Last updated Dec 7, 2023
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The best cat litter gets the job done. It makes scooping easier and keeps conditions a little more pleasant for you and your cat. We’re on the hunt for strong odor control, minimal dust and tracking, and reliable performance.
After scouring customer reviews, researching popular brands, and testing dozens of cat litters ourselves, we’ve discovered the ten best cat litters in Canada.
At a Glance: Best Cat Litter To Buy
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.
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Clumping Litter
- Quick-clumping formula
- Locks away odors on contact
- Fine texture is gentle on cat’s paws
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter
- Creates tight clumps, easy to scoop
- Strong odor control for multi-cat households
- Economically priced, sold in bulk
Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Litter
- Completely free from artificial fragrance
- Forms tight, easy-to-scoop clumps
- Activated carbon for odor control
Pretty Litter
- Infused with pH-detecting particles
- Lightweight, soft and sandy texture
- Ultra-absorbent, dehydrates solid waste
Catit Go Natural! Pea Husk Cat Litter
- Made from sustainable pea husk fibers
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Forms easy-to-scoop clumps
Fresh Step Premium Crystals Easy Care Cat Litter
- Lightweight crystals are extremely absorbent
- Relatively low in dust during pouring
- Lasts longer than the typical clay litter
Cat Love Daily Scoops Paper Cat Litter
- Made from 100% recycled paper
- Soft pellets are gentle on sensitive paws
- Contains baking soda for added odor control
World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Litter
- Biodegradable, flushable, and septic safe
- Made from whole-kernel corn
- Forms tight, hard clumps for easy scooping
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Unscented Clumping Clay Litter
- Contains an herbal attractant to encourage cats
- Forms easy-to-scoop clumps
- Granule size and texture are appealing to cats
Purina Tidy Cats Lightweight Free & Clean Clumping Litter
- Lightweight formula and sturdy jugs are easy to manage
- Contains activated carbon to help control odor
- Doesn’t contain any artificial fragrance
Why Trust Cats.com
After 15 years as a cat parent, I’ve scooped countless pounds of cat litter from dozens of brands—some good, some bad. The products featured here are readily available in Canada and are some of my personal favorites. I purchased them all at full retail price and tested them at home over two weeks with my three cats: Bagel, Munchkin, and Biscuit.
When testing cat litter, I observe the product’s appearance, weight, granule size and shape, and packaging. I take note of how much dust the litter produces and check for dusty footprints and tracking. And of course, I make sure my cats seem comfortable using the litter or if they avoid it in favor of another product.
The Best Cat Litters in Canada: Our Top 10 Recommendations
You and your cats have your own personal preferences, but every household needs a high-quality cat litter that delivers reliable performance. We’ve put together a list of the 10 best cat litters available in Canada to help you find the one that best suits your needs and your cat’s preferences.
We normally include picks from both Chewy and Amazon, but because Chewy currently only ships to a few areas of Canada, we’ve limited our selections to those available on Amazon.
#1 Overall Best: Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Clumping Litter
If you live in a multi-cat household, odor control is a top priority. You also want a quick-clumping formula that locks away odors and makes thorough scooping quick and easy.
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal comes in a variety of formulas, including this multi-cat formula. It contains 10% more odor eliminators than other Arm & Hammer litters and it is very low in dust.
One thing worth noting about this litter is that it is incredibly fine. This makes it a great choice for cats with sensitive paws who like a softer litter, but it may make dust and tracking a bit more of a problem.
What We Liked:
- Quick-clumping formula
- Locks away odors on contact
- Fine texture is gentle on cat paws
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fine texture may increase tracking
- Produces some dust
#2 Runner Up: Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter
Consistently ranked one of the top cat litters on the market, Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Ultra-Premium clumping clay litter is one of our favorites. It’s a strong performer in odor control, easy scooping, low tracking, and cost.
This is a clumping clay litter, so you should expect a little bit of dust but it settles quickly. The granules are on the larger side, which helps prevent tracking but makes the litter heavier. Because the litter is sold in 18-, 20-, and 40-pound packages, it can be difficult to lift for some people.
What We Liked:
- Creates tight clumps, easy to scoop
- Strong odor control for multi-cat households
- Economically priced, sold in bulk
- No artificial fragrance
What We Didn’t Like:
- Produces some silica dust
- Fairly heavy, only sold in larger packages
#3 Best For Budget: Fresh Step Simply Unscented Clumping Clay Litter
This Simply Unscented clumping litter from Fresh Step is another economically priced product. Sold in 18.5- and 37-pound containers, it costs under $0.68 per pound.
What makes this cat litter stand out is that it is completely fragrance-free. With no artificial perfumes to irritate your cat’s nose, this litter is a great choice. However, it does produce more dust than Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat.
As a clumping clay litter, this product forms hard clumps that are easy to scoop. The addition of ClumpLock technology helps to prevent loose clumps and crumbles. It also contains activated charcoal for a boost of odor control.
What We Liked:
- Economically priced
- Completely free from artificial fragrance
- Forms tight, easy-to-scoop clumps
- Activated carbon for odor control
What We Didn’t Like:
- Produces a significant amount of dust
#4 Best Health Monitoring: Pretty Litter
Cats have a habit of hiding pain and illness. This makes it hard to get your cat the treatment they need, which may lead to progression of the condition. It’s your responsibility to monitor your cat’s health and be on the lookout for changes in behavior. You deserve a little help—enter Pretty Litter.
Pretty Litter is a crystal cat litter comprised of fine-grained silica gel crystals and color-changing particles. These particles turn red, yellow/green, blue, or orange to indicate the presence of certain substances in the litter box.
Yellow or green indicates normal urine pH.`Red indicates blood in your cat’s urine or stool. Other colors indicate changes in the pH of your cat’s urine, which might be related to health problems like a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or liver or kidney issues. Pretty Litter isn’t intended to diagnose anything, but it can help you determine when it’s time to take your cat in for a checkup.
In addition to its health-monitoring features, Pretty Litter is highly absorbent. One bag can last a single-cat household for 30 days. The silica crystals absorb urine and dehydrate solid waste, making it easy to scoop. The litter should be stirred once or twice a day to distribute the saturated crystals and help prevent odor from accumulating.
What We Liked:
- Color-changing crystals indicate changes in urine pH
- Highly absorbent and dehydrates solid waste
- Lightweight and fine-grained with a soft texture
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly pricey
- Odor may be a problem once saturated
#5 Best Sustainable: Catit Go Natural! Pea Husk Cat Litter
While clay cat litter is technically natural, it’s not the most eco-friendly choice. If you’re looking for a sustainable option with strong performance, consider this alternative litter made from pea husk fibers. It has a subtle lavender fragrance to help disguise unpleasant odors.
This litter from Catit is a low-dust, strong-clumping solution that comes in tiny, lightweight pellets. While this helps prevent tracking, they’re so light that eager diggers might easily fling them outside the litter box. This litter controls odors well and forms scoopable clumps, though they may take a little longer to harden up than clay.
What We Liked:
- Made from sustainable pea husk fibers
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Forms easy-to-scoop clumps
- Lavender scent helps disguise odors
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some cats dislike scented litters
- Clumps may take longer to harden than clay
- Lavender scent may irritate some cats and owners
#6 Best Silica Cat Litter: Fresh Step Premium Crystals Easy Care Cat Litter
Clay cat litter can be incredibly dusty and you might be looking for something that doesn’t need to be replaced as often. Silica crystal litter is a nice alternative. We recommend Fresh Step Premium Crystals Easy Care Cat Litter.
This litter is made from silica gel that comes in lightweight crystals. It quickly absorbs cat urine and helps dehydrate feces. You’ll still need to scoop solids on a daily basis but stirring the litter from time to time will help redistribute the saturated crystals to help it last for weeks at a time.
Like most silica cat litters, this formula is a little pricey but it’s a long-lasting option. Silica litter tends to work best in single-cat homes, though if you have more than one cat, you’ll just need to replace it more often.
What We Liked:
- Lightweight crystals are extremely absorbent
- Relatively low in dust during pouring
- Lasts longer than the typical clay litter
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive compared to clay
- Not a clumping formula
#7 Best For Sensitive Paws: Cat Love Daily Scoops Paper Cat Litter
Whether you’re litter-training a new kitten or shopping for an older cat with sensitive paws, a soft paper-based litter might be preferable to clay. Comprised of 100% recycled paper, this pellet-style litter is suitable for cats of all ages. It’s free from heavy fragrance and synthetic dyes but does contain some baking soda for added odor control.
Daily Scoops litter from Cat Love is lightweight and eco-friendly. It’s also three times as absorbent as clay litter. Just keep in mind that it isn’t a clumping litter. The saturated pellets may stick to the bottom of some litter boxes, so it may be best to scoop solid waste daily and empty out the entire litter box once a week.
What We Liked:
- Made from 100% recycled paper
- Soft pellets are gentle on sensitive paws
- Contains baking soda for added odor control
- Lightweight and virtually dust-free
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not a clumping formula
- Saturated pellets may stick to some litter box materials
#8 Best Flushable Litter: World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Litter
Even if you only have one cat, you still go through a lot of cat litter each year. With clumping clay litter, your only option is to throw it out and let it sit in a landfill. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, a flushable litter like World’s Best cat litter might appeal to you.
Made from whole-kernel corn, World’s Best cat litter is all-natural and biodegradable. It is completely free from silica dust and it doesn’t contain any artificial fragrance or harmful chemicals.
What really makes this litter stand out is how easy it is to clean up. It forms tight, hard clumps that are easy to scoop and you can drop them directly in your toilet. The formula is flushable and septic-safe, though it’s recommended that you let the clumps soak for a few minutes before flushing the toilet.
What We Liked:
- Biodegradable, flushable, and septic safe
- Made from whole-kernel corn
- Forms tight, hard clumps for easy scooping
- Free from artificial fragrance
What We Didn’t Like:
- Clumps may not be as hard as clay
- Odor control could be stronger
#9 Best For Litter Box Issues: Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Unscented Clumping Clay Litter
Has your cat been urinating or defecating outside the litter box? Stress, illness, and other factors can contribute to poor litter box behavior, so it’s best to talk to your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.
After addressing the issue, using a product like Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Unscented Clumping Clay Litter could help you get back on track.
This clumping clay litter is similar to Precious Cat Ultra-Premium but it contains an herbal cat attractant. The granule size and texture are also designed to be more appealing to cats. In testing, we were somewhat surprised to find that our cats really seemed to like the litter.
This formula performs fairly well. It’s dustier than other litters and there is noticeable tracking and scatter. However, it forms easy-to-scoop clumps and controls odor well.
What We Liked:
- Contains an herbal attractant to encourage cats
- Forms easy-to-scoop clumps
- Granule size and texture are appealing to cats
- Performed fairly well in odor control
What We Didn’t Like:
- Sold in heavy 40-pound boxes
- Can be quite dusty when poured
#10 Best Lightweight: Purina Tidy Cats Lightweight Free & Clean Clumping Litter
Cat litter can be so heavy. For some people, that’s just annoying. But for others, heavy litter is impossible to lift. If you’re looking for a lightweight, high-quality solution, consider the Free & Clean clumping litter from Purina Tidy Cats.
This formula comes in a 17-pound jug that contains the equivalent of 35 pounds of traditional clay litter. The sturdy jug is easy to manage and you can buy it in 8.5-pound or even 6-pound jugs too.
Tidy Cats Lightweight Free & Clean is an unscented litter, so there’s no artificial fragrance, but it does contain activated carbon to help control odor. The formula forms tight clumps that are easy to scoop, but because it is so lightweight, tracking could be an issue.
What We Liked:
- Lightweight formula and sturdy jugs are easy to manage
- Contains activated carbon to help control odor
- Doesn’t contain any artificial fragrance
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive compared to traditional clay
- Lightweight granules tend to track
Now that you’ve seen our top picks for the best cat litter in Canada, let’s take a closer look at the factors we considered when making our selections. Let’s start with a quick overview of the different types of cat litter then delve deeper into the features of a quality litter.
The Main 3 Types of Cat Litter
When it comes to cat litter, there are countless distinctions. Though you could easily break each of these categories down into greater detail, we’ll cover the main three types of litter: clay, crystal, and biodegradable.
1. Clay Cat Litter
What many cat owners think of as “kitty litter” is made from sodium bentonite clay. It’s definitely the most popular type of cat litter on the market, largely because it’s so widely available and affordable. It comes in two main varieties: clumping and non-clumping.
Non-clumping clay cat litter was the original product released as Kitty Litter in the 1940s. It’s comprised of a number of absorbent clays including sepiolite, attapulgite, and montmorillonite. These materials are often used to clean up spills, but they also work well for absorbing liquid waste in the litter box.
Clumping clay cat litter is made from sodium bentonite clay which expands up to 15 times its original size when exposed to moisture. That’s what forms the solid clumps you can so easily scoop out of the litter box.
While clay cat litter is generally affordable and widely available, it’s not very good for the environment. The process through which it is harvested from the earth is called strip mining and it’s extremely damaging. It also contains crystalline silica particles which, when inhaled, can be harmful.
2. Crystal Cat Litter
Crystal cat litter is typically made from silica gel crystals. This is the same material you’d find in the small desiccant packets that come with moisture-sensitive products like shoes, medications, and tech gear.
Silica gel is a synthetic material made from silicon dioxide, oxygen, and water. The material is formed into crystals which contain millions of microscopic pores which absorb moisture, effectively dehydrating the material it’s protecting.
In terms of cat litter, silica absorbs urine and dehydrates solid waste. It doesn’t clump like clay litter, but if you remove solids and stir it a few times a day to redistribute the soiled crystals, it could last you an entire month before you have to replace it.
3. Biodegradable Cat Litter
Also known as all-natural cat litter, biodegradable litter is taking the pet industry by storm. Cat owners who are concerned with their impact on the environment are making more responsible decisions when it comes to litter.
Some of the earliest entrants into the all-natural cat litter market were made from wheat or corn. Now you can find biodegradable cat litters made from natural materials like walnut shells, wood, grass, and recycled paper.
What’s The Best Cat Litter According To Your Cat?
If your cat could describe to you the ideal litter box situation, it would probably be clean and comfortable. The litter box may be a place to do the necessary, but that doesn’t mean the experience should be unpleasant.
Think about how a cat litter will feel under your cat’s paws. If it’s dusty, think about how it might make conditions uncomfortable, especially in a hooded litter box. Consider whether artificial fragrance might be overwhelming.
Respect your cat’s natural instincts and consider his perspective when choosing cat care essentials like litter.
What We Look For in the Best Cat Litter
While it’s important to consider your cat’s perspective when choosing a litter, we wouldn’t blame you if your own opinion carried a certain degree of heft. After all, you’re the one scooping the box.
When making our selections for the best cat litter, here are the top 5 things we considered:
1. Easy to Clean
Cleaning the litter box is never pleasant, but it shouldn’t be an impossible task. Look for a cat litter that makes scooping easy, whether it’s a clumping formula or one that absorbs liquid.
If you go the clumping route, you’re looking for hard, tight, wonderfully scoopable clumps. A product that creates loose or crumbly clumps will lead to a lot of wasted litter (not to mention frustration).
2. Strong Odor Control
Secondary to easy cleaning, you want a cat litter that controls odor. Rather than covering up odor with artificial fragrance, look for a product that locks in odor by absorbing liquid quickly and dehydrating solid waste. The best way to keep the litter box smelling fresh is to scoop daily.
3. Affordably Priced
After you make sure the product you’re buying actually works, it’s a good idea to look at the price. Cheap cat litter often isn’t very good, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to get something decent.
If you’re really concerned about price, look for brands that sell in larger containers or try buying your cat litter in bulk. For the truly budget-conscious, some pet stores even allow you to bring in your own containers and refill them from a big bin.
4. Low Dust
It’s extremely common for cat litter brands to describe their products as “99% dust-free,” but what does that really mean? Depending on which type of litter you choose, you’re bound to get a little dust. Just look for a product that isn’t excessively dusty upon pouring or when your cat digs around.
5. Limited Tracking
You can’t expect your cat not to track a little bit of litter but you can choose a product that is designed to minimize the issue. Generally speaking, larger and heavier granules are less likely to track than finer granules. Typically, however, the best way to minimize tracking is to invest in a good litter mat.
6. Unscented
The litter box is never going to smell like roses unless you choose an artificially fragranced litter. The problem with scented litters is that they tend to cover up the odor instead of addressing it at the source. Artificial fragrances can irritate your cat’s nose and the scent may mix with the smell of waste to create something even worse, so it’s best to stick to unscented.
With so many cat litter brands out there, it can be difficult to choose just one. Sometimes you need to do a little experimenting to find out what your cat likes and what qualities you appreciate in a cat litter. If your cat doesn’t like something, donate the rest and try something new!
If you’re looking for more advice regarding cat litter, check out our cat litter reviews.
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