Vet-recommended litter change for older cats

So your vet has ruled out behavioural causes and is pointing to the litter itself — that's actually a really useful result, because it gives you something concrete to act on. Litter preference is genuinely important: cats are more likely to use the box consistently when the texture and scent match what they want, and older cats can become noticeably more sensitive to both. Most cats — and especially seniors — prefer unscented, fine-grained clumping litter over anything scented or coarse, regardless of what the packaging claims. To point you in the right direction: is it just the one cat, have there been any changes at home recently, and are there any specific requirements like dust-free or low-tracking?

That's a very common culprit — scented litters are marketed to owners, not cats, and a lot of cats tolerate them when young but start rejecting them as they get older. At 10 she's entering her senior years and her preferences can sharpen. What litter are you currently using, and is the texture fine-grained or more pellet or crystal-style?

That's exactly what I'd want to move away from. Catsan scented is one of the more heavily fragranced options on the market — what smells fresh to us can be genuinely off-putting, or even irritating, to a cat's sensitive nose and paw pads. My recommendation is World's Best Cat Litter — the Original Unscented version. It's made from whole-kernel corn, so it's natural and very low-dust, with a fine texture that most cats readily accept. It clumps well, controls odour without any added fragrance, and it's particularly well-suited for cats who've developed sensitivities. It's also flushable, though I'd check your local guidance on that. The main thing for the transition: don't swap it all at once. Mix about 25% of the new litter in with the old for the first week, then increase gradually. That gives her time to adjust without the change feeling abrupt.

It's widely available on Amazon UK — a 2.72kg bag typically runs around £12 to £14, and a 6.35kg bag is usually £20 to £24, which is better value for ongoing use. For a single cat it lasts well because the clumping is efficient and you're not topping up as often. It's worth ordering the smaller bag first just to confirm she takes to it before committing to a larger quantity.

Give it two to three weeks once you've fully transitioned — so allow a week for the gradual switch, then two weeks on the new litter entirely. If she's using the box consistently within that window, you've found your answer. If avoidance continues even with unscented fine litter, it's worth going back to the vet, as there may be something physical like arthritis making the box itself uncomfortable rather than the litter. But the litter change is absolutely the right first move.