11 Best Cat Litters: Say Goodbye to Mess and Odors For Good

Last Updated: 4 months ago

Picking the right cat litter type is essential for promoting good litter box habits, so you’re right to want the best brand for your kitty.

Fortunately, we reviewed the best cat litters, and we’ll help you choose the best option for your feline companion.

Just keep reading.

Best Cat Litters at a Glance

• Winner: Dr. Elsey’s Premium Cat Litter
• Best for Odor Control: Sustainably Yours
• Best Non-Tracking: Fresh Step Clean Paws Cat Litter
• Best Unscented: World’s Best Cat Litter
• Best Clumping: Frisco Multi-Cat Cat Litter

Cats don’t like a dirty litter box, and maintaining a clean toilet can be a challenge when using a low-quality type of litter. 

Moreover, some types of cat litter stink up the whole house or track so much that you can’t keep up with the dusty pawprints. 

Fortunately, picking a high-quality cat litter can solve all your problems and make it easier to keep the litter box clean. 

#1 Winner: Dr. Elsey’s Premium Clumping Cat Litter

Thanks to its quick clumping formula, low dust production, and superior odor control, Dr. Elsey is, in my opinion, the best cat litter.

Moreover, as studies conclude, “most cats display a preference for unscented and finely particulate litter material.” And Dr. Elsey is an excellent match for these preferences. 

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• Premium clay material
• Medium-grain particles 
• Unscented litter 
• Available in bags of 40 or 20 pounds 

Benefits

• Rapid-action clumping on contact with cat urine to prevent it from pooling at the bottom of the box 
• Hard clumps that don’t break apart when you scoop them from the litter box
• Hypoallergenic formula, perfect for cats and cat owners with respiratory issues 
• Reduces the litter box odor, even in multi-cat households 
• Great for automatic litter boxes, such as Litter-Robot
• Made in the USA and free of harmful chemicals

Drawbacks

• Heavy bags are not resealable 
• Heavy urination can lead to litter caking 

How it Compares to Others

Dr. Elsey’s cat litter has better clumping power than most clumping litters, and cats don’t track it as much as other brands. It also offers a great balance between price and quality. 

How It’s Evolved Over Time

• Better packaging
• Improved product line

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

• Scoop the litter box often if you have a cat that pees a lot to prevent caking. 
• Consider Dr. Elsey’s Respiratory Relief if your cat is stressed 

9 out of 10 cat owners are satisfied with Dr. Elsey’s clay-clumping litter and say it’s their favorite litter brand.

And as this Reddit user mentions, “It’s clumped like no other brand I’ve tried. There is some dust, but not as bad as other kinds.

#2 Best For Odor Control: Sustainably Yours Multi-Cat Litter

If you have multiple cats and don’t want your cat litter boxes to stink, Sustainably Yours is your best option for odor control. 

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• Plant-based litter, made from corn and cassava
• Mixed-sized granules
• Available 13-pound bags

Benefits

• Made from natural ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about silica dust
• Eco-friendly
• Fast clumping to trap and neutralize litter box odors without any harmful additives 
• Flushable cat litter won’t clog your septic system
• Light color to help you spot any changes in your cat’s urine or feces
• Lightweight with soft texture

Drawbacks

• Litter tracks are too much for some pet parents 
• Not all cats like natural litters 
• Not the cheapest option 

How it Compares to Others

• A bit messier than traditional clay litter
• Made from renewable ingredients, so it’s better for the environment than bentonite clay 

How It’s Evolved Over Time

• Extra cassava for better odor control, compared to the previous formula

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

You can flush the solid clumps. Just follow the instructions on the package. 

As Jackson Galaxy, a cat behavior expert, says in this video, Sustainably Yours is one of the best cat litters he has ever used with his seven cats, and he adores how well it contains odors. 

A Reddit user also says, “It clumps amazingly well, so well it’s hard to tell the difference between feces and urine.”

#3 Best Non-Tracking: Fresh Step Clean Paws Cat Litter

Fresh Step is another good litter for cats, and it is an excellent solution for cat parents who are sick of vacuuming litter particles all over the house.

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• 100% bentonite clay 
• Large litter particles
• Scented 
• Available in 22-pound bags

Benefits

• ClumpLock formula for quick clumping action
• Superior 10-day odor control thanks to the ammonia block technology that stops the growth of bacteria
• Suitable for single and multi-cat houses
• Paw-activated formula, which eliminates odors continuously by releasing a fresh scent after your cat uses the litter box 
• Relatively low-tracking

Drawbacks

• Some cats and cat owners find the scent too overpowering
• Litter sticks to the bottom of the box, according to customer reviews

How it Compares to Others

• Outstanding odor control, compared to other brands
• Larger and heavier granules than other similar litters to reduce tracking and prevent the particles from sticking to the cat’s fur

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

Sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the bottom of the litter box if you’re having issues with your Fresh Step cat litter, or consider Fresh Step crystals. 

The majority of cat owners are happy with Fresh Step Cat Litter and its low-tracking formula.

As this pet parent says, “The only litter that’s worked will for me is Fresh Step Clean Paws litter. The clumps are a little bigger than I’d like, but it does clump well and doesn’t stick to my boy’s paws at all.”

#4 Best Unscented: World’s Best Cat Litter

World’s Best Cat Litter doesn’t disappoint when it comes to containing odors or keeping the litter box mess-free. 

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• Corn-based cat litter
• Unscented
• Available in bags from 8 to 28  pounds

Benefits

• Made from natural ingredients (sustainable corn) with no added chemicals 
• Long-lasting odor control
• Free of silica dust  
• Flushable, so it’s safe for your sewer system
• Some owners use it successfully with automatic cat litter boxes 
• Lightweight litter, so you don’t have to deal with heavy bags 

Drawbacks

• Not all cats like its texture 
• Not the cheapest option 
• A bit dusty

How it Compares to Others

• Made from corn instead of clay, so it reduces the health risk for your cat if ingested 
• A bit messier than traditional clumping brands and silica litter 
• Safe litter for kittens over eight weeks of age

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

Introduce World’s Best Cat Litter slowly to ensure your cat gets used to the texture and doesn’t stop using the litter box. 

Most cat parents adore World’s Best Cat Litter and highly recommend it as an eco-friendly alternative to clumping clay litters. 

This user also says, “Another vote for Worlds Best. I recommend the unscented kind. It’s the best because it clumps nicely, is nontoxic, and is totally flushable.”

#5 Best Clumping: Frisco Multi-Cat Cat Litter

Frisco’s scented litter is an excellent choice for multi-cat households and pet owners who want quick-clumping cat litter. 

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• All-natural clay
• Unscented
• Available in bags of 20 or 40 pounds

Benefits

• Heavy-duty, hard clumping particles for easy scooping
• Hypoallergenic formula without any plant proteins or artificial dyes
• Efficient deodorizing system for reducing ammonia odors in multi-cat households
• Suitable for traditional litter boxes and automatic cat toilet boxes 
• Relatively low-tracking

Drawbacks

• Heavy
• A bit dusty, according to customers’ reviews

How it Compares to Others

• Better odor control than most commercial brands 
• Similar clumping power to Dr. Elsey’s cat litter and Fresh Step

How It’s Evolved Over Time

• Scented formula available 

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

• Use a litter mat if you have problems with litter tracking. 

Most cat owners are happy with Frisco’s clumping litter and highly recommend it. This cat parent shares, “There is no dust, and the little is fine like beach sand.”

#6 Best for Heavy Urination: Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Litter

Arm and Hammer is the brand to choose if you have multiple cats or felines that pee often. 

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• Fresh scented
• Micro-sized sodium bentonite granules
• 14, 19, 28, or 38-pound bags

Benefits

• Moisture-activated granules form tight clumps for easy scooping and seak&lock odors 
• Soft on the paws
• Guaranteed 7-day odor control with added baking soda
• Relatively low dust and low-tracking
• Great for multi-cat homes, thanks to its rapid clumping action

Drawbacks

• Some cats don’t like the scent

How it Compares to Others

• Better odor control and less tracking than other brands
• Available in small bags 

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

• Arm & Hammer works well with automatic litter boxes. 

A video reviewer shared that she is impressed by Arm & Hammer’s low-dust formula and shares that the litter works very well to control odors in multi-cat households. 

#7 Best Natural: sWheat Scoop Cat Litter

sWheat Scoop is a great natural cat litter, suitable for multi-cat households and cats with stinky poop. 

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• A wheat-based litter with natural enzymes 
• Available in bags of 36 pounds

Benefits

• Made from a renewable resource, so it’s eco-friendly, biodegradable, and flushable 
• Great clumping power, making it easy to scoop solid waste from the litter box
• All-natural
• Efficient odor-neutralizing enzymes to control 

Drawbacks

• Not the most affordable litter
• A bit messier than regular litter

How it Compares to Others

• Similar clumping properties to other natural brands, but better odor control 
• It’s more expensive than other natural brands

How It’s Evolved Over Time

• Improved packaging
• Stronger formula, compared to the original 

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

• Introduce the litter slowly to avoid litter box accidents. 

As this cat owner shares: 

“I use Swheat Scoop (wheat-based clumping litter), for my 4 cats. The ammonia smell is WAY down, the clumping is great, there is much less dust, and it is natural so I feel better about them using it and me being around it. I love it! “

#8 Best Non-Clumping: Skoon Cat Litter

If you’re looking for the best non-clumping cat litter, you won’t regret giving Skoon Cat Litter a try.

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• Diatom pebbles 
• A bag of 8 pounds 

Benefits

• Quick urine absorption and excellent odor control
• Eco-friendly, lightweight formula 
• Long-lasting formula, suitable for multiple cats
• Hypoallergenic and free of chemicals and artificial fragrance
• Soft on the paws, perfect for your feline friends with sensitive paws

Drawbacks

• Expensive
• Hard to scoop  
• High dust levels

How it Compares to Others

• It doesn’t form hard clumps on contact with cat urine, so it’s a bit messier than clay-based brands
• More dust than cat clumping litter

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

• Change the entire litter box when you notice that the pebbles are an off-white color. 

Skoon cat litter reviews are positive and cat parents praise the lack of odor and tracking around the house. 

Some reviewer shared that Skoon is a bit dusty. 

#9 Best Crystal: Vibrant Life Cat Litter

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Vibrant Life is one of the best crystal litters, thanks to its quick absorbency and excellent odor control.

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• Mini-sized crystals
• Unscented
• Available in bags of 8 pounds or 4 pounds

Benefits

• Fast absorbing formula
• Micro crystals are gentle on the paws
• An excellent option for a multi-cat household 
• Controls odors well 
• Unscented, so it’s unlikely to cause breathing issues or allergy reactions
• Minimal dust levels

Drawbacks

• Small crystal size, so it tracks around the house

How it Compares to Others

• Available in smaller bags than other brands 
• Better odor control than a clay-based cat litter

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

You should remove the solid pet waste daily and stir the crystals to distribute the saturated ones.

As this Reddit user shares, “Our cats use the Walmart crystal litter called Vibrant Life. It’s easy to use, doesn’t have any odor, and we love it.”

#10 Best Low-Dust: Purina Yesterday’s News Cat Litter

Yesterday’s News is the best low dust cat litter, suitable for cats of all ages and cat owners who are tired of clouds of dust 

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• Paper-based litter
• Pellet form
• Available in bags of 30 pounds

Benefits

• Paper absorbs moisture three times better than traditional clay, making Yesterday’s News one of the most absorbent litters
• One of the best cat litter for kittens since it’s all-natural and won’t cause an intestinal obstruction if ingested
• Low-tracking and low-dust formula
• Eco-friendly, biodegradable litter

Drawbacks

• Paper doesn’t control odors as well as other natural-based litters

How it Compares to Others

• An environmentally-friendly option
• Better absorbent powers than traditional brands but more expensive and harder to maintain

How It’s Evolved Over Time

• New clumping formula available for improved absorption

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

You need to replace the litter weekly. Remove the solid waste and soiled pellets daily. 

Most cat owners like Yesterday’s News because of its low-dust and low-tracking formula. And a video reviewer adds it’s one of the best options for kittens and cats prone to eating litter.

#11 Best for Health Control: Pretty Litter

Cats are good at hiding when in pain when urinating/defecating, but Pretty Litter can help you.  

Features & MEASUREMENTS

• Silica gel litter 
• Available in bags of 6 pounds

Benefits

• It changes colors to warn you about potential health issues, such as UTIs, bladder stones, and kidney diseases. 
• Lightweight formula for convenience
• Excellent odor control and low tracking
• Absorbent and long-lasting
• Easy sign-up process

Drawbacks

• Available only through the manufacturer’s website
• Not the cheapest option

How it Compares to Others

• Unlike other brands, it changes colors to alert you to possible medical problems
• Less dusty than other silica gel brands

Expert Tips & TESTIMONIALS

Check the manufacturer’s website to learn what the different litter colors can indicate. 

As a video reviewer says, her cats liked Pretty Litter’s texture and that it’s comfortable on the cat’s paws.

The cat owner also shares that Pretty Litter has outstanding odor control and its health indicator works well. 

How To Choose The Best Cat Litter?

Let’s talk about how to choose the best cat litter for your feline friend and what features you should consider. 

#1 Cat’s Preferences

When cats don’t like the texture of the litter in the toilet box, they find alternative spots to do their business. That’s why it’s so important to pick a brand with a texture your cat likes. 

As vets from VCA advise, “Test your cat’s preference for different litter types by providing two or more identical boxes with different litter inside.”

#2 Scent

Opt for unscented cat litter whenever possible. Most cats prefer unscented litter because the extra fragrances bother the cat’s sensitive nose.

#3 Number of Cats

If you have multiple cats, it’s better to pick a multi-cat litter brand to ensure the formula is strong enough to control odors and absorb urine. 

#4 Dust

Almost all cat litter brands produce dust. Since clay-based silica dust can built-up in your cat’s lungs and cause respiratory problems, you should pick a brand with minimal dust levels. 

#5 Odor Control

Odor is one of the most common issues associated with owning a cat.

Poor quality or low-grade litters often don’t have enough odor control capabilities to keep your home smelling fresh.

Opt for one containing the natural ingredients that absorb odors quickly and effectively so you won’t have to worry about unpleasant smells in your home.

#6 Easy Cleanup

Low-grade litters can be difficult to clean up due to their tendency to stick together when wet or dampened by urine or feces.

This makes it hard to scoop out clumps without leaving behind bits of litter scattered around the box.

On the other hand, high-quality cat litter is designed with easy cleanup in mind – they form tight clumps when wet which makes them much easier to remove from the box without making a mess.

Maintaining a Clean Litter Box Environment

Scooping regularly and thoroughly cleaning the box every few weeks or sooner if necessary is essential for maintaining a clean litter box environment.

Scooping should be done at least once a day, but more often if you have multiple cats. When scooping, make sure to remove all clumps of urine and feces as well as any other debris that may have accumulated in the box.

This will help keep odors from building up and prevent your cat from becoming uncomfortable due to an unclean litter box.

Changing out all the litter at least once a month is also important for keeping your cat’s litter box clean and hygienic.

Over time, bacteria can build up in used litter which can lead to unpleasant odors and potential health risks for both you and your pet.

It’s best to completely empty out the old litter before refilling it with fresh material so that no traces of bacteria remain behind.

Using an unscented hypoallergenic detergent when washing the box is key for eliminating germs while still being gentle on sensitive skin or allergies that some cats may have.

Make sure to rinse off any soap residue before returning it back into use as this could irritate your cat’s paws or cause them discomfort when they go inside their new and improved clean space.

FAQs

Final Word

So, while all these 11 best cat litter brands will do an excellent job, I highly recommend Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Clumping cat litter. It’s super absorbent, easy to scoop, and suitable for multiple cats.

Moreover, Dr. Elsey’s formula isn’t as dusty or high-tracking as other popular cat litter brands and it has great customer service.

Which one is your cat’s favorite brand? Share your experience in the comment section. 

Resources:

• NIH.gov
• VCAHospitals.com

Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API