The 11 Best Cat Litters of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

17 Jun.,2024

 

The 11 Best Cat Litters of , Tested and Reviewed

After months of testing, our overall favorite is Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter , which clumps well, absorbs scents even better, and won't spread dust everywhere. We've found it to be especially effective in multi-cat households.

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The best cat litter should be compatible with your litter box, easy to scoop, and capable of absorbing odors. It should do all that without sticking to your cat's feet and tracking all over your home too. A great cat litter shouldn't release a plume of dust when pouring or cleaning either. Most litter should be disposed of in trash bags, dedicated litter disposal bags , or one of our favorite litter disposal systems&#;but there are some suitable for flushing if the clumps are broken up into smaller pieces.

To help you find the purrfect cat litter, we tested 24 litter products from a variety of brands, including clumping clay, absorbent crystals, and biodegradable pellets. Each litter is tested with real cats and kittens, while their human counterparts gathered insights on how the litter performed.

Best Overall

Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter

PHOTO: Amazon

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    4

    /5

  • Mess

    4

    /5

  • Design

    4

    /5

  • Clumping

    5

    /5

  • Frequency of Necessary Change

    4

    /5

What We Like

  • Effectively masks unpleasant odors

  • Clumps easily and remains intact while scooping

  • Little to no dust

  • Suitable for homes with multiple cats

  • Very low tracking (even with a test cat known for it)

What We Don't Like

  • Confusing array of Clump & Seal formulas

Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Litter efficiently binds together upon contact with moisture and remains intact while scooping. The small granules have a texture similar to coarse sand and produces little to no dust. It doesn't track as much as many other brands we tested either, so you won't see little paw prints of dust, or too many pieces of litter on your floor.

Clump & Seal Multi-Cat is technically scented, but it's very faint&#;the Arm & Hammer litter smells mildly like baking soda, with a floral, fresh laundry overtone that's hardly noticeable unless your nose is right on top of it. Still, while it's not noticeably or heavily scented, it is effective at covering up odors, even when we left the box un-scooped for a few days (sorry Wally!).

True to its name our multi-cat households loved the Clump & Seal Multi-Cat formula, but it can get a little confusing when you see the Clump & Seal label on store shelves, since there's a dizzying variety of similar sounding products, including Clump & Seal Slide, Clump & Seal Slide Multi-Cat, Clump & Seal MicroGuard, Clump & Seal with Odor Blasters, and Platinum Clump & Seal. We've tested six different Arm & Hammer formulas, and so far the Clump & Seal Multi-Cat is our favorite.

For proper disposal, this litter should be placed in the trash and never flushed. The litter comes in a recyclable cardboard box with a handle for easy pouring and storage. It's moderately priced and readily available at a variety of retailers. It's also available in 14, 19, 28, and 38-pound boxes.

Litter Type: Clay | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Box with handle | Sizes: 14, 19, 28, 38 pounds

Best Natural

Purina Unscented Cat Litter

PHOTO: Target

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    5

    /5

  • Mess

    3.5

    /5

  • Design

    5

    /5

  • Clumping

    4.3

    /5

What We Like

  • Activated charcoal successfully controls odors

  • Fragrance-free and no dust

  • Easy to pour from box

What We Don't Like

  • Clumps located on the sides of a litter box tend to be more difficult to scoop

  • Slight tracking around litter box area

The non-toxic power of activated charcoal in Purina Tidy Cats Naturally Strong Unscented Cat Litter absorbs the odor-causing bacteria found in a litter box.

The formula is made with natural clay that lumps together when it comes in contact with moisture. For bullseye poop and pee in the middle of the litter box, we had no problem scooping, but for organic mess towards the edges of the box, two scooping sessions were required. Despite the extra dips, there was absolutely no detectable stench and the litter is both dust and fragrance-free.

If you have more than one cat, this natural litter will help you keep their shared bathroom ready and suitable for use. It does leave slight tracking, particularly if your cat is a post-poop kicker, but nothing of note or extending beyond the bounds of the litter box area.

Litter Type: Clay | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Box with handle | Sizes: 20, 35 pounds

Best Tofu

Tuft & Paw Cat Litter

PHOTO: Tuft & Paw

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    4

    /5

  • Mess

    4.3

    /5

  • Design

    5

    /5

  • Clumping

    4.3

    /5

What We Like

  • Minimizes odors from cat waste

  • Resealable bag is easy to pour

  • We experienced no tracking and no dust

  • Pellets disintegrate in water, expand with pee, and do not stick to poop

What We Don't Like

  • Only available with a monthly subscription

  • Cats set in their litter ways might not accept the smell and texture

This fragrance-free litter effectively masks odors, produces no dust, and does not stick to paws so tracking is minimal. Tuft and Paw Really Great Cat Litter is made from a soybean byproduct that comes in the form of tiny pellets and is often referred to as "tofu litter."

It is currently only available with a monthly subscription through the Tuft and Paw website, but it's easy to cancel after a month. Depending on the number of cats in your home, a monthly supply will consist of one to three resealable bags. The pellets clump together with urine but dissolve in water. You should always refer to your local ordinance when it comes to flushing pet waste, but the pee clumps made with this litter can be broken into smaller pieces and flushed.

Unlike clay litter with sand-like consistency, this litter doesn't cover solid waste. Our younger felines were more accepting of the change in their box than our more seasoned cats, with one silently protesting the switch by reliving themself outside of the litter box for the first time since kittenhood.

Litter Type: Soybean byproduct pellets | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Resealable bag | Size: 9.5 pounds

Best Budget

Scoop Away Unscented Clay Cat Litter

PHOTO: Walmart

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    4.7

    /5

  • Mess

    4

    /5

  • Design

    3.7

    /5

  • Clumping

    4.7

    /5

What We Like

  • Fragrance-free litter controls odors

  • Low dust when pouring and none while scooping

  • Clumps stay together for effective scooping

What We Don't Like

  • We found this litter leads to some tracking around the litter box area

Scoop Away Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter is a fragrance-free, reasonably-priced product that successfully minimizes odors, and is suitable for a home with multiple cats.

The clay formula joins together in easy-to-scoop clumps and helps control the growth of bacteria from your cat's organic matter with an effective ammonia-blocking additive that is safe for use in a home. The litter is only available in a 25-pound package which was a sufficient monthly supply throughout our testing. The cardboard box has a handle for pouring with low dust emission. The spout is sealed tight so getting started with a new box requires a pair of scissors to puncture for most. The litter does cause minimal tracking but it's primarily around the litter box.

Litter Type: Clay | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Box with handle | Size: 25 pounds

Best Dustless

Arm & Hammer Cloud Control Cat Litter

PHOTO: Chewy

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    5

    /5

  • Mess

    4

    /5

  • Design

    4

    /5

  • Clumping

    3

    /5

  • Frequency of Necessary Change

    4

    /5

What We Like

  • Very efficient odor masking with a pleasant light fragrance designed to be hypoallergenic

  • No dust

  • Contains baking soda

What We Don't Like

  • Clumping of litter didn't hold together as well as other litters we tested

Arm & Hammer Cloud Control Platinum Clumping Cat Litter produces absolutely no dust and fully masks odors. If respiratory issues are aggravated by cat litter, you may find this lightly scented, hypoallergenic cat litter to be more manageable.

The clay cat litter contains baking soda which helps to neutralize odors without impacting a cat's experience. And after several weeks of use, odors continued to be under control with this litter. Even if you don't smell anything foul, we still recommend cleaning out the litter box once a month at a minimum. Upon contact with urine, the litter clumps together, but the lumps of litter fused with cat pee are slightly more fragile when handling so most bundles of kitty waste require two rounds of scooping with this litter.

Litter Type: Clay | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Box with handle | Sizes: 18, 27.5, 37 pounds

Best Crystals

PrettyLitter Cat Litter

PHOTO: Chewy

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    5

    /5

  • Mess

    5

    /5

  • Design

    5

    /5

  • Clumping

    3

    /5

  • Frequency of Necessary Change

    5

    /5

What We Like

Want more information on Dust Free Bentonite Cat Litter? Feel free to contact us.

  • Completely masks unpleasant odors

  • Absorbs urine and clumps around feces

  • Health indicators track urinary health of your cat

  • Litter has a more appealing aesthetic resembling beach sand

What We Don't Like

  • Crystal litter can be a major change from standard clay litters

Fresh from the resealable bag, PrettyLitter Cat Litter resembles sand on a pristine beach. The lightweight litter is made from absorbent silica gel which works differently than traditional clay-based litter. The crystals absorb liquids and odors, so regular scooping of pee clumps isn't required, but daily stirring is recommended. Once you notice that the litter isn't as efficient with absorbing liquid, it's time to fully change the box (every two to four weeks for most). For poop, the crystals clump around, covering the odor and making it easy to scoop out for disposal in the trash.

The litter also tracks urinary health by changing colors with cat urine when it detects abnormalities within the acidity and alkalinity. Any color that falls between yellow to olive green is healthy, but anything outside of that spectrum should be discussed with a veterinarian. The health aspect is difficult to distinguish between cats if you have more than one, but the litter is suitable for multi-cat homes.

The litter is non-toxic, unscented, and didn't produce dust or lead to tracking in our real-world testing with real cats. If you have a cat with established bathroom habits, the texture of this litter might take time for them to get used to, and it also requires humans to change their litter routine.

Litter Type: Silica gel crystals | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Resealable bag | Sizes: 8 pounds

Best Budget Crystals

Fresh Step Crystals Premium Scented Cat Litter

PHOTO: Target

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    5

    /5

  • Mess

    5

    /5

  • Design

    3

    /5

  • Clumping

    3

    /5

  • Frequency of Necessary Change

    5

    /5

What We Like

  • Fully absorbs odors from poop and pee

  • Absorbs urine

  • For most, a box of crystal litter lasts longer than traditional clay-based litter

  • Produces no dust and no tracking

What We Don't Like

  • Bag is difficult to reseal

Fresh Step Crystals Premium Scented Cat Litter is made with silica gel which fully absorbs cat pee and the associated odor. Like our favorite crystal litter, PrettyLitter Cat Litter, this litter doesn't clump around pee or produce dust clouds when pouring. This crystal litter has a more approachable price for an eight-pound bag, but the resealable feature isn't as reliable as PrettyLitter's and it also doesn't provide colored indicators tracking urinary health.

The fine sand-like crystals don't easily adhere to paws, and we experienced absolutely no tracking throughout our real-world testing. It was also introduced to a kitten who will grow up using crystal litter. Daily maintenance of scooping out poop and stirring litter is recommended, and every three to four weeks, the box of litter should be fully refreshed. On average, crystal litter, like this one from Fresh Step, tend to last longer than clay-based litter.

Litter Type: Silica gel crystals | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Resealable bag | Sizes: 8 pounds

Best Pellets

Ökocat Paper Pellet Cat Litter

PHOTO: Petco

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    5

    /5

  • Mess

    3

    /5

  • Design

    5

    /5

  • Frequency of Necessary Change

    4

    /5

What We Like

  • Ideal for those with respiratory ailments or allergies

  • Biodegradable pellets made from paper

  • Pellets absorb odors and liquid

  • Easy to scoop poop from litter

  • Free of ink, dyes, and scents

What We Don't Like

  • Pellets don't often track, but are large and distracting when they do

  • Not all cats will accept litter box pellets

The dust from cat litter can aggravate respiratory conditions and allergies. For a completely dust-free experience, Ökocat Dust Free Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Cat Litter is a solid choice. The pellets are made from clean paper free of inks, dyes, and scents and it is fully biodegradable.

In our real-world testing, it took our cat two days to get used to the texture of the pellets. Similar to crystal litter, the non-clumping pellets fully absorb liquids and odors from the waste a cat produces. The poop should be scooped daily with routine overhauls of the litter box every three weeks or so as needed. The pellets are larger than conventional litter, so some tracking around the litter box area is likely but easy to clean.

Litter Type: Paper pellet | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Box with handle | Sizes: 8.2, 12.3 pounds

Best Scented

Fresh Step Advanced Cat Litter

PHOTO: Amazon

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    5

    /5

  • Mess

    4

    /5

  • Design

    4

    /5

  • Clumping

    4

    /5

  • Frequency of Necessary Change

    4

    /5

What We Like

  • Sturdy clumping

  • Gives off the scent of clean laundry while masking unpleasant odors

  • Easy to pour with very little dust

What We Don't Like

  • Some tracking

Fresh Step Advanced Cat Litter with Gain uses activated charcoal paired with the proprietary ammonia-blocking ingredients from Febreeze to banish odors. The litter also has the added fragrance of Gain Original, a laundry detergent that many find pleasing.

The sodium bentonite clay-based litter resembles the texture of tiny pebbles and emits very little dust. The clumps form quickly and hold together firmly so scooping is simple. We experience minimal tracking, primarily in the area surrounding the litter box. The litter comes in a cardboard box that is available in a few sizes. All of which come with a handle for easy pouring and storage.

Litter Type: Clay | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Box with handle | Sizes: 22.5, 37 pounds

Best Flushable

sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat Natural Cat Litter

PHOTO: Amazon

Our Ratings

  • Odor

    5

    /5

  • Mess

    4

    /5

  • Design

    5

    /5

  • Clumping

    5

    /5

  • Frequency of Necessary Change

    5

    /5

What We Like

  • Biodegradable and flushable (by law, California residents should never flush pet waste)

  • Free of dyes, perfumes, and chemicals

  • Very low dust

  • Neutralizes odors with enzymes

What We Don't Like

  • Some cats will need time to adjust to this litter

  • Tracking likely, but minimal

Reliably sourced wheat, from farms in the United States, is the primary ingredient in sWheat Scoop Mult-Cat Natural Litter. Natural starches in the litter hold clumps together for easy scooping and odors are neutralized with the help of enzymes, naturally occurring microscopic organisms that serve as catalysts for chemical reactions to break down organic matter.

The biodegradable litter can be flushed, but one should first break down clumps into smaller pieces. Flushing might not be suitable in some areas (it's against the law in California) so check your local ordinances before putting litter in your toilet. The litter is more environmentally friendly than traditional cat litter and is completely free of dyes, perfumes, and manmade chemicals. But the litter produces low dust and minimal tracking is likely for most cats.

During our real-world testing, our cats took a few weeks to fully adjust to this litter, but after several months, the cats are fully acclimated and there is less tracking around the litter box than previously experienced with their regular litter.

Litter Type: Wheat pellets | Multi-Cat: Yes | Container: Resealable bag | Sizes: 12, 25, 36 pounds

Cat Litter 101: What is Bentonite Clay Litter? | Benefits & Risk

Cat Litter 101: What is Bentonite Clay Litter? | Benefits & Risk

Anthony Verrelli

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4 min read

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Oct 15,

--

If you&#;re a cat owner, you&#;ve probably heard about bentonite clay litter. It&#;s become increasingly popular on store shelves for its price point and unique features. But what exactly makes it so special?

Once upon a time, people began using bentonite (a type of clay) instead of sand in commercial cat litter &#; probably because asking sand to clump was out of the question!

Shortly after that, it became the official cheap, mainstream cat litter for most pet owners.

Today we love bentonite clay litter because of how easily it sticks together when wet. And though its price point and clumpiness seem like a heavenly match, bentonite clay litter isn&#;t without its potential downsides.

There&#;s a lot to unpack here. Let&#;s dive in!

What is bentonite, anyway?

Bentonite is a type of clay that becomes extremely sticky when wet. It&#;s made from volcanic ash, and has been around for centuries &#; in fact, it&#;s one of the oldest known materials used by humans!

What are the benefits of bentonite clay litter?

Bentonite cat litter has a few distinct advantages over traditional sand, plant, or wood-based litter.

Aborbancy: Probably the biggest selling point of bentonite clay litter is its nature to clump. It can absorb several times its dry weight in liquid and expand up to 15 times its original size (just look online for images of clay litter dust forming these heroic-looking balls when damp!)

Cost Effectiveness: Bentonite clay litter is usually cheaper than other types of litter, and though that&#;s not usually a good thing, it can help balance the budget!

And part of why this litter&#;s so cheap is how stretchable it is. When your cat pees, you only need to replace the soiled bedding and clumps; the rest is good to reuse.

Odour Control: Bentonite clay is known to be very effective at absorbing odors &#; like a natural deodorizer. It also has a neutral scent (without any added fragrances), so it won&#;t make your home smell any worse than before.

What are the risks associated with bentonite clay litter?

Just like with any other type of litter, bentonite clay litter has its drawbacks.

Allergy Concerns: Some cats may be allergic to this type of clay, so it&#;s best to watch for signs of sneezing or irritation while using it. If you notice your cat is itching more or has red spots you didn&#;t notice on them before, switch back to the old litter and contact your vet.

Dust: Bentonite clay is naturally dusty and its dryness can cause respiratory problems if inhaled -not just for cats, but humans as well. To avoid this risk, make sure to buy a dust-free variety of bentonite clay litter and wear a mask when changing the bedding.

Toxicity: Bentonite clay litter is generally non-toxic for cats, with a few types containing baking soda or activated charcoal. But so many of them contain additives like fragrances or other chemicals that are dangerous if ingested in large quantities. Check the packaging on your litter to make sure there aren&#;t any added ingredients that could harm your cat.

Bentonite Processing for Litter

Basically, The bentonite-to-litter process starts with grinding the clay to a powder, which is then mixed with various additives like fragrances and baking soda. This mixture is left to dry and then compressed into pellets, clumps, or granules. Finally, the litter is packaged for sale.

Sounds innocent enough.

But the real danger is that every box of bentonite-based litter comes from strip mining. That&#;s what convinced me to switch recently from clay litter to wood and tofu cat litter.

Strip mining:

  1. Destroys wildlife habitats.
  2. Removes topsoil from an area and causes sediment runoff that contaminates nearby lakes and streams.
  3. Scarifies the land permanently.
  4. Contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
  5. Generates a significant amount of waste products from processing that must be disposed of properly.

I&#;m certainly not shaming anyone for using bentonite clay litter &#; heck, I still have two boxes of unscented Purina litter in storage for when (and if) my cat wants a change.

We all live in a commercial world, and while buying environmentally-conscious products is good for the planet, it&#;s not always good for the individual &#; at least referring to their wallets. Case and point: we have to choose our battles.

Is bentonite cat litter safe for domestic cats?

The short answer is yes, bentonite clumping cat litter is generally safe for healthy cats and kittens. But that doesn&#;t mean it&#;s necessarily the best option for your cat. Look around for alternatives if your cat and your budget allow it!

Have any questions? Feel free to comment!

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Wholesale Cat Litter Bulk. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.