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If clumping clay litter is frustrating you (or your cat), it might be time to check out an alternative cat litter. Quite a few natural litters are available these days, and we’ve found—and checked out—some of the best options.
Along with being better for the environment than clay, many natural cat litters are lighter in weight, and they generate less dust. To learn more about the benefits of non-clay cat litter, we consulted Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, a veterinary consultant for We Love Doodles. If you’re new to the world of natural litter, jump down for an explainer on why more cat parents are making the switch to clay alternatives. Or dive right into our top recommendations for non-clay litters below.
Best Walnut Litter: Naturally Fresh Walnut Shell Clumping Cat Litter (Verified Review)
According to Dr. Kong, walnut-based litter is both biodegradable and excels at controlling odors. This super-absorbent alternative cat litter is made from walnut shells, making it a 100% natural and environmentally friendly option. It’s quick-clumping and easy to scoop, which is popular among pet parents who are replacing clay-based products. For pet parents who want stronger odor control, there’s also an Ultra Odor Control version of this litter that includes three enzymes that neutralize the chemicals that cause litter box odors.
What we like:
- Similar texture appeals to cats transitioning from clay litter
- Since it’s so absorbent, one bag lasts a long time
- The dust-free formula keeps you and your kitties sneeze-free
Things to consider:
- Walnut litter can lightly stain a white kitty’s paws (as our testers discovered)
- The dark color can make it tricky to spot solid waste
- Clumps are a little looser than some traditional clay litters
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Best Wood Litter: Catalyst Pet Unscented Formula Cat Litter (Verified Review)
“Wood-based litters, like pine, come with a naturally pleasant scent and are eco-friendly,” says Dr. Kong. “But they might not be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to clumping,” she adds.
This ultra-fine-grain wood litter may trick your cat into thinking they’re using a traditional clay litter—it worked with two of our test cats! While Catalyst does not clump as hard as most clay litters, our testers found it very absorbent and the clumps easy to scoop. The odor control is, indeed, impressive.
Catalyst is made from softwoods (including pine), but unlike many pine litters, it’s completely unscented. Extra benefit: It’s lightweight, making it easy to carry. Downside: Like some online reviewers, we found the fine, lightweight litter tended to leave a cat’s paws covered with beige dust, which then turned up on the furniture.
What we like:
- A good substitute for cats accustomed to traditional clay litter
- Excellent odor control
- Lightweight and easy to carry
Things to consider:
- Dust tends to stick to cat paws
- Clumping action isn’t quite as powerful as clay litters
Best Paper Litter: Fresh News Unscented Non-Clumping Litter
For a (mostly) dust-free litter, paper is one of the best options. This makes it ideal for allergy-prone cats, points out Dr. Kong. “However, it might need more frequent changes due to its limited odor control,” she adds.
Made with 100% post-consumer paper from recycling centers, Fresh News is a low-tracking litter that’s both affordable and eco-friendly. The pellets are designed to hold their shape, which helps to minimize the amount of dust generated.
What we like:
- Softer than clay
- Low-dust and low-tracking
- Safe for cats who’ve had surgery recently
- Contains baking soda
Things to consider:
- Limited odor control
- When non-clumping pellets get soggy, they can be harder to clean
Best Grass Litter: Frisco Natural Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter
Grass litter is a relative newcomer, and it boasts commendable clumping abilities, according to Dr. Kong. This clumping grass litter includes the addition of white sorghum seeds to allow the litter to clump.
Our testers found the clumping ability of this litter outstanding—though a few reviewers noted it’s almost too good: if your cat kicks wet litter out of the box, it will adhere strongly to your floor or walls (a mat is a good idea). The pellets are so small and sandy that your cat may well think they’re using a traditional clay litter.
Our testers also noted that grass litter has its own smell—not necessarily an unpleasant one, but sensitive noses might want to experiment with small quantities before investing further.
What we like:
- Environmentally friendly
- Fine-grained pellets that are likely to appeal to cats used to clay litter
- Excellent clumping, making scooping a breeze
Things to consider:
- Mild tracking comparable to clay litter
- Unusual but not unpleasant smell akin to rabbit or guinea pig bedding
Best Corn Litter: World’s Best Multi-Cat Clumping Corn Litter
One of the best clumping litters for multiple cats is this biodegradable corn-based litter, which gets rave reviews from people with two or more felines. It made our list of best dust-free litters. It’s flushable too (but check with your local sewer authority before flushing).
Just watch out for excessive moisture—warm, moist corn can invite aflatoxin mold, Dr. Kong warns. As long as your litter is stored and used in a cool dry place, however, this might be the right choice for your kitties.
What we like:
- Biodegradable corn formula
- Effective odor control
- Sizes include a smaller seven-pound bag so you can try it affordably
Things to consider:
- May not be suitable for warm, humid environments
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Best Tofu Litter: Frisco Clumping Tofu Litter
“Tofu litters, while gentle on paws and the environment, are still making their mark and might be pricier,” remarks Dr. Kong.
It’s not the cheapest option, but this tofu litter gets high marks for absorbing waste and for keeping the house dust-free and litter-free. But like a number of natural litters that clump, it’s hard to avoid scooping up a lot of clean litter along with the soiled clumps.
What we like:
- Pellet form minimizes tracking
- High absorbency
- Low dust
Things to consider:
- Texture can be a significant adjustment from clumping clay litter
- Some reviewers report odor control is weaker than other clay litter alternatives
Best Coconut Litter: CatSpot Non-Clumping Coconut Litter
CatSpot is made from coconut coir: the fibrous material extracted from a coconut’s outer husk. You won’t find any harsh chemicals or allergens in this non-clumping formula, which is made with just one ingredient: coconut. The company claims that one five-pound bag has the same absorbency as 20 pounds of clay litter. After removing solid waste, this litter can be added to your home compost.
What we like:
- Lightweight
- 100% natural
- Highly absorbent
Things to consider:
- This litter is non-clumping
- Tends to track
Best Wheat Litter: Wheat Scoop Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Litter
Wheat-based litter is softer than conventional clay, and it tends to create less dust. It’s also biodegradable and may be safe to flush down the toilet (depending on your plumbing system and local ordinances).
This multi-cat wheat formula is made without any artificial fragrances or dyes. Rather than relying on chemicals to eliminate odors, the wheat contains natural starches and enzymes that trap bad smells. It’s a low-dust litter, but it’s also prone to tracking, so you’ll need to keep your vacuum cleaner handy.
What we like:
- Flushable and compostable
- Soft texture
- Excellent odor control
Things to consider:
- Some users were dissatisfied with the clumping ability
- Like corn, wheat is susceptible to mold
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The Downsides of Clay Cat Litter
Clay litter revolutionized the cat litter market in the 1980s. Suddenly, instead of dealing with a few pounds of increasingly wet, smelly sand in the cat box, you could simply scoop a few neat little clumps of waste. That left a clean, dry, and very appealing litter box for your fussy cat—and a sweet-smelling house for you.
“Clay clumping litter’s popularity is undeniable, primarily due to its effective odor control and ease of scooping,” explains Dr. Kong. “However, there’s a flip side.”
For one, the processes for extracting bentonite clay from the ground are similar to strip mining, and the way the clay is processed to produce litter is carbon-intensive. According to veterinarian Bruce Kornreich, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, clay litter is convenient but environmentally unfriendly. “People are looking for alternatives that are effective but more sustainable,” Dr. Kornreich explains.
In addition to its environmental drawbacks, clay litter can also be a problem for cats, or households, with respiratory problems. “The dust from certain clay litters can pose respiratory issues for our cats and us, especially when inhaled,” says Dr. Kong. “And let’s not forget the potential ingestion during our cats’ grooming sessions!” What’s more, Dr. Kornreich notes that the dust associated with clay litter also makes it a poor choice for animals recovering from surgical incisions, such as recently neutered male cats.
From a household logistics viewpoint, clay litter can be a literal pain. That’s because it’s heavy. If you live in a house or apartment with lots of stairs, have multiple cats, or have mobility issues, clay litter is difficult to bring into the house and take out.
Finally, the premium clay litters—known for strong clumping and good odor control—are often quite pricey.
What’s the Best Alternative to Clay Cat Litter?
These days, there are quite a few good alternatives to choose from, including litters made from wood, grass, nutshell, corn, wheat, newspaper, and even tofu. These biodegradable options are safe and non-toxic for cats and kittens, and they’re often lighter than clay. “They’re sustainable, decompose naturally, and spare the environment from the harms of mining,” adds Dr. Kong.
There are also homemade litters, such as shredded newsprint, sand, and wood shavings. But Dr. Kornreich advises sticking with a commercial alternative cat litter. He notes that some litter ingredients, such as pine, need to be heat-treated to remove toxins. “Don’t just take some wood shavings from your workshop,” he cautions. “Make sure any pine litter you buy has been heat-treated.”
If you are worried about how a cat accustomed to clay litter will adapt to a new litter, there are some strategies for success. First, choose a natural cat litter that looks and feels similar to the clumping clay litter your cat has been using. For example, don’t jump from clay to large, hard pine pellets; start with a fine-grained wood litter and work your way toward coarser products.
Dr. Kornreich advises patience and a gradual switch to the new litter. “For a successful transition, what’s really important is doing it slowly,” he says. “Start with 75 percent clay and 25 percent new litter. Then switch to 50/50 so they don’t have to make the jump overnight. You don’t want the cat to reject the litter and go off someplace else.”
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews, and interviews with veterinarians Dr. Sabrina Kong and Dr. Bruce Kornreich. We prioritized litters that were environmentally friendly, controlled odors well, and were easy to clean. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated cats, who are never stingy with their feedback.