The Best Cat Litter
If you're having a hard time keeping litter box odors under control, or you find yourself exerting undue effort during clean-ups, it might be time to change cat litters. Attending to your cat's litter box is never going to be the highlight of your day, but by choosing the right tool for the job, you can certainly ease the process. With a range of crafty solutions on offer to mask odors, beat bacteria buildup, and make refreshing and replacing the contents of your tray simpler and less messy, you won't want to miss out on the selection we've found below.
What to Look For
As we searched for contenders for the best cat litter, we asked ourselves the following questions: Does it clump well enough so that you can easily clean messes? Can it keep odor under control? Is it cost-effective? One of our favorite picks was from Fresh Step due to its unbeatable odor-combatting power. This litter doesn’t just mask nasty smells; the Febreze-infused litter neutralizes the odor once and for all. If keeping appearances tidy is your priority, you’ll want to check out the supreme clumping action of Dr. Elsey’s unscented litter. Read on below to discover the rest of our top picks.
Fresh Step Scented
Smell you later
Keeping your litter tray smelling pristine can be an uphill struggle when armed with standard products. Even if you’re a meticulous cleaner, this hotbed of bacteria and biological nasties doesn’t take long to spread an odorous waft around the house. Fresh Step offers a smart solution, embedding Febreze chemicals within every grain of litter. The Febreze doesn’t just mask nasty smells; it binds with the offending chemicals to neutralize their potent odor once and for all.
Pros:
- Clump lock technology works to absorb moisture leaving tight balls of litter that are easy to scoop from the tray.
- We found that the ammonia-blocking chemicals deactivate the enzymes in cat urine to further reduce lingering smells.
- The delicate scent of this litter will mask any remaining foul odors without overpowering the noses of sensitive cats.
Cons:
- This litter can produce a lot of dust during cleaning.
Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Unscented Ultra Clumping Cat Litter
Emulsifying force
Cleaning up after our feline friends can be messy at the best of times, but if you’ve never tried clumping litter, you could find that this solution saves you a ton of time. The fine particles of this hard clumping mixture seal up when exposed to moisture, creating contained pockets of mess. These tight clumps hold their shape, so they can be quickly and easily lifted from a soiled litter tray. You’ll no longer be left scouring through loose litter or needing to replace the entire tray every time your cat visits.
Pros:
- We think this unscented litter could be a great option for sensitive cats who are known to reject powerfully odored products.
- Dr. Elsey claims an impressive 99.9% dust-free composition in this litter, meaning you’ll distribute fewer small particles during cleaning and refilling.
- With a higher weight and density than most litters, this option will weigh down litter trays to prevent slips as your cats prance in and out.
Cons:
- The paper sack containing this litter is prone to developing holes.
PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal
Dust free litter
Most cat litter is made from absorbent clay, which is highly effective in acting as a sponge for pet waste. Clay litter also has less desirable properties, like its tendency to produce dust and a heavy weight that often leaves you with bulky and awkward containers around the house. We think PetSafe’s crystal litter is a worthy alternative. It’s made from silica gel, which is the same crystallized silica dioxide used to prevent moisture buildup in culinary products. Silica crystals tend to produce significantly less dust than clay-based alternatives, so you won’t have to worry about paw prints dirtying up your floor. Plus, this lightweight substitute could save your back when transporting and refilling your litter tray.
Pros:
- With its ultra-absorptive power, this crystal litter dries solid to capture nasty odors directly at the source.
- We found that the blue color is better at concealing the unsightly appearance of your pet’s waste.
Cons:
- With only 4.5lbs of litter here, this pack of two bags probably won’t last as long per dollar as cheaper clay alternatives.
Arm & Hammer Forever Fresh Lavender
Clean and refreshing
We don’t expect our cat litter trays to smell like a bed of roses, but this scented option from Arm & Hammer brings the next best thing. Infused with natural lavender essential oils, this litter takes on the challenging task of masking your furry friend’s bad smells. The result is a long-lasting freshness that’s hard to beat. We’re sure we’d pick the delicate fragrance of wild lavender over an untreated litter tray any day of the week.
Pros:
- The masking power of lavender oil isn’t the only smell relief in this litter. It’s also packed full of baking soda granules and other neutralizing chemicals, which directly mitigate odor dispersion.
- We like that this clumping clay litter won’t leave you with sludge lining the bottom of your tray.
- The smaller packaging is more convenient to store than larger boxes and sacks.
Cons:
- Not all cats get on with lavender aromas. If they’ve never tried it before, you might want to expose them to a small drop of essential oil before committing to a purchase.
Cat’s Pride Max Power Clumping Clay
Handle with care
When stocking up on litter, buying in bulk can often make the most sense to your wallet. Most large litter containers are made of paper or cardboard, which can be clumsy to carry and easily perforated. When reaching for a refill, the last thing we want to see is a tear in the bag. This airtight plastic container keeps your litter fresh for long periods of storage, and a handy topside handle makes pouring easy. Plus, it’s recyclable too.
Pros:
- Not only does the container design make handling this litter easier, but it’s also up to 25% lighter than regular clay litter.
- We appreciate that this unscented litter is free of artificial perfumes and dyes, making it a great choice for sensitive kitties.
- If your love of critters extends beyond your one and only, you’ll be pleased to know that Cat’s Pride donates a portion of each sale to animal welfare charities.
Cons:
- The clumps in this litter are so solid that they may cling to the side of trays.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I change my cat litter?
If you’re new to cat litter, you may be wondering how often you’ll need to refresh the tray. There’s no hard and fast rule for how often you should change your cat litter; it depends on how messy your cats are. Once fresh litter has become soiled, you’re sure to notice that waste and bacteria will begin to produce a pungent smell. It’s best to clean up isolated messes as you go, and we wouldn’t recommend leaving a whole tray unchanged for more than a week.
Can cat litter dust be harmful to my pet?
Just like us, our cats need space to breathe, and an extremely dusty environment can bring respiratory irritation and discomfort. The clay or silica materials used to form litter are rigorously tested for their safety, so it’s unusual for cats to suffer allergies or the like. Nonetheless, be sure to keep an eye on your cat’s visits to ensure their comfort, and consider switching things up if you notice wheezing or other unusual symptoms.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.