What is the best cat litter?
Picking the best litter for your pet is crucial because not using the litter box is the number one reason a cat is brought to a shelter, abused or released to the streets.
New and even current cat owners can be overwhelmed when purchasing the right cat litter for their pets. Today, cat litter utilizes all different types of material, including clay, paper, crystal and silicone gel. Natural options and scented cat litters are designed to mask the odor, but many people still don’t know what type is best and which cats prefer. Before purchasing, there are essential factors to consider.
Clumping litter vs. nonclumping litter
Cleaning the litter box is a chore made easy by a scoop that allows you to separate waste from the clean litter. Clumping litter causes the debris in the box to clump around the waste, while nonclumping litter does not. Nonclumping litter is typically less expensive, but clumping litter is much easier to clean and maintain. Cats tend to spread litter when in the litter box, and when using nonclumping litter, the clean particles easily mix with the soiled ones.
Scented litter vs. unscented litter
Scented litter contains fragrances and perfumes designed to retain the odor of solid waste and urine. A wide range of scents is available, including lavender, pine and spring breeze.
Unscented or odorless litter contains no artificial fragrances, so it typically smells like the type of litter, be it clay, wood or wheat. Some forms of unscented litter contain baking soda or other additives that can help absorb odor without masking it.
When purchasing unscented litter, you can also separately purchase items such as litter deodorizer, litter box wipes and litter fragrance to help mask any unpleasant odors. Litter box charcoal filters, which can trap odors and last up to three months, are also available.
Types of cat litter
Best unscented cat litter
World’s Best Cat Litter Unscented Clumping Cat Litter
This comprehensive formula mixes the heavy, nontracking granules of Precious Cat Classic Litter with a medium-grain clay that makes for superior clumping litter. It’s ideal for cleaning the cat litter boxes by forming hard clumps, making them easier to empty.
So Phresh Extreme Clumping Unscented Grass Seed Cat Litter
This earth-friendly 100% U.S.-sourced clumping litter is made from biodegradable glass seeds and is great for the environment. The unscented framed seed product is 59 percent lighter than clay and 99.9 percent dust-free.
Best scented cat litter
Fresh Step Scented Litter with The Power of Febreze, Clumping Cat Litter
Fresh Step litter contains carbon to minimize the bacterial odor for up to ten days. The tight clumping clay makes for minimal cleaning and maintenance. A fragrance is released every time your cat uses the litter box, but this litter also inhibits odor control only when necessary to limit over-scenting.
Arm & Hammer Litter Clump & Seal Multi-Cat Scented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
With revolutionary technology, this formula guarantees the elimination of litter box odors for seven days by absorbing, sealing and destroying odors on contact.
Best natural cat litter
Naturally Fresh Unscented Quick-Clumping Walnut Cat Litter
A dust-free formula is essential for those cats and pet owners with respiratory problems or allergies. This natural litter does not contain chemicals, toxins, clay, corn and grains. The 100 percent natural, biodegradable and eco-friendly litter made from walnut shells creates solid clumps that do not stick to the litter box.
WeruvaIt’s A Tea Potty! Hinoki Wood & Green Tea Natural Cat Litter
Made with hinoki wood and green tea to eliminate bacteria and odor, this quick-clumping formula is clay-free and grain-free, making it an excellent natural litter option.
Best lightweight cat litter
Purina Tidy Cats Free & Clean Lightweight Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Tidy Cat litter is lightweight and easy to carry, pour and store. That means fewer trips to the litter box and the trash. There are no artificial scents or coloring, but the ammonia blocker prevents ammonia odor for 14 days.
Best training cat litter
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Attract Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
If you own a rescue or stray that needs to learn how to use the litter box, this is the litter. Featuring a natural herb attractant, the herbal scent, texture and particle size help attract a cat to their box.
Best micro-crystal cat litter
Litter Pearls Micro Crystal Unscented NonClumping Crystal Cat Litter
This is a low-maintenance litter that is eco-friendly and reusable for up to two months. The crystals are made with a sand-like silica gel, a naturally occurring mineral made of water, sand and oxygen, which helps the moisture evaporate.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.