Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
We’ve tried a lot of litters. literally. Clumping. Wood pellets. nut shells, Tofu, yes, Tofu lol.
I can’t handle fragrances, and our condo isn’t big. Any smell or dust builds up fast. I want a safe one for them, none stinky one for us.
But no matter what we tried, the litter box was always a bit of a headache: Too much mess. Too much waste. Too many trips down the hall with a stinky bag.
Currently we are using PrettyLitter, It actually solved a lot of small but annoying problems we’d just been living with.
Here is all I found out and experienced and will keep it updated. Not in specific order.
1. Is PrettyLitter safe if cats lick it?
This was one of my first concerns – because let’s be honest, cats lick everything. Their paws, their fur, the floor, the air.
So I had to find out: what happens if they lick PrettyLitter?
PrettyLitter is made from silica gel crystals, not the same thing as the silica in those “Do Not Eat” packets. It’s a highly porous mineral that absorbs moisture – kind of like sand, but with a scientific twist. These crystals are non-toxic and safe in small amounts if ingested.
Most cats won’t eat litter deliberately. But if they lick their paws after stepping in it — which they do — the amount ingested is tiny.
Veterinarian insight: According to the company and third-party vets, PrettyLitter is safe for healthy cats who occasionally lick or groom after using the box. It’s inert, doesn’t expand in the gut, and isn’t chemically treated with perfumes or clumping agents like clay litters.
When to be cautious:
- Kittens sometimes eat litter out of curiosity – this is true for any litter. If your kitten is under 12 weeks, monitor closely.
- Obsessive licking or chewing isn’t normal. If your cat is eating large amounts of litter, call your vet – it could be a nutrient deficiency or behavioural issue.
For Sami and Phoebe, I watched them closely at first. No issues. Just a lot less mess, less smell, and less tracks in the condo.
2. In a condo, litter waste is a real issue, PrettyLitter really helps!
Traditional clumping litter creates a lot of bulk. In a house with a garbage bin outside, maybe that’s fine. But in a high-rise?
- The clumps add up fast
- You can’t flush them
- Taking garbage out daily isn’t fun
PrettyLitter doesn’t clump. Instead, it absorb urine and dry it out.
You scoop out poop only, and stir the rest. One bag lasts about a month per cat.
That means:
- Less mess
- Less volume in the garbage
- Less carrying stinky litter down the elevator
3. It smells less. Genuinely.
Some litters mask odor with perfume. PrettyLitter doesn’t rely on strong scents – it neutralizes the actual smell by absorbing moisture quickly.
I found even around day 20th, our litter box doesn’t reek like it used to with clay. If you live in a small space, you know what a big deal that is.
It’s also lightweight and dust-free, which brings me to…
4. Less dust for people with allergy
Condo air is already dry and dusty. Every time I dumped other type of litter, it felt like a sandstorm.
PrettyLitter has minimal dust – maybe a bit when you first pour, but not while scooping or stirring.
Less dust = less cleaning = happier cat parent.
5. I can monitor my cats’ health
This one surprised me most.
PrettyLitter changes color based on our cat’s urine pH, which can be an early sign of issues like UTIs, bladder stones, or kidney trouble.
- Blue → urine is too alkaline
- Yellow/olive → normal
- Red → possible blood in urine
- Orange → acidic urine (can mean metabolic issues)
I once noticed blue patches in Sami’s litter. I called the vet, and sure enough – early signs of a UTI. We caught it early because of the litter.
That peace of mind is worth a lot to me.
6. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s worth it
A one-month bag of PrettyLitter costs about $30 CAD. It’s more than generic clumping litter, yes. But when you factor in:
- Less scooping
- Less waste
- Fewer emergency vet visits
- Less odor and dust in your home
…it evens out.
You can buy direct or through Amazon, which is where I get mine (especially if you want easy reordering).
P.S. How PrettyLitter works – I needed to know the science behind it
Here’s what I found:
PrettyLitter isn’t not sand or clay. It’s made from silica gel crystals, which are tiny, super-absorbent beads made from a natural mineral called silicon dioxide. (That’s the same stuff in quartz — safe, abundant, and used in everything from toothpaste to food packaging.)
Here’s how it works:
1. Absorbs Moisture, Not Clumps
When your cat pees, the silica crystals pull in the liquid, trap it inside their structure, and evaporate the water over time – leaving behind just the salts and waste. This is why no need clumping.
Most of the urine disappears through evaporation, and the rest is absorbed and dried out. This is why you can just stir the litter once a day and change it once a month. That’s it.
2. Neutralizes Odors, Without Perfume
Instead of covering up the smell like clay litter with perfume, PrettyLitter neutralizes the ammonia in urine through a chemical reaction in the crystals. No smell = no stink cloud when you walk into the bathroom.
3. Changes Color to Flag Health Issues
PrettyLitter contains pH-sensitive indicators. When your cat pees on the crystals, the color changes based on the acidity or alkalinity of the urine. That matters because changes in urine pH can signal early signs of:
- Urinary tract infections
- Bladder crystals or stones
- Kidney disease
- Blood in urine (visible as red or dark orange)
So, again, here is the colour code of potential issues, if the litter turns:
- Blue → urine is too alkaline
- Yellow/olive → normal
- Red → possible blood in urine
- Orange → acidic urine (can mean metabolic issues)
It’s not a diagnosis, but it’s a red flag – which is a huge help when cats hide pain or illness so well.
Final thoughts
It’s not perfect for everyone, but for our setup – one small balcony, two cats, one litter box, and no outdoor garbage bin, it’s made a big difference.
You don’t realize how much stress litter can cause until you try one that quietly works.
Now I scoop once a day. I don’t smell the box. I don’t trip over heavy bags.
And I sleep better knowing it might even help me spot health issues before they become emergencies.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use and trust in my own home.