Have you thought about switching cat litters? Many people are moving away from clay litters due to environmental concerns but don’t know which natural cat litter to consider. Other owners need to switch litters due to allergies or other practical concerns.
To find out how to find the litter that will work best for your entire household, we talked to Mercer Island Store Manager Taylor Richmond. As an eight-year Muddy and cat owner, Taylor had plenty of advice to help cat owners navigate finding the right litters for their cats.
TR: I like to consider the age of the cat. For cats under a year old, try to stay away from clumping litters, especially clumping clay litters. There is a chance that younger cats will ingest their litter. Clumping litter can actually be pretty dangerous if it gets into their digestive system. There are some kitten-specific clumping litters. The sand is a lot finer, but these litters tend to be really dusty.
Owners of adult cats that can use any litter should think about if they want clumping litter or pelleted litter. Clumping litter tends to be the most popular because people want clumps that they can scoop out when cleaning the litter box. But I find that pelleted litter tends to have better odor control, and it tends to have less tracking and less dust. Pellets tend to be more absorbent, and they trap odor more efficiently.
Because pelleted litter doesn’t clump, it does take a bit more work to maintain the litter box. You do have to switch out all the litter a bit more often than clumping litter because you’ll never get every single wet litter pellet when scooping. You will need to toss all the litter and replace the litter every few weeks.
There are some pelleted litters that clump. The pellets are very small, and they lightly clump. People who want a pelleted litter but prefer clumps for cleaning purposes like this litter. There are tradeoffs because these pelleted litters are very light, so they track more than other pelleted litters.
Light litter also makes it easier for cats to move the litter box. I had a top-loading litterbox with a very light litter in it, and my cat managed to accidentally overturn it. Once again, there are tradeoffs when picking a litter.
TR: It’s interesting because with pelleted litter when it comes down to it, you can use a spoon to remove the used litter. You can usually spot wet pellets because they change color and sometimes, they change size. You want to scoop out as many of the wet pellets as possible but know that you’ll get some of the dry pellets, too.
When you’re scooping the poop out, you do want the pellets to fall through holes in the scoop. So for those jobs, you do want a scoop with wider gaps. We have one scoop with little circular holes that tends to work best for pelleted litters.
After you scoop, you want to add enough litter so there’s always about three inches of litter in the box. Every few weeks, dump the whole litter box out and clean the box with the cleaner of your choice. Then fill it up with three inches of clean litter.
Some people like litter liners, which are bags made to fit your litter pan. Then you can just pour the litter into the liner. Then when you change the litter box, you just tie up the bag and remove it.
TR: I find that material type is primarily customer preference. I always ask if anyone in the house has any sort of allergies if I’m asked for advice. Sometimes pets will have grain or corn allergies, which makes these litters not a great option. Sometimes, we as people have really bad dust allergies, and clay litters can aggravate them. I have a grass allergy, so I avoid grass litters.
Odor plays a big role in what litter people choose. My roommate switched to a different litter that he likes. He has noticed that he needs to clean the litter box more regularly or he notices a smell.
It’s good to think about the type of odor the litter itself creates. Material types smells vary, and some litters can smell quite pleasant. If you want a litter with very little scent, walnut and clay litter are both good options.
After that, litter choice is really about preference. I will have one customer rave about how wonderful one litter is, and I will have another customer will immediately switch away from it. I always tell customers to pick a litter and try it out. And if you don’t like it, use our return policy and exchange it for a different litter to try.
TR: First, you should look at the litter box you’ve chosen. If the litter box is uncovered, get a top to prevent your cat from kicking litter out of the box. There are plenty of covered litter boxes to choose from if you would like to switch away from the one you already have. You can also try a top-entry box, so your cat has to jump on the box top first. That can catch some of the litter before it goes onto the floor.
If you still need help preventing tracking, you can try litter mats. Some are smaller and made to fight right outside the door of a covered litter box. Some are larger so that the surround the entire litter box.
If your problem is still not solved, you would need to try switching to a new litter. Pelleted litter, especially heavier pellets, don’t track as bad as a sandier clumping litter.
But unfortunately, especially with clumping litter, there’s always going to be some level of tracking. Some litters will track less than others, but there’s always going to be some tracking. But as long as you vacuum regularly, it won’t be as noticeable if you follow my suggestions.
TR: Just like you should transition between foods, you want to transition between litters. This is crucial if you’re changing textures. Transitioning between one clumping litter to another clumping litter is usually simpler because the texture is the same. Cats feel the change in the litter when they walk on it. So, if the feel is different, you may want to take a full week for a slower transition.
I recommend cleaning out the litter box completely and pouring a small amount of the new litter on the bottom and then pouring the old litter on top. When your cat is digging around, your cat will mix the two litters for himself. He’ll discover the new litter underneath the old litter, which increases the chance it won’t upset him.
Every day or so, clean the litter box, making sure to mix in a bit more of the new litter afterward. Keep some of the old litter on hand, if you feel the transition is happening too quickly, feel free to add a bit of the older litter as well. By the end of that week, you should only be using the newer litter to top it off, and you will be well on your way to phasing the old litter out completely.
TR: Some cats are very sensitive to changes, while other cats are more easy-going. All animals have preferences. There are going to be some cats that really prefer one litter to another. If your cat has a distinct preference, and you switch their litter too quickly, they may stop using the litter box. For a picky cat, switching a litter too quickly can also hurt your chances of a smoother transition down the line, even if you do it properly the next time.
A very slow transition is the best for a picky cat. The slower the transition, the better the chance that your cat will accept the new litter. Unfortunately, some cats won’t accept any change, no matter what. In this case, you may be stuck using the litter they like. It depends mostly on the cat, but sometimes the process.
Attractants are an option that can help some cats, but there’s no guarantee your cat will like it. If it doesn’t work for your cat, use our return policy. I tend to recommend attractant to cat owners who have tried a variety of different litter box training methods that haven’t worked, but it’s fine if people want to immediately start with pairing an attractant with a litter.***
Mercer Island Manager Taylor Richmond loves to talk about all things cats (and dogs!), so if you’re in the area, please stop by the store and say hello. When he’s not at work, Taylor is often adjudicating disagreements between his tabby cat and his roommate’s tuxedo cat.
Furvor bone 🦴 broth for dogs is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is highly concentrated, so every squeeze adds real nutrition to your dog’s routine.
🐕 It’s packed with protein, amino acids, and nutrients that can support gut health, mobility, skin and coat, and overall wellness.
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It’s also an easy way to boost hydration and bring a little excitement back to the bowl—especially for picky eaters. Just mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or serve it on its own.
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Shop Furvor 🛒 🛍️ 🐕 Bone Broth in-store or online at Mud Bay!
#mudbay #furvor #bonebroth #dogs #healthypets
Weruva WX Phos Focused Freeze-Dried Chicken and Tilapia is a low-phosphorus, high-protein supplement made from 93% boneless, skinless chicken breast, tilapia, and egg white. It has no grains, fillers, bones, or organs.
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Due to its naturally low phosphorus content, this food is suitable for cats requiring phosphorus management, particularly those with kidney conditions. Additionally, it’s highly digestible protein helps maintain lean muscle mass.
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You can serve it dry or add water to soften the texture. Adding water can help your cat digest it more easily and boost their daily water intake. This recipe is meant as a supplement and works well as a topper or treat alongside a complete, balanced diet.
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If you want help figuring out if this is right for your cat, visit your local Mud Bay and speak with a Muddy, or shop with us online today.
#mudbay #healthypets #kidneyhealth #cats #catfood
If your pup brings the energy indoors, meet their new favorite toy. The ultra plush Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball is designed for fetch, toss, and all-out play.
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With a strong inner mesh liner and concealed double stitching, it delivers the durability Fluff & Tuff is known for in a soft, soccer-inspired design.
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Kick off the fun and shop the Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogs #timetoplay #healthypets
Need to keep your dog engaged while you work, host, or help them burn energy?
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The Woof LickMat and LickMix make enrichment easy.
The textured design encourages longer licking, helping promote calm behavior and engagement. Premeasured lines make portioning easy every time.
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Simply mix the grain-free Cheddar and Bacon LickMix. It’s easy to digest, simple to prepare, and each bag provides 10 or more lick sessions. Made from 100 percent silicone, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. Strong suction cups keep the LickMat stable for easy, everyday use.
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Enhance your dog’s daily enrichment—visit us in-store or online and bring home the woof LickMat and LickMix today.
#mudbay #woof #healthypets #dogs #petenrichment
👀 Looking for a way to slow down mealtime and keep your dog thinking? The GURU Pet Company Bobble Ball turns your dog’s food into an interactive activity.
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Simply fill it with kibble or small treats, screw the top back on, and let the wobble begin. The weighted base creates unpredictable movement that keeps dogs engaged and working for every bite.
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A great option for dogs new to enrichment or seasoned puzzle pros.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay today.
#mudbay #dogs #staybusy #healthypets #dogtoys
🎉 New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are now available in-store and online at Mud Bay!
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We’re excited to offer two new formulas that are complete and balanced for both cats and dogs.
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The Digestive Support Formula has beneficial fiber from lentils and sweet potato, along with probiotic inulin from chicory root. It also includes organic apple cider vinegar for extra immune and digestive support.
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Our Hip & Joint Support Formula features turmeric, oat flour, and omega-3 fatty acids from tuna 🐟 to help support joint mobility and immune health.
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All Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated and free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. And they are convenient and easy to use as a complete meal, a treat, or a topper.
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You can find the full line—including Skin & Coat, Cognitive, Digestive, and Hip & Joint Support formulas—exclusively at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #healthypets #mealtime #pnwpets #mudbayairdriedtoppers
💫 New at Mud Bay!
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CocoTherapy Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie Coco-Charms. Small in size and low in calories, they are an ideal training treat.
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Made with 100% organic ingredients, you can feel good giving them to your dog during longer training sessions. CocoTherapy Coco-Charms are also free from grains, dairy, gluten, eggs, and preservatives, and are low glycemic.
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Shop the Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie CocoTherapy Coco-Charms in-store or online today!
#mudbay #cocotherapy #trainingtreats #dogs #healthypets
🎉 🎉 GIVEAWAY! New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers for Cats & Dogs
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We’re excited to give you a chance to win a bag of one of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas.
Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated, complete and balanced for cats and dogs, and easy to use as a topper, treat, or complete meal.
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New Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper Formulas:
Digestive Support
Made with turkey, chicken, and lentils, plus organic apple cider vinegar and chicory root to help support healthy digestion and immune function.
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Hip and Joint Support:
Made with turkey, chicken, fish, and oats, plus turmeric and omega-3s from tuna to help support mobility and joint health.
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To enter:
👍 Like this post
😃 Tag us and tag a friend
🤝 Follow us
We’ll pick winners at random and notify them on April 16th. Each winner will receive a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers. 🍀 🤞 Good luck!
#mudbay #foodtoppers #dogs #cats #petfood
Check out these new aquatic-themed toys for your pup from Fluff & Tuff.
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Available in-store now: Claude the squid, with tentacles that are great for tugging.
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We also have Dottie the Puffer Fish, who will keep your pup active with a nice fetch session, and, last but not least, we have Millie the Axolotl, who is an engaging option for all of the above and ready to shake up your pup’s toy selection.
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Shop these fun new Aquatic options for your pup in-store or online today!
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogtoys #playtime #pnwpets
We visited the local dog park today to share a fun spring surprise 👀🎉
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The park pups got to try our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers!
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We can’t share all the details on these new toppers yet, but here’s what we can tell you:
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Two new formulas are coming soon, and you’ll find them both in stores and online. They’ll be available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce bags.
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Just like our current toppers, these new formulas give both cats and dogs complete and balanced nutrition. You can serve them as a full meal, sprinkle them on top of their food, or offer them as a treat.
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Thank you to all the pups who came by to try them today.🐾🎉
Check back next week because we have a giveaway coming up. Stay tuned and have a great spring!🌈 💐 🌷 ☀️ ☔
#mudbay #dogpark #sneaktreat #mudbayairdriedtoppers #new
Keep your pet happy and blissfully engaged with the woof LickMat and LickMix.
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The LickMat is BPA-free, 100% silicone, and dishwasher safe on the top rack, with suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking. It also features suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking, while its built-in mixing bowl and measuring lines make mixing easy.
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The Bacon and Cheese LickMix is grain-free and designed for use with the LickMat, woof Pupsicle, or as a meal topper. Each bag yields about 10 LickMat sessions when used as directed.
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Treat your dog with the Woof LickMat and LickMix. Shop all woof products in-store and online today!
#mudbay #woof #dogs #enrichment #petproducts
Stock up on your dog’s favorite Bulk Biscuits and make every refill count.
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Mud Bay’s Bulk Biscuits are all-natural, with many locally sourced options, including organic and grain-free varieties. When you refill your Mud Bay Mud Bucket, you pay $4.24 per pound instead of $4.99 on every refill. That’s 75 cents saved per pound, or 15% off each refill.
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Our Mud Buckets are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and come in two handy sizes: 2.75 liters and 8.5 liters. Designed for easy refills and fresher storage, they help make treating your dog simple and eco-friendly.
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Refill. Reuse. Re-Biscuit. Visit your local Mud Bay today to pick up a Mud Bay Mud Bucket and some tasty biscuits for your dog!!
#mudbay #mudbuckets #dogs #treats #healthypets
