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Picking the best cat litter for your household is tricky. There are so many litter materials out there: clumping clay, non-clumping clay, sand, a variety of starch and fiber pellets, and silica crystals. And there are so many factors to consider: Do you want perfumes or enzymes that mask or neutralize litter odors? How do you want to handle used litter? Is litter dust an issue in your house? Are you buying litter for multiple cats or just one kitty?
Choosing the best cat litter isn’t easy, but we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll look at critical determining factors such as your cat, your household, and your budget. Starting, of course, with your cat.
What Does Your Cat Like?
It’s not cat litter if the cat won’t use it. If your cat doesn’t like a litter, or a litter box system, they’ll let you know right away! You might find a puddle—or worse—in front of the abandoned box, or in your closet. This Humane Society article lists dozens of reasons why a cat might ignore its litter box, including:
- Overcrowding (too many cats sharing the box, or you aren’t scooping enough)
- Perfume or dust sensitivity (many cats dislike strong-smelling deodorizers)
- Texture (this can often be addressed by mixing a preferred litter with the new texture for a while until they get used to it)
If your cat is pretty happy with their current litter, but you want to switch, consider trying something that feels and smells similar. Or try mixing an increasing amount of your new, preferred litter into the current box.
What Suits Your Household?
Your cat might love rooting around in a dusty cat litter but you don’t like them tracking litter dust all over your floors. Or kitty might love a particular litter but you don’t care at all for the smell. It’s your house, so you do get some say in the matter.
If you travel a lot on weekends, tend to forget to scoop, or have a multi-cat household, odor control might be at the top of your list when you choose a litter. Or you might be in the market for an automatic cat litter box that requires a specialized litter. Keep in mind too that some litters come in small packages, jugs, or boxes that are easy to carry up or down stairs, while other litters come in gigantic bags best hefted by teenage athletes.
Are allergies a problem, for you or for your cats? The first quality you’ll look for in any type of litter is that it’s low-dust. If you have polished hardwood floors or expensive carpeting, you’ll appreciate a litter than doesn’t stick to paws and get tracked all over the house.
Scoop frequency and waste disposal is another consideration. There are litters you scoop, ones you dump completely, and others that are made to be sifted in special litter boxes (some of which are automated). There are also litters that are flushable—but only under certain conditions and in certain municipalities.
Many of us concerned with environmental issues are looking at litter that biodegrades (pine, sawdust, wheat, corn, or paper) or flushes. But keep in mind: many places are concerned about Toxoplasma gondii (a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis) from cat feces getting into the water supply and the nearby ocean—so they’ve banned flushable litters. Many litter companies will tell you that you can compost biodegradable cat litter but the gardening experts disagree, citing the dangers from bacterial contamination. If you do compost it at home, they recommended putting the cat litter into a separate compost pile that is used for trees, shrubs, and lawn nutrition rather than for vegetable gardening.
How Much Are You Prepared to Spend?
My friend Beth loves her Litter-Robot and one of the special clumping litter products that work well with it. She spent more than $500 for the convenience of reducing her litter box maintenance to once a week.
I have other friends who keep the cat box in the garage and dump in the least expensive supermarket litter they can find, but scoop on a daily basis to keep it appealing for the cats.
I’m somewhere in the middle of these two approaches, spending a bit more for a premium litter that’s exceptionally good at odor control because our litter boxes are near our living spaces. Our cats rejected an enclosed, automated box, so we pour the premium litter into inexpensive plastic litter boxes with high sides. If we miss a day of scooping, the box may get a little full—but it won’t stink. You don’t have to spend a fortune on litter—overall, the cost of litter ranges from as low as $10 to as high as $579, according to Rover’s Cost of Cat Parenthood Survey.
Litterbox 101
Before we start sifting through all the litters, experts have a few tips: Veterinarians recommend one litter box per cat. You might need to put the boxes in separate areas if you have a territorial kitty that tries to control access to the box. (See more on where to put litter boxes.)
The experts also recommend that you scoop waste from the box on a daily basis. Daily scooping will not only keep picky kitties happy, but it will also dramatically reduce cat odor in your home. If you can’t scoop every day, or you often go away for the weekend, don’t worry—we’ve found some litters that can stand up to a few days without your attention—and without stinking up the whole house.
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The Best Cat Litter Depends on Your Priorities
Here are our top picks for each type of cat litter—we’ve even included a litter that could give you a warning if your cat is developing a health issue such as a bladder infection.
Best Clumping Cat Litter: Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Clumping Cat Litter
I cannot imagine a list of top litters that doesn’t include at least one product from Dr. Elsey’s. This all-natural, hard-clumping cat litter gets rave reviews from customers because it keeps things smelling fresh around your house. The granules are heavy (which means less tracking on your carpet) and it’s 99.9% dust-free. It works well with a variety of litter boxes, including many sifting and mechanical boxes. Note: Clay litter is not safe for kittens.
What we like:
- Hypo-allergenic and no perfumes or deodorants (good for sensitive noses)
- Works in homes with multiple cats—lots of odor control
- Special formula keeps moisture from reaching the bottom of the litter box
Best Natural Litter: Naturally Fresh Walnut Shell Cat Litter
This super-absorbent cat litter is actually made from walnut shells, making it a 100% natural and environmentally friendly option. It’s quick clumping and easy to scoop, making it popular among owners who are avoiding clay-based products. (Need more 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:
- Forms tight, strong clumps that are easy to scoop
- Since it’s so absorbent, one bag lasts a long time
- The dust-free formula keeps you and your kitties sneeze-free
Best Dust-Free Litter: Ökocat Natural Paper-Based Cat Litter
This innovative clumping cat litter comes from 100% reclaimed paper fibers. Dust-free and low-tracking, it’s also biodegradable, which means you can easily just scoop and flush the clumps down the toilet (don’t flush if you have a septic tank, or if your municipality does not allow it). It’s also ideal for people with allergies and sensitivities since it doesn’t contain scents or airborne dust.
What we like:
- Free of chemicals, dyes, and fragrances
- Blocks the creation of ammonia odor for up to seven days
- Easy-to-scoop clumps simplify your cleanup
Best Odor-Masking Litter: Tidy Cats 24/7 Performance Scented Clumping Litter
If unscented odor-control litters are no match for your cat or cats, it might be time to check out a well-regarded scented product. This clumping clay litter has a reputation for masking unpleasant litterbox smells; the scent itself is fairly mild.
What we like:
- Eliminates ammonia, urine, and fecal smells
- Clumps well for easy scooping
- Choice of packaging: jugs, bags, or a reusable pail
Best Paper-Pellet Litter: Frisco Unscented Recycled Paper Dust-Free Cat Litter
Here’s a great dust-free product for those of you who prefer a non-clumping litter. From Chewy’s in-house brand Frisco, this litter is made of paper pellets (from 95% post-consumer recycled paper) and uses baking soda to control litter box odor.
What we like:
- Dust-free
- Highly absorbent
- Eco-friendly
Best Unscented Litter: Ever Clean Extra-Strength Cat Litter
No perfumes, but no litter box stink, either. This litter is the top pick for my multi-cat household because it speedily absorbs litter box odors. You might smell something for a few minutes after the cat uses the box, but after that, the smell is gone. The secret ingredient is activated carbon. After the clay granules soak up liquids, the carbon neutralizes the odor-causing bacteria. It’s available in 14- and 15-pound boxes, or a 42-pound pack of four bags.
What we like:
- This litter is unscented, making it great for sensitive noses
- Strong, hard clumps are easy to scoop
- Good for multi-cat households
Best Litter for Multi-Cat Households: Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum Litter
Want rock-solid clumps that are easy to clean? This cat litter is formulated with micro-granules that create a tight seal around waste—making the clumps easy to find and scoop! And of course, Arm & Hammer baking soda is a known odor-eater, which means that bad smells are destroyed quickly.
What we like:
- Seven-day “no-odor” guarantee
- 100% dust-free, meaning it’s great for people (and cats) with sensitivities
- Strong enough for households with multiple cats
Best Litter for the Environment: Yesterday’s News Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter
This non-clumping litter is made from pellets crafted from recycled paper. In addition, Purina has changed up their bags to be recyclable as corrugated or mixed paper—that’s unusual for litter bags and great for the planet.
What we like:
- It’s a veterinarian-recommended odor control litter
- No added fragrance or harmful chemicals
Best Crystal Litter: PetSafe ScoopFree Cat Litter Box Tray Refills
These may look strange, but this crystal litter absorbs urine, dehydrates waste, and helps eliminate odors. The crystals won’t stick to your feline’s feet and you simply toss the whole tray when it’s time for new litter. This is a great option for those with allergies or sensitivities since it’s dust-free and hygienic. Though it’s designed to be used with the self-cleaning PetSafe Original Automatic litter box, you can use this on its own as well.
What we like:
- Great to use when you’re traveling with your cat
- Lightweight—you won’t have to lug around heavy bags of litter
Best Litter for Health Checks: Pretty Litter
This absorbent, non-clumping crystal cat litter traps odor and moisture—plus it can give you a hint if your cat is sick. While typical cat urine will turn a patch of Pretty Litter crystals dark yellow or olive green, urine from a cat with urinary tract issues and certain types of inflammation can turn the crystals blue, dark orange, or red. Pretty Litter is available from the manufacturer, by subscription. I’ve used it, and it helps me keep track of the health of my older kitties. It’s great at controlling odor. The downside? My cats track those sandy crystals all over the house.
What we like:
- Changes color to indicate urinary tract issues or inflammation
- Odor- and moisture-absorbent
Further Reading
- Take a Deep Breath—We’ve Found the Best Odor-Reducing Cat Litter
- When Your Cats Are in It Together: The 10 Best Cat Litters for Multiple Cats
- Come Clean With These Dust-Free Cat Litters
Featured image via skeeze/Pixabay
