What Is Cat Litter Made Of? Top 7 Types, Materials, Pros & Cons
What is cat litter made of? It isn’t just sand. Manufacturers have to develop materials that help with clumping, odour control, dust, tracking and environmental impact, all whilst keeping the costs down.
Over the years, brands have found many ways to do these things, and everyone has their preference when it comes to different types of kitty litter. Popular litter materials include clay, silica crystals, pine pellets, and even corn litter.
In this guide, we will break down the top 7 types of cat litter, what they are made of, how they work, and who they are good for.
1) Non-Clumping Clay Litter (Absorbent Mineral Litter)
This is a popular type of cat litter made from absorbent clays/minerals described as Fuller’s earth. This is a catch-all term for absorbent clays like montmorillonite-type clays that soak up liquid like a sponge.
How It Works (Absorption + Odour)
The clay absorbs urine quickly, spreading through the granules. It doesn’t form a solid scoopable clump, so the box will become damp and smelly over time. Some manufacturers add other things to assist with odour control, such as:
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Baking soda
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Charcoal
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A hypoallergenic fragrance
This litter is budget-friendly but you will need to change the entire tray frequently. Also, dust can be a concern when you choose this option.
2) Clumping Clay Litter (Bentonite / Sodium Bentonite)
This variety of clay cat litter is made of similar materials to the previous one, but it has bentonite (often sodium bentonite) added for clumping. Bentonite clay swells dramatically when it contacts water, creating a clump that pulls urine into the granules.
Why It Clumps
As mentioned, the bentonite clay swells and binds when it comes into contact with moisture. This leads to the formation of scoopable clumps that can make daily litter tray cleaning simpler and avoid having to do a full change frequently.
When cat litter is made of this, the daily scooping is a nice bonus. However, it can be dusty, and some products can lead to litter being tracked out of the tray (depending on granule size).
3) Silica Crystal Litter (Silica Gel)
This cat litter is made from silica gel crystals. This is a desiccant-style material that you may recognize from inside packaging for many products you buy. It is very effective at pulling moisture away, meaning it absorbs urine quickly.
How Silica Controls Moisture and Smell
Silica gel is a highly porous material that absorbs moisture. When your cat urinates, the crystals draw water away and trap it within the granules, keeping the litter surface drier and reducing the build-up of odour compounds.
One of the key selling points of this solution is that it tends to be lower-dust than clay. However, some minor concerns have been made about the risk of ingestion for cats, which can be a concern for some owners.
4) Pine / Wood Litter (Pellets or Granules)
This type of cat litter is made of wood fibres or pine pellets. These are usually non-clumping solutions, but the pellets can break down to absorb moisture. Pine litter is popular for its pleasant fragrance, and it can be effective at reducing bad odours.
How It Works
The wood pellets absorb moisture and can neutralise odours. The wood fibres pull urine into the material, reducing surface wetness and locking odour molecules in. What’s more, lignin and other plant compounds can help trap and mask odours. And the format can be helpful in reducing tracking on your cat’s paws.
If your cat is used to litter with a finer texture, you may need to mix types to help them transition to the chunky pine pellets. Gradual change should help your furry friend become familiar with the change in texture.
5) Paper Litter (Recycled Paper Pellets)
This cat litter is made of exactly what you expect: recycled paper. The material is shaped into pellets or granules to serve as an absorbent cat litter that can be reasonable at clumping for easy cleaning.
Performance Profile
There are various benefits of choosing this type of cat litter. It is:
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Low-dust: The paper pellets do not contain tiny particles that form dust.
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Absorbent: This litter type has a high natural absorbency.
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Good for sustainability: Made from recycled paper, the material is inherently sustainable and biodegradable.
This kitty litter is commonly recommended for dust-sensitive households. However, it is important to examine the specifics of any cat litter carefully if you have a cat or family member that is sensitive to dust.
6) Corn Litter
This is a less well-known type of cat litter made of a corn-based plant material. It is sustainable and biodegradable, often marketed in the same “natural litter” category as wood and paper products. These appeal to those who prioritise renewable materials.
Clumping and Odour Control
Corn litters are usually designed to clump - an effect that comes from corn starches becoming sticky when wet. Urine hits the granules and causes the starch-rich particles to bond together for an easy-scoop clump.
Odour control is typically achieved by:
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Removing the clumps quickly
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The litter’s ability to hold moisture and odour compounds in the granules.
If your household seeks a biodegradable alternative to clay, this might be a good choice. However, be aware that tracking can be a problem, and these litters can still create dust depending on how they are milled and screened.
7) Wheat Litter
This cat litter is made of wheat processed into granules to create the familiar look and texture of kitty litter. It is a plant-based, biodegradable option that is affordable and easy to use in the tray.
Why It Clumps and Smells Less
Wheat litter usually clumps because its natural starches bind when wet. This gives you a scoopable mass that you can easily remove. Odour control comes in part from wheat enzymes that help break down smell-causing compounds, which is a convenient feature for cat owners.
Wheat litter is a great choice for daily scooping, making a renewable alternative to mined clay. Results depend on granule texture and your cat’s needs and preferences, so we recommend a gradual transition to ensure your feline remains happy.
How Cat Litter is Made
No matter what type of cat litter you are looking at, there are several common steps that go into the manufacturing of each of them. Those are as follows:
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Material preparation
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Blending additives
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Granulating or pelletising
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Drying
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Screening and quality control for dust, absorbency and clumping
Different materials have different environmental implications. The manufacturing processes use materials and energy in every case. But non-biodegradable cat litter adds huge amounts of waste to landfill and may even contribute to pollution.
How to Choose the Best Cat Litter For Your Home
The key is to think about the specific needs of your home. For example, if you have a dust-sensitive household, you will need to look for a low-dust cat litter like recycled paper or silica crystal.
Match the material to your priorities, thinking about things like:
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Odour control
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Dust
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Tracking
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Easy scooping
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Cost
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Sustainability
Always think about your cat as well. Some can be sensitive to changes in their litter trays. We always recommend gradual switching to ensure your cat feels comfortable and confident in the litter box.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is Cat Litter Made Of
What is clumping cat litter made of?
Clumping litter is often made of bentonite and similar clumping clays. However, materials like corn and wheat can also be good at clumping.
What are crystal cat litters made of?
These are usually made from silica gel crystals. These highly porous granules quickly absorb moisture into large surfaces on their interior, trapping in wetness and odours.
Is “natural cat litter” really better?
Though often more expensive, these plant-based cat litters tend to be good at odour control. However, there are other renewable and biodegradable options that are cheaper, and “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean “dust-free”.
