Silica cat litter is a fairly inexpensive cat litter option which is safe for cats and simple to clean and maintain. Show
While there aren’t as many silica cat litters on the market as traditional clay, that doesn’t make this material any worse of a choice for your beloved cat. Silica cat litters work differently than clay, wood, paper and typical cat litters, and that leaves this type of litter often misunderstood. In this article, not only do we break down the benefits of using silica kitty litter, but we discuss how the crystal granules work to control odor and absorb liquid. We also talk about key components to look for when choosing the best silica cat litter for your fancy felines. Most importantly, we share our top six silica cat litter recommendations. 5 Benefits of Using a Crystal (Silica) Cat LitterAlthough silica gel cat litters aren’t as common as some of the other leading cat litter materials, they can have similar traits. Certain benefits may also be similar to those of mainstream litter options, but silica cat litter has a few of their own.
Since silica gel litters for cats are different that standard, more common cat litters, below we explain how they work. How Silica Cat Litters WorkMany silica cat litter brands suggest that there is no scooping of urine needed after your cat uses their litter box. But why? Where does the urine go if there’s no clumping properties? Silica gel granules consist of tiny pores than we cannot see at a glance. These pores absorb moisture and urine that the granules come in contact with. After your kitty makes a pit stop at their box to urinate, simply stir up the litter. This will help the silica gel litter adsorb all of the liquid. When maintained properly, the urine will not reach the bottom of the litter box. Another important fact to note is that silica get and crystalline silica are two completely different materials. Silica gel is safe for cats, while crystalline silica is not. Silica gel and crystalline silica are comprised of different minerals. Crystalline silica is not present in silica gel cat litters, so you do not need to worry about the risk. 5 Components to Look for in a Good Silica Cat LitterHere are some factors to consider when purchasing the best silica cat litter for your kitties:
Next up we outline our six silica cat litter recommendations. Overall Best Silica Cat Litter
PrettyLitterKey Benefits:
Best Silica Crystal Cat Litter: PrettyLitter is unlike any litter you have used before. Not only is it lightweight and environmentally friendly, but its most useful benefit is that it is color changing, alerting you to any hidden health issues your cat might be suffering from. PrettyLitter detects health issues such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, inflammation, kidney issues, and more. Owners are often oblivious to their cat’s health problems, so PrettyLitter takes out the guess work and tells you what your cat can’t! With a once-a-month convenient delivery service, PrettyLitter costs less than some other typical cat litters and the amount is tailored to suit the number of cats in your home. The super absorbent silica gel traps odors and eliminates moisture and is made from natural minerals, which means less dust and allergens and less litter in the landfill. Pros:
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Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Respiratory Relief Silica Gel Cat LitterKey Benefits:
Dr. Elsey’s cat litter made of silica gel takes the top spot on our list because of its quality and eco-friendliness. All of Dr. Elsey’s cat litters were formulated by Dr. Elsey himself, so you can trust that your cats will be using a top-notch, dependable product. Like many other gel litters, this one is free of perfumes and added fragrances. But unlike some of the other options, Dr. Elsey’s is biodegradable and infused with herbal enzymes. These essences help kitties who suffer from stress. This silica cat litter is virtually dust free and hypoallergenic, great for cats with respiratory concerns. It’s also an excellent choice if any humans in your home suffer from allergies. Pros:
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Fresh Step Crystals Cat LitterKey Benefits:
Runner-Up Best Silica Cat Litter: Fresh Step has a variety of cat litters available for cat parents, and we like this silica crystals litter. It absorbs and eliminates odor 5x as quickly as the leading clay litter. This lightweight litter is super soft for sensitive cat paws, and cats of all ages. Other benefits of this litter being lightweight are the fact that it’s easy to carry, pour and dispose of. Fresh Step Crystals Cat Litter is virtually dust free, and scooping is a breeze! The crystals are easy to maintain, replenish and cleanup. We also appreciate that this silica cat litter is cost-effective. Pros:
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The Fresh Step silica cat litter is a good option for your wallet, but we share our favorite budget-friendly silica cat litter below. Frisco Crystal Summer Clean Scent Multi-Cat LitterKey Benefits:
Best Budget-Friendly Silica Litter: Frisco silica litter is a low dust formula that offers high absorption without wasting litter. High performance odor protection and liquid absorption means that you use less litter, which saves you money in the end. And with this excellent budget-friendly silica litter, you are already making your wallet happy! We like that this litter works wonders in houses with lots of kitty friends. If you have cats with sensitive paws, or finicky cats, this litter is gentle and soft. A light summer scent adds a hint of freshness to your cat’s litter box area. This Frisco silica litter is also low dust, so you don’t have to worry about dusty clouds kicking up from your cat’s box. The cats and humans in your home will no doubt breathe easier. Pros:
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Our silica cat litter recommendations don’t end there. We have three more top rated picks for you! 3 More Top Rated Silica LittersDr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Long Hair LitterIt can be hard to find a good cat litter that doesn’t get stuck in your long hair cat’s beautiful fur. But your search ends with this Dr. Elsey’s silica cat litter! It’s made of larger silica gel particles that won’t become matted in your cat’s fur. Like other Dr. Elsey’s cat litters, this one is biodegradable, non-toxic and hypoallergenic. We like this this silica cat litter is infused with hydrolyzed herbs for cats who may be unsure about using the litter box. The herbs act as an attractant, which can be great for kittens as well. Ultra Pearls Micro Crystal Cat LitterThis silica cat litter is made up of sand-like granules. Just because the silica gel crystals are tiny doesn’t mean they aren’t powerful! The crystals offer superior odor control and liquid absorption for an ultra-clean litter box experience. Moisture and liquid is immediately absorbed on contact. The Ultra Pearls silica cat litter is non-toxic and will last longer than traditional litters. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Senior LitterDr. Elsey’s makes our list again with the silica cat litter for our senior feline friends. Tiny, fine granules trap odor and moisture instantly, so your cat’s litter box stays clean and dry. A fine coat of dust dehydrates cat feces to reduce odor and ensure your cat’s genital area stays clean. This is important because it reduces the risk of kidney failure and urinary tract infection in your senior cat. We appreciate that this Dr. Elsey’s silica cat litter is also non-toxic and biodegradable. Cat parents often have a lot of questions about silica gel cat litters, so we’ve answered the most popular ones below. Frequently Asked Questions
ConclusionAfter reading this article, we hope that you have a better understanding of how silica gel cat litter works, and the benefits that this type of litter offers. Of course every litter differs from brand to brand, and key components will be unique. We’ve suggested a wide variety of silica litter options so you can make a choice depending on your cat’s age and lifestyle, or your personal preferences. Remember to always check your cat litter’s packaging and labels to determine the best means of disposal. Not all cat litters are biodegradable or flushable. The labels will also tell you if that litter is appropriate for a mechanical litter box. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands after cleaning and handling cat litter, as to avoid spreading bacterial infection. Amanda Yantos is a creative pet writer and full time pet blogger. She is the owner of Dog Mom Days, a dog-centric blog focusing on the ins and outs of dog mom life. Amanda's blog has been featured in several news and magazine publications, as well as on AZ Family Channel 3 News. Amanda has published several pet related articles for major pet brands throughout her five years in the pet industry. You can follow Amanda on social media @DogMomDays Is Crystal litter better for odor control?Crystal litter absorbs urine and dehydrates waste, making it five times more effective at reducing odors than other litters such as clumping clay. It is also more cost-effective as cats use less crystal litter over time.
What is the best cat litter that controls odor?Best Cat Litter for Odor: Our Top Picks. Best Overall Cat Litter for Odor Control: Tidy Cats Free & Clean (See Price) ... . Best Clumping Litter for Odor Control: SmartCat All Natural Clumping Litter (See Price) ... . Best Non-Clumping Litter for Odor Control: Pretty Litter (See Price). Is silica cat litter better for odor control?Crystal litter, which is made from silica gel, is generally considered the best for eliminating unwanted smells (plus it lasts longer).
How do you keep crystal litter from smelling?Unlike some other types of litter, this one doesn't clump so you'll need to change out the whole pan of litter on a regular basis to prevent odors from forming. With regular changing, stirring and removal of solid waste, crystal cat litter should keep your cat's litter box odor-free.
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