Litter preference is surprisingly individual. What works for one cat can get completely ignored by another, so a bit of trial and observation goes further than following general advice blindly.
What you'll need
A couple of small bags of different litter types to compare, rather than committing to a large bag right away.
Steps
- Start with unscented, fine-grain clumping litter
This is the closest match to natural sand and tends to be the most broadly accepted starting point across most cats.
- Avoid heavily scented options as a default
A cat's sense of smell is far more sensitive than ours, and a scent that seems pleasant to a person can be genuinely off-putting to a cat, sometimes enough to cause litter box avoidance.
- If switching litter types, do it gradually
Mixing the new litter into the old over a week or two eases the transition rather than triggering a boycott of the box entirely.
- Watch actual usage, not just your own preference
A cat consistently avoiding a specific litter, even if it seems like a good product on paper, is worth switching away from rather than persisting with.
Frequently asked questions
Clumping or non-clumping?
Clumping is generally easier to maintain since it isolates waste for easy removal, which also helps keep the box appealing to the cat.
Are crystal litters worth trying?
They control odor well and last longer between full changes, though texture-sensitive cats sometimes reject them. Worth a small trial bag before committing.