Cats are pretty creatures, adorable and make great pets. Their frail meows make you want to cuddle them up to your body, warm them up and put them to rest.
But their nature can come as a huge turn-off if you don’t find a way to curb the excesses.
They are notorious for littering their confines which happens to be your well-kept home floors and then make one nasty appearance of the once clean floor of your home.
You do not have to clean up their mess up every time they commit one, you could get frustrated by the routine and take it out on them, thus the essence of cat litters and that’s the core of this article.
Top 5 Cat Litters for Multiple Cats (Summary)
Image | Product | Features | |
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Arm & Hammer |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | |
World’s Best Cat Litter |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | |
Naturally Fresh |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | |
Purina Tidy Cats |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | |
Nature’s Miracle |
| CHECK ON AMAZON |
9 Best Cat Litters for Multiple Cats Reviewed
1. Arm & Hammer
Moisture-activated Micro-Granules technology of Arm & Hammer Cat Litter ensures that cat waste is tightly sealed so that the odors can’t leave the litter box.
Powerful odor eliminators are in charge of this, so you never have to worry that your house will smell like cat urine and feces.
The product is completely dust-free not only when used, but also when you’re cleaning it. It contains plant-derived particles that help in creating solid clumps so you can scoop them easier.
The only thing you might not like is the somewhat chemical smell, but this too should dissipate after a few days of use.
- Seals and eliminates odors completely
- Entirely dust-free, even when you clean it
- Helps create solid clumps for easier scooping
- Has a chemical smell that might be overwhelming for some
2. Dr. Elsey’s
People who suffer from allergies will find Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter for Multiple Cats very useful since it has hypoallergenic properties that won’t make them sneeze the whole day.
The product is made of heavy clumping, non-tracking granules that have medium grain and that prevent moisture from getting to the bottom of the cat litter box.
The fact that it helps in making hard clumps makes it ideal to scoop up the waste when it’s needed. Whatsmore, the item is great in eliminating odor.
This means it’ll make your home smell clean and fresh the whole day. To ensure your cat’s safety, it doesn’t contain any chemicals, deodorants and perfumes.
- Hypoallergenic and natural so it won’t cause you allergies
- Moisture-resistant
- Excellent odor control and easy to dispose of cat’s waste
- Not entirely dust-free
3. World’s Best Cat Litter
Considered as one of the best products for homes with multiple cats, the World’s Best Cat Litter allows easy and quick clumping and scooping.
There’s no need to scoop or chisel cat’s waste, which you can dispose of with simple cleanup. The item is lightweight and can eliminate up to 99% of the dust.
If the odor is what keeps you concerned, with this product you won’t have to worry about it. The cat litter is crafted to control it, while the added lavender scent adds a nice and gentle fragrance.
That way both you and your cat can breathe easier. Finally, the concentrated corn and all-natural plant ingredients ensure fresh and clean air in your home.
- Long-lasting and superior odor prevention
- Doesn’t require scraping or chiseling and allows quick clumping and scooping
- Very lightweight and dust-free
- Not really that absorbent
4. Naturally Fresh
Crafted to be super absorbent and to neutralize odor, Naturally Fresh Multiple Cats Cat Litter is made of fibrous material of the walnut shell.
The product makes cleaning up easy and mess-free. It’s also silica dust-free, so you can rest assured that no dust will hang in the air, as well as on your cat’s paws.
The material from which is made is biodegradable, non-toxic and all-natural, so it’s really safe for your cats.
Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile mentioning that it doesn’t have any smell and you might notice wet clumps in the cat litter box, instead of solid ones, which means that cleaning them might be challenging.
- Neutralizes odor completely
- Absorbs moisture 3 times better and is mess-free
- Dust-free and doesn’t allow waste to stick to your cat’s paws
- Doesn’t smell fresh and tends to leave wet clumps
5. Fresh Step
The unique feature of Fresh Step Multiple Cats Litter is its paw activated fragrance technology that releases a pleasant smell every time your cat touches it with its paw.
There’s also a powerful anti-odor feature called ClumpLock technology that locks any odor and liquid on the spot. This technology also makes scooping and cleaning of the cat litter box easier than ever.
The cat litter is great in fighting against bacteria and also deactivates pesky enzymes. It’s only 14 pounds so it’s really light in weight and easy to move around.
The only thing you might not like about this product is the fact that it tends to collect dust. This might be a particular problem for people who have allergies.
- Removes odor and blocks liquids
- Extremely easy to clean
- Has paw activated fragrance
- Tends to be dusty
6. Purina Tidy Cats
Formulated for multiple cats that like to scoop around the whole day, Purina Tidy Cats Litter isn’t dusty at all, which means it’ll pour into the box without making you sneeze and cough.
It forms strong and tight clumps making scooping a very easy and quick task. Add to that a powerful TidyLock protection that keeps away odors and you have a product your cat will love.
It’s possible that you won’t like the chemical smell this item emits. However, it’s other benefits make it a worthwhile investment.
Your cats will love laying and resting in its litter box, while you’ll be able to relax and not think about dust and cat litter around the house.
- Forms sturdy and tight clumps you can clean easily
- Locks away odors almost instantly
- Low-dust formula
- Smells somewhat like chemicals
7. Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Senior
Amorphous silica gel from which Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Senior Multiple Cat Litter is made is entirely bio-degradable and non-toxic so it won’t cause respiratory problems to your cats if they inhale it.
It’s also infused with hydrolyzed herbs and absorbs urine and dehydrated cat feces. This prevents the growth of bacteria and urinary infections.
The silica crystals wick away moisture making sure your cat is clean and fresh at all times. However, it tends to cause a lot of dust, so you should make sure that your cats don’t go around the house.
Being non-toxic, this litter is very safe for your cats and you’ll find it easy to scoop the waste from it.
- Absorbs urine and cat feces
- Prevents bacterial growth
- Non-toxic and completely bio-degradable
- Very dusty
8. Nature’s Miracle
Absorbing moisture and neutralizing all bad odor, including ammonia, feces and urine, Nature’s Miracle Cat Litter for Multiple Cats has a fast-acting clumping formula.
This allows easy and quick scooping without dust. All the odors will be trapped and locked in immediately.
The manufacturer takes pride in its fresh linen fragrance. However, most of the customers claim the litter doesn’t smell really nice.
If you’re looking for a product you can clean with ease, without worrying about nasty smells, you’re going to like this item for sure.
- Extremely absorbent and locks in wetness
- Neutralizes urine, ammonia and feces odors
- Quick clamping ensures easy scooping
- Doesn’t smell pleasant
9. Purina Tidy Cats 4-in-1
Designed for multiple cats and for frequent use, Purina Tidy Cats 4-in-1 makes cleaning as easy as a breeze. The product has a 99.6% dust-free formula.
Additionally, it features a powerful clumping action and enables simple cleanup. By neutralizing the ammonia, fecal and urine smells, it keeps your cat’s litter box fresh and clean.
There’s also an advanced odor control that keeps your home smelling nice despite multiple cats walking around all the time.
Finally, it locks in moisture which makes it easy to keep your cat dry and feeling comfortable the whole day.
- Powerful clumping action
- Quick and easy cleanup
- Advanced odor control
- Smell is overpowering
What is a Cat Litter?
Like the name suggests, a cat litter is specially designed to contain the littering excesses of cats and other pets.
It has distinct features that enable it fit the purpose of why it was designed in the first place.
The cat litter is designed in such a way that it can absorb the urine of your cat and make it odorless pending when you will evacuate it.
It can also trap the feces of your cat which you need to scoop out each day. The cat litter is in the base of a box that serves as the temporal residence of the cat in your home.
In this box, the cat is at liberty to litter and make a mess of it in the stead of your home floor and after the deed is done, you can then empty the base of the litter box which varies in terms of the material used in making it.
All the materials have one thing in common – the ability to absorb urine and contain cat feces until you scoop them out.
Benefits of using the specialized litters for multiple cats
There are a couple of perks and benefits that come with using litter mats to tackle the downsides of having pets like cats at home.
You are going to be having all of these benefits if you indulge.
Cleaner floors
The cat litter box is a remedy for cleaner floors when you have pets around the home.
The litter box although never void of it’s own challenges is the ultimate solution to having your floor spike and span clean even though you have multiples cats in the house.
With the litter box, you won’t have to be cleaning your carpets each time your cats messes it up, their confinement is enough for them which is why cat litters are designed in a way that the cats will find them most comfortable.
It’s Hygienic
When your cat keeps up with the littering of your home, it’s not healthy for your home environment especially when you have kids around who are oblivious of what’s going on.
They could step on the feces or urine of the cats and amble around the house with it. In the process, they are spreading germs all over the house.
The litter box ensures everyone stays healthy since all the excesses of the family’s precious cats are contained in the cat litter.
You Clean Less Often
Without a cat litter, there’s no limit to the number of times you would clean up your home every day.
Each time a cat litters your home, you just have to clean it up before your kids find it edible or get it stuck beneath their foot and spread it.
With the cat litter, your job is reduced and you do not have to be cleaning every now and then.
Less Time in Cleaning
Even when you want to clean up, since you only need to empty the base of your cat litter, you don’t get to spend much time clearing the dump and litters of your cat off your premium floor.
You just do your regular cleaning without getting to stress yourself beyond your capacity cleaning the mess of cats.
How Does It Work?
How it works is pretty much a no-brainer. The cat litter is basically a filler. Could be sand or the most common which is clay.
It is usually placed at the base of a litter box for cats that have the liberty to roam around the house and such liberty allows them to defecate wherever they please which can be annoying for owners.
So the litter is in the litter box and with time, the cat or pet gets used to litter box and does all of its excreta in it.
When the said excreta is deposited in the box, the litter which is a loose or granular filler absorbs the moisture and odors from the urine which is inspired by the chemical ammonia.
The litter can absorb the urine and intimidate its fetid odor for about a week after which you can them empty the filler and replace it.
For feces, you should always take them out daily.
Types of Cat Litters
Over the years, a lot of materials have been used in the manufacturing of cat litters.
From the original sand and ash to clay and to baking soda, the manufacturing process has been streamlined and there are lots of options to make at the moment.
Here are some of the types of cat litters available out there:
Pellet Litter
This is either made from wood or recycled newspaper and is a biodegradable litter.
The wood is converted to sawdust and subjected to high pressures which then converts it into a pellet.
The same process is done for recycled newspapers and at the end, the pellets are made to dry which makes them good absorbents of moisture.
The pellets from wood are good absorbers of urine and can be used even in horse stalls.
As the rule goes, the feces should always be scooped out daily since the urine and its irritating odor has been subdued by the absorbent media in the pellet.
Clay Litter
The clay form of litters has been around for a lot longer than any of the litters in the list.
They are known as the traditional litters since they evolved from medieval ash and sand.
Clay is a natural absorbent medium, it has been viable since the late 1940s and has remained so. Clay offers better odor control than sand and ash which is why the sand-ash medium fizzled into irrelevance.
These days, some tangible additions have been made to clay litter. The addition of ingredients like baking soda and charcoal has improved the absorbent properties of clay.
The urine of the cat is absorbed by the clay which narrows it down to the bottom of the box.
The thumb rule with them all is that, the feces should be scooped out daily to reduce the odor while the clay becomes so saturated by the urine in about a week’s time and thus demands replacement.
Silica Gel Crystal Litter
The newest kid on the block of litters is the silica gel which is a more advanced absorbent medium and the most sought after.
The filler here is made from silica gel pearls and if you’ve been following chemistry to the latter, silica gel is one of the most preferred absorbent substances used in laboratories.
It can trap any liquid into submission no matter how malodorous it is. The silica gel appears in solid form but it is filled with pores that absorbs liquids.
When the cat does its thing with the urine, the silica gel pearls automatically assumes the role of a sponge and absorbs both the moisture and odor.
Even after absorbing, the silica gel is also a powerful drying agent and so the pearls remain dry after absorbing.
The moisture then evaporates from the silica gel, while the odor is trapped inside and the pearls can keep up with this system for about a month before there will be a need for replacement.
Others
Walnut litter is another form of biodegradable litter and is sourced from walnuts.
Wheat, barley, dried orange peels, pine, soy pulp corn and Brazilian cassava are also used as litters and they all fall into the category of biodegradable litter.
How To Choose the Best Cat Litter for Multiple Cats
One of the most outstanding qualities of a cat litter is being dust-free and there are other features that makes a great cat litter that you can always look out for when purchasing.
Here are some of the prime features you need to look out for in a cat litter:
High Absorbency
This comes as a top choice for qualities when it comes to choosing cat litters.
The higher the absorbency rate, the better for the cat litter. This is also foremost in the list of qualities you should be looking out for when you are dealing with multiple cats since they will urinate often on the litter.
If your cat litter isn’t high in absorbency, it won’t hold all of the moisture coming from the cats and reduce the odor.
A high absorbent cat litter has the capacity to hold more urine than usual so you don’t get to change it often which can be very tasking for you.
Multiple cats means more work on your part in tending to their needs and if you can’t have a high absorbent cat litter taking off some of the workload from you, then you are in for some big time stress with your pets.
Dust-Free
Most cat litters are known for inciting dusts around the home especially when multiple cats are in the picture and the traffic is high.
Multiple cats means you’ll be having too many cats using the cat litter. It is important that the problem of dust should be out of the way when dealing with multiple cats.
Some cat litter like the one made of silica gel are entirely dust free.
If your cat litter isn’t void of dust, each time you try to pour the litter back into the box after taking out the feces and cleaning it up, the dust will be there to frustrate you.
Dusts aren’t one of the pleasant things to ever get into your nostrils, they are bad for your lungs and that of the cat.
They cause the entire home to smell like the cat litter even when that’s not supposed to be the case.
It’s an important quality that’s often being overlooked by buyers but the problem endures.
So when next you are you are looking out for cat litter, ensure you find a great dust free cat litter that can preserve the sanity of the air around your house while doing its job.
Clumping
And yet another important quality to check when you are looking at getting the best cat litter for multiple cats.
You would want to have a cat litter that clumps when wet making it easier to find urine in the litter box.
This feature makes it almost seamless to clean up the litter box, all you need to do is scoop out the urine clumps and that of the feces easily.
Clumping also helps the litter lasts longer. The urine form clumps and then you take them out easily and continue using the litter other than waiting for it to get over-saturated for you replace.
If you are on small budget, you can save a lot by looking out for this quality in a cat litter.
Of course, it is an excellent choice when dealing with multiple cats any day.
If you have multiple cats, it means there will be a need to change the litter often since the pressure on it will be heightened, having a clumping litter can save you a lot of money than you think.
On the average, you could be replacing your litter twice a week if you aren’t using clumping ones since you have many cats.
Odor Control
Multiple cats are in the scene, odor control is paramount amongst other features when it comes to cat litters.
The more the cats, the more the need to tame the odors that would be oozing out from their mess in the litters.
Some brands flaunt this odorless quality but you should check out reviews to be certain that they are really capable of suppressing the odors that will be emanating from the litter.
Sooner or later, you are going to realize how paramount this quality is.
The cats will ensure you realize it and make your home one living hell with odors saturating the air in the room.
More urine calls for more odors hence the need for you to look out for this feature.
Taking care of multiple cats in the home is tasking, there’s no doubt and having odor as one of your challenges is the last thing you would want.
Having an amazing cat litter for odor control might not be comfortable for your cats especially when the entire idea of a cat litter is new to them.
They might find the smell offensive and try to avoid it. You need to train so they can get used to the system with time, how to train them will be revealed in the course of this article.
There are great cat litters with odor control that aren’t laden with offensive smell of chemicals that would scare your pets, always ask for their kind.
It will amount to an absolute waste of money and time finding a cat litter that your cats will shy away from owing to how bad they smell.
They are not aware that the chemical is meant to prevent their urine from the air polluting the entire house, they are repelled by the annoying the smell.
Ingredients
Ingredients are what accounts for the exclusive properties of the great cat litters.
The ingredients used in making them will determine if they are great absorbers, dust free or can control odor adequately. Baking soda is one ingredient used for odor control and carbon is another.
The pearls used in silica gel are ingredients that create a high absorbency rate for litters. Pellets are dust free and they are biodegradable.
All these are ingredients that will determine if a cat litter is going to give the excellent quality that it promises.
Number of Cats
This is actually the core of everything here. The number of cats involved is the most decisive factor that should influence your choice.
You won’t have to go through all of the hassles of choosing a great quality cat litter if you are concerned about a single cat.
When it becomes plural you know there’s a lot of work for you and thus, your eyes aim for higher quality in everything you would be doing for your pets.
Most cat litters are made for multiple cats while some are designed for single cats with flexible properties.
Beyond all of the properties here, you can always check if it is recommended for multiple cats, most times all you need to do is ask the questions and answers will flow.
Tracking
When your cats exit the litter box to amble around the house, you need to be certain that they aren’t creating trails of litter lying in their wake.
Most litters get stuck in the paws of cats after they leave the litter box.
You could manage if you have just one cat, but you have them in their numbers leaving the litter box and going around the house, you sure have a lot cleaning to do when they litter the entire house which is principally what you were trying to avoid in the first instance.
You should find a cat litter with negligible tracking properties if you want to save yourself all of these troubles.
A cat litter that is finely grounded won’t lead to trails of cat litters around your house and frustrate your initial intention of having a clean house despite living with pets.
Oftentimes, this quality is dumped in oblivion and the consequences of that negligence are usually never pleasant.
Minimal tracking is the way to go if you are dealing with multiple cats and you still want to create time for yourself rather than spending it on wiping off their mess daily after you’ve created a platform that is supposed to address that prior.
Size of the Bag
Cat litters come in bags and since you are dealing with multiple cats, you should always look out for the jumbo size bags.
Leave the mini bags for those who only have to worry about a single cat.
Also, ensure that the mammoth nature of the bag isn’t a compromise on the quality of what you are supposed to get.
Check for the ingredients as well as other tangible properties that will guarantee you of a good purchase.
In the world of products, most times having big sizes is risky because the quality might have been exchanged for large sizes.
Scented vs Unscented
When it comes to scents, no matter how pleasant a scent might appeal to your nostrils, cats are likely going to avoid them from experience, studies and reviews.
Cats would prefer an unscented litter to a scented one any day.
Their animosity for scents will force them to boycott the litters eventually.
However, you might want to use a cat litter for multiple cats with an odor control property and the reasons are quite reasonable enough.
You can make do with cat litters that has activated charcoal or carbon as ingredients for absorbency.
Does Spending More means Quality?
If you are dealing with multiple cats, you are left with no option but to spend more and that elevated spending could translate to quality.
Spending more will always lead to quality when it comes to product and the picture we are looking at here is a big one with multiple cats in it, you just have to spend more if you want to get the best.
Although some cheap products can also be of high quality, such cases are highly unlikely.
You should look at spending a little more than your folks who having lone cats in their houses. Yours is entirely a different scenario altogether.
How Often a Litter Does Needs to Be Changed?
If you are using a clumping litter which is quite economical, your cat litter could last you up to two weeks and at a maximum of four.
Any other litter should be changed twice a week. In most cases, you might need to change the cat litter everyday which is why the clumping litter should be your pick.
How To Train Your Cats To Use the Litter Box
For cats new to the idea of litter boxes, there is the challenge of them accepting the idea which could linger for a while until they adapt.
You can, however, train them to get used to it by using cat attracts.
You bait them with the cat attracts and they fall for it. In the course of time, everything will fall in line and they will soon begin to warm up to the litter boxes.
Another way of getting your cat to accepting the idea of litter boxes is to present the box to her once you purchase it. Allow her to peruse it and sniff it out.
Let the box stay with her for a while and with time, she will begin to share a bond with the box like a toy.
You can also give her treats in the box whenever she’s in it and soon she will begin to associate the box with treats and every other good things.
This will make the box lovable for her.
How to Clean and Maintain a Cat Litter Box
The litter box needs to be kept clean and maintained at all times lest the cat becomes uncomfortable and will tend to boycott it.
Cleaning and maintenance will make the box seem like a safe haven for your cat and there will be no need for boycotting.
Here are some of the ways you can follow to clean and maintain your cat litter box
- Clean the box daily by scooping out the feces and for the case of clumps, you need to also scoop them out. After scooping, replace the affected litter with a fresh one, you might not need to do this if the cat litter is the odor control kind. If the odor control property is no longer active, then this is necessary.
- After removing the affected litter, clean up the box with water and soap or use water and white vinegar. You need to also disinfect the box with some disinfectants but do not use bleach or other volatile chemicals that might place the cat in harm’s way.
Do’s and Don’ts with a Cat Litter
Here are some of the rules you need to stick to when dealing with cats and their litter boxes.
- Always keep their litter boxes clean, cats are naturally clean pets.
- Do not neglect a problem when you notice one with your cat and her litter box. Find the solution promptly.
- Find a perfect position for the litter box and maintain it.
- Do not engage in the routine of changing things with the litter box, from position to the kind of litter. Find one perfect litter and position for your cat and stick to it.
- Do not punish the cat for an accident. If your cat is behaving strangely or is constantly involved in accidents, then something is probably wrong somewhere, find the problem and address it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the cat litter safe for cats?
Yes, it is safe for cats if well maintained.
How do I dispose of a cat litter?
Use plastic bags to dispose of a cat litter. It is ideal to use two.
Empty the litter into the first plastic bag and tie it up, then place it into the second then tie tightly.
This is to ensure there is no leakage from the content of the bag out into the environment. Place the entire package in a trash can.
Conclusion
Cats are lovely pets and if you love them, you can demonstrate that love by investing in litters.
The payoff is encouraging and you would wonder why you were reluctant in doing so prior.
It’s only natural for them to litter and needful for you to contain the situation and still keep your home clean.
Photos from: Tiplyashina / depositphotos.com, sharafmaksumov / depositphotos.com, belchonock / depositphotos.com, Digifuture / depositphotos.com, artlosk / depositphotos.com, belchonock / depositphotos.com, iagodina / depositphotos.com.
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Big pet lover and a dog training and behavior expert who loves to share his knowledge and experience. Happy owner of two amazing dogs Labrador Bela and Jack Russell Terrier Piksi and one cuddly cat Tom.
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