Last updated Jul 20, 2026
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
As cat parents learn more about the health and environmental impacts of clay cat litter, many of us are looking for more natural options.
The problem, if you can call it that, is that there are a lot of options out there. Wood, corn, tofu… clumping vs nonclumping… The great news is that there’s something for everyone! However, it’s also very easy to get overwhelmed.
That’s why we’ve spent time researching the best natural cat litters, so you don’t have to. Below are our top seven picks, tested by my own cats.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Natural Cat Litters
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Natural Clumping Wheat Cat Litter
- Made of wheat, with no perfumes, dyes, or harsh chemicals
- Low-dust and very low-tracking
- Forms strong clumps
Feline Pine Original Cat Litter
- Made of 100% pine pellets with no added perfumes, dyes, or harsh chemicals
- Low-dust and very low-tracking
- More affordable than clay litter
Catalyst Pet Multi-Cat Formula Cat Litter
- Made from upcycled soft wood fiber, with no added perfumes
- Quickly forms tight clumps that are easy to scoop
- Long-lasting formula with good odor control
Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter
- Made of tofu with no added perfumes (in the unscented formula)
- Forms quick, easy-to-scoop clumps
- Low-dust and low-tracking
Okocat Super Soft Clumping Wood Unscented Cat Litter
- Made from wood fiber without any added chemicals, dyes, or perfumes
- Soft particles are perfect for sensitive paws
- Easy transition from clay litter
Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter
- Made from walnut shells with no added chemicals or perfumes
- Forms tight, easy-to-scoop clumps
- Great odor control
Arm & Hammer Litter Naturals Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
- Made from corn fibers
- Low-tracking and low-dust
- Budget-friendly compared to other natural litter options
Why Trust Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Throughout my life, I’ve had a lot of cats – and tested a lot of cat litters! Since joining the team here at Cats.com, I’ve tested dozens more.
I also scoop eight litter boxes daily (and more if I’m in the process of testing products, like I did for this article), and along the way I’ve learned a lot about what makes a good cat litter. The formulas in this list were tested for their clumping abilities, dustiness, tracking, and more. Of course, I also noted how my cats felt about each one and how often it was used.
Top 7 Natural Cat Litters Tested and Reviewed
Here at Cats.com, we know that every cat and cat parent has their own unique preferences and values. We’ve chosen the sWheat Scoop multi-cat clumping wheat litter as our top pick because it forms strong clumps, contains very little dust, and is one of the lowest-tracking clumping litters we’ve tried. However, it’s not the best choice for every home! That’s why we’ve broken our selections down to show you the best budget-friendly option, the best tofu cat litter, and more.
#1 Overall Best: sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Natural Clumping Wheat Cat Litter
sWheat Scoop cat litter is made from wheat sourced from farms in the United States. This natural formula contains no added dyes, perfumes, or chemicals.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Scoop the litter box daily and keep children away from areas contaminated with animal feces, as roundworm larvae can develop in infected fecal material. Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
My first impressions of this one were very good. I liked that I wasn’t breathing in dust when pouring or scooping litter, and that it forms solid clumps that are easy to scoop. My cats used it as normal, even though they sometimes get picky about natural cat litter in particular.
Once the litter had been in use for a while, a few flaws emerged. The first was the litter’s odor control. I found it to be worse than clay litter, mostly because the litter itself smelled bad when soiled.
It reminded me a little of a farm, which makes sense given that this is made of wheat–but I don’t think this is what most cat parents want their home to smell like! That said, I mostly smelled it while scooping and didn’t notice any odors from afar.
I also found myself scraping hard clumps that were stuck to the bottom or sides of the litter box fairly often, especially toward the end of its lifespan when the amount of litter in the box was a bit lower.
Regular use also revealed one of the litter’s best attributes: It’s very low-tracking, and only seemed to make it perhaps six inches from the litter box.
Overall, this is a great low-dust, low-tracking option, but the smell of the litter will be a drawback for some people.
What We Liked:
- Made of wheat, with no perfumes, dyes, or harsh chemicals
- The lowest-tracking clumping litter that we tried
- Very low dust content, though not entirely dust-free
- Forms strong clumps
What We Didn’t Like:
- Litter gives off an odor when soiled
- Clumps can be hard to scoop if touching the sides or bottom of the litter box
#2 Budget Pick: Feline Pine Original Cat Litter
Feline Pine is made from 100% pine, with no added perfumes or chemicals. This non-clumping litter dissolves into sawdust when wet, so it works a little differently than the clumping litter you may be used to.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Cats use scent from their anal glands to communicate information such as their identity, health, and reproductive status to other cats. Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Cleaning non-clumping litter is easiest with a sifting litter box, which will sift out the saturated sawdust. You can then scoop any solid waste like normal.
These pine pellets are budget and eco-friendly, but cats who are used to clay litter sometimes struggle to transition because the larger pellets are less comfortable on their feet. During testing, my cats would pee in this litter but preferred to poop in other boxes.
What We Liked:
- Made of 100% pine pellets with no added perfumes, dyes, or harsh chemicals
- Unlike most natural cat litters, Feline Pine is even more affordable than clay litter!
- Low-dust and low-tracking
What We Didn’t Like:
- Pelleted shape may be uncomfortable for cats, especially those who aren’t used to it
#3 Long-Lasting: Catalyst Pet Multi-Cat Formula Cat Litter
Unlike most pine litters, Catalyst Pet’s multi-cat formula has small, clumping granules that are comfortable on sensitive paws. This litter is made of upcycled soft wood fiber and contains no visible dust. It forms quick, tight clumps and contains odors well.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
While this litter doesn’t contain added perfumes, it does have a strong scent that was noticed by myself and multiple family members during testing. The cats didn’t seem to mind, though, and used it regularly.
I personally had some difficulty breathing after scooping and pouring, and eventually had to stop using it altogether. Those who are sensitive to fragrances may want to choose another type of litter.
What We Liked:
- Made from upcycled soft wood fiber, with no added perfumes
- Forms fast, tight clumps
- Long-lasting and contains odors well
- Contains no visible dust
What We Didn’t Like:
- Strong scent may irritate sensitive humans or cats
#4 Dust-Free: Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter
Tuft & Paw Really Great Cat Litter is made up of lightweight tofu pellets that form instant clumps. This litter is fairly low-tracking and contains only a small amount of dust at the bottom of the bag. During my testing, the dust didn’t fly into the air while pouring or scooping.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The litter is also supposedly flushable, though experts advise against flushing cat feces due to its potential to spread toxoplasmosis.
Unfortunately, my cats rarely used this litter during testing–but this has also been true of other litters I’ve tried with similar textures. If your cat is used to pelleted litter, they’re not likely to have a problem.
What We Liked:
- Made of tofu with no added perfumes (in the unscented formula)
- Forms fast clumps that are easy to scoop
- Very low dust content, with no noticeable dust flying into the air and irritating yours or your cat’s lungs
- Lightweight and low-tracking
What We Didn’t Like:
- Pelleted shape may be uncomfortable for cats, especially those who aren’t used to it
- While it’s uncommon, some cats may try to eat food-based litters
#5 Best Clumping Wood Litter: Okocat Super Soft Clumping Wood Unscented Cat Litter
Okocat cat litter is made from wood fiber without any added chemicals, dyes, or perfumes. Unlike most wood-based litters, it has small, soft particles and is a clumping litter.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The first thing I noticed about this one was its packaging, which comes with a handle and pour spout. This made it very easy to fill the litter box.
Unfortunately, my impression of the litter itself wasn’t as great. It contained a lot of dust, and while scooping, the clumps would sometimes fall apart. It was also slow to scoop, but this could easily be improved by using a sifter with larger slats.
Despite my own issues with this litter, the cats did like it and used it regularly. It was soft on their feet, which makes it an easy transition from clay litter.
What We Liked:
- Made from wood fiber without any added chemicals, dyes, or perfumes
- Small, soft particles are gentle on paws
- Acts similarly to clay litter and is easy for cats to adapt to
What We Didn’t Like:
- Dusty and high-tracking
- Clumps break apart easily
#6 Best Walnut Litter: Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter
Naturally Fresh cat litter is made from walnut shells and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or perfumes. Walnut shells naturally help to control ammonia odor, which worked very well during my testing. While scooping, the only thing I could smell was the scent of the litter itself.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
When it comes to toilet hygiene, cats like it squeaky clean and not fancy. Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The litter forms tight clumps that are easy to scoop, and contains small particles that are soft on cat paws. My cats had an easy time transitioning to this one from their clay litter and used it regularly.
My least favorite thing about the litter is that it’s dusty. When it comes to tracking, it’s similar to your typical clay litter, but the particles are darker. They really stood out on my floors, but you may have a different experience if you have hardwood or dark carpeting.
What We Liked:
- Made from walnut shells, which naturally control ammonia odors
- Doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or perfumes
- Forms tight clumps that are easy to scoop
- Soft on sensitive paws
What We Didn’t Like:
- Dusty and high-tracking
- While it’s uncommon, some cats may try to eat food-based litters
#7 Best Corn Litter: Arm & Hammer Litter Naturals Scented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
Arm & Hammer Naturals cat litter is made from corn fibers, and also contains Arm & Hammer baking soda for scent control and an added fresh scent to mask odors.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The formula contains little dust and is one of the lowest tracking litters I’ve tried, with litter particles only making it a few inches away from the litter box. It formed clumps quickly, but these clumps were sometimes brittle, breaking apart when I went to scoop them.
Unfortunately, this one also has a very, very heavy scent. I could smell it throughout the entire floor of the house, and the smell lingered for quite some time after pouring the litter. While the cats didn’t seem to mind, and used the litter regularly, other members of my family did comment on the smell.
What We Liked:
- Made from corn fibers
- Low-tracking and low-dust
- Budget-friendly
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very strong fragrance
- Forms brittle clumps that may break apart while scooping
- Contains unnecessary additives
What to Know Before Buying Natural Cat Litter?
The first thing to know before buying any new cat litter is that most cats don’t take well to change. If you swap cat litters overnight, your cat may avoid the litter box and potty in other, less desirable locations.
Instead, start by ensuring that you have multiple litter boxes in your home. Add a small amount of the new litter to just one of these boxes, and give your cat a few days to adjust. Over time, you can add more of the new litter and less of the old litter, until only the new litter remains. Once your cat is using this box frequently, you can begin to transition other boxes in the home.
With that out of the way, here are some things to look for in a natural cat litter:
Litter Type
The first thing to think about is what the litter is made of, and if it’s actually eco-friendly. The best litter ingredients are renewable and plant-based. We also prefer if the litter is free of added chemicals, dyes, and perfumes.
Clumping vs Nonclumping
Most people are used to clumping cat litter, so it’s the easiest to transition to and doesn’t require buying additional items, such as a sifting litter box.
However, many people swear by non-clumping cat litter. It’s typically very affordable, and it’s not difficult to use once you get used to the process. Its only flaw is that it typically contains large pellets, which may be uncomfortable for some cats.
Granule Size
Studies show that most cats prefer litter types with small granules, such as your average clay or crystal cat litter.
While some cats adapt well to pelleted cat litter (especially those who have been using it their entire lives), it tends to be a lot less comfortable on their feet. Some cats, like mine, are okay urinating in these litter types but won’t stand in them long enough to poop. Others won’t use them at all.
Luckily, there are a lot of options available today, so we don’t need to choose between pelleted litter that’s uncomfortable to stand on or clay litter that’s bad for our cats’ lungs. There are plenty of natural cat litters on the market with small, soft particles.
These will also be easier for your cat to transition to if they’ve grown used to clay litter.
I know for sure Arm and Hammer is not cruelty free. I’d like to know which products are. I don’t promote animal abuse.
The point about most people not giving much thought to their litter choice really hit home. That explains the litter box avoidance issues we struggled with before switching to a natural option. Focusing on health beyond just food makes complete sense.
Why didn’t you like smart cat grass litter? Is there something wrong with it? I tried all your others and except for swheat my cats wouldn’t use it because of texture or it smelled or dusty tracking.
Nothing wrong with it, it’s actually a good idea to add to the next article update thank you for bringing this up
The Naturally Fresh (no longer part of Blue Buffalo) has just about the best odor control I’ve experienced. Of course, if there’s poop on top, you’ll smell it. I NEVER smelled pee in the 9 years I’ve used it, and I only change it once a month. I have never had it get ‘muddy’ if scooped at least once a day, but it takes a couple hours for the clumps to ‘set’. Some dust like most. Also, you should point out that flushing cat waste is DEADLY to seals, sea otters etc. when it finally reaches the ocean. The very best performance I’ve ever had was a 50/50 mix of Naturally Fresh (crushed walnut shell) and World’s best (corn) which doubled the clump strength due to the gluten, but the World’s best is too pricey.