You have probably seen silica-based crystal cat litters alongside traditional clay-based cat litter products. What is the difference?
Crystal cat litter is quite popular these days and is gaining market share over traditional clay-based litter. Crystal litter is manufactured from silica crystal beads that are for the most part free of annoying dust. The beads are very good at eliminating odors and tend to last longer compared to other types of litter. Crystal cat litter is completely non-toxic and does not contain any clumping or expanding chemicals.
Should your cat choose to lick or eat the crystals, there is little danger as there is almost no dust and nothing dangerous to your cat's health. Silica crystal cat litter is easy to clean up and dispose of. It is super light, easy to sweep, and usually low-tracking for most cats.
Crystal cat litter is a great choice in many situations. Hang in as we review five different crystal cat litter products, to help determine which is the "best crystal cat litter".
We hope you enjoy the following product reviews. All products we evaluate are carefully chosen from among the best currently available. We may, in some cases, receive samples for hands-on evaluation - but all opinions noted in this article are ours alone. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made by our readers. Thank you for visiting us today!
How We Pick the Best Crystal Cat Litter
On the surface, It's hard to know which of the many brands of crystal cat litter is the best for your needs.
There are some common differences between the various crystal litters. Most are silica-based, the differences we see are in the size of the crystals and also the overall cost of use.
Our One Minute Pets team has evaluated thousands of reviews to help you find the perfect crystal litter for your kitty. In addition, we have tested some of these litters on our end and there are definitely some differences worth noting.
What We Like About It
The Fresh Step scent-infused crystals help to eliminate odors quickly and efficiently, while also reducing tracking around the house. Fresh Step Crystals are able to absorb moisture quickly, locking in odor and keeping your home smelling fresh and clean.
Plus, they're easy to use and require no special scooping or maintenance - simply pour them into your litter box and you're good to go! They work great in automatic litter boxes designed to work with crystal litter.
One Minute Pet Tips
If you have multiple cats, you may want to consider switching to crystal litter. An 8 lb bag of crystals is equivalent to a 28 lb bag of clumping cat litter - meaning it should last you three times as long.
Not only is it more economical in the long run, but it's also lighter and easier to carry. Plus, your cats will love the softer feel of the crystals on their paws.
Small Crystals Easier On Cat's Feet
So Phresh Scoopable Odor-Lock Clumping Micro Crystal
What We Like About It
So Phresh Scoopable Odor-Lock Clumping Micro Crystal Cat Litter is perfect for cats with sensitive noses. Like regular scented crystal cat litter, this fragrance-free formula will lock in odor and provide powerful clumping action to make cleaning up your litter box easier. It is also dust-free, and the small soft crystals are gentle on your cat's paws and won't track through your home.
One Minute Pet Tips
This litter uses cutting-edge microcrystal technology to absorb and lock in odors, giving you up to 3 weeks of unbeatable odor control. We noticed multiple users commented on how long the litter lasts, and three weeks is quite impressive for any cat litter.
What We Like About It
This is an ultra-absorbent, non-clumping kitty litter. The tiny litter chunks have mini-channels that absorb liquid and dry solid waste, making scooping a breeze and keeping your litter box smelling clean.
Basically, they dehydrate the solid waste and absorb the liquid waste without the need for clumping. Plus, they're super lightweight, so you won't have to lug around heavy bags of litter anymore.
One Minute Pet Tips
The manufacturer states that “when used as directed will control litter box odors for up to 30 days”. We doubt this, having tested other crystal litters that make similar claims.
We believe with a small, single cat that doesn’t eat a lot, litters like this might be okay for 3-4 weeks maximum, assuming you scoop the absorbed waste daily. The reality is, though, most cat parents do not scoop daily, so the longevity numbers for the litter box are smaller than claimed.
What We Like About It
These crystals, like some other brands, have mini-channels that absorb liquid and dry solid waste, keeping your litter box smelling clean. Plus, they are unscented and non-clumping, making them ideal for sensitive cats. Litter Pearls Micro Crystals will do a decent job and we rate them in our top five picks!
One Minute Pet Tips
The Little Pearls crystals neutralize ammonia on contact, significantly reducing the sharp obnoxious odor. This is a big deal for effective odor control.
Colorized Litter Monitors Cat's Health
Alpha Paw Genius Cat Litter, 5-Color Health Indicator
What We Like About It
This natural cat litter is unlike any other because it contains a 5-color health indicator that responds to deviating values in your cat's urine. That means if there are abnormal PH levels, blood, alkaline, or bilirubin present, you'll know right away so you can take action. With Genius Litter, you can have peace of mind knowing that your cat is always healthy and happy.
The formula contains an indicator that responds to changing values in the urine such as blood, alkaline, bilirubin, or abnormal PH levels. One big downside is that you can only use this litter effectively with a single cat. If you have multiple cats using the same litter box, it will be hard to know which one sets off the color indicators unless you are in the vicinity at the time.
One Minute Pet Tips
We noticed some negative comments about dust in this litter. Because of this, we suggest using care when handling the litter, and avoiding breathing in the dust when filling the box or disposing of the litter.
Crystal Cat Litter FAQs
Are you considering making the switch to crystal cat litter, but still have some questions or concerns?
Making the switch from traditional clay cat litter to crystal litter can be a positive thing, and we encourage you to research and get the facts before you decide.
That's why we've put together this list of frequently asked questions for crystal cat litter. We hope these help you in selecting the best litter for your needs.
Is crystal litter good for cats?
There is no clear consensus on whether crystal litter is good for cats. Some people believe that it is better for cats because it results in less dust and tracking than other types of litter, while others believe that it can be harmful to cats because the crystalline structure of the litter can cause them to ingest sharp pieces of glass that can damage their internal organs.
In general, it is probably best to consult with a veterinarian before making a switch to crystal litter in order to make sure that it is safe for your cat.
What are the benefits of crystal cat litter?
There are a few benefits to using crystal cat litter. One is that it doesn't stick to your cat's paws like other litters can, so it's less likely to track all over your house. Crystals are also absorbent so they can soak up liquid waste and odors better than other litter. This helps keep your cat's litter box cleaner and smelling fresher.
Finally, because crystals don't break down as other litters do, you don't have to change the litter as often, which can save you some time and money.
Do cats prefer traditional clay litter or crystal litter?
It depends on the cat. Some cats prefer one type of litter over another, while others are not particularly picky.
The most important factor when it comes to choosing a litter is that it is dust-free and as able to clump efficiently. Clay litters are both dusty and non-clumping, so they're not ideal.
Crystal litters, on the other hand, are virtually dust-free but do not clump as much as clay litter. So it really depends on your individual cat's preferences.
How often should I change crystal cat litter?
You should change your crystal cat litter as often as you would change your normal cat litter. The frequency with which you'll need to do this will depend on how many cats you have, the size of your home, and how often your cats go to the bathroom. As a general rule, it's best to change it at least once a week.
How do you dispose of cat litter crystals?
You should dispose of cat litter crystals in the same manner as you would dispose of other cat litter. That is, you can place it in a bag and discard in a trash can. Make sure to close the bag tightly so that the crystals do not spread elsewhere.
Is Crystal litter eco-friendly?
There is no easy answer to this question since "eco-friendly" can mean a lot of different things. Some people might consider crystal litter to be eco-friendly because it is made from natural materials and doesn't produce any waste in the form of clumps that need to be thrown away.
However, others might argue that the manufacture and use of crystal litter contributes to environmental pollution since it requires the use of energy and resources (such as water) during production and creates hazardous waste products that need to be disposed of properly.
Ultimately, it's up to each individual to decide whether they believe crystal litter is environmentally friendly or not. There are pros and cons on both sides, so make your decision based on the whole picture.
What are the pros and cons of crystal cat litter?
Crystal cat litter, also known as "silica gel cat litter" is made from silica gel, which is a type of sand. It has some pros and cons compared to other types of cat litter.
The pros of crystal cat litter are that it is very absorbent, so it can absorb a lot of urine and feces. This helps keep the surrounding area clean. It also dries quickly, which helps reduce the smell of urine and feces.
The cons of crystal cat litter are that it can be dusty, and it can be difficult to clean up if it gets wet. It can also be expensive compared to other types of cat litter.
Can crystal cat litter be washed and reused?
It is not recommended to reuse crystal silica litter. The tiny pieces of crystals can trap odor and moisture, making it difficult to clean and potentially leading to the growth of bacteria.
Additionally, the sharp edges of the crystals can cause minor cuts on your pet's paws. For these reasons, it is generally recommended that you dispose of crystal cat litter after each use.
How do you clean crystal litter?
You can clean crystal litter by pouring a small amount of water onto the crystals, then stirring them around with your hand. The water will help dissolve the waste and urine, and you can then scoop it up and dispose of it.
You can also pour a small amount of vinegar onto the crystals to help break down any stubborn waste or urine deposits. Be sure to dump out any remaining liquid and stir the crystals around one more time before replacing them in the litter box.
What is crystal litter made of?
Crystal litter is made of silica gel, which is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in sand, rocks, and other soil. The silica gel in crystal litter is specially processed to be extra absorbent so that it can quickly trap moisture and odor.
Does crystal cat litter stick to paws?
It depends on the brand of crystal cat litter. Some brands are more likely to stick to paws than others.
One Minute Recommendation
After careful consideration, and based on some of our own tests, we have decided that the Fresh Step Crystals are overall the best value on the market at this time.
The other four litters we tested are all acceptable for cat owners, and some may have special attributes (such as unscented) that make them more suitable for your own situation.
