Consumer feedback on various pet product review websites indicates that silica gel crystal cat litter has a number of advantages, but a few disadvantages as well.
The Benefits of Silica Crystal Cat Litters
Consumer reviews indicate that silica-based cat litters have several positive attributes, including the following:
- The crystals are very absorbent.
- There is no need to scrape clumps from the sides and bottom of the litter box, making the box easier to clean.
- Less litter box maintenance is required overall.
- Many reviewers feel that silica litter provides the best odour control of all cat litters.
Problems Associated with Silica Gel Cat Litter
Problems that have been noted in relation to crystal litters include the following:
- They tend to be expensive.
- They often don’t last as long as manufacturers promise.
- The litter can be dusty.
- The litter gets stuck between cats’ toes and tracked around.
- Some cats dislike the texture and refuse to use it.
- It may be hard on paws (or human feet, when stepped on).
- Some crystal litters are perfumed, which is off-putting to cats.
- When the litter box eventually becomes saturated, urine pools in the bottom or forms a nasty sludge with the crystals.
Best Silica Cat Litter Brands Based on Consumer Reviews
Of the pure crystal litters, Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Long-Haired Cat Litter received particularly high scores from consumers, with an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 at PetSmart.com at the time of this writing.
Just the Crystals, another top-rated product, has an average rating of 4.4 from a large number of reviewers at Amazon.com. These crystals, designed specifically for the Forever Litter Tray, are fragrance-free and come in recyclable packaging (the Forever Litter Tray, used with Scoop Free Automatic Litter Boxes, is a also a highly rated product made from 100% recycled materials).
Health Meter Early Detection System Cat Litter, in addition to providing excellent odor control, can alert owners to bladder infections, urinary tract stones or crystals, liver disease, and kidney problems because the crystals change colour in response to these medical conditions. Though not extensively reviewed, this product was rated highly at PetSmart, with an average of 4.2. Notably, one reviewer who praised the product is a veterinarian.
Pestell Clear Choice Low-Track Silica Crystals Cat Litter has received an average rating of 4 stars on Amazon. This product has been praised for superior odor control, and many reviewers say that it is less expensive than other pure silica kitty litters.
Best Silica Crystal and Clay Cat Litters
There are also a number of silica gel and clumping clay cat litter blends such as Tidy Cats Scoop Crystals Blend Cat Litter for Multiple Cats, Fresh Step Plus Dual Action Crystals, and Scoop Away Plus Crystals. Overall, silica and clay blends tend to be highly rated, though some consumers have concerns about the fact that clay is not environmentally friendly. Those who want a greener option may prefer to try biodegradable litters made from renewable resources, such as corn-based cat litter or pine-based cat litter.
For more cat product reviews, including reviews of other cat litter types, visit the main Cat Products page. For a full list of cat articles, see the main Cats page.