We selected the 7 best cat litters for kittens after testing over 40+ of them to get the litters that are safe as well as effective in odor control and absorptivity.
Kittens learn and explore the things around them by biting them just like the way babies do. Due to this, you should be careful that they don’t consume something that is toxic or dangerous. So always choose the best cat litter for kittens that does not have any toxic ingredients.
Kittens also have intestines with smaller diameters so if they accidentally ingest clumping litter that forms hard clumps then it might cause an intestinal blockage which could be fatal. It is hence recommended to only use the litter which is appropriate for kittens.
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The Best Litter For Kittens in 2023 (Reviews)
1. Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
The Yesterday’s News is made with softer-texture pellets of recycled paper, which feel more like regular clay than the original formula. This non-clumping paper litter is completely safe to use for kittens as neither it does clump and nor it does have any toxic material, harsh chemicals, or artificial perfumes.
Since it is made from recycled paper hence it does not produce any dust while your cat is using it or while scooping or cleaning it. Additionally, paper as a base material also makes the litter super absorbent which not only helps it in absorbing the liquid waste but it also provides a good odor control.
The litter also comes with a soft texture due to which it is very much comfortable for the your small kitty.
To conclude, we think this is the overall best litter for kittens.
Pros:
- Lightweight litter with high absorptivity and odor control
- Made from recycled paper makes it eco-friendly
- 99.7% dust-free formula
- Soft texture that is comfortable for your kitty
Cons:
- Since it is a lightweight litter so it tracks in some amount
2. Pioneer Pet SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter
This grass litter from Pioneer SmartCat is made from all-natural ingredients making it safe for kittens. Since it is made from all-natural ingredients with the base material as grass so it does not contain any toxic materials or harmful chemicals. Additionally, it is also free from any added artificial fragrance. All these factors make it one of the best cat litters for kittens.
This clumping litter clumps so fast that odors don’t have a chance to escape. Since it forms clumps upon being in contact with the waste so it becomes easy to clean. Additionally, this litter in spite of being clumping is safe for kittens because it has a plant-based clumping agent and it is made from 100% grass.
It has a smooth texture that not only makes it comfortable for your kitties but also minimizes tracking. Additionally, it is also 99% dust-free and hence provides a cleaner litter box environment. This not only keeps the air cleaner to breathe but it also keeps the floor free from any settled dust.
Pros:
- Made from all natural grass ingredient
- Plant-based clumping agent makes it safe for kittens
- High absorptivity with good odor control
- Soft texture of litter makes it comfortable for your kitty
Cons:
- The clumps are not very hard hence they might break if not scooped with care
3. Naturally Fresh Kitten Training Unscented Clumping Walnut Litter
If you are looking for a safe litter for your kitten and at the same time don’t want to spend a hefty amount on it. Then this kitten training clumping walnut litter by Naturally Fresh would be the best option for your kitty.
It is made from all-natural walnut shells the not only neutralizes odors but also provides good absorptivity. It also features a blend of naturally scented herbs that attract your furry friend to use her litter box.
The litter also features dust-free formula and hence helps cats and cat parents with any respiratory problems. Additionally, this litter does not contain any chemicals, toxins, clay, corn. and grains hence it is completely safe for your cats.
Pros:
- Low tracking and low dust formula
- Unscented litter with natural walnut fragrance
- Free from chemicals or any toxic ingredients
Cons:
- Few kittens might not like its natural musky scent
4. World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
The company World’s Best being one of the top manufacturers provides this unscented clumping corn cat litter which is totally safe for kittens. Since it is made from whole kernel corn and completely free from any harmful chemicals & artificial perfumes hence it is not only safe for kittens but also for you as well as the planet.
This natural corn cat litter delivers long-lasting odor control and keeps your home smelling fresh throughout the day. Additionally, with its quick clumping formula not only it will trap the odor quickly but it will also make it easy to scoop out the waste easily. It is also flushable and safe for most of the septic and sewer systems.
Moreover, this lightweight cat litter is 99% dust-free so it will not produce any dust while cleaning or while your kitty is using it. Hence it keeps the air cleaner to breathe and does not irritate you or your cat while breathing.
Pros:
- Biodegradable and safe to flush
- Completely free from harmful chemicals
- Quick clumping formula which is also safe for cats
Cons:
- Comparatively expensive as compared to other litters
5. Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter
The Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter is made from 100% natural pine without adding any harsh chemicals, additives, and synthetic perfumes. It is also clay-free formula so not only it is safe for kittens but it also does not produce dust and hence no messy cloud of dust. So you can pour with ease and your kitty can use it without getting irritated while breathing.
The improved formula absorbs liquids faster uses highly absorbent pine fibers to absorb liquid to lock ammonia odors away. This litter is unscented, yet the natural fragrance of pine keeps your home smelling fresh.
It is a non-clumping formula and hence totally safe for even young kittens even if they ingest it accidentally. However, since it is non-clumping so you will need to change it frequently in order to maintain its odor control and absorptivity.
Pros:
- Naturally highly absorbent
- Clay-free and dust free non-clumping formula
Cons:
- Some cats might not like the natural fragrance of pine
6. Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter is perfect to use for kittens that do not have a habit of using the litter box. It has a kitten-specific natural herbal attractant that piques a kitten’s curiosity to use the litter box consistently.
The combination of herbs, texture, and particle size makes it one of the best cat litter for kittens. With its ideal granule size and texture, it is tender kitten paws that make it comfortable for your kitty to use it.
This clay litter has superior clumping ability and hence it forms clumps upon being in contact with the waste. Due to this, it becomes easy to scoop out the waste from the litter box. Additionally, the litter is also 99% dust-free and hence does not produces any dust while cleaning or while your kitty is using it.
Pros:
- Natural herbal kitten-specific attractant that piques kittens to use the litter box
- Multi-cat formula for superior odor control
- 99% dust-free
Cons:
- Not suitable for small kittens
7. CatSpot Non-Clumping Coconut Cat Litter
The CatSpot cat litter is made from coconut and hence it is totally safe for kittens. This litter is also available in two variants clumping as well as non-clumping so that you can choose the one which is most suitable for your kitty.
The non-clumping formula is best recommended to use if your kitten has a habit of eating their litter. This is because if the clumping litter has a tendency to expand once it absorbs liquid. If the clumps do not easily pass through then it might cause intestinal blockage.
It does not contain any harmful chemicals or artificial fragrances. The natural properties of coconut make it effective in controlling the odor. Moreover, it also has a superior absorptivity with the same absorbency as 20 pounds of clay litter.
Pros:
- All natural litter made from coconut makes it safe for kittens
- Does not contain artificial fragrance
- Lightweight and easy to clean
Cons:
- The effectiveness of odor control and absorptivity reduces if not cleaned regularly
Buyer’s Guide
It is a known fact that cats require a specific diet for their proper development. This is also true for litter. The kittens, however, can use the normal litter but there are some things that cat parents have to be careful about.
With this descriptive buyer’s guide, you will get to know all the details so that you can use the cat litter safely and effectively for your kitten.
Why Do You Need a Different Litter for Kittens?
Kittens are more sensitive than adult cats and hence they need a different litter. Using a standard litter may not be suitable for kittens. This is because some of the litters come with added fragrances to which is not good for kittens.
Moreover, kittens usually have the habit of eating their litter. Due to this, their litter needs to be free of any toxic materials. Additionally, in the case of young kittens, it is recommended to use a non-clumping plant-based litter. This is because they have intestines with small diameters, and ingesting clumping litter might cause intestinal blockage. Hence, you should use non-clumping litter for them.
However, in the case of kittens older than 2-3 months of age, you can use clumping litters made from natural and plant-based ingredients.
Types of Cat Litters for Kittens
With the different types of cat litter for kittens, its characteristics will also differ. So we have mentioned all the types of cat litters for kittens with the recommended products for the same so that you can select the most preferable one.
- Based on material: Cat litters were traditionally made up of only clay, but nowadays the commercial cat litters are available in different types. In addition to the clay litters, usually, plant-based litters are used.
Some of the best plant-based cat litters for kittens are made from pine, wood, grass, coconut, walnut, etc.
There are also materials other than plant-based ingredients, like silica crystal, which are available but these are not recommended to be used for kittens.
- Clumping and Non-Clumping: Any litter can be broadly distinguished between two types, clumping and non-clumping, depending upon whether it is capable of clumping or not. The non-clumping litters are most recommended for kittens as some of the kitties have the habit of eating litter.
Some of the clumping litters are also suitable to be used for kittens. These litters are made from natural ingredients and are free from any harmful chemicals or artificial fragrances.
How to Choose the Best Cat Litters for Kittens?
It is important to choose the right litter for your kitten because choosing the wrong one can be risky for your kitty. Hence we have made these simple steps so you are aware of what you are choosing. Follow these steps in order to get the best cat litter for your kittens:
Base material
The first and the most important thing that you should consider before purchasing any cat litter for kittens is its base material. Kittens are more sensitive than adult cats and hence you cannot use any litter for them.
The plant-based ingredients like corn, pine, wood, wheat, grass, etc. pose no risk to your sensitive kittens and hence these are safe to use.
Additionally, the material which you are using should be soft and have fine texture by its nature. So the silica crystal cat litters are not at all recommended for kittens since they are not soft and gentle enough for kitten’s paws.
Clumping or non-clumping
The clumping litters are not always the best option, especially if you are going to use them for your kitten. Kittens, in their younger age, have intestines with a smaller diameter, and hence if they accidentally ingest clumping litter then it might cause intestinal blockage. Due to this, it is recommended to use a non-clumping litter for young kittens.
However, you can use the clumping litter for kittens that are 2-3 months old.
Granule texture and size
The granules of the litter should not be very big as a bigger size would not be very comfortable for your kitten. Similarly, you should check for the texture of the litter. The texture of the litter granule should not have sharp edges. It should have a fine and rounded texture so that your kitten can use it with ease and comfort.
Odor control and absorptivity
In addition to the above-mentioned points, it is important to consider the odor control and the absorptivity of the litter. These features represent the effectiveness of the litter so never neglect considering them.
The litter that you are going to use for your kitten should not only have a high absorptivity but it should also have good odor control.
Dust free and low-tracking
Your cat would not like to use a litter that is very dusty. In fact, cats even humans might get an upper respiratory infection by inhaling litter dust. Moreover, the dusty litters will also create a mess in your house. So it is recommended that you use a dust-free or low dust cat litter so that it keeps the air cleaner to breathe.
Additionally, if the litter tracks more will not only make your house messier but it will also stick to your kitty more and make her dirty and feel uncomfortable. Thus it is recommended to look for a low tracking cat litter.
Want to know more about what is non clumping cat litter?
Easiest Way to Litter Train a Kitten
Do you want to know what is the easiest and fastest way to litter train a kitten? By following these steps you will be easily able to train your kitten to use the litter without requiring much of your time or effort:
- Choose an appropriate litter box location: The first thing that you need to do is get a litter box if you don’t have already and choose an appropriate location. The best location is one which is well ventilated yet also have privacy and not very much in open.
You can also keep your kitten’s litter box close to where you place her mother’s litter box. As doing this, whenever your kitten will also get to learn to use the litter box.
You can even use the same litter box, however, you have to be careful to only use the cat litter that is recommended for kittens. - Use a litter box of appropriate type and size: Make sure that your kitten is comfortable with the litter box that she will be using. The first and the most important thing that you should check is whether she can easily get into it. So make sure that the side from where the cat enters is not very high.
Some of the kittens would feel more secure if the litter is enclosed, so you can consider purchasing a hooded litter box. - Choose kitten-specific litter: Now this is also an important step. Choose the best cat litter for kitten which is safe yet effective. If you have a young kitten and have a habit of eating litter then go for a non-clumping litter.
- The training begins: Once you have set up the litter box with litter, then it now the time to show your kitten the litter box. Show her the litter box and allow her to sniff and inspect the litter box.
Once she is done inspecting the litter box then set her in the litter box after her main meals or right after she takes naps.
Now, whenever your little kitty uses the litter box then reward her with cat treats. This will encourage her to use the litter box from next time. - Keep the box clean: Once your cat starts using the litter box continuously then make sure you scoop out the waste daily. Also, make sure to clean up and refill the box regularly whenever required.
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FAQs
Is clumping litter safe for kittens?
Whether you should use a clumping litter or not depends upon the ingredients used in it. If you have a young kitten who has a habit of eating litter then it is not favorable to use the clumping litter. However, if the litter is made from natural ingredients which is free from harmful chemicals, additives, and artificial fragrances, then it is safe to use that litter for your kitten.
Can you use any litter for kittens?
For kittens, you should not use any litter that has harmful chemicals or added fragrances in it. So it is most preferable to use the plant-based litters for kittens. Additionally, it is also advised not to use clumping clay litters for young kittens, especially if they have a habit of eating their litter.
At what age can kittens use clumping litter?
While the clumping litters make your task of litter box maintenance easier but it is not a good idea to use it for younger kittens. The younger kittens have smaller intestine diameter so it can be risky if your cat ingests clumping litter. Hence it is not recommended to use a clumping litter for kittens up to 2-3 months of their age.
What cat litter do vets recommend for kittens?
Vets recommend using non-clumping plant-based litters which are unscented for kittens. Since kittens may end up eating their litter, so it can cause problems in younger kittens.
The Final Note
We hope you found the best cat litter for your kitten that is not only safe but also effective. Make sure that while choosing any litter for your kitty you go for an all-natural product that does not have any harsh chemicals or artificial fragrance added to it. Additionally, if you have a kitty that is younger than 2 months then the non-clumping plant-based litters are recommended as they pose no risk to your young kitten.
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