The Best Cat Litters

Cat lovers are a special breed. We take care of our four-pawed furry friends as if they’re family because that’s what they are to us. Despite the love we have for our felines, I’m sure we’ve all experienced the frustrations maintaining a clean litterbox brings. Whether it’s the dust or the odor, it can be hard to keep our homes spic and span. One of the best ways to minimize the mess is to find a cat litter that cuts your cleaning time.

What to Look For

To find the best cat litters on the market, we considered three things: dust retention, odor prevention, and ease of cleaning. We love our cats, but nobody wants to see paw prints leaving a dusty trail on our floors and furniture. Our favorite bulk buy was the Arm & Hammer Platinum cat litter, which not only eliminated the foul odor but also prevented our cats from trailing dust. However, since the Arm & Hammer Platinum clumps, you will still have to be vigilant in changing the litter to avoid festering odors. For those who prefer non-clumping cat litter, we found Purina Yesterday’s News Odor Control performed better at removing odors than some of the clumping brands. We also like that Purina makes their cat litter with recycled paper. Plus, it’s dust-free. Read on to find out more about our top picks in cat litter.

Dr. Elsey’s Premium Clumping Cat Litter

No dust, no problem

You won't see a cloud of dust rising out of your cat's bathroom box when you clean this litter.
Best Overall

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If someone in your family has allergies, this is an amazing cat litter option. It’s 99% dust-free and hypo-allergenic. It is a medium-grain clay that forms into hard clumps when used. This makes it very simple to clean because the clumps won’t keep breaking as you try to scoop them out. You can use this litter in self-cleaning litter boxes, making cat care even easier. This hard-working cat litter is strong enough to stay fresh with multiple cats. It controls odor naturally without perfume, deodorants, or chemicals, making it safer for you and your cat. This litter is low-tracking so that it won’t stick to your cat’s paws.

Pros

  • We like how this litter forms hard clumps, making scooping urine incredibly simple.
  • There is little to no dust residue.

Cons

  • If the litter level gets too low, the clumps can stick to the bottom of the litter box and become hard to scoop.

Fresh Step Extreme Scented Litter

Neutralize the smell

You won't have to worry about your home smelling like a litter box with this trusted option.
Best Odor Fighting

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Are you tired of smelling your cat’s litter box? This cat litter fights odor for up to ten days. It has a strong scent that smells like crisp mountain springs. It uses the odor-eliminating power of Febreze. Also, you won’t find dust everywhere with this low dust cat litter. It is also low-tracking so that you won’t find little tiny dusty cat prints leading away from the box. This cat litter locks in liquid and creates tight clumps that are simple to scoop up without breaking. You will want to add more litter to the box each time you clean it to help keep a high level in the box.

Pros

  • The mountain spring scent masked odors longer than some unscented brands.
  • We found it easy to scoop up the clumps.

Cons

  • Sensitive noses may find the scent overpowering.

Arm & Hammer Platinum Cat Litter

Stock up

For those looking to get the most bang for their buck, go with this bulk-size box of cat litter.
Best Value

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Some of us have a lot of kitties. And, as we all know, a lot of kitties produce a lot of poop. But even if you have only one cat, it’s a good idea to stock up with a smart bulk buy. This option from Arm & Hammer offers 40 whopping pounds of cat litter for a bargain price. Better yet, it’s a dust-free formula that clumps quickly to seal off smells. Arm & Hammer has a reputation for keeping our homes fresh-smelling and clean, which is why we weren’t too surprised to find this effective odor-eliminating litter.

Pros

  • It staves off bad odors better than most clumping brands, thanks to Arm and Hammer’s signature baking soda.
  • The 40-pound bulk buy means you won’t have to buy more litter for a while.

Cons

  • There are cheaper alternatives out there, but few bulk buys are as effective as this one.

Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter

Step beyond the stink

If you don't want to deal with perfumes or any other smells, try this unscented kitty litter.
Best Unscented

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Oftentimes, ineffective cat litters will use fragrances to mask the scent of kitty doo-doo. However, some prefer kitty litter that eliminates bad odors, not one that contributes to the stink. That’s why we love this unscented litter from Fresh Step, which uses natural odor-controlling compounds, such as activated charcoal to absorb smells instead of masking them. It also doesn’t hurt that this option comes at a fantastic price point, so we say grab a box or two while you can.

Pros

  • Picky cats seem to gravitate towards this litter.
  • We were impressed that it controls odors for as long as 10 days at a time, making it a great choice for when you know that you’ll be gone for a while.

Cons

  • It may be a little bit dustier than some other options.

Purina Yesterday’s News Non-Clumping Paper Cat Litter

Dust and clump-free

These paper pellets absorb moisture and have a non-clumping formula for a less dusty litter.
Best Paper Pellets

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If you prefer to use non-clumping, non-scented litter, check out this brand. Instead of the traditional clay-based product, this cat litter is made from paper pellets. The pellets are made from recycled paper without any harmful chemicals. It’s a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly product. It’s easy for your cat to dig in, which encourages them to use it. Paper is very absorbent and almost completely dust-free. Since this litter doesn’t clump, you may notice you need to change how you clean the litter box. You can scoop out solid chunks and removed soiled pellets. Then, you’ll want to add more to maintain a couple of inches of coverage.

Pros

  • We appreciate Purina’s commitment to providing environmentally conscious cat litter.
  • It’s non-toxic and chemical-free, which makes it a great choice for sensitive cats and humans.

Cons

  • The litter doesn’t clump, so cleaning the litter box is a bit more challenging. However, because it doesn’t clump, it’s significantly less dusty.

Frequently Asked Question

How often should I change the cat litter?

Cat litter only works for so long. Then, it will need to be replaced. There is no set rule for how often this needs to be done. Several factors play a role in how long your cat litter will last. The more often you clean your litter box, the less frequently you will typically need to replace it. But, if you have more cats using the litter box, it may need more frequent changes. A good rule of thumb is to replace clay-based litter at least once a week.

How do you clean cat litter?

Most cat litter is clumping, so you can scoop it clean. You will need a cat litter scooper. Simply scoop out the clumps, and let the dry litter fall through the slots in the scooper. Continue scooping until all of the clumps are out. You may need to dig a bit at the bottom of the box or in the corners to ensure you get it all. Discard the clumps.

How deep should my cat litter be?

Different cat litter brands may call for different amounts of litter in the box, so you should always read the recommendations on the box. Many people keep their cat litter about two inches deep. If it is deeper than that, some cats won’t use it. Your cat may prefer even less litter. You may need to experiment with different depths to see which one works the best for your kitty. As you clean the cat litter box, make sure you add more litter as necessary. You want to maintain a consistent depth so your cat knows what to expect when they’re in the box.

About the Author

You only want the best for your cats. Why not take advice from someone who knows animals like the back of his hand? Nick has extensive experience as a pet caretaker and handler, so he has the inside scoop on the best products for your family. He knows that it can take a while for a cat to warm up to you, but once they do, it's always worth the time and effort. He loves to help cat owners make the most out of their relationships with their feline friends.

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