Cat litter may not be the most glamorous product to buy your cat, but boy is it essential. It gives them a natural digging material to use for toileting, it absorbs moisture, and it helps to absorb odors your kitty spends a lot of time trying to bury away (seriously, are they trying to build an extension or something?!).
Whilst the product may not differ much in appearance, there are actually a surprising amount of different products available to buy. From anti-allergy types, to products made from nuts and everything in between, there’s guaranteed to be a cat litter to suit your precious feline buddy.
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Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
To help you choose the best product, here’s all you need to know to get the best cat litter for your furry friend:
How To Choose The Best Cat Litter
Before you browse the products we have reviewed for you below, here are some handy tips on choosing the very best little for your pets toileting needs:
Consider Every Cats Needs
68% of all American households own at least one pet, and there are currently 95 million cats making up those figures. It is important to know that although those many cats we own can be similar in their condescension, cuteness and incredible yoga abilities, their needs differ when it comes to their litter. Consider each of your cats as an individual in their litter needs – one size definitely does not fit all.
What Would Kitty Like?
Your cat may well have a preference for a certain type of litter, and be turned off by another. If your cat has come from a shelter, you can probably find out what their litter preference is from the staff there.
Eco-Awareness – Worth Thinking About
Some litter is biodegradable and some isn’t. As your cat regularly uses this product and you’ll be throwing a lot of it away, whether it is biodegradable should be at least a small factor in your decision.
Absorbency Matters
Litter differs greatly in its absorbency. This is definitely an important factor as it dictates how often the litter needs changing, and how well it absorbs your kitties pee. A litter bad at absorbing moisture will become really wet, really quickly, causing you to need to spend more money and effort on changing it.
With kittens, you may well be able to choose the litter you prefer and get them to become toilet trained with it. If they don’t seem to be doing well with their toilet training, it could actually be because of the litter in which case it’s time to try another type. You can watch some tips on litter training kittens with a cat litter box and litter in this handy video.
Clumping Or Non-Clumping?
All cat litter can be categorized as clumping or non-clumping. Clumping sucks the moisture up and turns into clumps to help you remove dirty litter. Non-clumping tends to work more slowly, and often takes in odors more efficiently. Both types will still require you change the tray liner and clean the tray regularly.
Smells & Odors
When it comes to cat litter it is important to think about the smell. Firstly, does the smell of the litter impact your decision? Secondly, does its ability to suck up odors impact your decision? These two factors should be a consideration as both affect the overall atmosphere of your home.
Allergies
Some cats can be reactive to certain types of litter. Dust, for example, can irritate a cats breathing, especially if they have allergies or they have asthma. Some cats with urinary sensitivity may well be reactive to certain litter types which could trigger infections. You can find out more about cats and potential litter allergies here.
The Best Litter Products
To help you get an idea of what is on offer when it comes to the best cat litter, here are just some of the incredible products available to help absorb and control your cats pee and poop:
World’s Best Cat Litter Original
The Best Cat Litter
Popular cat litter manufacturer, World’s Best Cat Litter, has a great all-rounder in their clumping formula.
It’s made from whole-kernel corn without any nasty chemicals and perfumes, so it certainly ticks both the eco-friendly and kitty friendly boxes. Cat owners with allergies will feel reassured the product is naturally dust-free, helping keep both family and cat breathing easy.
Customers will especially appreciate that World’s Best is flushable and septic safe. No need to keep filling up the garbage with stinky eliminations. Instead, you can just flush away the product safely and quickly, which is super-convenient.
Why We Like It:
- Dust, toxin, nasty chemical and perfume free
- Flushable
- Clumps quickly
- Great odor control
What We Don’t Like:
- Has a certain malty smell some people may not like
- Can get tracked around the house easily
ARM & HAMMER Clump & Seal Platinum Cat Litter
The Best Dust Free Cat Litter for a Healthier Home
Arm & Hammer has quite a lot going for its platinum litter when it comes to eco-friendly credentials. There’s a real focus on sustainability with recyclable cartons used, and it is made with 100% renewable electricity. The product also supports worthy eco-related charities too. It’s not all planet awareness though with this litter, it’s great for kitty too. The litter is clumping and has lots of odor eliminators for better waste control.
Customers and kitties will particularly appreciate the 100% dust-free formula which is great for homes with pet and/ or people allergies.
Why We Like It:
- Eco-friendly credentials
- Clumping
- Dust-free
- Odor control
What We Don’t Like:
- Not-flushable
- Very heavy
Scoop Away Multi-Cat Formula Clumping Cat Litter
The Best Cat Litter for Multiple Cats Because of Excellent Odor Control
If you’re looking for a litter that has a focus on odor control, you might want to consider Scoop Away. It uses natural plant extracts to boast an impressive 10-day odor control guarantee and has its own fresh scent to further disguise any nasty creations from the cat.
Owners will also appreciate that the product has minimal dust and makes very tight clumps for easy litter box maintenance.
Why We Like It:
- Excellent odor control & 10 day guarantee
- Clumping
- Minimal dust
- Product scent is pleasant but mild
What We Don’t Like:
- Could be considered a higher budget product
- Absorbency may not compete with other litter brands
Fresh Step Extreme Scented Litter
The Best Cat Litter for Odor
The main unique selling point of the 99% dust-free Fresh Step litter is that the scent control is so strong, you can expect a mountain spring scent instead of nasty smells associated with cat litter. There’s also 10-day odor protection to further the effectiveness of odor control.
Owners will appreciate the ‘Clumplock Technology’ which is designed to lock liquid and odor away, and instead tightly clump for easy litter box cleaning.
Why We Like It:
- Excellent odor control
- Excellent clumping function
- Fresh scent
- Long-lasting effectiveness
What We Don’t Like:
- Very heavy
- Could be considered dusty
Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Quick-Clumping Cat Litter
The Best Clumping Cat Litter for Easy Tray Cleaning
If you’re looking for a natural, innovative litter product, you may want to consider Naturally Fresh. It is made from 100% walnut shells which has an excellent range of benefits for your cat’s toileting needs. It Is extremely effective at absorbing odors and scents naturally, and it is highly absorbent and clumps for easy cleanup.
Owners who are health and eco-conscious will love that the product is naturally dust-free, biodegradable and made from renewable ingredients.
Why We Like It:
- 100% non-GMO natural ingredients
- Natural odor control
- Eco-friendly
- Good lower-budget option
What We Don’t Like:
- Dusty
- Can stain some surfaces
Great Litter for Cats With Allergies
Dr.Elseys is a clay litter designed to create hard, easy to clean clumps when your cat uses the tray. It has excellent odor control, is hypo-allergenic and works well in self-cleaning trays.
Customers who like to support generous brands will love that the company donates to rescue charities and shelters annually. The product also has veterinary recommendations.
Why We Like It:
- Excellent odor control
- Hypo-allergenic
- Suitable for self-cleaning trays
- Made by a conscious brand
What We Don’t Like:
- Extremely heavy
- Can clump on cat’s paws
Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Paper Cat Litter
Great Scent-Free Budget Litter
If you’re looking for a natural, eco-conscious product, then cleverly named Yesterday’s News paper pellets could be a great choice for your cat. As the name suggests, they are made from recycled old paper and contain absolutely no fragrance at all. Even better, it is nearly 100% dust-free and works really well to control odors.
Owners will particularly love the products ability to reduce tracking around the house as the pellets aren’t made from tiny particles.
Why We Like It:
- Eco-friendly
- Budget-friendly
- Scent-free
- Sturdy packaging
What We Don’t Like:
- May not work well with litter clump separating systems
- Absorbency may not rival other brands
ökocat Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter
Great Biodegradable and Flushable Litter
Okocat is a plant based cat litter made from wood fibers. It is 99% dust-free, clumping and lightweight. Owners will definitely love its ability to quickly absorb odors, and to be flushed safely. Even better, it contains no nasties at all – no GMO’s, dyes, chemicals or fragrances. It’s the perfect option for cat owners who love extremely natural products for their pets.
Why We Like It:
- Biodegradable and flushable
- 99% dust-free
- Free from nasty chemicals and toxins
- Fantastic odor control
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not stop tracking
- Could be considered a higher budget product
FAQ
If you’re still feeling a little confused as to which litter is the best option for your cat, here are some of the most common Q&A’s answered to further your research:
Which is the best cat litter for kittens?
Vets may recommend that kittens under four months have crystal or clay litter only; however, it is best to consult your vet for individual advice for your kitten. For the most part, it’s a case of getting a litter that suits the individual kitten, one that encourages them to learn how to toilet train.
Does any cat litter minimize tracking?
Although some litter may track less than other types, realistically, your cat might track some litter around the house. It’s just part and parcel of using this kind of product. You can, however, use a cat litter mat to minimize tracking to some degree.
Does any litter help with cats who like to spray urine?
Realistically, you may want to arm yourself with two products for cats who do this. One product is a high sided litter tray which will catch the urine, rather than it spraying everywhere. This is easier to clean up than urine on the floor. You may also want to equip yourself with some cat urine remover which not only helps if your kitty does miss the tray, but it also helps clean the tray itself more efficiently either side of day to day maintenance.
Which cat litter is healthiest?
As with most things, cat litter with minimal chemicals and toxins is a really good option. If your cat has urinary issues, or issues with asthma, anti-allergy and low to no-dust options are a good choice.
Is all cat litter flushable?
Cat litter is only flushable if that feature is mentioned on the packaging. Even then, it may be that it is unsuitable for particularly old or sensitive plumbing systems so do use with care.
Your Cat Can Enjoy A Healthy Happy Life With The Best Kitty Litter
Using our tips and information above you can get the very best litter for your furry friend. Soon enough you’ll have a comfortable tray for your cat to use, keeping your home as odor-free and dust-free as possible in the meantime.