If the idea of house training a pet is enough to keep you from getting a companion for your home, then a cat just might be the perfect pet for you. There’s very little training involved. All you need is some cat litter and a litter box, and you now have a pet that can stay inside all the time.

Most kittens already know how to use a box. Their mother has taught them. Your jobs are few. Keep the box clean, and let your cat know where it is, lest he find someplace else to do his business. The only problem is figuring out what type of litter is best to use for both your new pet and for your home.

There are an increasing number of options available, so it’s good to know a bit about each type before you run out and buy a bag.

One factor you’ll need to look at is the price. This is where clay litter has a big advantage. Clay was one of the first litters developed commercially and is less expensive than most of the others. The problem with clay is that it not only absorbs liquids, it also hangs on tightly to most odors. You’ll need to change it frequently or the smell will permeate your home. Clay is also problematic if your cat has allergies because when he scratches in the box the dust will start to fly.

The most popular litter right now is probably clumping cat litter. That’s because the litter combines with the moisture in the waste to form, as the name suggests, clumps. These clumps are easy to scoop away, meaning there is no need to change out the entire box. Once you scoop the waste, just replace the missing litter with some new litter. And the scents this litter is available in will do a decent job of hiding the smell, although it won’t get rid of the odor all together. The biggest problem with clumping litter is that some cats will actually eat the clumps. Watch your pet carefully.

Silica litters are great at controlling both odor and moisture by using silica crystals mixed with water and sand. Silica is the same substance used in those small packets placed in pill bottles or new shoes. Those packets are there to absorb moisture, and they work just as well in cat litter. You still have to scoop out the solid waste, but the liquid and odors are absorbed by the crystals. Another positive attribute is that this litter is biodegradable. When it decomposes it simply returns to a sandy base. On the down side, it does not clump, so scooping the solid waste can be messy.

Another biodegradable litter is paper litter, which is becoming very popular with environmental pet owners. This litter is made from pellets or recycled paper. In addition to being biodegradable, it is absorbent and is easy to carry around because it does not weigh very much.

Another litter quickly gaining in popularity is litter made from wood. It too is biodegradable. Pine is the most frequent wood used, primarily because of it’s ability to naturally absorb odors. But really, all softwood litters are good at both liquid and odor absorption. The result is a more natural litter because no chemicals are added.

But once you decide on the type of litter you want, it’s always wise to consult with your cat. They will surely let you know if they disagree with your choice by simply not using the litter box. Some cats for example don’t like silica because the crystals hurt their paws. Others avoid pine because they just don’t like the smell. Even though your cat can’t speak, he will definitely let you know if he doesn’t like what you have selected.

And while it is smart for you to know as much as possible about all the choices available to you, your cat will have the final word on whether or not you made the right decision.

For additional details on these and other cat litter options go to CatLitterBoxesPlus.com. You’ll also read about various litter boxes including the automatic cat litter box that makes clean up easy.