What’s the Best Cat Litter for Long-Haired Cats?
You might think what you feed your cat is far more important than what’s in their litter box. But did you know most cats use the litter box 2-3 times a day? When you think about how much time that adds up to, you can start to understand why your choice of cat litter is so important.
It goes without saying that managing your cat’s diet is essential. The thing is, the wrong kind of litter can affect their health, too. This is especially true for long-haired cats because their fur traps odors and dust particles. Does your fluffy feline friend seem a little stinky? Or even worse, are they dusty after using the litter box?
If so, it might be time to try cat litter that’s custom-formulated for long-haired cats. But don’t stress—thanks to modern science, there are now safe and affordable options for even the fussiest fur babies.
How Do I Choose the Best Litter for a Long-Haired Cat?
As a pet parent, you know how fickle cats can be. They don’t care what veterinarians or online reviews say about various types of cat litter. Luckily, you can now find litter at almost any price point. Many brands even offer smaller trial sizes so that switching litter doesn’t break the bank.
Before you try our recommendations, think about your cat. Consider the type of litter they’re used to. Has your furry friend ever refused to use a certain brand or type of cat litter? Then you can slowly transition to using one of our favorites:
- Silica gel crystal cat litter
- Clumping clay cat litter
- Non-clumping clay cat litter
- Recycled paper cat litter
Silica Gel Crystal Cat Litter
Cat litter made of silica gel crystals is a somewhat recent innovation. Crystal litter is super-absorbent, almost 100% dust-free and great at locking in smelly odors. Even better, it sticks to your cat less and tracks through your home less than traditional litter. If a cat litter that stays in the litter box sounds like a dream come true, we suggest Fresh Step Fresh Scented Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter
Crystal cat litter tends to be a bit more expensive. Some cats don’t like the feeling of walking on the crystals, so be aware your cat may not like it before you buy in bulk. If you or your fur baby dislike scented litter, Dr. Elsey’s Unscented Low Dust Crystal Gel Cat Litter is another great choice. Because it’s unscented, it’s completely safe for sensitive respiratory systems.
Clumping Clay Cat Litter
For most cats, clumping litter is non-negotiable. Most pet parents prefer clumping litter, too—it’s just easier to scoop and clean. Clumping clay litter is made from bentonite, a mega-absorbent natural clay.
Clumping clay litter is great because it’s completely natural and nearly dust-free. Boxiecat’s Extra Strength Scent-free Clumping Clay Cat Litter is our top choice in this category for so many reasons. It lasts longer than other types, it clumps on top so you don’t have to dig around in your litter box, it’s 99.9% dust-free, it doesn’t track through your home and it’s loved by vets nationwide.
If you’re thinking this sounds too good to be true, we had the same thought. A cat litter that truly does it all? We were a bit skeptical. But the 100% money-back guarantee means there’s no risk to try it out and our long-haired cats love this stuff.
Non-clumping Clay Cat Litter
It’s no secret that every cat has its own preferences. Your cat may dislike clumping litter because of the way it feels under their paws or a number of other reasons. Either way, if your long-haired cat refuses to use clumping litter, you still have safe and low-mess options.
Because clay litter is so effective across the board, stick with clay if your cat doesn’t mind it. Non-clumping clay litter is still super absorbent so yucky odors get locked in, plus it’s cheaper than clumping versions.
Our top pick is Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter. Like our favorite clumping litter, this stuff does it all. It’s 99.6% dust-free, offers superb odor control, it’s low-tracking and it’s very absorbent. Finally, as the most affordable choice on our list, this is a great way to see if your cat likes clay litter.
Recycled Paper Cat Litter
Recycled paper cat litter is exactly what it sounds like. Paper is recycled into granules or pellets of litter. The great thing is that it’s truly 100% dust-free, since paper doesn’t create dust. It’s also biodegradable and extremely absorbent. All of these benefits means it’s easier, greener and cleaner for your long-haired fur baby to do their business.
There is a minor difference between granule litter and pellet litter, though. Granule litter like Yesterday’s News Clumping Paper Cat Litter clumps like traditional litter, making for quick and easy scooping. Pellet litter, on the other hand, doesn’t.
That said, recycled paper pellet litter is a fantastic eco-friendly choice for long-haired kitties. Does your cat turn its nose up at clay litter? Or refuse anything that clumps? They may prefer the softer texture of Yesterday’s News Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter instead.
Do Long-Haired Cats Prefer Clumping or Lightweight Litter?
Across the board, most long-haired cats prefer clumping litter over lightweight litter. You see, while every cat has their own opinions, clumping litter is just better for their health. The more lightweight your cat litter is, the more dust particles stick to your cat’s fur. Who likes the feeling of being dusty and smelly?
These dust particles aren’t just stinky, though. They can also stick to your cat’s skin and cause irritation. Plus, whenever you scoop the litter box, you’ll get a face full of lightweight dust particles, too. That’s why our recommendations are mostly clumping litters that are guaranteed dust-free. If your cat just won’t use clumping litter, try one of our non-clumping favorites instead of a lightweight litter.
All in all, every cat has a unique personality and preferences. Your cat will make it very clear if they don’t like the cat litter you’re currently using. Not sure where to start? Try our least expensive recommendations first. Don’t forget some brands offer a money-back guarantee, too. Finally, consider trying a few different options over the course of a couple months to find your fur baby’s favorite.
