We selected the 5 best cat litters for long haired cats after testing over 40+ of the top products to find the most suitable litter for your kitty.
It’s not a good feeling to see your cat struggling with the litter stuck to its fur. Additionally, the litter that is stuck to them will not only make them look messy and dirty but will also irritate their coat and make them feel uncomfortable.
If the litter stuck along with the poop goes unnoticed & uncleaned, then the poop will ferment and it will lead to the formation of bacteria. This can be dangerous to your cat as it would prevent the skin from breathing properly, which may lead to the development of dermatitis or other skin diseases.[1]
It is thus recommended to get a litter that is specially designed for long-haired cats.[2] So that the litter does not get caught in their fur and tracks all the way to your entire house. This will further keep your kitty’s fur & coat super comfortable and free from any irritation & itching due to litter.
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The 5 Best Litters for Long Haired Cats of 2023
1. Yesterday’s News Original Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Litter
If you are looking for an alternative to traditional clay litter which is also the best long haired cat litter, then this paper litter from Yesterday’s News would be the best option for you. The Yesterday’s News Original Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter is a low-tracking formula that keeps your long fur kitty from leaving traces of litter wherever he goes.
The litter, in the form of pellets, not only makes it suitable for long-haired felines but since it is made of recycled paper so it is also eco-friendly and makes a smaller ecological footprint. Additionally, since it is made from paper so this makes it 99.7% dust-free so that your kitty and you can breathe easily.
Moreover, the litter is three times more moisture-absorbent than clay and hence effective enough in controlling the odor. This makes it suitable for everyday use and keeps your home free from bad smells by trapping even the strong odors.
To conclude, we think this is the best cat litter for long-haired cats.
- Eco-friendly litter made from recycled paper
- 99.7% dust-free
- Low-tracking paper pellets
- High absorptivity than traditional clay litter
- Since it is an unscented litter so it does not adds any extra fragrance to the litter box
2. Precious Cat Dr. Elsey’s Long Haired Cat Litter
With the optimum particle size, the Precious Cat Dr. Elsey’s Litter is the best cat litter for long hair cats. The texture of this litter is also such that it is suitable for long-haired cats. Additionally, this litter does not contain any toxic ingredients and is made from hypoallergenic materials making it safe for even cats with any allergies.
In addition to being suitable for long fur, its granules are amorphous silica gel infused with hydrolyzed herbs to attract cats to the litter box. The litter is effective enough in absorbing liquid waste and moisture, which not only provides good odor control but it also keeps the litter box clean and prevents damping.
Moreover, the litter is designed by considering dust-free and low-tracking. It is specially designed to be low tracking and hence it does not stick to the cat’s fur and paws to make the house messier. Additionally, its 99.9% dust-free formula keeps the air cleaner to breathe and also keeps the floor free from any settled dust.
- Comes with an herbal attractant it naturally attracts cats to the litter box
- 99.9% dust-free formula
- With optimum size and texture, the litter is also low tracking
- Traps urine and odor upon coming in contact with the litter
- Expensive as compared to other litters
Do you end up cleaning the wet litter, do you know there is the cat litter that absorbs urine. You should check out the best litter for heavy urination.
3. Ultra Pet Micro Crystals Cat Litter
Are you looking for a budget-friendly litter for your long haired cat without compromising its quality and effectivity, then this Ultra Pet Micro Crystals Non-Clumping Cat Litter would be best for you. It is made from silica gel cat litter that offers maximum odor control and leaves litter dry to the touch.
Its absorptive surface has thousands of mini-channels that provide superior liquid absorption. It dries solid waste and absorbs urine instantly for maximum odor control. Due to this, not only the litter box remains odor-free but it also remains clean for a longer period of time.
The litter granules are designed in such a way that water evaporates from the crystals so it can be reused. Hence, one bag of this litter is enough to be used for a month for one cat. This also significantly reduces landfill waste 70% lesser than that of clay litter.
- Highly absorptive surface with mini-channels for liquid waste absorption
- Dries solid waste and absorbs cat’s urine for odor control
- Does not produces much dust
- Some cats might not prefer the crystal material
Find out which is the cheapest cat litter available in the market.
The PetSafe ScoopFree litter is a crystal non-clumping cat litter that is suitable for long-haired cats as it is low tracking. This litter works with the PetSafe ScoopFree Reusable Litter tray as well as any traditional litter box.
With its super-absorbent crystals, it provides unbeatable odor control as it absorbs urine and dries solid waste up to five times better than the traditional clay litters. Additionally, since it absorbs the cat’s liquid waste so it also prevents the litter box from becoming damp.
The litter also does not track much and hence it not only keeps the floor free of mess but it also does not stick to paws and even long-haired cat’s fur. Additionally, the 99% dust-free formula keeps the air cleaner to breathe.
- High absorptivity and odor control
- Comes in a pre-portioned bags
- Scented version is also available
- The effective price of this litter is more than other litter
Want to know what’s the best litter for declawed cats?
5. Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Clumping Litter
Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Clumping Litter makes cleanup super easy. Being a fast-acting clumping formula it forms clumps immediately upon coming in contact with the cat’s waste. This not only makes scooping easier but also traps the odor and prevents it from bad smell in the litter box.
It is also one of the best clumping litters for cats with long hair due to its low trackability. The granules of the litter are made in a way that they do not stick to the cat’s paws and fur.
Its powerful bio-enzymatic formula fights even the toughest odor and feces and keeps your home smelling fresh. Moreover, it not only traps the odor in the litter box but also neutralizes them so both the surrounding and litter box is free from odor.
- Powerful enzymatic formula that neutralizes cat urine and feces odor
- Super absorbent litter
- Fast clumping formula for easy cleanup
- Not a dust-free formula
Do you know how to neutralize ammonia in cat litter, then here you go check this out.
Buyer’s Guide for Long Haired Cat Litters
Cat parents who have long-haired cats usually come across this problem of the litter sticking to their fur. To avoid this it is recommended to use the best long-haired cat litters. Hence we have made this descriptive buyer’s guide that will help you get the most suitable litter for cat breeds with long hair.[3]
In the end, we have also mentioned FAQs to solve your confusion regarding the cat litters for long haired cats.
Why Do Long-Haired Cats Need Different Litter?
An article published in the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory of UC Davis shows that certain cat breeds have mutations due to which they have long fur as compared to some other breeds. Due to this, these cats have a higher chance of litter sticking to their fur. This not only makes litter track more outside the litter box, but it will also make your cats uncomfortable.[4]
Moreover, the litter sticking to your cat’s fur will not only make her look messier but it can also cause skin irritation if it sticks along for a longer time. Hence it is recommended to only use the litter which is suitable for their long fur.
If you are looking for non-tracking cat litter, then here you can check out the complete article to know more about the litters that don’t track.
Pseudocoprostasis:
You must be familiar with the word “Pseudocoprostasis“, but if not then let me explain to you what exactly it means.
You know very well that felines with long hair have grooming issues, it should be maintained on regular basis or else they will feel uncomfortable. However, the hair near the anus becomes matted with feces and leads to an unpleasant odor, this condition is known as pseudocoprostasis, also known as a fecal mat.[5] This condition is recognized in both dogs and cats, however, cats with long hair are more likely to get it if proper care is not taken.
When hair around the anus is not trimmed regularly it attracts bacteria which are not good for her health. As it leads to infection issues and creates colon blockage, your kitty will find difficulty in doing her toiletry business, especially solid waste.
Therefore, it’s always better to seek a vet’s advice and keep track of her grooming routine because any type of disease is painful for your kitty but something like pseudocoprostasis is more painful and yet life-threatening.
So, it’s better to be safe than feel sorry!
How to Choose the Best Cat Litter for Long Haired Cats?
Here’s how you can choose the best cat litter for long haired cats. Moreover, by following these steps you will not only get the most litter which is most suitable for cats with long fur but also have good effectiveness in odor control and absorptivity.
Granule size & texture
It is very important to consider the granule size and the texture of the litter for long-haired cats more than any other cat. Since these felines have lengthy and dense fur so they are more susceptible to litter sticking to them and tracking with them.
If the size of the granules of the litter is very fine then there is a high chance that it will stick to the fur and track along with the cat. So it is recommended that the litter that you are choosing for your long hair cat should not be fine.
Additionally, the texture of the litter should not be pointed or sharp. The granules with round or smooth edges are less likely to stick to the fur and hence choose the litter of this type for your furry friend. Articles published on DDFL & Onslow Country suggest that “some long-haired cats actually prefer less litter and a smooth, slick surface, such as the bottom of the litter box.“[6]
Clumping vs non-clumping
For any cat, whether you should get a clumping litter or a non-clumping litter purely depends upon your and your kitty’s preference. However, for long-haired cats, it is a different scenario.
The clumping litter creates hard clumps that might get stuck and matted to the fur. This will not only make your kitty look messy and dirtier but it can also irritate your cat and make her uncomfortable.
Hence, the non-clumping litters are usually preferred over the clumping ones for a cat with long hairs.
Dust-free
This dust-free feature, in general, you should consider for any of the litters. A dust-free litter will not produce dust while your cat is using the litter box or while scooping or cleaning the litter box.
Hence, the dust-free litter will keep the air clean to breathe for your feline as well as you. Additionally, it will also keep your floors free from any settled dust.
If your furball is suffering from asthma then you can check out the best cat litter for asthma. To know more about how you can choose the cat litter for your cat.
Scented vs Unscented
Whether you should get a scented litter or an unscented litter purely depends upon your and your kitty’s preference. Cats have a powerful sense of smell and hence they are more sensitive to strong smells than us. Due to this, some of the cats might not prefer cat litters with added fragrance.
However, if your cat, as well as you, are okay with the added fragrance then the scented litters make a good option for your cat. This is because not only these cats will trap and absorb odor but it will also add an extra scent to the litter making the surroundings pleasant.
Is your cat showing any breathing problems and allergies? Maybe it’s time you need to change the litter type. You should know which is the best hypoallergenic litter for cats in detail.
FAQs About Cat Litters for Long Haired Cats
What is the best litter for long haired cats?
The Precious Cat Dr. Elsey’s Litter is one of the best cat litters for long haired cats. It has optimum granule size with a texture that makes it suitable for long-haired cats. It also does not contain any toxic ingredients and is made from hypoallergenic materials making it safe for even cats with any allergies.
The granules of this litter are amorphous silica gel making it super absorbent and effective in odor control. The litter is infused with hydrolyzed herbs that naturally attract cats to the litter box. The litter is effective enough in absorbing liquid waste and moisture, which not only provides good odor control but it also keeps the litter box clean and prevents damping.
Do long-haired cats get poop stuck on fur?
Chances of poop getting stuck to cat’s fur in long-haired cats are higher than in cats with shorter hair. However, cat poop getting stuck to the fur is not a normal problem as the cat’s system is designed in a way that the poop does not gets stuck to their fur.
If it happened on a rare occasion then all you need to do is clean and take out the poop from the cat’s fur. However, if you notice it frequently then it could be because of some underlying cause.
Cats with loose stool or the ones having diarrhea might be getting this problem. In this case, you need to notice their litter box right after they use it to observe any signs of diarrhea in their stool if you notice anything unusual then change your cat’s diet and consult a veterinarian.
Another reason why the poop along with the litter gets matted on the cat’s fur is because of the litter. If you are using a clumping litter with very fine litter granules then change it to the best non-clumping long-haired cat litter.
How do you get poop out of a long haired cat?
The smaller pieces of poop litter stuck to the cat’s fur may end up forming large mats that end up smelling bad. This can be avoided by using the best cat litter for long haired cats which are non-clumping and by regularly grooming your kitty.
To take off the large pieces of poop you can use tissue paper and take off the large dried poop nuggets. The smaller ones can be removed using a trimmer, a comb, and a pair of scissors.
Additionally, you can also consider trimming your cat’s fur near the paws as this place is highly susceptible to litter and poop sticking to them.
How much do cat litters for long haired cats cost?
The cat litters for long haired cats cost similar to the standard ones. Individual price of litters may vary depending upon the base material used to make them, the clumping or non-clumping properties, brand, quantity, etc. However, for a single cat requiring 7 to 10 pounds of litter it would cost you around $15.
The Yesterday’s News Softer Texture Fresh Scented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter which we have listed here is available for almost 1.38 pounds/$ so it will cost you less than $7 per week for a single cat.
The Final Note
As per VCA Hospital, long-haired cat breeds are prone to mats and require daily brushing. So it is required for you to devote more time and take special care of grooming your cat properly so that her coat is clean and tangle-free.[7]
The litter, along with the poop, if stuck to the gut for a longer period of time will ferment and it will lead to the formation of bacteria, which can also cause dermatological issues.
The 5 best cat litters for long haired cats that we mentioned here were tested properly considering the furry cats in mind. These litters will not stick to the cat’s fur or paws and would neither track making it suitable for your long-haired furry friend.
References:
- Moriello, K. A. (2003). Zoonotic skin diseases of dogs and cats. Animal health research reviews, 4(2), 157-168.
- Celty, E. V., & Ray, A. (1922). Feeding and care of the domestic and long-haired cat, by Ellen V. Celty and Anna Ray.
- Food, D., Food, W., Food, L. P., Food, H., Food, H. C., Trees, C., … & Friday, B. 16 of the Fluffiest Cat Breeds (Perfect Snuggle Buddy).
- UC Davis. (n.d.). Long Hair Cats. Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from UC Davis VGL
- Ruaux, C., & Milovancev, M. (2020). Rectoanal Diseases–Medical and Surgical Management. Clinical Small Animal Internal Medicine, 609-620.
- Starting Out Right with Your New Cat and the Litterbox. (n.d.). Dumb Friends League. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from DDFL | Onslow Country
- VCA Hospitals. (n.d.). Domestic Long Hair Cat Breed Information | VCA Animal Hospitals. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from VCAHospitals