Pretty Litter, one of the most popular online litter brands, has recently launched a new clumping formula. This is a major deviation from the original Pretty Litter formula, which is a typical non-clumping crystal litter made from silica gel. So how does this clumping litter stack up to the original? Is it worth the money? In this article we’ll go over everything you need to know to decide whether clumping Pretty Litter is a good option for you and your cat.
Here at tuft + paw, we are cat experts. Over the last couple years, we've spent countless hours determining which litter features are most important to cats and cat parents alike.The information in this article is based on consultation with a cat behaviorist, veterinarian, and hundreds of cat parents.
Tip: See our in-depth review of the original Pretty Litter and the best crystal litters for comparison.
Clumping Pretty Litter Cheat Sheet
| Price | $30 for 10-lb bag = $3/lb |
| Ingredients | silica gel, color-changing compounds, guar gum |
| Attributes | health monitoring, clumping,unscented |
Is Clumping Crystal Litter a Thing?
Crystal cat litters are usually non-clumping, which means they absorb urine but don’t form clumps like clay or some natural litters do. Silica gel on its own does not clump. Instead, each particle absorbs urine into its tiny internal pores where smelly compounds are trapped and water is allowed to evaporate. In order to create a clumping crystal litter, a clumping agent (e.g. bentonite clay, plant-based gums) must be added to the silica gel particles.
Clumping Pretty Litter uses guar gum as its clumping agent. This plant-based fiber forms a thick gel when exposed to moisture, making it an eco-friendly clumping alternative to clay. We’re fans of guar gum ourselves, as we use it in our own clumping tofu litter.
Other clumping crystal litters exist on the market, though they tend not to be the most popular option. This is because their clumping is limited due to the non-clumping nature of silica gel.
Clumping Pretty Litter clumps relatively well for a crystal litter. Tap water was used for this clump, whichcreates aslight yellow tinge indicating a normal urine pH ~6.5.
Pros of Clumping Pretty Litter
Health-Monitoring
Pretty Litter’s main selling feature is its health-monitoring ability. The litter changes color based on the pH level of your cat’s urine, alerting you to potential health issues like urinary tract infections or kidney problems. Clumping Pretty Litter could potentially make it even easier to see color changes, since the urine will form a discrete clump.
Pretty Litter used to be known as the health-monitoring crystal litter, but some brands like Genius Litter are starting to introduce similar competing products.
A test of Pretty Litter's color-changing feature using tap water andpantry items.From left to right: acidic pH (vinegar + water), normal pH (tap water), alkaline pH (baking soda + water).
Clumping + Easy to Clean
Many cat parents prefer clumping for the easy removal of waste from the litter box. If scooped daily, this leads to better odor control because you’re removing the source of the odor. If stirring urine around in the original Pretty Litter formula was off-putting to you, the new clumping formula might be a better choice.
Non-Toxic
Pretty Litter is made from non-toxic silica gel, which is totally safe for cats and humans. Despite its name, silica gel does not contain crystalline silica dust, which is what makes clay litter potentially dangerous.
Fairly Low Dust
One of Pretty Litter’s strengths is its low dust content compared to clay litter, which makes it easier on the airways for both cats and humans. The lower dust content also makes it less messy than its clay counterpart. However, Pretty Litter’s dustiness seems to be somewhat inconsistent across bags, so keep that in mind if dust is a top priority for you. Generally, the lowest dust litters are tofu pellets, cassava, and other natural litters.
Lightweight & Easy to Handle
Silica gel makes for quite a lightweight cat litter, making it easier to pour and handle compared to heavier clay litters.
Cove Litter Box by tuft + paw
Cons of Clumping Pretty Litter
High Tracking
One of the biggest issues with crystal litters, especially those with fine grains like Pretty Litter, is their tendency to be tracked out of the litter box. The lightweight, fine particles can easily stick to your cat’s paws and get scattered around the house. In our review of the original Pretty Litter, this was by far its most significant weakness. If tracking is important to you, you may want to consider low tracking pellet litters instead.
Expensive
Both Pretty Litter formulas are marketed as premium litters and have a fairly high price point. One 10-lb bag of Clumping Pretty Litter comes in at $30, which is slightly cheaper at $3/lb vs the original formula’s $4/lb. According to the brand, this single bag should last a full month, but mileage may vary depending on your cat’s litter habits.
Not Eco-Friendly
The silica gel used in Pretty Litter, like all crystal litter, is sourced through environmentally damaging open-pit mining. This kind of mining can cause severe habitat degradation, contaminated water sources, and air pollution. Furthermore, silica gel is not biodegradable, so it must be disposed of in the landfill.
Clumping vs Non-Clumping Pretty Litter: Which Is Better?
| Clumping Pretty Litter | OriginalNon-Clumping Pretty Litter |
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Overall, we prefer Clumping Pretty Litter over the non-clumping formula because it allows cat parents to remove urine from the litter box, which leads to better odor control over time. It also comes in at a slightly cheaper price per pound ($3/lb vs $4/lb), though the bag itself is slightly more expensive ($30 vs $24). Ultimately, the decision between clumping and non-clumping Pretty Litter comes down to your personal preference and specific needs.
Other than these differences, the two formulas are virtually identical and both offer the famous health-monitoring feature. If you have experience with either formula, we’d love to hear your input in the comments section. Good luck!
