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Cats are great pets and taking care of them is an enjoyable experience. Part of the duties of a cat parent involves providing them with a litter box. Cat food has portions listed on the package, which enables you to determine how much you will need each month, but the same isn’t usually true for cat litter.
While most cat owners report using about 20–30 pounds of cat litter per month, that amount can vary significantly among owners and depends on several factors. If you want to find out exactly how much litter you will need each month, keep reading as we discuss the influencing factors.
Factors That Affect Litter Usage
Litter Type
The type of litter that you use will be one of the biggest factors determining how much you use each month, as it can vary in absorbency and clumping abilities, which affects how much you will need to replace each time your cat uses the box.
Clumping vs. Non-clumping Clay Litter
The better the litter clumps, the less you will use because the clumping action will keep the cat’s urine in place, so it is easy to scoop out. Non-clumping litter will enable the urine to spread out farther, contaminating more litter. The soiled litter will also be harder to scoop out of the box, and doing so might contaminate even more litter. Owners typically use 20–25 pounds of clumping cat litter per month, while those that use non-clumping clay litter will often use as much as 30–35 pounds per month.
Clay vs. Natural Cat Litter
While you can find cat litter made of natural materials such as crushed walnut shells, pine, or corn, which can be good for the environment, they don’t clump and are usually not that absorbent. Clay cat litter is also naturally occurring and is readily available. You can find clumping and non-clumping options, and again, clumping litter will help you use less litter overall.
Modern Litter
Some newer litter types, like silica gel and diatomaceous earth, are more absorbent than clay but do not clump. They will perform better than non-clumping clay litter, and some brands claim that they work even better than clumping litter, but they can be quite expensive, especially if you have several cats.
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Cat’s Personality
Cats can be picky about the litter box and often won’t use it if it’s dirty. If you spend a great deal of time at work, you might be better off with multiple litter boxes that require you to use more litter, at least at first. If you have multiple cats, most experts recommend having one litter box for each cat, plus one. You should also have at least one on each floor to which your cat has access.
Cat’s Age and Size
Kittens and small cats use less litter, while large cats require more to ensure their comfort. The age and size of your cat play a significant role in determining how much litter you should use.
Litter Box Type and Size
The type of litter box that you choose can impact litter usage. Open-top, covered, automatic, or self-cleaning litter boxes have unique requirements, and some will require more litter. Naturally, a larger litter box will also require more litter than a smaller one, and when you do a full clean and change all the litter in the litter tray, more of this will be thrown away. It’s important to remember that your cat’s litter box should be at least 1.5 times the length of your cat.
Number of Cats
If you have multiple cats, you’ll likely need to use more litter each month. This is because each cat will dig and waste some litter after use. Additionally, more cats mean more frequent toileting, which results in more litter being used and needing replacement.
Indoor or Outdoor Cat
Outdoor cats won’t use the litter box as frequently as indoor cats, and you won’t need as much litter. However, outdoor cats face many dangers and can also cause a great deal of environmental damage, so it’s best to keep your cat inside.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Much Litter Do Cats Use?
Small cats and kittens usually use about 4–8 pounds per week of cat litter, equaling 16–32 pounds per month. Large cats will use more litter and can reach 10 pounds per week or 40 pounds per month.
How Much Does Cat Litter Cost Per Month?
Most clay litters cost around $1 per pound, so you can expect to spend as much as $48 monthly on each of your cats. Natural and silica-based litter will be even more expensive. However, most cats will likely use less than 12 pounds per week, so this estimate is likely on the higher side.
Will Two Cats Use Twice The Litter?
If you have a multicat household, the amount of litter each cat uses will depend on the number of litter boxes you have, and whether they share them or not.
- Experiment with different litter materials to find the best one for your cat.
- Scoop the litter box daily to remove waste and maintain a clean environment for your cat, which will help keep your pet happy and extend the life of the litter.
- Choose a high-quality cat litter that offers excellent absorbency and odor control. It may cost more up front, but it can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent refills.
- Any changes in your cat’s litter box behavior can indicate health issues. Monitor your cat’s habits, and consult a veterinarian if you notice significant changes.
- Dispose of used litter in an environmentally friendly way when possible. You can compost certain types of litter or even recycle it, reducing your environmental impact.
- When refilling the litter box, measure the litter depth carefully to avoid overfilling. Using too much litter increases usage and makes it less comfortable for your cat. Most experts recommend 2–3 inches for the best results. Most experts recommend approximately 2 inches (3 centimeters) for the best results.
Summary
If you use clay litter like most cat owners, you can expect to go through 20–30 pounds of litter each month at approximately $1 per pound for each cat that you own. Other types of cat litter, like natural litter and silica-gel-based litter, can be better than clay in many ways, but you’ll likely use more of it, and it will be more expensive. Clean the litter box frequently to help promote a longer litter life, and experiment with different brands to find what you and your cat like best.
Featured Image Credit: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock
