Published Mar 26, 2025
Paco & Pepper promises a dust-free experience. But does it deliver? Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Cat parents looking to reduce their environmental footprint have their pick of natural litters. Newcomer Paco & Pepper offers a unique twist on this eco-friendly trend. Made from upcycled olive pits, it claims to be the “first dustless cat litter in the world.” But does it live up to this bold claim?
To find out, we took a closer look at its performance in everyday use. Here’s our take on Paco & Pepper—and who might benefit from making the switch.
Ratings
- Price Per Pound – 3/5
- Multi-Cat Formulas – 5/5
- Clumping Ability – 3/5
- Easy to Scoop – 3.5/5
Overall Score: 3.7/5
Why Trust Cats.com
When natural litter started gaining traction, I was admittedly skeptical. I’ve since changed my tune, seeing firsthand the benefits of materials like wood, tofu, and cassava. Aware that every natural litter has its trade-offs, I aimed to deliver a balanced review of Paco & Pepper, grounded in realistic expectations.
With the help of my feline tester, I evaluated Paco & Pepper on several fronts, including its scent, dust levels, and clumping ability. I also reviewed numerous firsthand accounts from other cat parents to get a well-rounded perspective. I recognize that no litter will be a perfect fit for all cats, and every household has unique needs. Therefore, my goal is to provide you with the information necessary to make the best choice for your household and cat.
Paco & Pepper Brand Overview
Paco & Pepper is a sustainable choice made from upcycled olive pits. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Paco & Pepper is a small, woman-owned business founded by Kristina Drobach. Inspired by her beloved cat, Paco, Drobach sought to create a litter that was both safe for cats and eco-friendly.
After two years of research and development, Paco & Pepper was launched.
This innovative litter is made from food-grade olive pits, which are cat-safe and naturally absorbent. In addition to this litter, the brand carries a steel litter scoop, biodegradable pet waste bags, and a flexible EVA litter mat.
You can purchase Paco & Pepper litter directly from the company’s site, which offers a subscribe-and-save option and 10% off your first order. It’s also available at Target, Chewy, and various stores throughout Southern California.
Paco & Pepper Cat Litter Features
Particles are lightweight and absorbent. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Paco & Pepper Cat Litter presents a unique alternative to traditional clay. It’s made with three ingredients: food-grade olive pits, olive oil, and guar gum. The brand proudly claims this litter is 100% dust-free, making it a good choice for cats (and humans) with sensitive lungs. Its naturally porous surface is said to absorb moisture quickly, trapping odors in the process.
This biodegradable litter is marketed as an eco-friendly option. Paco & Pepper contains no harmful chemicals or additives, making it a safer choice for curious cats who might nibble on it.
The inclusion of olive oil helps moisturize your cat’s paws and prevents dryness and cracking. However, some users noted this leaves a slightly oily residue on their cats’ paws.
Paco & Pepper is lightweight, making it easy to carry and pour. According to the brand, it works with automatic litter boxes—though many users found it incompatible with their devices. The brand also makes the rather bold claim that one bag of Paco & Pepper lasts as long as four large bags of clay litter, but this feels like a bit of an overstatement.
Currently, Paco & Pepper is available in two bag sizes: 11.5 pounds and 25 pounds.
What We Like
- (Mostly) dust-free!
- Olive oil soothes and moisturizes cats’ paws
- Lightweight and easy to manage
- Biodegradable, unlike clay
- No added fragrances or chemicals
What We Dislike
- On the pricier side
- The clumping ability has room for improvement
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
Senior cat Amber was not on board—but we were impressed with this litter’s minimal dust. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
My senior cat, Amber, has some experience with natural litters, preferring softer textures like corn over coarser options. Unfortunately, she was less than enthused with this litter’s slightly larger particles and texture. While it’s not sharp like some crystal litters, it’s not exactly soft, either. That said, Amber is extremely particular, and plenty of cats will take to this litter just fine.
What really impressed me was the lack of dust. This litter truly is dust-free when pouring or scooping. This alone will make it a worthy choice for some cat parents. Paco & Pepper also had no discernable scent, a plus for most cats and their humans.
The clumping action is decent but not perfect—a sentiment echoed in many reviews. The bulk of the clumps held together okay, but smaller chunks around the edges broke off during scooping. This leaves tiny soiled pieces behind, which is not ideal. I noticed that giving this litter more time to solidify led to better clumps and easier scooping.
I can’t really speak to the level of scatter. But given its lightweight nature—somewhere between ultra-light, sandy litter and heavier clay—I suspect some scattering does occur. Many customers report that this litter tends to stick to their cats’ paws and gets spread around the house.
While Paco & Pepper has its merits, it might not be the best fit for every cat—especially if clumping performance is a priority. But it could be a good choice for environmentally-conscious folks looking to minimize dust.
Paco & Pepper clumps reasonably well, but there was some breakage. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
What Do Customers Think of Paco & Pepper?
Overall, customers are happy with Paco & Pepper. On Chewy, it has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, with 75% of those reviews giving it a 4 or 5-star rating. On the company’s site, it holds a 4.3 out of 5-star rating from 659 reviews. However, the brand only displays a limited number of positive reviews on its site, with zero negative feedback. For me, this lack of transparency raises some concerns.
Positive Reviews
Satisfied customers rave about the lack of dust that Paco & Pepper produces when poured into the litter box. People appreciated the neutral smell, and many mentioned that tracking is minimal—or at least on par with what they’ve experienced with clay. They also like that it’s safer for cats and better for the environment.
“I’ve been using Paco & Pepper cat litter for over a year now, and it’s been an incredible upgrade! I first came across them on Instagram while searching for a better option, as my previous litter left my white cat’s paws covered in brown dust – so frustrating! Switching to Paco & Pepper was the best decision. It’s completely dust-free, keeps my home cleaner, and my cat seems more comfortable. I highly recommend it to any cat owner looking for a cleaner, hassle-free solution!” Robert, Chewy (November 18, 2024)
Negative Reviews
Several users express concerns about poor odor control and absorption, noting that clumps take too long to form. This means you can’t scoop waste right away, and sometimes sticky pieces get stuck in the cat’s fur. Finally, while people are generally pleased with the minimal dust when pouring, some complain that Paco & Pepper leaves a film of dust on nearby surfaces.
“Urine doesn’t clump into nice balls that are easily scooped up; it goes straight to the bottom of the litter box and creates a cement layer that has to be scraped off. Also, this litter doesn’t address odor. The area the litter box is located always smelled of ammonia.” Terri, Chewy (December 30, 2024)
Similar Brands
Looking for other cat litter brands similar to Paco & Pepper? Check out some of our other brand reviews.
I find that Paco and Pepper litter is dust free but it does not absorb my cats urine very well. My cats are big water drinkers because they have a water fountain to drink from. The urine just sits in the cat pan in a puddle for unextended period of time. Not good. I also have a Litter Robot and the solid clumps will stick to the sides of the pan when it is finally saturated with urine. The litter tends to not stick to solid stool. I will not be reordering this product.