Cat litter is a very important part of caring for your cat. The reason most cats are given up to shelters, abused, or abandoned is because they go outside the litter box. Who wants a cat that urinates or defecates all over the house right? But the main reason cats go outside the litter box is because humans screwed something up. The best litter for declawed cats will give them everything they need to feel comfortable and safe using the litterbox.
Cats are picky
Cats are picky. They may refuse to use the litter box you set up for them because it is not clean enough, the litter box should be cleaned out at least twice per day. Cats have an instinct to be clean and they expect a clean litter box. The best litter for declawed cats is a clumping litter that allows you to easily scoop out the messes. Another reason a cat may refuse to use the box is because it’s too small, they want to be comfortable as they do their business. Consider using a large storage container or sweater box as a litterbox. This will afford them plenty of space.
The best litter for declawed cats will also be unscented. Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than we humans do. What we might find pleasant, they could find very off putting, forcing them to use others areas for their waste. Or maybe they don’t like the feel of the litter beneath their feet or the way they sink too deep into it as they do their business.
Cats also may be bullied by a more dominant cat. The more dominant cat keeping them away from the box. Maybe the cat has stage fright and with noise, people, animals around just can’t go. Or maybe the cat has a medical issue that doesn’t give it time to make it to the litter box.
Abusing the cat will only make it worse. Before giving up consider these issues, talk to your vet, and with their help you’ll be able to find the best litter for declawed cats.
What does the best litter for declawed cats look like?
The best litter for declawed cats is unscented. What we find pleasant, cats may not. In studies cats almost always prefer the unscented litters. It should be low dust, this will help keep your cat’s lungs healthy. Also some litters are made with things that can trigger allergic reactions or asthma, like corn and wheat.
The best litter for cats will feel good under their feet. Look for fine particles that can support them easily rather than large pieces or material that are too soft. But be careful, fine particles can be dangerous for young kittens, they don’t know not to eat it yet and this could cause illness.
Cats also prefer clumping litters so the messes can be easily taken care of and their box can remain clean. When choosing the best litter for declawed cats, do not choose based on price alone. Your house will be happier if the cat is using the litter box as it is meant to be used, so do everything you can to encourage it.
Best Litter for Declawed Cats
Based on a review of five different brands, below are the results of the best litter for declawed cats.
Dr. Elsey’s
Cat and Kitten Litter Attractant
The classic has a larger particle size than the Ultra varieties. The longhair variety has a particle size longhair cats prefer, silica gel to help absorb immediately, and it won’t stick in your cat’s hair. Additional varieties include R&R Respiratory Relief, Senior, Post-Surgery, Health Monitor, and Touch of Outdoor made with prairie grass. All of which are great clumping cat litters.
Another great product from Dr. Elsey’s is if your cat needs to find a little encouragement to use the litter box, because Dr. Elsey has something for that, too. Cat and Kitten Attract is scientifically designed to bring the cats to the box using a special scent. It is mixed in with the cat litter and the scent attracts the cats to the litter box. This is great for training kittens or retraining adults who might be hesitant to use the litterbox.
World’s Best Cat Litter
World’s Best Cat Litter are corn and plant based products. This makes them more sustainable than the clay based formulas. They are all clumping formulas for a clean litter box.
These are all flushable
There is clumping, multi cat clumping, lavender scented multi cat clumping with natural lavender oil, forest scented clumping with wood pulp, advanced natural, and advanced natural pine blend varieties. These are all flushable, quick clumping, easy scooping litters that are safe on your septic system and great at controlling odor.
Arm & Hammer Cat Litter
Arm & Hammer has long been known for its ability to control odors and its cat litter line is no different. With a variety of options, you can find the best litter for declawed cats without any problem. These are all clumping litters with either clay, corn, or wood pulp as the absorbent material.
Some have fragrances added and all have baking soda mixed in for odor control. Some of these blends are lighter in weight than others, something that may make it easier on the humans.
Tidy Cats
Can’t decide? They have you covered there, too. Just answer the questions on their Litter Selector tab on their website and they can get the right litter for your needs.
Tidy Cats is involved in the community, too. They have helped over 500,000 animals get adopted from shelters and have spent over $30 million across the company for animal welfare causes and pet communities.
Conclusion
The best litter for declawed cats are the products from Dr. Elsey. These science-based formulations provided more help to desperate families and pets. The formulas and the website helps with actual needs in the cat community, like health monitor and post-surgery. These products are either based on clay or prairie grass and are hypoallergenic.
The second best litter for declawed cats comes from World’s Best Cat Litter. This product had great reviews and comes from sustainable sources.
No matter what product you choose, make sure your cat enjoys useing it. If the cat isn’t using the litter box, talk to your vet and maybe switch to a different litter. After all cats are picky creatures. It may take some experimenting to find the right product for your family. Then keep the litter box clean and scoop out the clumps at least twice per day. This will make your cat more comfortable and keep your house smelling great.
