Choosing the right Kitty Litter

Kitty litter comes in so many types, and everyone has to find the right type for them. Some types are best used for if you are fostering kittens, while other types are best avoided when kittens are in the house. This guide aims to give some guidance for foster carers (and anyone else interested!) on types of litter out there.

We recommend to avoid using crystals for kittens, as this type of litter has been known to occasionally cause injuries to kittens – their paw pads can get burned by crystals, and the sharpness of the shards can be uncomfortable for kittens as well.

Breeder’s Choice is a recommended type of litter for use with kittens, as it is safe for their little paws and non-toxic. It can need a full change-out more frequently than some other types of litter, but if you line the litter tray with a minimal amount rather than a deep layer, then you will go through a bag of litter less quickly.

There are many types of clumping litter out there, and clay-based types are one of the most frequently found in pet stores, and most popular. These types of litter should not be used when you are fostering a litter of kittens, as they may ingest the litter and that can cause serious health issues.

There are types of clumping litter out there that are food-based, such as:

• Clumping litter made from the reclaimed lining of walnut shells (Nature’s Calling)
• Wheat-based litter (Wonder Wheat)
• Corn-based litter (Nature’s Miracle)

Some cats who are very food-oriented and love their carbs have been known to eat the wheat or corn-based litters (one of our team members can attest to this as her own little weirdo cat is guilty as charged), so these types are not viable for all cats!

Many cat owners prefer to use crystal cat litter, as odour control is very good with this type of litter. However, if you are adopting a kitten or fostering kittens, we do suggest avoiding this. Also, it can hurt the paws of some cats regardless of age.