The Hidden Dangers of Scented Cat Litter: Why It Might Harm Your Cat’s Health and Well-Being

Whether preparing to own your first cat or stuck to one cat litter for your cat’s life, you may need to learn the available kitty litter options. And some might not be the best choice for your cat. From clumping wonders to natural alternatives, we’re here to unravel the world of litter and guide you towards the purrfect choice that will have your feline friend happily doing their business in style and comfort.

I personally cannot bear the smell of artificially scented cat litter. And knowing a cat’s sense of smell is much more potent than mine, I cannot imagine what they endure when being hit with the smell of artificially scented cat litter. But there are more reasons than the smell that make scented litter concerning.

Scented vs. Unscented

Scented litter is litter with an extra scent added to cover up the odors of urine and cat poop. Still, artificially scented litter is not a good choice – cats tend to hate it, and it doesn’t mask smells but blends with them. Scented litter can be very toxic to kitties, so the safe choice is always unscented.

Clumping vs. Non-clumping

Clumping litters form clumps around urine and feces, making it easier to scoop up. Non-clumping litters absorb urine but don’t absorb poop – and because you can’t tell where your cat has done their business, you need to change the whole tray at once.

Biodegradable Options

Some cat litter is biodegradable. It’s better for the planet but more expensive, too, so if you want to do your bit for the environment, you may need to pay more.

Clay Litter

Clay litter is one of the most common types – it clumps quickly and doesn’t need changing often, but it can cause dust and isn’t biodegradable.

Silica Gel Crystals

Gel crystals are non-clumping crystals that absorb urine. They’re dust-free, but they’re not biodegradable. You have to change the whole tray simultaneously, and many cats don’t like them.

Paper Litter

Litter made from paper is cheap, dust-free, and biodegradable, but it needs to be changed more frequently, and it doesn’t control odors well.

Wheat Litter

Wheat litter is typically scented – naturally or artificially. It’s biodegradable and dust-free, but it doesn’t clump together well and is more challenging to clean; plus, it can attract pests.

Wood Litter

Wood litter is a natural choice that is dust-free and biodegradable. Still, cats typically don’t like the smell, which can cause problems with your kitty’s toilet habits.

Walnut Shell Litter

Walnut shell litter can be clumping or non-clumping. Clumping walnut shell litter isn’t as effective as clay but is biodegradable and has low dust levels.

Corn Litter

Corn litter is clumping, dust-free, and biodegradable, but it’s expensive and is another option that can attract pests.

Coconut Husk Litter

Coconut husk litter is a clumping litter that’s dust-free and biodegradable.
It’s less effective than clay litter and is harder to find in stores.

The Best Cat Litter

There’s no single correct answer for the best litter, but clay litter does the best job of clumping, so it is one of the easiest to clean. Unscented litter is the best choice for cats since many will avoid the litter tray if they don’t like the smell.