The Best Crystal Cat Litter
Cleaning up kitty litter is one of the less glamorous inevitabilities of owning a cat, but every cat owner has to do it. While it's not everyone's favorite chore, it doesn't have to be that bad - or stinky. These days, many cat owners are switching from clay litter to crystal litter, because it effectively absorbs liquids and smells. It also keeps litter boxes dust-free, so those of you with allergies can breathe as you please. We scoured the market to find the best crystal cat litters on the market.
What to Look For
To find the best crystal cat litter, we asked ourselves three questions: Is it easy to keep clean? Does it cover up any bad smells? Will it last a long time? With these questions in mind, the scoop-free cat litter from PetSafe stood out as our favorite. It has a strong odor control that covers up even the most potent smells and is low-tracking, so your cat won’t bring the mess outside of its box. However, if your top priority is cat litter that can last, then consider the crystal litter from Fresh Step. Not only does it control the odor for up to 30 days, but it’s soft enough for even the most sensitive of felines. Read on below to find the rest of our picks and why we think they stand out among the rest.
PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Crystal Cat Litter
Dealing with clumps in your cat’s litter box is something that no cat owner loves. It means that your cat ends up using more litter over time, which costs you more money over time. This crystal litter from PetSafe has a high absorbency ability, which is excellent. It also comes in conveniently portioned bags that make it easy for you to use. It can absorb urine and dry solid waste for odor control that’s five times better than clay litter. On top of that, it is also 99% dust-free to protect you and your cat.
Pros:
- The odor control works well to absorb even the strongest of bad smells.
- It comes in two pre-portioned bags, so you won’t have to measure or scoop.
- The litter is low-tracking for even less of a mess, so your cat won’t scatter it outside of the box.
Cons:
- It doesn’t last quite as long as it claims to.
PetSafe ScoopFree Cat Litter Crystal Tray Refills
Self-cleaning cat litter boxes may be one of the best inventions ever, but you’ll need to stock up on litter tray refills. These refills from PetSafe make it so that you don’t have to do any scooping, keeping your dealings with the cat litter as minimal as possible. The tray features a plastic lining to protect against leaks, and the litter is 99% dust-free. When it’s time to clean the litter box, you don’t have to do any scooping. Simply take out the disposable litter tray, toss it in the garbage, and get a new one.
Pros:
- The crystals lock away the odor of solid waste for a long time.
- You won’t waste any time on clean-up since it’s easy to simply remove the litter tray and dispose of it.
- It has a plastic tray lining to help prevent leaking, so you can place it on any floor or carpet without worry.
Cons:
- It doesn’t absorb urine as well as expected.
Fresh Step Crystals Premium Cat Litter
The one downside about cats is the smell they bring with their litter box usage. However, you can combat that smell with the help of a good crystal cat litter like this one from Fresh Step. This brand is well-trusted in the cat world, so you can believe that this litter will get the job done. These crystals have 30 days of odor control, so you don’t have to swap out your litter nearly as often as you would with regular litter. This eight-pound bag of litter offers the same number of uses as a standard 28-pound bag of litter. It is made with a low-dust formula to keep everyone happy and healthy, and smelling better.
Pros:
- The Ammonia Block Technology helps to control bacterial growth, so you won’t have to worry about strong, permeating smells.
- Not only does it absorb solid waste, but it also absorbs moisture from urine very well.
- The 30 days of odor control means you can keep a fresh-smelling home for a long time.
Cons:
- There is more dust than expected.
Ultra Pet Clumping Crystal Cat Litter
Dust from litter is a serious problem that you may not think about until it’s too late. Hopefully, we are catching you before it happens and leading you to a crystal cat litter that will eliminate your dust concerns. This one from Ultra Pet is 100% dust-free and works to reduce irritation and allergens that often result from cat litter. This litter also absorbs ammonia orders to keep smells at bay and minimizes mess thanks to the easy-to-clean crystals. And your pet will love that this litter is free of fragrance which means there are no added chemicals that could potentially harm it.
Pros:
- It absorbs liquid instantly, so it doesn’t leave any soggy mess in the middle of the clump.
- This crystal litter is extra soft, so it’s great for cats with sensitive paws.
- If you don’t want any extra smells in your home, try this one. It absorbs the stink without any added fragrances.
Cons:
- The clumps can be difficult to scoop.
Neon Clumping Silica Gel Cat Litter
Your cat will inevitably track at least a little bit of litter going from the litter box to other places around your home. And stepping on that litter doesn’t exactly feel good. To help prevent that from happening, consider getting this neon-colored cat litter that makes it easy for you to spot and clean up before stepping on it. The litter is made of silica gel that clumps easily. Neon’s litter also helps control odors so that your home stays smelling good.
Pros:
- The bright color makes it easy to see, so you can quickly clean it up if your cat tracks it outside its litter box.
- The quick clumping makes mess removal fast and easy.
Cons:
- It doesn’t last quite as long as we hoped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is crystal cat litter good for cats?
Because most crystal cat litter is made with silica crystal beads, it is generally safer for cats and people, especially those that are irritated by the dust from traditional litter. The crystal litter also helps neutralize odors, which is a benefit for you and your cat.
Do you scoop crystal litter?
Crystal cat litter is usually made from silica gel. That silica gel absorbs liquid waste to make it easier for you to clean up. The silica gel clumps up when wet, allowing you to scoop it out of the litter box without having to dump the entire box.
How often should I change my crystal cat litter?
Depending on the quality of the crystal litter you choose and the amount of mess your cat makes, you should only need to replace it about once every month. When you remove clumps in between a complete replacement, you may need to add a little more litter to the box.
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