What's in your cat box?

When I was a kid, there was one kind of cat litter. It was grey and gravel-y and came in a heavy paper bag. When you dumped it into the catbox, a choking cloud of acrid dust would come up. When the cats were done with their business, it stank. In my childhood home, cats were encouraged to go outside, and the catbox was located in the basement if they needed it. Cleaning it was a horrible, hated chore. 

I'm sure the cats weren't too happy about the whole thing, either,

Then clumping litter came out, and that was just awesome because it made it easy to get all the yucky stuff out, leaving clean litter behind. I love a good clumping litter. It's what I use and recommend. And in the last twenty years or so, dozens of other litter varieties have come on the market.

So many kinds of litter! And these are only a few!

"Oh boy," you're thinking, "Now she's going to start telling us her opinions on all the things wrong with any other kind of litter."

But actually, I'm not. And here's why:

Cats are finicky. They like what they like and hate what they hate, and often make their feelings quite clear about preferences.

I will say that most cats seem to prefer finer-textured, unscented litter. They like it to be nice and deep for good digging and burying, and they like it to be clean.

I've got clients that use pine pellets, crushed walnut shells, recycled paper, ground corn cobs, wheat pellets -- all kinds of different litter. There are definitely some I find easier to keep clean than others but when it comes right down to it, if your cat is happy and healthy using it, it's a win. (However, I have heard the desiccant crystals can be hard on a cat's paws, causing dryness and cracking.) So find one that you and your cat like, and to heck with anyone else's opinion.

Because if your cat is unhappy with its litterbox, you're going to find out in a variety of awful ways.

-- They will find another place to do their business: laundry baskets, your bed, closets, etc. I guarantee you will not be happy with their choice, and it is very difficult to get the smell of cat whiz out of anything.

--They will not use the box as frequently as they need, preferring to "hold it" until they simply must. This can lead to bladder infections and other issues.

--They will do a "hit and run" where they spend as little time as possible in the box, leaving deposits unburied. Ahh, the aroma. It wafts, this bewitching scent, throughout the house.

"Welcome home. I hate this litter. Love, your cat."

Find one you both like. Keep it clean. That's pretty much it!