Making a decision between clumping vs non clumping litter can be quite a hassle; after all, most brands market each product to be superior to other varieties.
However, all cat owners face this challenge at some time during ownership and it comes down to making that tough decision on which litter to select.
Cat litter is one of the most important decisions you can make for your pet (and for your home).
In order to make an informed decision, it is vital that you understand everything about each variety.
Listed below are some of the pros and cons of clumping vs non-clumping litter. Which one works best for you?
Clumping vs Non Clumping Litter – Pros of Each Type
Clumping
For starters, clumping is called clumping because it serves a pretty nice function in your cat’s waste; it forms small slumps so that you can easily clean the litter box.
Cat owners can utilize the scoop and throw away method, without wasting tons of the sand that is found in the box.
So what does this mean for your cat and for your home?
A box that is regularly cleaned by scooping away litter clumps means that the litter box remains cleaner for longer; so no lingering smells persist in the home (this also depends on how quickly you clean the mess).
While the clumping formula is good for eliminating soiled parts of the box, you still need to change out the sand, but not as frequently as you would with the non-clumping litter.
These are pretty nice perks for the cat owner and many people enjoy these perks of the clumping variety to help maintain a cleaner box and cleaner home.
Non Clumping
So now that you have been through some of the perks of clumping cat litter, you may be wondering why anyone would want to select the non-clumping type.
One of the best perks of non-clumping is in the odor removal chemicals.
Non-clumping cat litter tends to be a good option for completely eliminating all odors from your cat’s litter, which means your home does not have that lingering odor.
In addition, non-clumping cat litter first came to the market as a way to absorb large amounts of liquid and waste, since it contains baking soda and charcoal components.
The baking soda is used to eliminate odors in the area while charcoal is well established for its ability to absorb things.
This is one of the biggest reasons why cat owners select non-clumping varieties and it is one of the biggest reasons why there is still debate between these two types.
Clumping vs Non Clumping Litter – What are the Negatives?
Clumping
There are not many negatives for each, but there are some things to be aware of when it comes to purchasing your cat litter.
Since the clumping variety creates a clump of waste in the cat litter box, some owners report that odors persist easier in the home.
This is a drawback as many pet owners do not want this side effect.
Even though odors persist, some tend to find ways around this side effect with the use of scented candles, scented sprays or opening a window.
Non-Clumping
Non-clumping cat litter was the first type of litter to hit the markets, so it is the most established of the two types here.
Non-clumping is known for its ability to absorb large amounts of liquid and waste, which it does.
However, since the litter collects such a large amount of soil, it means the owner will need to regularly change the litter box.
This is a hassle in the household that is always on the go and has little time to make the litter box change.
Even though this is a side effect, many households make this work, so keep this in mind.
Clumping vs Non Clumping Litter – Is there a Difference in Cost?
There is not much of a price difference between these two options, but a 40-pound container (28 pounds) of clumping litter ranges from about $9 to $24 depending on your brand.
This is a reasonable price since you do not need to change the litter as often as non-clumping.
In comparison, the non-clumping variety typically costs about $15 to $30, for a 30-pound container.
This is slightly more than the clumping type, but usually, owners find this price worth the added bonus of odor elimination.
If you are simply shopping for litter based off price then you cannot go wrong with the clumping type of cat litter.
In contrast, if you want better quality for your price then non-clumping is a pretty good option as well.
Clumping vs Non Clumping Litter – Ingredients
Cat owners are aware that cat litter is “sand,” but sand contains chemicals.
The clumping cat litter is the first on the list and it mostly consists of sodium bentonite, which is the main reason why it is clumping.
The compound sodium bentonite is the clumping agent in the cat litter that changes its form from sand to solid in the presence of moisture.
Pretty neat huh?
In comparison to the clumping type, non-clumping cat litter contains calcium bentonite, which does not create solid material in the presence of moisture.
There are no known harmful issues with these types of litter formulas, but if you are concerned with the compounds that each variety has to offer then consider asking your vet more about the compounds of each and if they are right for your cat.
Clumping vs Non Clumping Litter – The Deciding Factor
Now that you have some information for each type of cat litter, the pricing, and the ingredients, you should be able to make an informed decision on your cat litter.
If you want a formula that is kind on your bank account, is easier to clean, and saves you effort all around then the clumping may be for you.
However, the extra “steps” are worth it with the non-clumping formula, as this is a great option for eliminating odors.
You typically should change your box out each week with this formula, but again, your lifestyle may factor into this type.
While there is no definite decision on which is better, your choice in clumping vs non clumping litter will most likely come down to your overall preference in your home.
References
[1] https://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/clearing-the-air/2013/05/clumping-vs-non-clumping-cat-litter/
[2] https://www.petmd.com/cat/centers/litter/evr_ct_clumping-versus-non-clumping-cat-litter
[3] http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/clumping-vs-non-clumping-cat-litter/