Pestell Clear Choice Low Track Silica Crystals Cat Litter

November 18, 2010 12:20 am | By Zootoo Editor CynthiaLo

For years my cats have used drab, dusty clay litter or goopy clumping gobs of absorbent practicality. Little by little, we have become more sophisticated. Some of our litter was flecked with odor crystals and featured finely tuned powers of odor control timing. We sported immediate odor control, long lasting odor control, or odor control specially formulated for group box use. Then, one day, I saw an entire jug of sparkling bits radiating from grocery store pet aisle. Finally, we had a way for cats to defecate in true splendor.

That said, I have tried several brands of crystal litter since and each has its own merits. Like other crystal litters, this one is more expensive than ordinary clumping or clay litter. However, the crystals last longer in the box. In my household of six cats pooping in splendor, that means I maintain two boxes by scooping during the week and changing out the litter on the weekend. Sometimes, I even stretch it to ten days. If you have only one cat, manufacturers claim one package of litter will supply elegant facilities for a whole month. My cats had no issues adjusting to the sudden opulence. They jumped right in with all four paws scratchin’, but strange litter has never driven them to boycott a box.

Made of silica, the crystals absorb cat urine and desiccate the solids to such a degree that they make it all less horrifying. As a result there are no heavy, sticky clumps to scoop. You just scoop out the solids and give the crystals a stir. I have tendonitis in my wrist, and found this litter was not only easier to maintain in the box, but weighed less when I carried it to the trash at changing time. It’s so tidy, we’ve even dared to go (blush, dare I admit it?) without a liner! In fact, I never use a liner anymore. I just rinse the pan with a bit of water and bleach when I change the litter.

On the down side, Pestell’s crystals are not entirely dust free. They are big enough to get stuck in my scooper’s grate, but less likely to stick to your cat’s foot. Compared to other crystal litters their initial odor control gets high marks, but when they reach their limit, they do so in an instant. I’ve used other crystals that do a better job at the end of their run. Frankly, I prefer my cat box stench to arrive like Bigfoot tromping out of the woods instead of a pussyfooted ballerina who tiptoes in and then lets out a scream.

Clear Choice Crystals is a step up from many drab competitors, but other crystal litters can outshine it in the long run.

Pros: Reduces heavy, sticky clumping; makes litter clean-up easier.

Cons: Not entirely dust-free; more expensive than competitors.