Pretty Litter Can Detect Your Cat’s Health Issues – Is It Worth a Try?

Kate Barrington

Researched & Written by

Kate Barrington


At Pawster, we are committed to presenting the most accurate and up-to-date information to assist you in your pet care journey. When appropriate, we consult licensed and practicing veterinarians to fact-check our professionally written articles.

The Scoop:

All cat litter is created equal – or so you may think. The reality is that while most clay cat litters are pretty similar, there are other options which are very different and (at least we think) much better. Pretty Litter is a silica crystal cat litter that absorbs liquid, dehydrates solid waste, and controls odor extremely well. What really sets is apart, however, is that it changes color according to the pH of your cat’s urine which gives you important insights into his health. It could be the difference between identifying a UTI or kidney problem early while your cat’s chances for recovery are still high. 

No cat litter has the power to diagnose your cat’s health issues, but Pretty Litter comes close. Unlike traditional clay litter that does little more than suck up liquid and stink up your house, Pretty Litter provides key insights into your cat’s health by changing colors with the pH of his urine.

When you’re first introduced to Pretty Litter, it’s understandable that you might be a little surprised, maybe confused. After all, it doesn’t look much like regular litter and the idea that your cat’s litter could give you valuable information about his wellness sounds strange. We hope, however, that once you learn a little more about Pretty Litter you’ll see why it’s worth it.

In this review, we’ll give you some insight into the Pretty Litter cat litter brand, so you have the information you need to decide whether it’s the right choice for your cat. Check it out below!

Pretty Litter Silica Gel Cat Litter

As a cat owner, you’ve handled your fair share of cat litter. You may think all cat litter is created equal, but that’s simply not the case. Clay litter may be affordable and convenient, but it isn’t always the best option and its uses don’t go beyond the walls of your cat’s litter box.

Pretty Litter is a unique silica gel cat litter that does more than just absorb liquid and control odor – it helps you gain insight into your cat’s health. The story of Pretty Litter is the story of Daniel Rotman and the heartbreak he experienced upon losing his childhood pet Gingi to a terminal illness that could have been diagnosed and treated months earlier had he been aware of it.

Made from a combination of silica gel and proprietary health indicators, Pretty Litter actually changes color with your cat’s urine to give you hints about what’s going on in his body. It isn’t intended to diagnose health problems, but it can help alert you to them so you can get your vet involved.

There are plenty of cat litters out there, but Pretty Litter is unique. We hope to provide you with a detailed overview of the brand so you can decide for yourself if it’s the right choice for you.

Here are the top 5 things we think you’ll love about Pretty Litter:

  1. Silica gel cat litter combined with proprietary health indicators
  2. Highly absorbent formula that dehydrates solid waste and absorbs liquid
  3. Lightweight, fine texture gentle on cat paws and low in dust
  4. Convenient automatic deliveries of cat litter sent right to your door
  5. Free shipping with a 30-day risk-free guarantee for satisfaction

Now that you know a little more about Pretty Litter and what we like about them, let’s take a closer look. Once you have an understanding of the brand, we think you’ll love them too!

Silica gel cat litter combined with proprietary health indicators

If you’re used to traditional clay cat litter, Pretty Litter is going to be a surprise. This cat litter is lightweight, very fine-grained, and white in color. It’s made from silica gel which comes from naturally occurring minerals and it is highly absorbent. Pretty Litter is manufactured in one of the world’s biggest cat litter plants that sources its own silica microgel and adheres to high quality control standards.

To give you a better idea what Pretty Litter is, here’s how they describe it:

“PrettyLitter is made of super absorbent Silica Gel, combined with a proprietary health indicating formula to help you monitor your cat’s urine for acidity and alkalinity levels outside the average range, plus the visible presence of blood.”

In other words, Pretty Litter does all the work of a regular cat litter in helping absorb liquid and control odor, but it has an added benefit: it gives you clues about your cat’s health. The litter actually changes color when exposed to your cat’s urine based on the pH. Changes in the pH of your cat’s urine are key indicators of certain health issues which can become serious if not promptly treated.

Here’s an overview of what the different colors mean:

  • Dark Yellow – Pretty Litter itself is colorless, so when soaked with healthy urine it will turn a dark yellow or olive-green color – this indicates a normal pH range.
  • Dark Green/Blue – This color range indicates an alkaline pH level which may be related to certain species of bacteria linked to urinary tract infection (UTI) or struvite bladder stones.
  • Yellow/Orange – A yellow or orange color indicates an acidic pH which may be linked to calcium oxalate crystal formation, metabolic acidosis, kidney disease, or a UTI.
  • Red – As you might logically assume, if Pretty Litter turns red it indicates blood in your cat’s urine. This could be linked to inflammation, bladder stones, or a UTI.

It’s important to understand that Pretty Litter isn’t intended to diagnose health issues. Changes in urine pH are an early indicator for certain health issues, so Pretty Litter just draws those changes to your attention so you can take your cat to the vet for further testing and diagnosis.

Highly absorbent formula that dehydrates solid waste and absorbs liquid

While you may initially be disappointed to learn that Pretty Litter is not a clumping cat litter, you may change your mind when you learn how it works.

Here’s what Pretty Litter has to say about it:

“The super dry silica gels absorb the urine and odor, trapping it inside as the water in the urine evaporates out. The solid excrement is the only waste you need to scoop and dispose of. Just throw it away like you normally would and replace all of the litter every month.”

It’s really that easy! Keep in mind that the one-month claim is based on a single medium-sized cat in a 12×16-inch litter box, however. If you have more than one cat, you may need to replace the litter before the month is up simply because it is being used more frequently.

Lightweight, fine texture gentle on cat paws and low in dust

Many cat owners are used to using clumping cat litter made from sodium bentonite clay. While traditional litter may get the job done, it doesn’t make it easy. Clay litter is often heavy and dusty, not to mention being a pain to scoop. Pretty Litter is different.

Pretty Litter is incredibly lightweight and it comes in fine silica gel granules which are soft and gentle on your cat’s feet. Unlike clay litter, it doesn’t swell with the presence of liquid which means it won’t cause a bowel obstruction if your cat accidentally ingests some of it.

What many cat owners love about Pretty Litter, however, is that it is low in dust. Clay litter can be very dusty, and it can irritate your cat’s nose and lungs, leading to asthma and other health issues. Pretty Litter is extremely low-dust and completely safe for cats.

Convenient automatic deliveries of cat litter sent right to your door

Nothing is worse than lugging giant bags or tubs of cat litter from the store into your car and then again into the house. Pretty Litter takes the work out of the equation by sending predictable deliveries of their lightweight silica gel litter right to your door. Simply decide how many bags you want and how often you want to receive them and Pretty Litter does the rest!

Here’s an overview of the process to subscribe to Pretty Litter:

  1. Press the “Order Now” button on the home page
  2. Select the option for the number of cats you own
  3. If you have more than 3 cats, click the link for a custom plan
  4. Choose to purchase cat litter only or add cat food
  5. Select from receiving a 1-month or a 3-month supply
  6. Choose a free toy – either a fitness wand or plush active ball
  7. Click “Checkout Now” to complete your order

Once you place your first order of Pretty Litter you can simply sit back and wait for it to arrive. Depending which option you selected in Step 5, you’ll continue to receive orders every 1 or 3 months. You can always log into your account to adjust your delivery schedule or the number of bags.

Free shipping with a 30-day risk-free guarantee for satisfaction

Though Pretty Litter may cost more than your average cat litter, it comes with a few benefits. First and foremost, you’ll receive free shipping. Not only do you get to avoid the hassle of having to lug heavy bags of cat litter around, but you don’t even have to pay for the privilege.

Another thing you’ll be glad to know about Pretty Litter is that your first order comes with a 30-day risk-free guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with Pretty Litter, you can cancel your subscription and receive a full refund on your order. Simply contact Pretty Litter to make your request.

Is Pretty Litter Really Worth the Cost?

When comparing Pretty Litter to other options, it’s easy to look at the price tag and balk a little bit. The truth is Pretty Litter is a little on the expensive side, but you have to remember it’s a silica cat litter, not the average clay clumping cat litter. When used as recommended, it may actually last longer. On top of its high absorption, Pretty Litter is extremely lightweight and it is delivered right to your door.

The main reason to consider investing in Pretty Litter, of course, is for its proprietary health indicator formula. Your cat’s health is priceless and while Pretty Litter won’t prevent your cat from getting sick, it can help alert you to the changes in his body sooner than you might otherwise notice. Getting your cat seen by a veterinarian quickly is the key to starting treatment and improving the chances of recovery.

In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether Pretty Litter is worth the hit to your wallet. Before you make your final decision, we recommend considering both the pros and cons of the brand.

Here are some of the pros of Pretty Litter:

  • Litter changes color with urine pH as a health indicator
  • Made from silica gel which is highly absorbent
  • Lightweight and very fine texture which is gentle on cat paws
  • Receive regular deliveries sent right to your doorstep

Here are some of the cons of Pretty Litter:

  • Older cats and larger litter boxes may require more than 1 bag
  • Not ideal for multi-cat households unless you change it more often
  • More expensive than the traditional clay cat litter
  • The lightweight/fine-grained texture may increase tracking

Overall, we think Pretty Litter is a pretty cool product. The fact that it helps you gain insight into your cat’s health and can help you identify health problems in the early stages is unique. If you’re simply looking for an alternative to clay litter, however, you may not think it’s worth the price. We’re big believers in the idea that you can’t put a price on your cat’s health, however, so if you’re getting a quality litter AND a product that helps you keep your cat healthy, it’s a win-win.

Pretty Litter FAQs

Is silica litter really safe for cats?

Yes, Pretty Litter is designed with your cat’s safety in mind. Unlike clay clumping cat litter, crystal litter doesn’t swell with moisture. If your cat accidentally ingests some during grooming, it won’t form a bowel obstruction. Pretty Litter is also very low in dust and the materials aren’t harmful for your cat to breathe. In terms of production, it’s made in a plant that follows very high quality control standards.

Can Pretty Litter diagnose my cat’s health problems?

No, Pretty Litter is designed to provide insight into your cat’s health, but it won’t tell you exactly what’s going on – only your vet can do that. The special formula changes color according to certain pH levels in  your cat’s urine which may indicate potential issues like urinary tract infection, kidney problems, or bladder stones, but your cat will need an exam and additional testing to make an accurate diagnosis.

Is Pretty Litter safe for the environment?

There’s no simple answer to this question. Pretty Litter states that their silica gel is derived from naturally occurring minerals, but they don’t say a lot about its impact on the environment. The sad truth is crystal cat litter may not be the most environmentally friendly option in terms of its production, as is the case with clay cat litter. Pretty Litter doesn’t source the materials themselves, however, but uses a kitty litter manufacturer that sources their own silica microgels.

Does Pretty Litter work for multi-cat households?

Yes, Pretty Litter works for multi-cat households, but you may need to clean the litter box more often. Pretty Litter is packaged to accommodate a single medium-sized cat with a standard 12×16-inch litter box for a full month. If more than one cat uses the litter box, it will become saturated more quickly and it may not last the full four weeks. You’ll simply need to adjust your subscription according to how many litter boxes you have and how long each bag lasts you.

Can I buy Pretty Litter in pet stores?

No, Pretty Litter is only available by subscription through the brand website. Purchasing Pretty Litter is easy, however, and you’ll receive free shipping with the convenience of never having to lug cat litter from the pet store into your car again.

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