10 Best Eco-Friendly Cat Litter You Should Try

Last updated on June 13th, 2023 at 03:01 am

Want to create a more eco-friendly cat litter box for your feline friend?

Good for you for wanting to do your part to help save the planet!

Finding earth-friendly litter boxes is a bit of a challenge, but it can be done.

I did the same last year when I wanted a more natural product that was better for the environment.

But, I didn’t want to sacrifice order control and other benefits that come with non-natural options.

That’s why I researched the best eco-friendly choices and decided to share what I found in this guide to my top 10 picks.

at a glance

• Winner: World’s Best Litter The Original
• Best Flushable: Really Great Cat Litter
• Best for Odor Control: sWheat Scoop Premium Cat Litter
• Best Low-Tracking: Okocat Less Mess Natural Clumping Wood Pellet Litter
• Best Paper Litter: Fresh News Cat Litter

10 Best Eco-Friendly Cat Litters Reviews

First, let’s take a quick look at why it is worth considering a more natural litter.

Clay-based litter is still one of the most popular cat litter types among pet owners. But since this type of litter isn’t biodegradable, it’s harmful to the environment. And mining the clay is very destructive.

Moreover, many clay litter brands contain crystalline silica dust, a known cancerogenic. Breathing these fine particles can lead to permanent lung damage.

Fortunately, you’ve got plenty of natural options that won’t put your kitty at risk and will go perfectly with an eco-friendly cat litter box.

But what’s the most eco-friendly cat litter? Let’s see my top 10 best environmental cat litter picks. 

#1 Winner: World’s Best Litter The Original

The World’s Best Litter earns its name from its fast-acting clumping formula, superior odor control, and fast absorbency.

It’s the best eco-friendly option since it’s biodegradable, flushable, and planet-friendly. The way this litter clumps makes it really easy to scoop out of the tray. 

It is really lightweight, which I love, and it has very little dust. I tried this with my pick cat, and she loved it.

Features & Attributes

• Whole-kernel corn litter
• Unscented

Measurements

• 32-pound bag

Benefits

• It’s made from natural ingredients – corn kernels – without any added chemicals or fragrances, so it’s safe for cats with sensitive noses.
• Biodegradable litter, so it’s septic safe and won’t clog or damage your pipes.
• The quick clumping action ensures cat waste doesn’t pool at the bottom of the box or sticks to the walls.
• It is a lightweight litter, perfect for cat owners that don’t want to deal with heavy bags.
• Safe for kittens over eight weeks old. 
• Fine texture, which appeals to most cats
• Good odor control and less dust than traditional clay brands 
• Cat parents have used it successfully with automatic litter boxes, such as Litter-Robot

Drawbacks

• It tracks around the house
• Some customer reviews say that litter attracts bugs and ants 
• Not the best choice for homes with more than two cats.
• It is a little expensive

How It Compares to Others

• Relatively dust-free and absorbs cat urine very well, compared to other plant-based brands.
• Long-lasting formula

How It’s Evolved Over Time

World’s Best Cat Litter improves and expands its product line, so its biodegradable cat litter is available in several variants, including scented and multi-cat. 

Expert Tips

• The manufacturer doesn’t recommend mixing this corn-based litter with clay brands for the best results.

#2 Best Flushable: Really Great Cat Litter

Tift + Paw’s Really Great Cat Litter won’t disappoint pet parents looking for no-mess cat litter they can flush down the drain. I’ve been eyeing the litter for some time now and plan on using it soon.

Features & Attributes

• Soybean-based
• Charcoal

Measurements

• 9.5-pound bag

Benefits

• Made from all-natural, eco-friendly materials with no harmful chemicals
• Excellent odor control thanks to the added charcoal
• Virtually dust-free, so it’s a great option for cats with respiratory issues or allergies
• Absorbs cat urine quickly and doesn’t have a strong scent to bother sensitive cats
• Dissolves in water and won’t clog your septic system
• Money-back guarantee if your cat doesn’t like this type of cat litter
• Long-lasting – one bag should last one month for a single cat

Drawbacks

• Not the cheapest option
• Once open, you should use the bag as quickly as possible, or it goes bad

How It Compares to Others

• Contains charcoal for improved odor control 
• Less dust and tracking, compared to similar plant-based brands

Expert Tips

As Angie Bonnet from Sonoma Humane Society says, “you should not flush cat feces down the toilet.” Studies show that cat parasites kill otters and other sea animals.

#3 Best Non-Gmo Cat Litter: Only Natural Grass Seed Litter

Only Natural Fast-Clumping Grass Litter is another great option for cat parents looking for the best eco-friendly cat litter. I really love that it is free from GMOs, which can be hard to find products that don’t have them.

Features & Attributes

• GMO-free farmed grass
• Unscented

Measurements

• 20-pound bag

Benefits

• Renewable and biodegradable 
• Made in the USA from GMO-free grass
• Excellent absorbency rate and quick-clumping action for tight clumps and mess-free litter box
• Good odor control

Drawbacks

• Expensive
• A bit of tracking

How It Compares to Others

• More expensive than traditional non-clumping litter brands
• Less dusty than 

Expert Tips

Mix the grass seed litter with your usual brand for a smooth transition. 

#4 Best Low-Tracking: Okocat Less Mess Wood Pellet Litter

Okocat’s wood pellets don’t disappoint when you’re looking for the best environmental cat litter that won’t track all over the house.  And doesn’t love a litter that won’t track? Me for sure!

Features & Attributes

• Mini wood pellets
• Unscented 

Measurements

14.8-pound or 18.6-pound bag

Benefits

• Excellent absorbency that prevents cat urine from pooling at the bottom of the box
• Forms tight clumps for easy scooping
• Wood fibers bond with enzymes to reduce ammonia odors 
• Special formula to reduce tracking around the house by preventing pellets from sticking to the cat’s fur 
• 100% recyclable box 
• Great for large breeds or long-haired cats
• A large box lasts up to four months for a single cat

Drawbacks

• A bit dusty, according to customer reviews
• Not suitable for automatic cat toilet boxes 
• Some users find it hard to scoop

How It Compares to Others

• Less tracking than some of the other best environmentally-friendly cat litter brands 
• Better odor control but more dust than other brands on the list 

How It’s Evolved Over Time

• Bigger pellet size for less tracking
• New environmental-friendly packaging

#5 Best Paper Litter: Fresh News Cat Litter

What is the most environmentally friendly cat litter? Fresh News is one of the best eco-friendly cat-litters since it’s made from recycled paper with no added chemicals. 

I’m a big fan of cat litter and have used it in the past. My cats really liked it as well.

Features & Attributes

• Recycled paper-based litter
• Unscented
• Baking soda

Measurements

12-pound bag

Benefits

• Made from recycled paper
• More absorbent than clay brands 
• Low-tracking formula
• Low dust levels
• No chemicals or fragrances 
• It contains baking soda for improved odor control 
• Suitable for adult cats and kittens 
• Affordable 

Drawbacks

• Not all cats like the pellet texture
• A bit messy to clean
• Some users find its odor control poor

How It Compares to Others

• Paper-based litter absorbs liquids well but not as well as wood or other plant-based litter.
• More affordable than other paper-based brands

Expert Tips

Dispose of the soiled pellets in the trash. Don’t flush them down the toilet or use them in the garden to avoid environmental contamination. 

#6 Best for Odor Control: sWheat Scoop Premium Cat Litter

sWheat Scoop is a great choice for multi-cat households wanting to eliminate pet waste odors. 

Features & Attributes

• Biodegradable wheat
• Unscented

Measurements

• 36-pound bag or 25-pound bag

Benefits

• Made from natural renewable resources with no harmful ingredients
• An extra strong odor-controlling formula with natural enzymes to trap odors on contact and reduce solid waste smells 
• Fast-clumping action forms solid clumps for easy scooping and no-mess litter box
• Flushable 
• Soft texture, perfect for cats with sensitive paws 

Drawbacks

• Expensive
• A bit dusty
• Some users say it attracts ants

How It Compares to Others

• One of the most expensive eco-friendly litters
• Better clumping action and odor control than most plant-based brands, but high dust levels and tracking

How It’s Evolved Over Time

• The new formula is three times stronger than the original.

Expert Tips

You can sign for sWheat perks and receive a monthly e-newsletter with health tips for trusted veterinarians, exclusive coupons, and promotions. 

#7 Best Budget-Friendly: Feline Pine Original Cat Litter

Feline Pine wood shavings are the perfect choice for cat owners on a tight budget that want to reduce their environmental footprint. 

Features & Attributes

• Lightweight pine shavings 
• Natural pine scent
• Baking soda

Measurements

• 40-pound bag

Benefits

• Made from recycled materials (reclaimed lumber), containing 100% natural pine.
• Natural odor control, thanks to the pine fibers that trap odors on contact and neutralize them. 
• Excellent absorbency 
• Gentle on the paws
• Relatively low-dust and low-tracking 

Drawbacks

• Some cats can be allergic to pine
• Not suitable for automatic litter boxes
• It tracks a bit 

How It Compares to Others

• More affordable than most wood-based cat litters
• Similar quick-clumping abilities to other brands, but less dust 

Expert Tips

• Be careful when you use pine wood shavings because pine is toxic to cats unless it’s kiln-dried to remove the toxic phenols. 

#8 Best Scented Litter: Skoon All-Natural Cat Litter Lavender Scent

Skoon Lavender is an excellent choice if you’re looking for scented litter to mask the litter box odors. 

Features & Attributes

• Diatom pebbles
• Lavender scent

Measurements

• 8-pound bags

Benefits

• Made from fossilized algae, so it’s completely natural and doesn’t harm the environment.
• Non-clumping, so it’s a healthier option for cats and kittens
• High absorbency rate for mess-free litter box
• Excellent odor control, even in multi-cat households
• Hypoallergenic
• Low tracking 
• Easy to maintain and long-lasting

Drawbacks

• Dusty
• Pebbles are a bit sharp for cats with sensitive paws
• Not all cats like scented litter

How It Compares to Others

• Unlike other cat litters on the list, Skoon is a type of non-clumping cat litter, so it doesn’t form clumps – you just need to stir the pebbles and remove the solid waste. 

How It’s Evolved Over Time

• Added lavender scent for improved odor control 

Expert Tips

Some cats hate the smell of lavender and avoid their litter box. Check this Skoon cat litter review to pick the right variant for your fur baby. 

#9 Best for Multiple Cats: Petfive Sustainably Yours Natural Cat Litter

What’s the most eco-friendly cat litter for multiple cats? Sustainably Yours covers all the basics you’d want in an eco-friendly option. 

Features & Attributes

• Corn and cassava
• Unscented

Measurements

• 10 or 13-pound bags

Benefits

• Made from sustainable resources, so it reduces your cat’s carbon footprint
• Quick clumping litter that forms hard clumps for easy scooping
• Traps and neutralizes odors on contact
• Great for single and multi-cat households
• Relatively low tracking and minimum dust production

Drawbacks

• Not the cheapest options
• Some find it messy
• It can track

How It Compares to Others

• Better clumping powers than most eco-friendly cat litters
• Light in color, so it’s easy to notice changes in your cat’s urine

Expert Tips

You need one litter box per cat plus one extra to ensure your kitties aren’t fighting over who should use the toilet box. 

#10 Best Unscented Walnut Litter: Naturally Fresh Multi-Cat

Naturally Fresh is an excellent eco-friendly cat litter, thanks to its natural ingredients and low-dust formula. 

Features & Attributes

• Walnut shells
• Unscented

Measurements

• 14, 26, or 40-pound bags

Benefits

• Large grain-like texture to minimize tracking
• Minimal dust production, perfect for owners and cats with respiratory problems
• Eliminate cat poop and cat urine odors, thanks to a malodor counteractant
• Great for multi-cat households 

Drawbacks

• A bit messy to clean 

How It Compares to Others

• A bit darker in color than other eco-friendly brands, so it can be more difficult to notice changes in your cat’s urine. 

How It’s Evolved Over Time

• Improved formula for better odor suppression compared to the original version.

Expert Tips

This walnut litter is safe, even if your cat ingests some of it. But talk to your vet if your cat snacks on litter frequently. 

What To Look At When Buying Eco-Friendly Cat Litter?

Let’s talk about what features you should consider when buying the best environmentally friendly cat litter. 

1. Material

Eco-friendly brands are made from renewable or biodegradable materials, such as paper, wood, corn, wheat, walnut, etc. And they’re not all equal in how they absorb liquid and control odors.

Corn and wood-based litters are generally better because of their high-absorbency rate, low dust production, and natural odor reduction.  

2. Texture

Dr. Pam Perry states, “Most cats prefer fine-textured clay litter over other types.” Keep this in mind when picking up the best eco-friendly cat litter.

3. Number for Cats

Some cat litter types work great for a single cat but produce an awful smell when more than one cat uses the box. Check that the formula is strong enough to suppress odors from multiple cats. 

FAQs

Conclusion

An eco-friendly cat litter is not only a great way to reduce your cat’s carbon footprint but also a healthier option for your kitty. 

It may take a while to figure out which eco-friendly litter is the right one for your kitty. You can place several toilet boxes with different textures to see which will appeal the most. 

Resources:

• CDC.gov
• SFGate.com
• HillsPet.com

Last update on 2023-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API