💡 Quick Key Takeaways
- There are 5 main types of cat litter – clumping, non-clumping, crystal, natural, and paper-based.
- Clumping clay litter is the most popular choice in Australia for easy scooping and odour control.
- Litter boxes should be scooped at least once a day and fully cleaned once a week.
- The rule of thumb is one litter box per cat, plus one extra.
- Changing litter brands suddenly can cause your cat to avoid the tray – always transition gradually.
Choosing the right cat litter is one of the most important decisions you will make as a cat owner. The wrong type of litter can lead to litter box avoidance, bad odours, excessive tracking around the house, and even health issues for your cat. With so many options on the Australian market, it can be hard to know where to start.
At Pet Shopee Australia, we stock a wide range of cat litter options to suit every cat and every household. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about the different types of cat litter, how to choose the right one, and how to keep your litter box fresh and clean.
Types of Cat Litter Available in Australia
Each type of cat litter has different properties when it comes to odour control, clumping ability, dust levels, and environmental impact. Here is what you need to know about each one.
🟤 1. Clumping Clay Litter
Clumping clay litter is the most widely used cat litter in Australia. When your cat urinates, the litter forms firm clumps that can be scooped out easily, leaving the rest of the litter clean and fresh.
- Best for: Most cats, households wanting easy daily maintenance
- Pros: Excellent odour control, easy to scoop, cost-effective, widely available
- Cons: Can be dusty, heavier to carry, not biodegradable
- Not recommended for: Kittens under 4 months – clumping clay can cause internal blockages if ingested
🔵 2. Non-Clumping Clay Litter
Non-clumping litter absorbs urine but does not form solid clumps. The entire tray needs to be emptied and replaced more frequently than clumping litter.
- Best for: Kittens, budget-conscious households, cats who dislike clumping litter
- Pros: Cheaper upfront cost, safe for kittens, widely available
- Cons: Needs full replacement more often, less effective odour control over time
💎 3. Crystal Silica Gel Litter
Crystal litter is made from silica gel beads that absorb moisture and lock in odours. It is very lightweight, low-dust, and highly absorbent. One tray of crystal litter can last a single cat for up to 4 weeks.
- Best for: Busy households, cats with respiratory sensitivities, small apartments
- Pros: Excellent odour control, very low dust, lasts longer per bag
- Cons: Higher upfront cost, some cats dislike the texture of the crystals
- Note: Stir the crystals daily to distribute moisture evenly
🌿 4. Natural and Biodegradable Litter
Natural litters are made from plant-based materials such as wood pellets, recycled paper, corn, wheat, or tofu. They are an eco-friendly alternative to clay and crystal litters and are completely biodegradable.
- Best for: Environmentally conscious households, cats with clay dust allergies
- Pros: Biodegradable, low dust, often flushable, safe for kittens
- Cons: Some types have less odour control than clay, cats may need time to adjust
- Popular options: Pine wood pellets, recycled paper pellets, tofu litter
📄 5. Paper-Based Litter
Paper litter is made from recycled paper pellets or shredded paper. It is extremely gentle and soft, making it the preferred choice for cats recovering from surgery or with sensitive paws.
- Best for: Post-surgery recovery, cats with sore or sensitive paws, kittens
- Pros: Very soft, dust-free, biodegradable, gentle on wounds
- Cons: Less effective odour control, gets saturated faster, needs frequent changing
Pro Tip: If you are switching litter types, always transition gradually by mixing the new litter with the old litter over 7 to 10 days. A sudden change can cause your cat to reject the litter box entirely. Browse our full range of cat litter at Pet Shopee Australia to find the right match for your cat.
How to Choose the Right Cat Litter for Your Cat
The best cat litter is ultimately the one your cat will actually use. Here are the key factors to consider when making your choice.
🐱 1. Your Cat’s Age
- Kittens under 4 months: Use non-clumping, paper, or natural litter – avoid clumping clay which can cause internal blockages
- Adult cats: Most types work well – clumping clay is the most popular choice
- Senior cats: Consider a softer litter like paper or fine-grain clay to be gentle on arthritic paws
🏠 2. Your Living Situation
- Apartment: Crystal or clumping litter with strong odour control is important in smaller spaces
- House with garden: Natural or biodegradable litter is a great eco-friendly option
- Multiple cats: Clumping litter with strong odour control and frequent scooping is essential
- Allergies in the household: Low-dust or dust-free options like crystal or paper litter are best
👃 3. Odour Control Priority
- Best odour control: Crystal silica gel litter
- Very good odour control: Clumping clay with activated carbon
- Good odour control: Natural wood or tofu litter
- Limited odour control: Basic non-clumping clay and paper litter
💧 4. Tracking and Mess
- Fine-grain litters track more easily on paws than coarser pellets
- Wood pellets and paper pellets track the least
- Use a litter mat outside the tray to catch tracked particles
- Covered litter boxes help reduce scatter from digging
How to Set Up and Maintain the Litter Box
📦 1. How Many Litter Boxes Do You Need?
The golden rule recommended by veterinarians and animal behaviourists is one litter box per cat, plus one extra. So for one cat you need two trays, for two cats you need three trays, and so on.
- Place trays in different locations around the home
- Never place litter boxes next to food and water bowls
- In multi-storey homes, have at least one tray per floor
🧹 2. How Often Should You Clean the Litter Box?
- Clumping litter: Scoop solid waste and clumps daily – full change every 2 to 4 weeks
- Non-clumping litter: Remove solids daily – full change every 3 to 7 days
- Crystal litter: Stir daily, remove solids – full change every 3 to 4 weeks for one cat
- Natural/paper litter: Remove solids daily – full change every 3 to 5 days depending on type
🫧 3. How to Deep Clean a Litter Box
- Empty all litter completely and rinse the tray with warm water
- Scrub with unscented dish soap – avoid strong chemical cleaners or bleach
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before adding fresh litter
- Replace plastic litter trays every 1 to 2 years – scratches harbour bacteria
Hygiene Tip: Avoid strongly scented litter or litter box deodorisers. Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, and overpowering fragrances are one of the most common reasons cats avoid their litter box. If odour is an issue, the solution is more frequent cleaning, not stronger scents.
Why Is My Cat Avoiding the Litter Box?
If your cat starts going to the toilet outside the litter box, the litter itself is often the cause. Here are the most common reasons and how to fix them.
- Litter box is too dirty: Scoop more frequently – cats are very clean animals and will avoid a soiled tray
- Litter type changed suddenly: Transition gradually by mixing old and new litter over 1 to 2 weeks
- Litter is too scented: Switch to unscented litter – cats prefer neutral smells
- Tray is too small: The tray should be 1.5 times the length of your cat
- Wrong location: Move the tray to a quieter, more private area away from noise and foot traffic
- Medical issue: If avoidance persists, visit your vet to rule out urinary tract infection or other health problems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cat litter should I put in the tray? +
For clumping litter, aim for a depth of 7 to 10cm. This gives your cat enough litter to dig and bury waste properly, and allows clumps to form without hitting the bottom of the tray. For crystal and pellet litters, follow the specific product instructions as depth requirements vary.
Is scented cat litter safe for cats? +
Scented litter is generally safe but many cats strongly dislike artificial fragrances. The scents are added for the owner’s benefit, not the cat’s. If your cat avoids a scented litter, switch to an unscented version. Unscented litter with good clumping and regular scooping is usually more effective at controlling odour than scented varieties.
Can I flush cat litter down the toilet? +
Only certain natural litters labelled as flushable are safe to flush in small amounts. Clay and crystal litters should never be flushed as they can block pipes. Even flushable litters should not be flushed in large quantities. Check the product label before disposing of any litter via plumbing. In Australia, most councils recommend disposing of used cat litter in the general waste bin.
What is the best cat litter for odour control in Australia? +
Crystal silica gel litter provides the strongest odour control and is ideal for small spaces like apartments. For clumping clay litters, look for varieties with activated carbon or charcoal which neutralise ammonia odours. Regardless of the litter type, scooping at least once a day is the single most effective way to control odour.
Should I use a covered or open litter tray? +
It depends on your cat’s preference. Covered trays offer more privacy, reduce scatter, and contain odours better for the owner. However, some cats feel trapped inside covered trays and prefer open ones. If your cat avoids a covered tray, switch to an open tray. The best tray is always the one your cat will consistently use.
Shop Cat Litter at Pet Shopee Australia
Find the perfect cat litter for your cat and your home at Pet Shopee. Clumping, crystal, natural, and more – delivered Australia-wide in 5 to 11 business days.