10 Best Budget Cat Litters That Your Pet Will Most Likely Enjoy
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
When it comes to toilet habits, owning a cat may appear to be easier than owning a dog. Cats can be left alone for extended periods of time without needing to rush back home to let them out.
Indoor litter boxes provide convenience for cat owners, but the litter must be cleaned and refilled.
While cats are easier to care for than dogs in this regard, litter is something you'll have to buy on a monthly basis for the remainder of the cat's life.
These expenses can easily pile up, especially if you're on a tight budget. There are litters for every budget, but you need one that has also been approved by your cat.
If the cat does not like the one you chose, he or she may not utilize it.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) compiled a list of the best budget cat litters and wrote reviews for each of them so you could explore them and find the one that's right for you.
Reviews
Best Overall: Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Cat Litter
Arm & Hammer Multi-Cat Clump & Seal Cat Litter is our top pick for low-cost cat litter. For the amount of litter in the box, the pricing is reasonable.
This litter is ideal for households with numerous cats, but it may also be used for a single feline buddy.
The micro-granules have a tiny, sand-like texture that allows them to be easily poured out of the box while remaining gentle on your cat’s feet.
When wet, the litter activates, locking in scents and eliminating them using Arm & Hammer baking soda.
When applied, the litter produces firm clumps that may be easily picked away. The rest of the litter will be left alone. The low-dust solution keeps both you and your cat’s air clean.
The litter claims to eliminate odors in your home for 7 days. This product contains a faint smell that may affect cats and individuals with respiratory disorders.
Tracking is believed to be limited with this litter, however there have been reports of it happening outside and around the litter box.
Best Value: Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Cat Litter
When it comes to cheap cat litter, Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Clumping Cat Litter is the best value for money. It contains bentonite, which destroys smells on contact.
Whether you have one or several cats, this litter is designed to be effective for all of them. The fast-clumping action prevents liquids from collecting and clinging to the litter box’s bottom.
It’s extremely absorbent and will keep working until the odors are gone. Liquids will not permeate the surrounding litter because the clumps are easy to scoop.
This litter has a faint aroma to it. While it purports to be dust-free, stories have surfaced of dust clouds emerging when the litter is dumped.
Daily scooping is recommended to help with odor control, and clumps can get sticky if not removed on a regular basis.
The World’s Best Clumping Corn Cat Litter – The Premium Option
World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter is our top budget cat litter pick.
Because it is created from compressed maize, this litter has a distinct texture than clay litter. It’s also biodegradable, flushable, and environmentally friendly.
It is slightly more expensive than some other solutions, but it may provide additional benefits. It is absolutely free of clay particles, resulting in better air for your cat.
Because it is safe for most septic systems, you may flush the clumps and make cleanup easier. The litter is also fragrance-free.
Because there are no perfumes added, this is a non-irritating choice for cats who are sensitive to odors. Natural odor control aids in keeping your home smelling fresh.
When mixed with urine, the maize substance absorbs liquids effectively but produces an unpleasant odor. This aroma is said to stay only a few minutes and not to go beyond the litter box area.
The litter can become entirely saturated after about a week and must be changed. To avoid the accumulation of smells and urine, the clumps should be scooped everyday or at least every other day.
Cat Litter Purina Yesterday’s News Paper – Best for Kittens
Yesterday’s News Fresh Scented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter is suitable for cats of all ages, however due to the material, it is our preferred choice for kittens.
Paper cat litter is soft on the paws of kittens. It’s also non-toxic, which is essential for kittens that are just learning how to use the litter box.
There are no dangerous chemicals added that could be mistakenly consumed. This litter absorbs three times more than clay litters. The formula removes more than 99 percent of the dust.
The recyclable paper traps odors, and the gentle scent replaces unpleasant aromas with more pleasant ones. This litter does not clump, however the litter pellets expand when wet.
To remove the moist litter, you can plainly see the soiled areas. This should be removed as soon as possible to avoid liquid gathering on the litter’s bottom when further absorption is impossible.
It is advised that all litter be changed and refreshed once a week. It is advisable to transition from clay litter to paper litter gradually so that cats can become accustomed to it over time.
Changing it all at once can confuse cats, and some have refused to use the litter as a result.
Scoop Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Cat Litter Away
The Scoop Away Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Cat Litter‘s added meadow fresh perfume will provide fragrance to your home every time your cat uses their litter box.
It will work for one or more cats and will provide long-lasting odor prevention. For up to 7 days, the formula’s improved Ammonia Shield and antibacterial qualities battle odors and microorganisms that create odors.
ClumpLock technology aids in the formation of clumps fast and tightly so that they can be readily scooped away.
The carrying handle on top of the box makes it simple to move and pour this litter. There have been reports of this product being dusty while pouring and scooping, as well as being high-tracking.
Buyer's Guide: Choosing The Best Low-Cost Cat Litter
Owners of cats must contend with litter box odors, dust, and tracking. These problems can be avoided by purchasing the best cat litter for your cat at a reasonable price.
Once you’ve decided which litter concerns you want to avoid, you’ll know where to begin when selecting the finest one for your home.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as universal cat litter that works well for everyone and every cat. Some cats prefer clay litters, while others prefer natural litters.
Each litter is unique, and your selection will be based on your (and your cat’s) preferences.
Scent
Litter boxes will ultimately develop an odor. That is why you must unload all of the litter, wash the box, and refill it with fresh litter on a regular basis.
Artificial fragrances applied to cat litter can help keep the litter smelling fresh each time the cat uses it.
When these smells combine with urine and feces, however, they can produce a disagreeable stink. Some cats suffer from respiratory ailments and are sensitive to synthetic fragrances.
When selecting your cat litter, consider whether an extra scent will benefit your cat or if regular scooping to combat odor accumulation is preferable.
Controlling Odors
Cats dislike it when their litter boxes stink as much as you do. If the boxes become too much for the cats, they may refuse to use them.
In addition to scooping the box everyday, your litter should contain an odor-control feature that will fulfill your cat’s needs.
Even if your litter is odorless, the label should specify some form of odor control mechanism to lock in and eradicate odors.
Whether it’s all-natural or clay litter, odor control technology ensures that your home smells fresh.
Texture
It may take some trial and error to locate a litter with the texture your cat prefers. The texture of clay litters is preferred by most cats, but the bulkier pebble textures may be too abrasive for some.
Natural cat litters composed of walnut or pine are preferred by some cats. You’ll know if your cat doesn’t like the texture of the litter you chose.
They’ll either stop using their box or radically alter their potty habits.
They may, for example, discontinue burying their waste. Cats enjoy digging in their litter and being able to shift it around effortlessly.
Textures that are soft and grainy work well. If your cat is habituated to one type of litter and you want to switch to another, do so gradually.
Before entirely replacing the litter, gradually mix in the new litter.
Natural or Clay Material
Clay litters are dusty and are not made in an environmentally acceptable manner. The litter cannot degrade.
Clay litters are what most cats are used to and perform well for odor reduction and absorption. Natural litters can be environmentally friendly while also providing odor control.
They can be more expensive than clay, therefore they might not be the best option. Natural litters may also need to be cleaned more frequently than clay litter.
Although clay litters clump better and faster than natural litters, natural litters can absorb more liquid. Consider clumping or non-clumping litter when deciding which type is best for your cat.
Clumping versus Non-Clumping
Each sort of litter has advantages. Clumping litter is slightly more expensive, but the clumps are easier to remove while cleaning the litter box.
Because the litter surrounding the clumps remains clean, less litter is wasted.
The clumps also provide odor management by trapping odors inside and producing a coating on the clump’s exterior that dehydrates trash.
Non-clumping litter is less expensive and can absorb moisture, but it will eventually become entirely saturated.
When the absorption capacity is achieved, urine may begin to pool beneath the litter. Because of this, the litter must be totally emptied and refilled more frequently than clumping litter.
Dirty litter also mixes with clean litter, making separation impossible. A complete litter change is required once a week on average to keep odors to a minimum and the litter’s effectiveness.
Saving Money on Cat Litter
Following these procedures will allow you to stretch the perfect litter inside your budget even farther.
Reduce Your Waste
Litter is wasted when it is thrown away before it becomes filthy, tracked around the home, or kicked outside the box by your cat.
While unintended, these occurrences will push you to purchase litter sooner you would have otherwise. High-sided litter boxes can help keep kicking and digging litter contained.
If you buy a low-tracking litter, you should be able to reduce unintended spread.
Litter mats placed outside the box help collect litter that has become trapped on your cat’s paws. Then you may lift the pad and return the litter to the box.
Purchase on Sale
When litter goes on sale, that is when you should buy up. Buying two containers instead of one will help you acquire more litter for your money.
While the term “budget” can be subjective, purchasing on sale can be beneficial. Buying online will also allow you to find greater discounts than those available on store shelves.
Conclusion
Arm & Hammer Multi-Cat Clump & Seal Cat Litter is our top pick for low-cost cat litter. We enjoy how it has a low-dust recipe, a tight clumping action, and it prevents odors with baking soda.
Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Clumping Cat Litter is our best value pick. It is inexpensive and begins to reduce odors upon touch.
World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter is our top pick. It is biodegradable and flushable.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) also enjoys that it’s made of corn.
In the end, we appreciate that you chose BestForPets among dozens of other websites to learn about the best budget cat litters.
Hopefully, this article has assisted you in selecting the best product for your pet.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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