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12 Best Cat Litters of 2024

comments-icon 19 Comments on 12 Best Cat Litters of 2024
updated-icon Updated by  Kate Barrington
comments-icon Medically reviewed by  Dr. Bartley Harrison, DVM
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best cat litter review

Mallory Crusta / Cats.com

The best cat litter supports a clean, comfortable, and natural litter box experience for your cat. It enables digging and burying without kicking up clouds of dust. It quickly soaks up urine so your cat doesn’t have to step in wet litter on their next visit. It feels comfortable under their paws and doesn’t irritate their nose with overwhelming synthetic fragrance.

The benefits of a good cat litter product for cat parents include a fresher-smelling home, limited scatter outside the litter box, and easy scooping. The options are vast and varied, with products landing all over the price spectrum. Even eco-conscious cat owners can find quality cat litter products that support their interests in sustainability.

At a Glance: Best Cat Litter to Buy

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680
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brands
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top
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Overall Best
10.0
Picked by 31 people today!

Boxiecat BoxiePro Deep Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Litter

  • Infused with odor-controlling probiotics
  • Forms tight clumps on top of the litter surface
  • Fine granules for sensitive paws
Budget Pick
9.8
Picked by 31 people today!

Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented

  • Priced around $0.50 per pound
  • Large, heavy granules track less than other clay formulas
  • Forms hard, easy-to-scoop clumps
Premium Pick
9.8
Picked by 25 people today!

Ever Clean Extra Strength

  • Very strong odor-controlling ability
  • Forms hard, easy-to-scoop clumps
  • Free from synthetic fragrances
Best Natural
9.4
Picked by 21 people today!

Sustainably Yours

  • Forms firm, cohesive clumps for easy scooping
  • Fine granules are gentle on your cat’s paws
  • Biodegradable, made from plant-based materials
Premium Natural
9.4
Picked by 21 people today!

SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Litter

  • Made from 100% renewable grass materials
  • Doesn’t produce crystalline silica dust
  • Lightweight, sandy texture is gentle on cat’s paws
Best Pellet Style
9.5
Picked by 25 people today!

Feline Pine Original

  • Made from sustainably sourced pine
  • Large pellets are very low-tracking
  • Free from synthetic fragrance
Best for Automatic Litter Boxes
9.6
Picked by 18 people today!

Litterbox.com Clumping Clay

  • Naturally unscented clay litter won’t irritate sensitive noses
  • Forms tight, hard clumps that are easy to scoop
  • Works well with automatic litter boxes
Best Crystal Litter
9.7
Picked by 21 people today!

Frisco Micro Crystal Unscented Non-Clumping Litter

  • Fine, sandy texture is gentle on cat paws
  • Highly absorbent, soaks up liquid quickly
  • Dehydrates solid waste for easy scooping
Best Health Monitoring Litter
9.7
Picked by 21 people today!

PrettyLitter

  • Contains pH-detecting particles that change color
  • Lightweight litter with a soft, sandy texture
  • Absorbs urine and dehydrates solid waste
Best for Kittens
9.5
Picked by 31 people today!

Fresh News Recycled Paper Litter

  • Non-clumping formula may be safer for kittens
  • Incredibly low in dust, great for sensitive noses
  • Made from 100% recycled paper materials
Best Low-Tracking
9.4
Picked by 18 people today!

tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter

  • Biodegradable, compostable, and flushable
  • Lightweight, low-tracking pellets
  • Forms easy-to-scoop clumps
Best Non-Clumping
9.6
Picked by 31 people today!

Tidy Cats Breeze Litter Box System

  • Sifting litter box system with an absorbent pad
  • Zeolite pellets dehydrate solid waste
  • Large pellets are low-tracking

Why Trust Cats.com

Along with other members of the Cats.com team, I’ve personally purchased, tested, and reviewed over two dozen of the most popular cat litter brands and more than 50 individual litter products. The products were purchased at full retail price and the entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.

When testing cat litter products, I use them in my own home for at least ten days. I make observations about the litter’s appearance, granule size, scent, and dust level when pouring it into the litter box. I also test the litter for odor control, ease of scooping, and tracking. My two cats, Wessie and Forest, make their opinions known when they show preference for one product over another.

Based on extensive research, hands-on testing, and expert insights, I’ve selected the following 12 cat litter products as the best you can put in your cat’s box.

Our Veterinary Advisors

The Best Rated Cat Litter: Our Top 12 Recommendations

Having tested countless cat litter products, I often find myself coming back to Boxiecat. I’ve awarded it my top pick for its hard-clumping action, easy scoopability, and strong odor control. But it may not be the ideal cat litter for every household. 

Every cat is different and it’s important to take their preferences into account when choosing a product—especially one they’ll be using every day, like cat litter. To help you find the right fit for your unique cat, I’ve included an assortment of products categorized by key features and price.

#1 Overall Best: Boxiecat BoxiePro Deep Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Litter

Boxiecat BoxiePro Deep Clean Unscented Clumping Clay Litter

  • Brand: Boxiecat
  • Material: Sodium bentonite clay
  • Clumping: Yes
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Infused with probiotics, forms flat-top clumps
  • Price per lb: $1.15 per lb

Winner of the 2018 Industry Recognition Award, Boxiecat litter has several unique qualities that set it apart from other clay litters. It’s designed to absorb liquid immediately on contact, forming flat clumps on top of the litter surface. This helps prevent urine from seeping through and pooling on the bottom of the box where it makes a sticky mess.

The flat-clumping design helps trap odor before it becomes an issue, a benefit compounded by the infusion of probiotics. These probiotics help control bacteria that cause litter box odor. These same bacteria can be spread to the surfaces in your home via your cat’s paws.

In our in-box testing, I found Boxiecat litter highly absorbent and it formed tight clumps that were easy to scoop. It didn’t produce a significant amount of dust, but the fine granules tracked to a moderate degree. My test cats seemed to like the soft feel of the litter, preferring it over alternative litters like silica and corn-based World’s Best Cat Litter.

What We Liked:

  • Infused with probiotics for added odor control
  • Absorbs quickly and clumps on top of the litter
  • Fine granules are gentle on sensitive cat paws

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Lightweight granules may track more than some litters
  • May not be heavy enough for use in automatic litter boxes

#2 Budget Pick: Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented

Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter

  • Brand: Dr. Elsey’s
  • Material: Sodium bentonite clay
  • Clumping: Yes
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Low-tracking, hard-clumping, inexpensive
  • Price per lb: $0.59 per lb

Dr. Elsey’s offers several cat litter formulas designed to address specific issues, but this product is the most popular. Priced around $0.50 per pound, it’s an inexpensive product. This clumping litter is one of the most popular options on the market, though recent customer comments point toward a steady decline in quality over the years.

Made from sodium bentonite clay, this cat litter absorbs liquid quickly to form easy-to-scoop clumps. It’s a heavy litter with fairly large granules, so it tracks less than some formulas. Where it seems to fall short of the market is the amount of dust it produces. Owners of cats with respiratory issues may want to look elsewhere.

While this litter certainly isn’t perfect, its price and low-tracking qualities may make it worth considering. If you’re looking for a lightweight litter, however, this isn’t it. It only comes in 20- and 40-pound bags.

What We Liked:

  • Priced around $0.50 per pound
  • Large, heavy granules track less than other clay formulas
  • Forms hard, easy-to-scoop clumps

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Some customers report a decline in quality
  • Can be very dusty

#3 Premium Pick: Ever Clean Extra Strength

  • Brand: Ever Clean
  • Material: Sodium bentonite clay
  • Clumping: Yes
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Strong odor control, forms hard clumps
  • Price per lb: $1.08 per lb

For its strong odor control and hard-clumping ability, Ever Clean is an attractive option if you’re willing to spend a little more. Rather than relying on synthetic fragrance, this formula harnesses the superior absorbency of sodium bentonite clay to reduce odor in the litter box. It offers some of the best odor control I’ve experienced in a cat litter product.

This Ever Clean unscented litter appears to be a favorite among cats as well. The granules are soft under your cat’s feet and, because they’re so dense and heavy, this litter tends to track less than many formulas.

Availability of this litter can be variable depending on where you shop. It’s most easily accessible on Chewy where you can purchase it in 25-pound boxes or in a 4-pack of 10.5-pound bags. Chewy also offers the most competitive pricing on this brand.

What We Liked:

  • Very strong odor-controlling ability
  • Forms hard, easy-to-scoop clumps
  • Free from synthetic fragrances
  • Fairly low-tracking formula

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Significantly more expensive on Amazon than Chewy
  • Very heavy, may be difficult to manage for some cat owners

#4 Best Natural: Sustainably Yours

Sustainably Yours Multi-Cat Plus Cat Litter

  • Brand: Sustainably Yours
  • Material: Corn and cassava
  • Clumping: Yes
  • Flushable: Yes
  • Features: Sustainably sourced, fine-grained texture
  • Price per lb: $1.85 per lb

While clay cat litter is technically natural, many cat owners are in the market for plant-based or biodegradable cat litter. Sustainably Yours Multi-Cat Plus Cat Litter is a fine-grained cat litter made from corn and cassava. This plant-based cat litter comes in three different formulas—two for multi-cat households and one with large grains to help prevent litter tracking and scatter.

In testing, this litter produced a little bit of dust when pouring it into the litter box, but I found it performed quite well overall. This litter forms very firm, cohesive clumps that are easy to scoop, and the odor control was pretty strong.

While the odor control of this litter isn’t as strong as some of the clay litters on this list, I found it to be much stronger than some other plant-based litters I’ve tested. The primary downside of this litter is the degree to which it tracks—it has incredibly fine granules that can stick to your cat’s paws and make their way out of the litter box onto your floor.

What We Liked:

  • Forms firm, cohesive clumps for easy scooping
  • Fine granules are gentle on your cat’s paws
  • Biodegradable, made from plant-based materials
  • Performed fairly well in odor control

What We Didn’t Like:

  • May be a little bit dusty when you first pour it
  • Very fine granules tend to track and scatter easily

#5 Premium Natural: SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Litter

SmartCat Unscented Clumping Grass Cat Litter

  • Brand: SmartCat
  • Material: Grass
  • Clumping: Yes
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Biodegradable, lightweight, gentle on paws
  • Price per lb: $1.98 per lb

Averaging over $2.00 per pound, this all-natural cat litter yields a higher monthly cost than the average clay formula. In exchange, however, you get the peace of mind knowing it’s made from renewable resources and that it’s biodegradable. This litter is made from 100% grass.

This grass-based formula is very lightweight which makes it a good option for cat owners who hate lugging around heavy bags or boxes of litter. The fine, lightweight texture also makes this litter gentle on sensitive cat paws. Because the granules are so light, however, they may track more than a denser clay litter.

This formula clumps on contact with liquid but some customers find that the clumps remain softer for longer than clay litter. If you scoop before the clumps fully absorb the liquid to harden completely, they may break apart and leave small pieces behind. As a result, the odor control ability of this litter may be weaker than the typical clay formula.

What We Liked:

  • Made from 100% renewable grass materials
  • Doesn’t produce crystalline silica dust
  • Lightweight, sandy texture is gentle on cat’s paws

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Lightweight granules make tracking an issue
  • Clumps may take longer to harden than clay

#6 Best Pellet Style: Feline Pine Original

Feline Pine Original Non-Clumping Wood Cat Litter

  • Brand: Feline Pine
  • Material: Pine
  • Clumping: No
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Sustainably sourced materials, no synthetic fragrance, large pellets
  • Price per lb: $0.68 per lb

Pellet-style litters are popular among cat owners because they tend to track less than finer granules and natural varieties don’t produce silica dust. Feline Pine is a non-clumping, clay-free formula made from 100% sustainably sourced pine. The pine fibers are highly absorbent, and the new and improved formula absorbs liquid twice as quickly as the original.

Feline Pine is completely free from chemical additives and synthetic fragrance, though it does have a natural pine scent. Some customers say it develops an unpleasant odor when wet, however, so it may need to be scooped and refreshed often. In testing, I found it to be very low-tracking and low-dust.

What We Liked:

  • Made from 100% sustainably sourced pine
  • Pellets track less than fine clay granules
  • Completely free from chemicals and fragrance

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not a clumping formula
  • Can be heavy, especially the 40-pound bag
  • May develop odor when wet

#7 Best For Automatic Litter Boxes: Litterbox.com Clumping Clay

Litterbox.com All-Natural Clumping Clay Cat Litter

  • Brand: Litterbox.com
  • Material: Sodium bentonite clay
  • Clumping: Yes
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Hard-clumping, strong odor control, good for automatic litter boxes
  • Price per lb: $1.50 per lb

Automatic, self-cleaning litter boxes are great if you hate scooping. They cycle automatically, separating clean from dirty litter, and collect waste in a discrete compartment. Some models flush it directly down the toilet. Our top pick for the best cat litter for automatic litter boxes is brought to you by the same company that makes one of our favorite automatic litter boxes, the Litter-Robot 4.

Litter-Robot is a leader in the pet tech industry, and they’ve developed a variety of complementary products like all-natural clumping clay cat litter. Like most clumping clay litter, this product is derived from sodium bentonite clay. This means it forms tight, hard clumps and that it does a pretty good job of locking in litter box odor.

This litter is naturally unscented, so it won’t irritate your cat’s nose, but it is likely to produce some dust. Customers comment that their cats seem to like the texture of the granules and that the litter works very well with their automatic litter box.

This litter is sold in 20-pound bags for $30 each. You can save by purchasing multiple bags at a time. Selecting the Autoship option gives you 10% off your first month plus free shipping and you can customize your delivery frequency to once every one, two, or three months.

What We Liked:

  • Unscented clay litter forms tight, hard scoops
  • Delivered right to your door through a Litter-Robot.com subscription
  • Does a good job controlling litter box odor
  • Cats seem to like the texture and size of the granules

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Produces some dust, may be a problem for some cats

#8 Best Crystal Litter: Frisco Micro Crystal Unscented Non-Clumping Litter

  • Brand: Frisco
  • Material: Silica gel
  • Clumping: No
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Fast-absorbing, fragrance-free
  • Price per lb: $2.24 per lb

Frisco offers crystal cat litter in both clumping and non-clumping varieties. This non-clumping crystal litter has very fine, lightweight granules. Sold in 7-pound bags, the litter is very easy to manage but the small granules do tend to track more than heavier clay litters.

Because crystal cat litter is extremely absorbent, it soaks up urine very quickly. It also dehydrates solid waste, making it easier to remove from the litter box. Both of these features contribute to odor control but odor still tends to accumulate as the litter becomes saturated. This isn’t a clumping formula, so you need to stir the litter daily to help redistribute the saturated crystals.

Customer reviews for this product are varied. Tracking appears to be an issue across the board. I found the litter’s odor control on par with other crystal litters like Pretty Litter and the texture is very similar. It may be a good option for cats with sensitive paws who don’t like sharp or large-grained litter.

What We Liked:

  • Fine, sandy texture is gentle on cat paws
  • Highly absorbent, soaks up liquid quickly
  • Dehydrates solid waste for easy scooping

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Limited odor control once saturated
  • Not a clumping formula

#9 Best Health Monitoring Litter : PrettyLitter

Pretty Litter

  • Brand: Pretty Litter
  • Material: Silica gel
  • Clumping: No
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Fine sandy texture, changes color with pH, highly absorbent
  • Price per lb: $3.30 per lb

Crystal cat litter is nothing new but PrettyLitter takes it up a notch with the addition of pH-detecting particles. When exposed to urine, these particles change color to indicate the approximate pH of your cat’s urine. Changes in the acidity of your cat’s urine can be an early indicator for a number of health problems including struvite crystals, urinary tract infections, and kidney tubular acidosis.

PrettyLitter isn’t intended to be a diagnostic tool, but it can help you keep tabs on your cat’s health. The bag clearly indicates which colors suggest which conditions. Dark yellow/olive indicates urine within the normal pH range while blue, orange, or red indicate a problem. If you notice a change in your cat’s urine, you’ll be able to contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

PrettyLitter has a very fine sandy texture. It’s very gentle on your cat’s paws but it does tend to track due to the small particle size. This litter doesn’t clump but it does help control odor in another way. The silica gel absorbs liquid and dehydrates solid waste. You’ll need to scoop solids daily and stir the litter to keep it fresh, however, as odor may accumulate more quickly than with other litter varieties.

What We Liked:

  • Color-changing crystals indicate changes in urine pH
  • May help cat owners detect developing health problems
  • Absorbs urine quickly and dehydrates solid waste
  • Lightweight, soft texture is gentle on cat paws

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not a clumping litter, should be scooped daily
  • Needs to be stirred daily to distribute soiled litter
  • Above market average price, over $3 per pound

#10 Best For Kittens: Fresh News Recycled Paper Litter

Fresh News Recycled Paper Original Crumbled Litter

  • Brand: Fresh News
  • Material: Recycled paper
  • Clumping: No
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Made from recycled materials, highly absorbent, low dust
  • Price per lb: $1.22 per lb

Cat litter for kittens should be soft enough for sensitive kitten paws and non-toxic in case of accidental ingestion. Fresh News is a non-clumping cat litter made entirely from recycled paper, making it eco-friendly and biodegradable. It’s also safer than clay, which can swell up to 15 times its size in the stomach if your kitten accidentally swallows it.

Non-clumping cat litter doesn’t typically contain odors as well as clumping varieties, but Fresh News is infused with baking soda to help neutralize odors. Customers confirm that the litter does have decent odor-blocking properties and it is very low in dust.

One thing to be mindful of with recycled paper litter is that moisture can build up in the bottom of the box. While this litter may be up to three times more absorbent than clay, large volumes of litter or diarrhea may seep through to the bottom of the pan and make cleaning a little more difficult.

What We Liked:

  • Non-clumping formula may be safer for kittens
  • Incredibly low in dust, great for sensitive noses
  • Made from 100% recycled paper materials

What We Didn’t Like:

  • May accumulate moisture if not changed often enough
  • Non-clumping litter has limited odor control

#11 Best Low-Tracking: tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter

tuft + paw Really Great Cat Litter

  • Brand: tuft + paw
  • Material: Soybean byproduct
  • Clumping: Yes
  • Flushable: Yes
  • Features: Biodegradable, low-tracking granules, lightweight
  • Price per lb: $1.22 per lb

Many low-tracking litters are dense and heavy but Really Great Cat Litter from tuft + paw isn’t. It’s made from soybean byproduct and shaped in small, oblong pellets. The shape and size of the pellets helps keep the litter from tracking outside the litter box.

While you’ll pay a premium for this litter, it offers a few benefits few other products can boast. It’s biodegradable and compostable, for one. It’s also flushable. Though you’ll need to let the clumps soak in the toilet for a while before flushing, the material breaks down very well.

In the litter box, this natural cat litter absorbs liquid quickly and forms cohesive clumps. I found that the clumps are a little more delicate than clay litter, but if you scoop slowly they’re less likely to break apart. My cats didn’t seem to mind the texture of the pellets and the formula controls odor well, despite the lack of added fragrance.

What We Liked:

  • Biodegradable, compostable, and flushable
  • Lightweight, low-tracking pellets
  • Forms easy-to-scoop clumps

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Only available by subscription
  • Costs significantly more than market average

#12 Best Non-Clumping: Tidy Cats Breeze Litter Box System

  • Brand: Tidy Cats
  • Material: Mordenite zeolite
  • Clumping: No
  • Flushable: No
  • Features: Low tracking, unscented, moisture-wicking
  • Price per lb: $2.61 per lb

Clumping cat litter makes the task of scooping the litter box a little easier but they can be bulky and heavy. If you’re looking for a convenient alternative, consider the Tidy Cats Breeze litter box system which utilizes unique mordenite zeolite pellets.

The Tidy Cats Breeze system is a sifting litter box that combines moisture-wicking zeolite pellets with an absorbent litter box pad. When your cat uses the litter box, urine passes through the pellets into the pad below. The zeolite pellets absorb moisture as well, helping dehydrate solid waste to make it easier to scoop.

This litter box system comes with everything you need to get started, including a scoop. The large, low-tracking pellets should be refreshed every 30 days and the absorbent pad lasts up to a week in a single-cat household.

What We Liked:

  • Sifting litter box system with an absorbent pad
  • Zeolite pellets dehydrate solid waste
  • Large pellets are low-tracking

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Large pellets can be tricky to scoop
  • Some cats don’t like the pellets

What to Consider When Shopping for Cat Litter

What to Consider When Shopping for Cat Litter

No cat litter is perfect for every household but there are key qualities to consider when choosing between products. Ultimately, you want to select a litter product your cat likes while factoring in features that affect functionality and affordability.

Easy to Clean

Clumping cat litter is usually the easiest to keep clean and dry, but not all clumping litter works equally well. Some products create soft blobs that crumble when you scoop, and others yield firm clumps. You don’t want to feel like you’re scraping chunks out of a bowl of cookie dough. The clumps should be cohesive, firm, and easy to remove.

If you’re using a non-clumping product, it must do its job well. Any non-clumping litter should be insanely absorbent and not completely saturated after a day’s use. Keep in mind that because it’s non-clumping, you’ll likely end up emptying the entire box at once.

Odor Control

Good cat litter helps keep odors at bay, but don’t expect a box of litter to take over your job. We’ve found that the best odor control comes from great clumping and regular cleaning.

The more waste you can remove from the box, the better. That’s why we look for cohesive clumps, minimal stickiness, and great absorbency. Some products amp up the odor control with activated carbon and baking soda, which can significantly cut back on odors.

Low-Dust

Dr. Alex Crow, VetMed MRCVS cautions that “some litter that contains crystalline silica dust can be harmful when breathed in, which is something you most certainly want to avoid. This is why it is important to buy dust-free cat litters. Inhaling this dust can cause your cat to develop serious issues and cause them to have trouble breathing.”

Of course, most litter is advertised as low-dust or “99% dust-free”, but these are usually flimsy claims. Some so-called low-dust products create plumes of dust, so don’t trust the label blindly. Customer reviews can help you assess a product’s dustiness before you buy.

Also Read: Best Dust-Free Cat Litter

Affordable

Depending on what type you choose, you could end up forking over $70-$200 per year in cat litter expenditures. When you consider that a human’s annual toilet paper expenses are low as $15 and usually don’t exceed $50, cat litter starts to look a bit pricey.

The reality is that no cat litter is perfect, and spending more to fill your cat’s litter box won’t necessarily yield life-altering results. Daily scooping can help you extend the life of your cat’s litter. Clumping varieties tend to minimize waste but often cost more per pound than non-clumping varieties.

Low-Tracking

Litter tracks—it’s hard to get around them. Litter gets trapped in your cat’s paws and fur and hitches a ride out of the litter box. Although many litter companies call their products “low-tracking”, the best way to control tracking is by investing in a good litter mat.

Dense litter with heavy granules often tracks less than lightweight varieties. Pellet-style litter and litters with large grains also tend to be some of the lowest tracking options on the market.

Also Read: The 5 Best Non-Tracking Cat Litters

Fragrance-Free

Scented cat litter may help disguise the smell of a dirty litter box but it doesn’t do anything to resolve the odor issue. In fact, added fragrance can irritate your cat’s sensitive nose. If the smell inside the litter box becomes overwhelming, your cat may start avoiding it.

Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM confirms this, encouraging cat owners to “avoid highly-scented cat litters.” She says that “cats have a much better sense of smell than we do, so even if the litter smells good to us, cats can find it very irritating.”

Cat-Friendly

“The ideal cat litter would be a scent-free clumping litter that has good odor control, ” says Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM, but “the personality of a cat may be the final determination on what is the best cat litter.” While the best cat litter for you comes down to your cat’s personal preference and your household needs, some types of litter work better than others.

Let’s quickly break down the top three types of cat litter products.

top three types of cat litter products

Clay Cat Litter

Clay cat litter is by far the most popular type on the market today. It’s the most widely available and cost-effective. It has its critics, however. Because it’s gathered through strip mining and is non-biodegradable, its environmental impact has been described as an “absolute catastrophe.”

There’s also the risk of inhaling crystalline silica dust to consider, though the amount of dust produced by a good cat litter generally isn’t significant enough to cause serious health issues.

Clay cat litter products are divided into two categories: clumping and non-clumping. Clumping litter is usually made from sodium bentonite clay, a variety that expands 12-15 times its original size when wet. This swelling ability causes it to clump when it comes into contact with urine, making it easy to scoop out waste while preserving clean litter.

Non-clumping clay was the original commercial litter box filler and was first sold in 1947 as “Kitty Litter.” It’s made from a variety of absorbent clays, including sepiolite, attapulgite, and montmorillonite. Non-clumping litter tends to be cheaper than clumping litter but its odor-controlling ability is limited, necessitating more frequent replacement.

Also Read: Best Non-Clumping Cat Litter

Silica Gel Litter

Crystal or silica gel litter is a relatively new addition to the cat litter shelf. It’s made synthetically from silicon dioxide, oxygen, and water. Each crystal has millions of tiny pores that capture moisture. Instead of clumping, this type of litter dehydrates solid waste and absorbs liquids.

If you remove solid waste and stir the litter daily, crystal cat litter can effectively serve you for up to a month before disposal. Because this type of litter has such great longevity, it’s more expensive than clay and some biodegradable products.

Biodegradable Cat Litter

The most head-spinning part of the cat litter marketplace may be the natural and organic department. These products are made from a range of organic and recycled materials including wheat, wood, grass, paper, tofu, and more. While they may be eco-friendlier than many traditional cat litters, they come at a price and might not offer equal performance.

Some biodegradable cat litters are marketed as flushable. Be sure to carefully read the label and consult local laws before you flush cat litter down the toilet, however—flushing the wrong litter could be an expensive (and messy) mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of cat litter is best?

In an ideal world, the best cat litter offers a combination of features that meet both your needs and your cat’s. Your cat’s natural instincts get the respect they deserve, and you get to control the smell and appearance of cat waste in the house. Each cat’s preferences are unique but most cats seem to like clumping clay cat litter.

What is the longest-lasting cat litter?

You can extend the life of any cat litter with daily scooping – this helps prevent odor from accumulating and contributes to a comfortable experience for your cat. That said, clumping varieties help minimize wasted litter. It’s still recommended that you empty, clean, and refresh the litter box once a month, but clumping litter doesn’t need to be replaced weekly like non-clumping and some alternative varieties.

Which cat litter is best for odor control?

How often you scoop the litter box has the biggest impact on odor. Litter that quickly absorbs liquids and forms tight, solid scoops tends to be the most effective. Non-clumping and silica gel litters become saturated more quickly which can contribute to odor accumulation.

Which cat litter do vets recommend for kittens?

Clumping clay cat litter may not be safe for kittens due to the risk of ingestion and intestinal blockage. When we asked vets about this hazard, Dr. Caren Carney, DVM shared that she has "had to treat a kitten for eating clumping litter, as it was causing an obstruction." Though this type of blockage is uncommon, Dr. Carney now recommends shredded newspaper for young kittens who've not yet been weaned.

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About Mallory Crusta

Mallory is the Head of Content at Cats.com and an NAVC-certified Pet Nutrition Coach. Having produced and managed multimedia content across several pet-related domains, Mallory is dedicated to ensuring that the information on Cats.com is accurate, clear, and engaging. When she’s not reviewing pet products or editing content, Mallory enjoys skiing, hiking, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. She has two cats, Wessie and Forest.

19 thoughts on “12 Best Cat Litters of 2024”

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  1. Lynn

    This is great information! There is one particular characteristic that you didn’t focus on, and is irrelevant to most people, but that I really need to know. I have a cat with Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome, and as a result her paws are EXTREMELY sensitive to any sharp edges. She can’t even use pellets, because The cutoff edge at each end of the pellet where they’re chopped down to the right size is too sharp for her. I’m not a fan of clay litter, and wondered which of the brands that come in crystals – or any other brands, really – have SMOOTH, ROUNDED granules, with ZERO sharp points or edges. Thank you in advance for your help!!

    Reply
    1. small mallory photoMallory Crusta Post author

      Hey Lynn, good question. Kitty Poo Club has a few options for large-grained crystal litter that is formed into balls rather than crystals. Other, finer, litter like Pretty Litter and the fine crystal litter from Kitty Poo Club might work, simply because the edges are so small, like pieces of sand. However, I think that something like SmartCat litter might be ideal, as it’s softer than any crystal litter and doesn’t have rough or sharp edges that might irritate her.

      Reply
  2. Cynthia

    Thank you for your research, Mallory! This is very informative. I currently use pine litter but it’s becoming such a pain to clean the “dust” that’s produced after urination. I think I’m going to try clay litter again, and will give your top choice a try. Thanks again!

    Reply
  3. Jalal Kalam

    I was about to order the Dr. Elsey’s litter but the warning message on Amazon and exposure causing cancer is extremely concerning. Isn’t it better to go for natural wood pellets or something else that wouldn’t need a label like that?

    Reply
    1. small mallory photoMallory Crusta Post author

      Hey Jalal, sorry it’s taken me a little while to get back to you! I’ve not seen this warning on Amazon in the United States, but I’m assuming it relates to the crystalline silica dust that Dr. Elsey’s litter (and other clay litter products) may emit. From everything I’ve read, the amounts emitted by a typical cat litter are not enough to have this carcinogenic effect. Most cases of cancer from crystalline silica inhalation involve people who work full days in environments with heavy exposure to this dust. A cat visiting the litter box on a few occasions each day shouldn’t have an issue, and neither should their owner after pouring it once a month. However, you can certainly try a plant-based litter as a less risky—and less dusty—alternative. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  4. Kat H

    Sustainably Yours is my favorite! If you purchase it at Pet Food Express, you can buy 3 bags and get the 4th for free. As stated above, clay litter is HORRIBLE for the environment!!!

    Reply
    1. small mallory photoMallory Crusta Post author

      Hi Andrita! Yes, we’re working on expanding our selection of international roundups, including, potentially, a piece on the best cat litter in India. Sorry we couldn’t meet your needs with this article. You might appreciate this article on the best cat litter in India this year.

      Reply
  5. CJ

    I tried Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clay Litter. While it says no added fragrance, it does definitely have a perfume-y smell to it. Our cat has pollen allergies, so I wonder if it is a plant based additive. He started scratching like crazy ( the next morning) when I tried this kitty litter. I quickly emptied the box and sanitized it. I refilled it with his old kitty litter (Dr. Elsey). He was better soon after (I wiped his fur down). I’ll stick w/Dr. Elsey. I was looking for something that might not track quite as much, but I’d rather vacuum more often than try anything else.

    Reply
  6. Darcy MacDonald

    Thank you for such great and helpful information. I had a question about wheat litters. I have 3 cats and had been very happy with SWheat Scoop but have noticed the granules are smaller and there is more dust. Other than that it works good. Do you have any suggestions on another wheat based litter?❤

    Reply
  7. Kyle Crossman

    Hey Mallory,

    I’m new to the pet industry and so is my company. We have a new cat litter that is made from straw which is non-clumping. Right now we are working on creating a clumping version. However, we want to make sure we are using the right processes to create an effective litter while also being biodegradable. Any pointers, tips or best practices that you could set us in the right direction?

    Cheers,
    Kyle

    Reply
    1. small mallory photoMallory Crusta Post author

      Hi Kyle! Apologies for the late reply. There are a number of compounds that can help to make a litter more effective while remaining biodegradable, but I’m sure there are manufacturing considerations that you’d understand much better than I could. Gums may be used to support clumping, while baking soda and activated carbon may be explored for odor control. I’m not sure how well the straw product will work on its own—many companies end up combining multiple plant fibers into a single product to achieve the properties they seek.

      Reply
  8. Angela Frank

    Can u PLEASE test Paco and Pepper cat litter???
    It’s rather new on the market, exploding all over social media. It’s made from olive pits and they claim it has zero dust. I just started using it, and at first my cat refused to poop in it. Questioning whether to buy a 2nd bag and continue using it. I and many others, would greatly appreciate your opinion of it!!!! PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!

    Reply