Choosing cat litter
The purpose of this article is to share what kinds of litter my cats use as a starting point, and to show you how to do your own cat litter preference test at home.
[How to video coming soon]
Features
Cats use it
The most important consideration in choosing a litter is whether the cats will use it. You can go through all the effort to find a litter that ticks all the boxes for you, but it doesn’t matter if the cats won’t use it.
Most cats prefer clay litter. For a biodegradable alternative, look for litter with a similar texture.
Use unscented litter, as strong scent can be a deterrent.
Key
⭐⭐⭐ = cats used it more than once a day, on average ⭐⭐✰ = cats used it about once a day, on average ⭐✰✰ = cats used it less than once a day, on average ✰✰✰ = cats did not use it |
Best in category
If you’re looking for a litter that cats will use reliably, look no further than clumping clay. I like Integrity brand because it’s more sustainable than traditional clay litter.
For a biodegradable alternative, I recommend CatSpot coconut husk litter. My cats used it about as much as clay. The downside to this litter is it’s only available online and it’s quite expensive.
Texture
Clumping
Clumping makes it easier to remove soiled litter which, in turn, eliminates odor. It is recommended to scoop litter boxes at least once or twice daily. Better yet, scoop litter each time it is used.
Non-clumping litters absorb urine. You scoop feces daily; empty and refill the litter weekly. These litters aren’t designed for heavy use. Odor control may be insufficient for multi-cat households. That’s a deal-breaker for me. I tried one type of non-clumping litter with my cats – cobbled paper – but they wouldn’t touch it.
For kittens, non-clumping non-toxic litter is safer, in case of ingestion. Instead of scooping, empty and refill litter once or twice daily. I asked the local cat rescue organization what kind of litter they use for kittens. They primarily use paper and wood pellets.
Learn more about litter for kittens.
Key
⭐⭐⭐ = well-formed clumps ⭐⭐✰ = crumbly clumps ⭐✰✰ = poor clumping ✰✰✰ = no clumping |
Best in category
We found that clay, grass, and wood litter have the best clumping, with wheat, coconut, walnut, and corn second-best. There are some clumping pellet litters also, but my cats didn’t use them.
Low dust & low allergen
Low dust is important for households with respiratory conditions or allergies. Dusty litter is unpleasant to refill, and it makes a mess. The types of litter we tried all had fairly low dust.
As of this writing, three litter brands claim to be hypoallergenic: World’s Best, Sustainably Yours, and CatSpot. However, since all sorts of allergies exist, it is possible for people and / or cats to be allergic to any kind of litter, even new varieties made from alternative materials (hemp, bamboo, etc.). Avoid any known allergens for the individuals in your household when choosing cat litter. If using a wheat, corn, or soy litter, be sure to keep it clean and dry to avoid mold.
Key
⭐⭐⭐ = very low ⭐⭐✰ = low ⭐✰✰ = moderate ✰✰✰ = high |
Best in category
The winner for me is CatSpot clumping coconut litter. It’s virtually dust-free and mold-resistant, and my cats use it. What’s best for your household will depend on individual allergen sensitivities.
Low tracking
No one likes stepping on cat litter, or finding it in the bed. Unfortunately, the litter cats like tends to be lightweight and tracks all over the house! Pellet litter tracks less because it’s fairly dense, but many cats don’t like the texture.
Key
⭐⭐⭐ = very low ⭐⭐✰ = low ⭐✰✰ = moderate ✰✰✰ = high |
Best in category
In terms of tracking, most of the litters we tried performed poorly. I was pleasantly surprised, however, with CatSpot coconut litter. It’s ultra light, with no noticeable tracking! Sustainably Yours corn litter also performed well.
Odor control
Cat urine is a powerful odor that most people find unpleasant and overwhelming. Therefore, odor control is a high priority when choosing cat litter.
Key
⭐⭐⭐ = best ⭐⭐✰ = better ⭐✰✰ = good ✰✰✰ = not helpful |
Best in category
The litters we tried all had good odor control. Coconut and wood litter are the best. Okocat super soft wood litter has a pleasant, piney aroma that eliminates the smell of cat urine.
Economical
It’s hard to accept spending a lot of money on cat litter, knowing that it will end up getting tossed.
Litter is sometimes priced by weight, but it’s volume that’s more relevant.
Here, I look at the cost to fill a large litter box – and keep it filled to an appropriate depth – for one month. All prices are as of June 2024.
Key
⭐⭐⭐ = least expensive ($10 and under) ⭐⭐✰ = mid-range ($11-15) ⭐✰✰ = high end ($16 – 20) ✰✰✰ = most expensive (over $20) |
Best in category
Most of the litters we tried are high-end, around $18 for a 14-lb. bag. The most economical is Integrity clay, followed by Okocat. The most expensive is CatSpot coconut litter. It is only available through the CatSpot website. It comes in smaller bags, so you need to order twice as much, and you have to pay for shipping.
Eco-friendly
Most of the litters we tried are made from leftover or recycled materials and are biodegradable. There are two exceptions: clay and silica gel. Both are collected through mining and are non-biodegradable. Integrity brand gets 1 star because they replant trees from areas where clay is harvested.
Note: Some litters claim to be flushable or compostable, but this may not be possible in all areas. Usually, the safest way to dispose of used cat litter is to put it in the trash.
Key
⭐⭐⭐ = best ⭐⭐✰ = better ⭐✰✰ = good ✰✰✰ = not eco-friendly |
Best in category
I’m giving the win to Okocat because it comes in a paper bag, which is easier to recycle than plastic.
Comparison
Details
Integrity clumping clay
Material: clay
Cats use it ⭐⭐⭐
When clay litter was offered, my cats used it preferentially. In fact, they used it 6 times more than other litter types, on average. I also tried Integrity’s multi-cat formula and found no significant difference. My cats use both equally.
Clumping ⭐⭐⭐
When it comes to clumping, clay is the gold standard. There are few other litters that clump as well as clay.
Low dust ⭐⭐✰
This litter has fairly low dust, compared to my experience with traditional clay litter.
Low tracking ⭐✰✰
This litter is fairly lightweight, so tracking is a problem.
Odor control ⭐⭐✰
This litter offers moderate odor control.
Economical ⭐⭐⭐
This is the most economical litter. A 40-lb. bag costs about $20. It’s enough to fill two large litter boxes or one XL litter box for a month in my house.
Eco-friendly ⭐✰✰
Clay litter is collected through mining, which is known to be environmentally damaging. Integrity brand offsets the impact by replanting trees.
CatSpot clumping
Material: coconut
Cats use it ⭐⭐⭐
This is my cats’ favorite natural litter. Over a period of 5 days, it was used about as much as clay!
Clumping ⭐⭐✰
This litter clumps reasonably well. It is a very soft litter though, so the clumps can break apart if you scoop roughly.
Low dust ⭐⭐⭐
Surprisingly, this lightweight litter has virtually no dust!
Low tracking ⭐⭐⭐
Another surprise is that this litter falls right off your feet, so no issues with tracking!
Odor control ⭐⭐⭐
Coconut husk is great at absorbing moisture, excellent at odor control.
Economical ✰✰✰
This is where CatSpot litter falls short. It’s a specialty litter that has to be ordered online. Coconut fiber is wonderfully light, yet compact. That means it takes more than one bag to fill the litter box. The cost is over $20 for a large bag, not including shipping.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐⭐
Coconut husk is biodegradable and renewable.
Smart Cat 100% grass
Material: grass seed
Cats use it ⭐⭐✰
In a comparison of the top natural litters, Smart Cat grass litter was used twice as much as Swheat Scoop over a period of 4 days. In one experiment, it was used preferentially over Okocat super soft. Once the litter was about 3 weeks old, however, the cats switched to using Okocat super soft more.
Clumping ⭐⭐⭐
This litter claims that it “out clumps clay” and, for the most part, I have found it to be true. It is especially helpful for cats who spray urine in the litter box. Unlike other litters that form tiny individual clumps that get mixed into the litter, Smart Cat litter pools the urine together, like there’s a skin across the surface. It’s weird, but effective!
Low dust ⭐⭐⭐
This litter has very low dust.
Low tracking ✰✰✰
This litter is very lightweight. It tracks worse than clay.
Odor control ⭐⭐✰
This litter offers moderate odor control.
Economical ⭐⭐✰
This is a mid-range litter. A large bag costs between $15 – 20.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐⭐
This litter is biodegradable and renewable.
Okocat super soft
Material: wood
Cats use it ⭐⭐✰
In a comparison of the top natural litters, Okocat super soft wood litter was used twice as much as Swheat Scoop over a period of 4 days. (In contrast, Okocat original was barely used during a 2-week-long experiment.) In one experiment, my cats used Smart Cat grass litter over Okocat super soft. They preferred the Okocat litter though, once the Smart Cat litter became less fresh.
Clumping ⭐⭐⭐
This litter clumps about as well as clay. The small wood particles glue together into fairly solid clumps.
Low dust ⭐⭐✰
This litter has low dust.
Low tracking ⭐✰✰
This is a lightweight litter. Tracking is about the same as clay.
Odor control ⭐⭐⭐
Okocat offers superior odor control. The pine scent effectively masks cat urine odor.
Economical ⭐⭐✰
This is a mid-range litter. A large bag costs about $20.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐⭐
Okocat litter is made from reclaimed wood from lumber mills, including spruce, pine, and fir. (It is collected before any chemical treatment is applied.) It is sustainably sourced and biodegradable.
Swheat Scoop multi-cat
Material: wheat
Cats use it ⭐⭐✰
In a comparison of the top natural litters, Swheat Scoop was used preferentially over walnut. In a separate experiment, I found that my cats use Swheat Scoop and World’s Best fairly equally.
Clumping ⭐⭐✰
This litter clumps effectively, although not as solidly as some.
Low dust ⭐⭐⭐
This litter has very low dust.
Low tracking ⭐✰✰
This is a lightweight litter. Tracking is about the same as clay.
Odor control ⭐⭐✰
This litter offers moderate odor control. Up close, it smells a little like bread, which makes sense, considering it’s made from wheat.
Economical ⭐⭐✰
This is a mid-range litter. A large bag costs between $15 – 20.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐⭐
Wheat litter is a food industry byproduct. That means it’s made from leftover material that would otherwise go to waste. It’s biodegradable, totally eco-friendly.
World's Best multiple cat unscented
Material: corn
Cats use it ⭐⭐✰
When I asked my local pet store what kind of cat litter they sell the most after clay, World’s Best came up as one of the most popular brands. It’s popular for good reason! It has very low dust and even claims to be hypoallergenic. My cats use Swheat Scoop and World’s Best fairly equally.
Clumping ⭐⭐✰
This litter clumps effectively, although not as solidly as some.
Low dust ⭐⭐⭐
This litter has very low dust.
Low tracking ⭐✰✰
This is a lightweight litter. Tracking is about the same as clay.
Odor control ⭐⭐✰
This litter offers moderate odor control.
Economical ⭐⭐✰
This is a mid-range litter. A large bag costs between $15 – 20.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐⭐
Like wheat litter, corn litter is a food industry byproduct. It’s biodegradable, totally eco-friendly.
Naturally Fresh herbal attraction
Material: walnut shells
Cats use it ⭐⭐✰
My cats prefer Naturally Fresh walnut litter over Okocat original wood litter. However, in a comparison of the top natural litters, walnut was used least. It’s a good option, not our first choice.
Clumping ⭐⭐✰
This litter clumps effectively, although not as solidly as some.
Low dust ⭐⭐✰
This litter has fairly low dust. Over time, it’s noticeable on light-colored surfaces.
Low tracking ⭐✰✰
This litter tracks about the same as clay.
Odor control ⭐⭐✰
This litter has a clean, earthy aroma. It offers moderate odor control.
Economical ⭐⭐✰
This is a mid-range litter. A large bag costs between $15 – 20.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐⭐
Walnut litter is a food industry byproduct. That means it’s made from leftover material that would otherwise go to waste. It’s biodegradable, totally eco-friendly.
Sustainably Yours multi-cat large grains
Material: corn
Cats use it ⭐✰✰
I tried this litter because I thought my cats might appreciate its texture. Although this is the “large grains” variety, the texture appears finer than traditional corn litter.
When I touched the clean litter in the bag, it felt like tiny plastic beads in corn starch! No surprise then that, over a period of 5 days, my cats used the Sustainably Yours litter less than once a day.
Clumping ⭐⭐⭐
This litter clumps exceptionally well, similar to clay.
Low dust ⭐⭐⭐
It has very low dust.
Low tracking ⭐⭐✰
My cats didn’t use this litter very much. When I stepped in some clean litter myself, I found it came off my feet really easily, unlike other litters that have a coarser texture.
Odor control ⭐⭐✰
I can’t really speak to odor control over time, since my cats didn’t use this litter very much. It is probably as good or better than World’s Best.
Economical ✰✰✰
This litter is expensive, no doubt owing in part to a celebrity endorsement. At this time, a medium-sized bag costs more than $20.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐⭐
Corn litter is a food industry byproduct, made from leftover material. It’s biodegradable and totally sustainable, as the brand name suggests.
Weruva cat litter
Material: hinoki wood & green tea
Cats use it ⭐✰✰
My cats tried the Weruva litter once but, after that, they wouldn’t touch it.
Clumping ⭐⭐✰
This litter clumps effectively, although not as solidly as some.
Low dust ⭐⭐⭐
This litter has very low dust.
Low tracking ⭐✰✰
The benefit of pellet litters is that they reduce tracking (at the expense of clumping) because they’re quite dense. But Weruva is different! It’s a lightweight, clumping pellet litter. Unfortunately, that means tracking is a problem. What’s worse, the pellets are uncomfortable to step on, for cats and for humans!
Odor control ⭐⭐⭐
If odor control is your top priority and your cats are willing to use pellet litter, then Weruva is an excellent choice. It smells amazing – clean, woody, and fresh! (When it’s used, it smells a little like ramen. A bit odd, but much better than cat pee!) If your cats won’t use pellet litter, you might still consider buying a small bag of this litter to use as a home deodorizer. Really, it’s that good!
Economical ⭐✰✰
This is a high-end litter, costing over $20 a bag.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐✰
Weruva litter is sustainably made and biodegradable. I took off one star because it’s made overseas.
Dofu Cat tofu cat litter
Material: soy
Cats use it ✰✰✰
Over a period of 5 days, my cats didn’t touch this litter, even after it was blended with clay. I’m not sure if it was the aroma or the texture, or a combination.
Clumping ⭐⭐⭐
This litter clumps just as well as clay.
Low dust ⭐⭐✰
This litter has fairly low dust.
Low tracking ⭐✰✰
This is a lightweight, clumping pellet litter, so tracking is an issue. Luckily, these pellets aren’t that uncomfortable to step on. It feels like stepping in uncooked rice.
Odor control ⭐⭐✰
This litter claims to have great odor control. I can’t really speak to this, since my cats didn’t use it.
Economical ✰✰✰
This litter is one of the most expensive. It costs about $30 for a month’s supply.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐⭐
Tofu litter is a food industry byproduct. It’s biodegradable and sustainable.
Pretty Litter unscented
Material: silica gel
Cats use it ⭐✰✰
I tried this litter because I thought my cats might appreciate its texture – like fine sand. But secretly, I hoped they wouldn’t like it because it’s really expensive!
In a week-long comparison of Pretty Litter vs. clay, my cats used the clay litter 95% of the time so, while they did use the Pretty Litter, they clearly prefer clay.
Clumping ✰✰✰
I didn’t realize when I bought it but it’s a non-clumping litter, designed to absorb urine. You just scoop the poop and stir the box. Over time, the crystals go from white to amber, and that’s how you know it’s time to change the litter. Well, that and the overpowering ammonia smell…
Low dust ⭐⭐✰
This litter has fairly low dust.
Low tracking ⭐✰✰
I didn’t notice much tracking, as my cats barely used it. But this is one of the biggest complaints people have online about Pretty Litter.
Odor control ⭐✰✰
Since it’s non-clumping, Pretty Litter builds up odor within a short amount of time. It’s not designed to keep up with multi-cat households.
Economical ✰✰✰
Pretty Litter costs a “pretty penny”! Each bag costs about $27. One bag is supposed to last a month but, realistically, a multi-cat household will go through 2 or more bags.
Eco-friendly ✰✰✰
Silica gel is mined and processed overseas, making Pretty Litter the least eco-friendly litter on this list.
Pretty Litter has a new clumping formula, but I haven’t tried it so I can’t speak to its performance. From what I’ve read, it clumps well and has improved odor control. It’s slightly cheaper, but still expensive and not eco-friendly. If my cats had shown a preference for Pretty Litter over clay (based on its texture), I would give the clumping formula a try. As it is, I’ll pass on it.
Integrity cobbled paper
Material: paper
Cats use it ✰✰✰
When I give them new litter, the cats sniff it. Then, they step in it. Piper usually is the first to try using it. Not this time! Piper sniffed the litter and surprisingly, she immediately turned away to use another box. Over a period of 4 days, the cats didn’t so much as set foot in the litter box. Since they didn’t touch it, I can only assume it was the scent and not the texture they found offensive. (There was nothing different about the litter box it was in.) Weird…
Clumping ✰✰✰
I didn’t realize when I bought it but it’s a non-clumping litter. That wouldn’t work for us anyway.
Low dust ⭐⭐✰
This litter has fairly low dust.
Low tracking
I can’t really speak to the tracking, since my cats didn’t touch this litter. Most online reviews say that, when the litter gets wet, it tracks around the house.
Odor control
I can’t imagine recycled paper would be good for odor control, in the long run, especially since this litter is non-clumping. Most online reviews say that it has poor odor control.
Economical ⭐⭐✰
While this litter is cheap, since it’s non-clumping, it would need to be replaced frequently, bringing the total monthly cost up.
Eco-friendly ⭐⭐⭐
Recycled paper is biodegradable.
Top picks
No, thanks!
Pretty Litter
Why?
It’s too expensive, and it’s not eco-friendly. My cats didn’t use it enough to justify the cost.
Pellets and crystals
Why?
Step in cat litter pellets once – or, better yet, crystals – and it’s easy to understand why most cats don’t like them. They are uncomfortable to step on! Cats evolved in a desert environment, so they’re naturally inclined to dig in sand, not pellets or crystals.
That said, families with allergies may benefit from using pellet litter, if their cat will accept it. Pellet litter is dense, so there is minimal dust and tracking. For families who have allergies to the most common litter materials (clay, wood, grass, grain, etc.), there are a wide variety of specialty litters available online. Most of these are in pellet form. My advice would be to buy just one bag initially and try it alongside what your cat is currently using before signing up for a subscription.
Non-clumping litter
Why?
Non-clumping litter is not designed to keep up with odor in a multi-cat household. The litter needs to be dumped out frequently and the box needs to be washed regularly. That just isn’t practical or economical for our household.
Non-clumping litter is an appropriate choice any time it is desirable to dump out the litter more often for sanitation purposes – in case of illness or in an animal shelter setting, for example.
Many fosters use non-clumping litter for young kittens, in case of ingestion. Keep reading to learn more.
Litter for kittens
Non-toxic, non-clumping litter is recommended for kittens so that, if they ingest it, there’s no danger of their digestive tract being blocked up. Many people choose to use pellet litter for this reason, and then transition the cat onto regular litter when they’re older. Cobbled paper could be another option. For picky kittens, coconut litter could be used initially. (Although, it makes a mess when kittens tip over the tray.) I can’t imagine using coconut litter continuously for a litter of kittens, as the cost would be outrageous!