A bentonite cat litter data sheet tells you how well the litter will clump, control odour and travel. The key figures are absorption capacity (higher is better), montmorillonite content (the clay mineral that makes it clump), swell index (how much the clay expands when wet), granule size, dust and moisture. Ask for the test method behind each number and check it against samples before you order.
Every supplier says their litter is "premium" and "low dust". The data sheet is where you can check. Here is what each line means, what to look for, and the figures for FELUXE so you have a reference point.
The spec sheet at a glance
| Spec | What it measures | What to look for | FELUXE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absorption capacity | Liquid absorbed relative to the litter's own weight | Higher means fewer changes and less waste | Up to 800% |
| Water absorption (timed) | Water absorbed in a fixed test time | Only compare figures from the same test time | 705% in 2 hours |
| Montmorillonite (MONT) | Share of the swelling clay mineral, often estimated with a methylene blue test | Higher gives faster, firmer clumps | 80 |
| Swell index | How far a small dose of clay swells in water, usually in mL per 2 g | Higher means stronger clumping | 20 |
| pH | Acidity or alkalinity | Bentonite is naturally mildly alkaline; a stable figure matters most | 8–8.5 |
| Granule size | Range of particle sizes, in mm | Should suit your market and stay the same between batches | 0.6–3.1 mm, adjustable |
| Dust and fines | Fine particles below a set sieve size | Lower is better; ask how dust is removed | Undersized granules screened out; bag-filter dust extraction |
| Moisture | Water content as packed | Low and stable; damp litter clumps poorly and can cake | On request |
| Bulk density | Weight per litre | Decides the kilograms in each bag and the load per container | On request |
Absorption: the number buyers ask for first
Absorption capacity tells you how much liquid the litter can hold compared with its own weight. A litter at 800% can take up about eight times its weight before it is saturated, so a bag lasts longer and less clean litter is thrown away with each scoop. Suppliers use different tests and times, which is why one data sheet can show two absorption figures. FELUXE lists up to 800% absorption capacity and 705% water absorption in a two-hour test. When you compare suppliers, ask for the same test and the same time.
Montmorillonite and swell index: why litter clumps
Bentonite is made mostly of montmorillonite, a clay mineral built from thin layers that pull water in and swell. When urine hits the litter, the wet granules expand and stick together into a clump you can lift out whole. More montmorillonite means faster, firmer clumps. The swell index measures the same behaviour directly: a small dose of clay is added to water and the swollen volume is read off, usually in millilitres per 2 grams. Sodium bentonite swells far more than calcium bentonite, which is why it is the standard for clumping litter. Read more in sodium vs calcium bentonite.
Granule size, dust and tracking
Finer granules clump more tightly but can raise more dust and stick to paws. Coarser granules track less but clump a little more loosely. Most clumping litters sit somewhere around 0.5–4 mm, and a good factory can adjust the range to suit your market. What matters as much as the range is that it stays the same in every shipment. Dust is controlled in the plant, by screening out undersized granules and extracting fine dust before packing. Ask the supplier how they do both, and shake a sample in a clear jar to see for yourself.
Moisture and bulk density: the shipping numbers
Two figures matter more to importers than to cat owners. Moisture should be low and steady, because damp litter clumps poorly and can cake in the bag during a long, hot journey. Bulk density, the weight of one litre, decides how many kilograms go into a 10-litre bag, and so how much weight and how many bags fit in a container. Ask for both before you compare prices per bag or per ton.
Red flags on a data sheet
- Numbers with no test method or test time next to them.
- "100% dust-free" claims. Every clay litter has some fines; the question is how few.
- The same sheet for every product, scented and unscented alike.
- No samples offered, or samples that look different from the first shipment.
- Absorption figures far above the rest of the market with no explanation.
Get the FELUXE data sheet
Our full specifications are in the FELUXE product catalog (PDF). For moisture, bulk density and current batch results, or for samples of our Standard, Activated Charcoal and Lavender formulas, contact our export team. To see how the rest of a supplier check fits together, read how to choose a cat litter supplier.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good absorption capacity for bentonite cat litter?
Higher is better, as long as the figure comes with its test method. Premium clumping bentonite litters often quote several hundred percent. FELUXE reaches up to 800% absorption capacity and 705% water absorption in two hours.
What does MONT mean on a cat litter spec sheet?
MONT is the montmorillonite content: how much of the clay is the swelling mineral that makes bentonite clump. A higher figure means faster, firmer clumps. FELUXE has a MONT value of 80.
What is the swell index of bentonite?
The swell index measures how much a small dose of bentonite swells in water, usually reported in millilitres per 2 grams. Sodium bentonite scores much higher than calcium bentonite. FELUXE has a swell index of 20.
Why does granule size matter in cat litter?
Finer granules clump more tightly but can create more dust and tracking; coarser granules track less. The right range depends on your market, and it should stay the same from batch to batch. FELUXE granules are 0.6–3.1 mm and can be adjusted.