How Much Does Cat Litter Per Month?

Well, cat litter consumption isn’t an exact science. Let’s say you have one small cat with a standard litter box (18’’x24’’), so how much cat litter per week or how many pounds of litter per box to use?

On average, you will go through about 7 pounds of cat litter each week, in other words, 28 pounds per month. But if you have a large cat breed, it will need at least 10 pounds per week or around 40 pounds per month.

In fact, the actual amount required varies depending on the particular type of cat litter you are using, how frequently you change the litter box, and other important factors like your cat’s health condition.

If your little buddy is suffering from a medical condition like kidney disease, she will urinate more often. So, the requirement for cat litter goes as high as 10 to 15 pounds per week, which equals 40 to 60 pounds per month.

When it comes to pet care expenses, we all want to save as much money as we can since cat litter is expensive when it adds up fast and thus eventually break the bank.

Luckily, there are several types and brands of cat litter out there on the market at so many different price points for you to choose from.

Let’s take a look at the approximate price for each type of cat litter following:

Clumping Cat Litter

When you buy clumping cat litter, it usually comes in bags of 40 lb. On average, a 40-pound bag of clumping cat litter costs $17.40. You can expect to pay around $17-21 per month for a clumping brand. As such, the average cost of cat litter per year can be anywhere between $210-260.

Non-clumping cat litter

Although non-clumping cat litter is generally cheaper than clumping one, you may use more bags of non-clumping cat litter per week than usual, which will ultimately increase the cost.

So, the weekly expense of using the non-clumping type remains the same as with clumping litter. It means that you will have to pay the cost of $17-21 per month for non-clumping variants as well.

Natural cat litter

If you are looking for an effective litter type that is environmentally friendly and safe for your cat’s health, natural cat litter would be a great choice. There are so many biodegradable and sustainable options for you to choose from, including corn litter, recycled paper litter, wood pellet litter, and so on.

While how much you are going to pay for this kind of cat litter actually depends on what material they use, natural cat litter is always more expensive than conventional ones. We estimate that the monthly cost for this alternative ranges from $35 to $45.

Crystal cat litter

Crystal cat litters are among the most expensive available types of cat litter. If you are switching to this kind, you may need to think twice before coming to decision because it can cost you an arm and a leg, going as high as $70 each month.

While it seems to be significantly costly, some popular brands state that you only need to replace the entire litter box once every one or two months.

Moreover, since you only have to scoop out the yellowed crystals after your furry friends have done their business, you can expect less waste deposited, which makes one bag of crystal litter last longer.

This means that compared to others, you will need less cat litter, so the average expense of using silicone crystal cat litter is around $300-350 each year.

Owning a cat could be a great experience but it also comes along with a lot of responsibilities and expenses. Sometimes, it might be quite costly if you have multiple cats. Fortunately, to reduce your cat litter cost, there are a couple of alternatives to cat litter that will help you save some bucks for your pocket. Consider some hacks below:

Switch litters

If you are looking for a more cost-effective replacement for your existing cat litter, luckily, there are a ton of worthy alternatives out there.

The price of cat litter can vary greatly among stores, depending on the type you are using and where you live. So it’s necessary to shop around and do a bit of research to compare the prices.

Keep in mind that some cats are very flexible with the change of cat litter while others may not. So remember to change the litter gradually, don’t be in a rush, especially if your cat has had litter box avoidance in the past.

Use horse pellet/ chicken feed

Replacing cat litter with horse pellets or chicken feed is not a bad idea. These two substitutes have the same texture as litter, they are not only safe to use but also quite highly absorbent. You can just mix them with baking soda and a little water, and they’re good to go.

Train your cat to go outside

If you’re tired of scooping and sifting through your furry friend’s litter box and want to cut down on the monthly expenses, why not train your cat to go outdoors?

Our tips below will help ensure your cat can explore the outside safely when you let them out for the first time and make their way home again too:

1. Install a cat door to make it easy for them to come and go as they need.
2. Make a routine: let your cats outside at the same time every day.
3. Take your cats outside and wait for them to finish for the first few times.
4. When they seem comfortable and relaxed being outside, let them explore freely and go unaccompanied.
5. Reward them with treats or toys; take it slow, and do not push or punish.

Train your cat to use the toilet

Some cat parents want to hit the easy button by training their little friends to use the toilet when it comes to cat care. It’s not only cheap, and convenient but it also helps to avoid stressful cleanup. Here we have gathered 6 easy steps for toilet training:

1. Place your cat litter box near right next to the toilet
2. Raise the litter box in increments gradually
3. Replace the litter box with a training seat
4. Transition into eliminating into the toilet
5. Remove the training seat
6. Reward your cats with treats

Wondering how many liters of cat litter to use for two cats? The quick answer is: in general, with a cheaper brand, the average price of kitty litter for two purring companions can cost you anything between $25-$30 per month. If you go for a premium cat litter, the figure can be more than $80 per month.

Urine – including cat urine – contains a substance called urea. It doesn’t smell much but if you let it sit for a while, bacteria will start to break down the urea into ammonia, which releases the ammonia odor.

Typically, you won’t notice this smell because the litter will cover it. However, in some cases, the smell can be more pungent than usual. The stinky odor can occur when your cat is dehydrated or in case she has an inadequate diet. Also, it can be indicative of health concerns including infections and illness.

Whatever reason it may be, it’s important to take steps to minimize the smell and the harm or disruption it causes. To keep the ammonia smell at bay, try to clean the litter box as regularly as possible and ensure that your cat has plenty to drink.

If you have a single cat, a 20lb bag of cat litter should last up to two-three weeks depending on how much cat litter you pour into the box and how big your cat is.