Do you have a cat that prefers the texture of non-clumping litter? This type of litter locks away odors and still does an impressive job absorbing liquids. This article will use our research to answer if you can scoop non-clumping litter and how exactly this type of litter works.
You cannot scoop non-clumping litter. It is nearly impossible to scoop up once non-clumping litter becomes soaked with urine. Instead of scooping, you will need to replace the litter.
How do you dispose of it if you can't scoop non-clumping litter? Read on as we answer this and explain, in detail, how non-clumping kitty litter works.
How Does Non-Clumping Kitty Litter Work?
Non-clumping cat litter was the first kitty litter to go out onto the market. This litter is made from diatomite, zeolite, and sepiolite materials. However, there have been more brands coming out made of biodegradable materials such as paper or varying woods.
The different materials which make up non-clumping litter are absorbent. The litter will pick up liquids and odors until the litter cannot absorb any more, at which point you will find liquid pooling in the bottom of the litter box.
Have a look at this non-clumping litter on Amazon.
Once you notice liquids pooling in the bottom, you'll need to change out the litter completely. In this process, wash out the bottom of the litter tray before adding in the new litter. Typically, this process gets done at least once a week.
In between litter changes, you can't scoop out the liquid. However, you can scoop out formed stool as needed to further decrease odors.
Non-clumping litter is often cheaper and less likely to be tracked out of the litter box. This type of litter has been considered safer for kittens due to their tendency to eat a bit of litter as they are learning.
Learn more details on this topic here in our blog post, "How Does Non-Clumping Clay Litter Work?"
How Do You Properly Dispose Of Non-Clumping Litter?
When cat litter gets disposed of inappropriately, it can create hazards for you and the environment. The exact method for ridding used cat litter can change based on what litter you are using and where you live.
A common method for disposing of non-clumping litter is simply placing it into a garbage bag and placing the bag into your trash can.
Litter can get heavy once it is soiled. To avoid a larger mess on your floor or throughout your house, try using heavy-duty garbage bags or double-bagging your used litter.
Are you looking for a greener way to dispose of your cat litter? Some cat owners take the extra steps to convert their kitty litter into mulch or fertilizer. If you are interested in this process, you will need to use biodegradable or eco-friendly cat litter.
Stick to non-clumping litter made of wood, corn, or other natural materials. Remember that you will need to properly compost your used kitty litter before adding it to any plant or garden.
Have a look at this on Amazon.
Can You Flush Non-Clumping Cat Litter?
Flushing cat litter can seem like an easy way to get rid of your cat's waste. While tempting, please do not flush non-clumping cat litter. This disposal method can mess up your plumbing system while negatively affecting the environment.
Some brands of litter include warning labels on their packaging regarding the consequences of flushing litter. A major consequence includes contaminating waterways with Toxoplasma Gondii.
This parasite has been found in cat waste and can survive water treatments. Therefore, the possibility of water contamination is the main reason why flushing cat litter of any kind can be dangerous.
Read more on our blog post, "Does Cat Litter Dissolve In Water?"
What Are Some Good Non-Clumping Litter Options?
Non-clumping litter sometimes gets a bad rap. On the other hand, this style of litter has quite a few pros. For example, non-clumping litters tend to be softer on the cat's paws and create less dust.
With this in mind, there are some highly recommended brands of non-clumping cat litters. Some of these brands include:
- Tidy Cats scented non-clumping clay cat litter
- Scoopfree sensitive non-clumping crystal cat litter
- Yesterday's News unscented non-clumping paper cat litter
Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of these non-clumping cat litter options.
Tidy Cats Scented Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Tidy Cats is the most commonly seen non-clumping kitty litter. This product has been made popular for its affordable price and excellent odor control and absorbency.
Many cat parents are pleased with the deodorizing system, even in households with multiple cats.
Scoopfree Sensitive Non-Clumping Crystal Cat Litter
This type of litter is more costly, as it is made of silica gel litter versus the common clay litters. Scoopfree litter is great for sensitive cats due to its low dust qualities.
Have a look at this on Amazon.
You will see this litter used with automatic litter boxes most times, but it can be used in a standard litter box as well.
Yesterday's News Unscented Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
Yesterday's News is an excellent option for those looking for an environmentally friendly litter option. This litter absorbs fast but lacks odor control, so expect to change out your litter box often.
Amazon offers varying-sized bags of this paper litter here.
The lack of odor control isn't ideal, but this brand is the number one veterinarian-recommended, eco-friendly non-clumping cat litter on the market. This low-tracking litter has been crafted with no small particles and is completely non-toxic.
How To Make Non-Clumping Litter Clump
Clumping litters typically contain a material called bentonite. This material is what creates the clumps while your litter is absorbing urine. Unfortunately, it is not possible to get non-clumping litter to clump.
To get the most out of your purchase, you may be tempted to mix non-clumping and clumping litters. However, when you combine the two, the clumping part doesn't typically work as intended, and you are just left with more waste.
You can't make a non-clumping litter clump. However, you can make your clumping litter if you're up for a bit of DIY.
Homemade clumping kitty litter gets made with newspaper, baking soda, water, and a bit of dish soap. The project takes roughly one hour to complete, and you are left with environmentally friendly, clumping kitty litter.
How Do You Keep Non-Clumping Litter?
Non-clumping litters can be kept in their original packaging. These litters come in durable bags or plastic boxes. Ensure the bag or box gets stored in a dry, cool area of your home.
Your litter should be checked daily and changed as needed. You will know your litter is ready for a change when you see puddles of urine or the odor has become bothersome.
Like we mentioned, scooping out solids can help get odors down. Additionally, you can purchase non-clumping litters containing additional odor control.
Amazon offers this non-clumping litter here.
How often your litter will need a change depends on your cat's habits, how many cats you have in your home, and how many litter boxes are available to them. Meaning, if you have multiple cats, you'll need additional litter boxes and, subsequently, a larger amount of litter.
Next, keep your litter boxes fresh by washing the trays out with soap and water and rinsing thoroughly before lying down new litter. Both you and your cats appreciate a tidy litter box.
Read more on our blog post, "Does Clumping Litter Last Longer?"
In Summary
You can't scoop non-clumping litter. But, there are ways to keep your litter box fresh and tidy. Keep up with regular cleaning, litter box inspection, and appropriate litter disposal to keep you and your kitty happy. We hope you found this article insightful when it comes to non-clumping litter.
Are you looking for more information on types of cat litter? Have a look through our blog post, "The 7 Types Of Cat Litter Every Cat Owner Must Know".