what your cat litter should be doing for you before you try to decide which type of litter will work best for you. First, cat litter should be absorbing the urine of your cat so it doesn't end up pooled in the bottom of the litter box. Next, your cat litter should be able to cover up the feces from your cat so they aren't left in the open. Cat litter should help to eliminate or at least reduce the growth of bacteria that causes odors. Last, you probably want to ensure that your cat litter is also eco-friendly.

The Problem with Clay Litter

One type of cat litter that you'll find is clay litter. Cat litters that are clay based, which are usually the ones designed to clump, actually have an ingredient in them known as Bentonite clay. This is a substance that is not biodegradable and harvesting it causes practices that are less than environmentally friendly. Another problem is that this agent also swells and clumps, which means it can pose a health risks to cats that ingest it. Kittens may want to taste it out of curiosity and other cats may end up licking their paws and fur, getting some of the litter in their system. This could cause clumping on the inside and lead to blockages that could end in death. Silica dust can also be produced from Bentonite clay, which can cause cancer as well.

Types of Natural Litter

If you don't want to go with clay litter, there are several different types of natural litter out there that you can begin using instead. Just a few of the great natural litter choices include the following:

- Citrus scraps - Paper - Corn - Corncobs - Grain - Wood shavings - Wheat - Pine

With each of these types of litter, you'll find that there are no chemicals, they are biodegradable, and they are also free of clay.

Advantages of Natural Cat Litter

If you go with one of the natural cat litter options, you'll find that they come with a variety of different advantages. First, you'll find that they won't aggravate allergies in either cats or humans. They provide great odor control as well, which is definitely important when you have a cat. Natural litters are easy to cleanup and they are biodegradable, which means they won't take up more space in landfills. In fact, many natural litters are flushable and you won't have to worry about toxins. It is possible to make your own natural litter or you can purchase natural cat litter as well.