We give Crystal Cat Litter a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Typically, most cat litter today is made out of clay or a similar material. However, crystal cat litter has become more popular over the years. Generally, crystal cat litter is better at fighting odors and controlling moisture than other cat litters. Plus, it is usually dust-free and lightweight.
However, this cat litter is also far more expensive than most. Many companies claim that they last longer, making the higher price worth it to some. Still, how much longer does this type of litter last? And does the extended lifespan make it worth the price?
Below, we’ll take a look at just that.
Crystal Cat Litter – A Quick Look
Image Credit: kholywood, Shutterstock
Pros
Lightweight
Rounded beads may combat tracking
May be better suited for picky cats
Cons
Easier to kick around
Usually non-clumping
Can hurt human feet as it is sharp
How Is Crystal Cat Litter Different from Clay Litter?
Crystal cat litter is different from clay cat litter in how it functions. These two types of litter are so different that it is difficult to compare them.
These tiny beads are extremely absorbent, which means that they soak up urine pretty easily. Furthermore, the litter doesn’t have a scent, which is much different from clay cat litter. Therefore, for those sensitive to artificial scents, crystal cat litter may be a lifesaver. This litter is also pretty lightweight in comparison to clay cat litter.
Non-Clumping
Crystal cat litter is usually non-clumping. While there are a few options that clump, these are few and far between. Therefore, when the crystals get “full,” you’ll need to completely change the litter box. Many people hear that crystal cat litter doesn’t clump and then completely throw it out as an option. However, non-clumping crystal litter is not like non-clumping clay litter.
Instead of scooping like traditional litter, you simply stir crystal cat litter. This ensures that the overloaded crystals get mixed in with the fresh ones. In this way, the urine continuously gets soaked up by the new crystals until they are all exhausted. Usually, this lasts quite a long time.
You can’t tell much of a difference between “used” crystals and unused crystals. The urine does not just sit at the bottom like some traditional, non-clumping litters. Plus, there is no liquid since the crystals soak it up.
In this way, many people consider crystal cat litter easier to care for than traditional cat litter.
Image credit: Axel Bueckert, Shutterstock
Dust-Free
During shipping, most clay cat litter gets broken down at least somewhat. Because it is just clay, the pieces can break when hit and banged up against things, which is bound to happen during shipping. In the end, this results in a bit of dust. Of course, some litters are dustier than others.
However, crystal cat litter is much more durable and doesn’t break down this way. Therefore, it is practically dust-free.
For many people, this feature is just a nice plus. But for others with allergies and asthma, this can seriously improve their symptoms.
Availability
Crystal cat litter isn’t as widespread as clay options so you’ll have to do a bit of searching to find a litter suitable for your cat. However, many popular brands do offer a crystal cat litter of some sort these days.
The biggest crystal cat litter producer is UltraPet. This company produces many different kinds and is pretty widespread. However, Scoop Away and Fresh Step also have their own crystal litter lines. Usually, these are found in many pet stores, as these companies are quite large.
Image Credit: Dmitrii Pridannikov, Shutterstock
FAQ
What Are the Benefits of Crystal Cat Litter?
There are many benefits of crystal cat litter. For one, it is very lightweight. Therefore, it is great for those who simply can’t handle the big, heavy bags of clay cat litter. It tracks less (usually), though it is susceptible to cats that like to sling litter.
Plus, crystal cat litter only requires stirring, not scooping. Therefore, you won’t have to spend quite as much time on litterbox maintenance. It also has great odor control properties, assuming you care for it properly.
Even the best cat litter can quickly start smelling bad. To avoid the expense and inconvenience of constantly replacing your litter, you can try a great litter additive like Hepper's Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer, a natural product that uses bio-enzymes to neutralize odors.
This deodorizer works on all types of litter and won't disrupt your cat's litter box habits.
At Excited Cats, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Does Crystal Cat Litter Hurt Cat Paws?
No. Crystal cat litter is gentler on paws than clay litter. Therefore, we recommend it for cats with sensitive paws, which can sometimes affect senior cats and kittens. Crystal cat litter can be a bit harsh on human feet, which makes tracking more of a problem.
However, certain crystal cat litters are softer than others so this is a feature you may want to pay attention to when choosing a particular litter.
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What the Users Say
The main problem users had when switching to this type of litter was the refusal by their cats. Once you start a cat on clay litter, they may be a bit weirded out by crystal cat litter. Not all cats will accept a switch to crystal cat litter simply because it is different than what they are used to. However, this shouldn’t be an issue for all cats, especially younger ones.
For scented versions, some owners were disappointed with how smelly the litter was. For those sensitive to scents, we recommend choosing an unscented variety.
Conclusion
High-quality crystal cat litter can be very effective. This type of litter is very different from clay cat litter and we highly recommend it for those looking for something completely different. For instance, you don’t scoop crystal cat litter; you stir it. It can take some getting used to, especially if you have older cats that are a bit stuck in their ways.
This litter is quite expensive so it can be a budget-breaker for some people. Keep this in mind when choosing between crystal and clay litter.
Kristin is passionate about helping pet parents create a fulfilling life with their pets by informing them on the latest scientific research and helping them choose the best products for their pets. She currently resides in Tennessee with four dogs, three cats, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one-day!
