For the majority of cat owners, buying litter is just as predictable year after year: the same store, the same aisle, the same bag. Then something changes. You move, your favorite store stops carrying your litter brand or you get a new kitten and suddenly you find yourself typing cat litter near me and looking through completely new litter types.
Every location of litter purchase has its advantages, and knowing them makes it much easier to choose your litter and purchase it at a good price without having to compromise.
Supermarkets and big-box retailers
Supermarkets, warehouse clubs and general stores are where many people buy their litter because it is convenient for them.
Advantages:
- Convenience;
- Long opening hours;
- Discounts on popular brands (especially warehouse clubs which provide huge amounts of litter in bulk).
Disadvantages:
- Limited selection (only mainstream clay litters that are usually scented);
- Heavy bulk bags and boxes, which is a problem if you don’t drive or live upstairs.
Pet stores
Pet stores, whether they are chain stores or independent stores, provide much more variety of cat litters: clay litters, silica litters, paper litters, pine litter, corn litters, wheat, walnut litters and other organic litters.
Advantages:
- Variety of choices and friendly staff that could give you some recommendations;
- Sometimes, pet stores sell small trial bags that are very helpful when trying a new type of litter;
- Independent stores may sell litter brands that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Disadvantages:
- Higher prices than those at big-box retailers;
- Specialty litters can be out of stock or discontinued unexpectedly.
If you find a litter your cat loves, make sure your store sells it regularly or can order it for you.
Veterinary clinics
Some veterinary clinics sell cat litter that is used in special situations, such as surgery-recovery paper litters or litter that is used to collect urine at home.
Advantages:
- You get exactly the needed litter for your cat’s case and you could receive the advice of specialists in that field.
Disadvantages:
- It is not supposed to be used for everyday purchases because of high prices.
Buying online
Online shopping has become very popular: retail marketplaces, pet supply websites and brands selling directly deliver litter to your door.
Advantages:
- Much wider selection than in any offline store;
- Ability to easily compare prices between litters;
- No need to carry heavy bags;
- Ability to set automatic repeat delivery;
- Very convenient for people who live in apartments, don’t have cars or have some disabilities;
- Buying directly from brands means you get the genuine product with the latest formula.
Disadvantages:
- Delivery periods may vary;
- Shipping prices could make your savings null if you order a relatively small amount of litter;
- Be careful about reviews because they could be fake;
- Not all sellers are the brands themselves.
Comparing litter prices
Comparing litters by price per bag is misleading: a cheap litter that has to be replaced every couple of days can cost more over a month than a pricier one that lasts longer. Better to compare litter:
- By price per pound or per liter – gives you the basis of comparison between different bags;
- By weeks per bag – this is what actually matters, and clumping litters tend to last longer than non-clumping because you only take out the soiled part of litter;
- By cost per cat per month – gives the whole picture. You need to track that once for your litter and you’ll have the baseline for comparison.
Don’t forget about additional costs, such as additional trips to the store, a bigger trash bill due to heavy litter and additional cleaners due to dust and tracking.
What to check before buying
You could learn a lot just looking at the litter bag:
- Scent – usually unscented litter is preferable because cats have a much more developed sense of smell than we do;
- Dust claims – “low dust” is the usual slogan, but “tested” and some figures could be more reliable. Dust is the main issue for cats with asthma or allergies and in closed rooms;
- Clumping – check whether it’s clumping litter or non-clumping, and whether it fits your litter changing method;
- Ingredients – especially if you have kittens that could taste the litter or you care about the litter composition and disposal;
- Bag size and weight – be realistic about what you can carry and store.
How to switch to another litter when your usual one is unavailable
When you find yourself forced to buy some other litter than you usually do, try to keep as much as possible similar to the litter you bought before – the same texture, granule size and preferably unscented litter if that’s what you use. To switch your cat gently to the new litter, mix it with old litter:
- Start with about one third new litter and two thirds old litter;
- Switch to half and half in a few days;
- Switch to two thirds new litter and finally replace all old litter with new.
The sudden change in litter texture or smell is one of the main reasons why cats stop using the litter box and it is much easier to avoid it rather than solve it.
Keeping a reliable supply
The easiest way to avoid stressful shopping trips is just to plan ahead:
- Always keep one unopened bag of litter;
- Note how long one bag lasts in your home and set a reminder several days before it’s expected to run out;
- Have some backup sources of litter for your cat – a second local store or online stores;
- Think about automatic delivery if you buy the same litter every month.
Bottom line
There is no single best place to buy litter – supermarkets are convenient, pet stores have variety of choices, vets are helpful in special cases and online stores bring the largest selection of litter to your door. The best approach is combining these ways – know the litter that suits your cat, know where you could reliably buy it and always have an extra litter bag at hand.
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