I’ve used over 10 cat litters for my pet—only one is worth the money

For millions of cat owners, cat litter is an essential part of having a feline companion. Even outdoor cats need an indoor litter tray to use when the weather is bad. For me, having an indoor cat means I’ve tried plenty of cat litters on the market to try and find the one which works best for us. Cat litter isn’t always affordable, so testing over 10 options has helped me see which is worth the money.

I’ve purchased Catsan, Felight, Sanicat and more, and whilst they all have great qualities, something was missing for me. Some have been quite dusty, others have been tracked around the home, so my hunt for a great litter continued.

Cats are great at masking pain and hiding illness, so illness can often go unnoticed, including in the litter tray. This is especially important as cats get older.

Ever Clean recently launched its new Senior Cat litter, developed specifically for cats aged seven and over and conducted some research among cat owners.

The study, which looked at 1,000 UK cat owners, unveiled just how far people will go to spoil their pets, with nearly a third (29%) admitting to giving their cat cheese, and almost a fifth (18%) admitting to giving their cat steak.

But while many owners have adapted nutrition needs for ageing cats, there’s an equally important piece of an ageing cat’s wellbeing that deserves attention too, and that’s the litter tray.

Noticing any changes in habits and making the litter environment as comfortable as possible is incredibly important as a cat ages. It’s also incredibly important for me as an owner of a cat with urinary issues.

Its key features include gentler, finer granules that are softer on ageing paws, a lightweight, low-dust formula to create a more comfortable environment, and advanced odour control to tackle frequent tray visits.

Not only this, but it also claims superior absorbency and tight clumping for easy scooping.

I’ve tried a lot of cat litter over the years in order to find the best one for my cats, and it’s been a tricky process.

From too much dust to tracking litter around the house, I’ve been back and forth between brands and clumping and non-clumping.

I even tried a colour-changing litter after my cat was diagnosed with urinary issues. But, after seeing raving reviews about Ever Clean online, I fancied trying it despite its higher price point.

I’ve not personally seen any other senior cat litter on the market, and I was intrigued to see how my ageing cats would take to it.

I gradually transitioned them to the Senior Cat litter, but they took to it straight away.

The litter is pricey, at £16.19 for 10L on the Pets at Home website. However, because of the incredibly clumping abilities, I’ve found that I haven’t needed to clean and empty the entire litter tray as often, which actually saves litter. I’ve also found it doesn’t track around the house, and it doesn’t smell either.

In fact, it’s been the best litter I’ve ever tried, and although it’s also the most expensive, I can’t see myself going back to other brands.

I also love the packaging, with a cardboard box design and an easy-to-carry handle. I often find it hard to carry litter bags from the shop because they’re always at risk of tearing, but this is super easy to carry.

I’d highly recommend trying this litter out if you have an ageing cat, or some of the brand’s other options if you have younger cats. I have also purchased Ever Clean’s Extra Strong Clumping Cat Litter, and my cats love it.

The litter also has raving reviews on the Pets at Home website, with 190 five-star reviews and 74 four-star reviews.

One review said: “The cat litter is very good. Our elderly cat really gets on well with this, and he hasn’t with previous litters. It covers nasty scents very well and doesn’t make a mess around the litter box. Our cat is a Persian, with long hair, and it doesn’t get stuck in his paws or long hair. I would very much recommend this.”

Another said: “This cat litter is just excellent. My elderly female seems to love it. The clumping part of the litter is second to none.”

I’ve also tried the cheapest cat litter from the supermarket before and I was pleasantly surprised by it.

I was pleasantly surprised to find it stayed fresh, with little to no odour, for the week, and I could have left it a few days longer than I usually do.

I’ve also used Catsan, which is one of the most well-known brands on the market. It’s a high-quality cat litter that isn’t dusty, with packaging designed to make pouring easy.

But that’s about as good as it gets. I find it doesn’t contain the odour very well, even though it claims to, which is disappointing at this price point.

Veterinary surgeon Dr Cat Henstridge said: “Owners clearly care deeply about their cats’ wellbeing and only want what’s best in their bowl, but when it comes to ageing, the everyday things matter just as much as the high-quality produce and new toys.

“Arthritis, dental disease and kidney problems are incredibly common in older cats, and the signs are easy to miss – a change in grooming, sleeping more, or visiting the tray more often can all be early red flags.

“A softer, low-dust litter supports cats dealing with joint pain, and a good clumping litter makes it much easier to spot changes in toileting habits, which is one of the first things I’d want to know about in a check-up. It’s worth giving the tray as much thought as the bowl.”