Which litter suits your cat?

The litter that matters is the one the cat accepts

The best litter in the world is no use if the cat decides not to use it. Preference studies and clinical experience point the same way: most cats prefer a fine grain that clumps and has no perfume, similar to the soil or sand they would use outdoors. That is why clumping bentonite does well in almost every comparison, and why the advice barely changes if your cat already uses a litter without problems: if it works, leave it alone. The other questions are there to fine-tune what matters to you: dust, odour, the weight of the bag or price.

Where the prices come from

They are rough ranges from physical and online shops in Spain in 2026, for one cat and a standard-sized litter tray, scooping what clumps every day and changing the rest when needed. Price per kilo is misleading: silica is one of the most expensive per kilo, but it is light and lasts weeks; absorbent clay is the cheapest per kilo, but has to be changed completely and often, so you go through a lot. That is why we also give the approximate cost per month, which is what really compares. With two or three cats, multiply, and remember the rule is one litter tray per cat plus one.

How to change litter without it refusing the tray

Gradually, and without taking away the one it knows. The safest way is to put a second litter tray with the new litter next to the usual one and let the cat choose for a week or two. If there is no room, mix them: a quarter of the new litter the first week, half the second, three quarters the third. If at any point it starts going outside the tray, go back a step. And do not change the litter, the tray and its location all at once: if something goes wrong, you will not know what it was.

Perfumes, dust and lids

A cat’s sense of smell is far keener than ours, and what smells clean to us can be unbearable to it. Scented litters and air fresheners next to the tray are a common reason a cat stops using it. Odour is better controlled by removing what is soiled every day and washing the tray with water and mild soap every few weeks. Dust is similar: if anyone at home has asthma or allergies, or the cat sneezes when digging, choose a low-dust litter. And many cats prefer an open tray: a lid traps the smell inside, right where its nose is.

Can it be flushed?

Some plant-based and paper litters are sold as flushable, but it pays to be careful. Old pipes and septic tanks block easily, and many water treatment plants ask people not to flush anything other than toilet paper. Cat faeces can also carry toxoplasma eggs, which water treatment does not always remove. If the brand allows it, flush only small amounts and never the whole tray at once. The safest option is still the rubbish bag and, for plant-based and paper litters, the bin your local council specifies.