Finding the right cat litter can be a challenge, particularly if you have a fussy cat. There are lots of options to choose from and deciding whether to buy scented or unscented, clumping or non-clumping litter can be confusing.
If you’re in a rush check out our table below :
This guide will help you choose between the selection and find the best litter to suit your cat.
If your cat doesn’t like the litter in their tray this will often lead to them feeling stressed and can result in them finding other places to use instead.
If you’ve noticed your cat seems unhappy around the litterbox (or just refuses to use it) then it’s time to find a new litter that they like.
Ensuring your cat has the best litter for their needs is crucial for their daily routine and comfort.
As it can be confusing to figure out the differences, we have extensively researched the different cat litters available on the market and listed all of the best options below.
Contents
1. Biokat’s Classic – Best Clumping Litter
Biokat clumping cat litter is a coarse-grained litter made from pure natural clay. It is a high quality, economical option that is suitable for all cats. This litter uses 3 granule sizes to enhance efficiency and ensure the litter is gentle on cat’s paws.
Biokat produces very little dust and won’t be tracked through your house by your cat making it easier to keep the area around the litter box clean.
Each of the 3 granule sizes has its own role and makes it easy to scoop out the dirty litter. The large granules have big pores perfect for soaking up moisture and odours, the medium granules help to form firm clumps and the smaller granules spread out evenly throughout the litter to make sure no space is left uncovered.
The Biokat litter uses an AromaProtect Formula which captures bad odours and releases a classic spring fragrance to keep the litter tray smelling fresh. You can use the litter for up to 32 days and the clumping ensures cleaning is made easy.
This cat litter is efficient, long-lasting and will quickly absorb fluids and odours. Biokat litter is made in Germany and the clay used is sourced sustainably from controlled open-pit mines in Germany.
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| Type | Pure natural clay |
| Clumping | Yes |
| Size | 18L |
| Biodegradable | No |
| Scented | Yes – “Classic Fresh” spring fragrance |
| Dust Free | Very little dust |
| Best for | All cats |
2. Catsan – Best Non-Clumping Litter
The Catsan non-clumping cat litter absorbs moisture immediately to keep the litter tray dry, hygienic and free from odours. It uses fine, pored granules that offer lasting odour control by capturing moisture before odours can form.
The unbleached white granules are made from quartz and limestone which absorb liquid like a sponge and prevent bacteria growth. The natural white colour of the litter keeps the litter tray visibly hygienic and fresh. Users also find the light colour makes it easy to see when a clean is required.
Made from 100% natural materials and with no added fragrance, this is a great option for a single cat home and homes with fussy or sensitive cats. The mineral protection of each granule ensures reliability and long-lasting odour control without any added ingredients.
Catsan offers great value for money, is lightweight and has very low dust development so cats and humans are kept happy.
The litter should be changed once a week with daily spot cleans to keep the litter tray fresh and hygienic. This low-dust, low-tracking, non-clumping cat litter is suitable for all cats, including kittens.
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| Type | Mineral |
| Clumping | No |
| Size | 20L |
| Biodegradable | No |
| Scented | No |
| Dust Free | Extremely low |
| Best for | Fussy/ sensitive cats & kittens |
Also Read: Self Cleaning Litter Trays
3. Nature’s Calling – Best Environmentally Friendly Litter
Nature’s Calling is a 100% natural and biodegradable cat litter that is kind to both your cat and the environment. It is made from the re-claimed lining of walnut shells which clumps on contact and offers excellent odour control.
Walnut shells are very effective at neutralising ammonia and outperformed cat litter types such as paper, clay, wheat and crystal in tests.
This cat litter forms firm clumps within 15 minutes of exposure to moisture to make it quick and easy to clean out soiled litter each day. It can last up to 30 days before needing to be fully changed. This makes the cat litter low maintenance and reduces the amount of mess.
Nature’s Calling is virtually dust-free and does not contain any harmful chemicals or toxins meaning it is completely safe for your cat and home.
For convenience, the cat litter comes in a stand up flexible pouch with a built in handle to make it easy for you to pour and store the cat litter.
For those environmentally-conscious cat owners, this cat litter is biodegradable and made from annually renewable resources making it sustainable and kinder to the environment.
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| Type | Walnut Shells |
| Clumping | Yes |
| Size | 2.7KG |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Scented | No |
| Dust Free | Low Dust |
| Best for | All cats |
4. Dr Elseys Ultra – Best For Multiple Cats
Dr Elseys Ultra is an all-natural litter made from medium grain clay. It uses heavy, non-tracking granules to capture moisture, the soiled granules quickly clump together to prevent moisture from seeping down to the bottom of the litter tray.
Catching the moisture before it gets to the bottom of the tray helps to control odours effectively. This odour control makes it an ideal option for multi-cat households as it will keep your home smelling fresh all day long.
This clay litter is 99.9% dust free and is non-tracking so it won’t get stuck to your cat’s paws either. The litter forms firm clumps when soiled and these will not break apart making them easy to sift out. These firm clumps make Dr Elseys Ultra a great choice for households using sifting and mechanical litter boxes too.
No chemicals, perfumes or deodorants are used as this litter is able to naturally control odours. Many cats tend to prefer non-scented litter so if your cat tends to be fussy or sensitive, this is a good option to try. This clay litter is also hypoallergenic and is perfect for cats and families who suffer from allergies.
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| Type | Clay |
| Clumping | Yes |
| Size | 8.16KG |
| Biodegradable | No |
| Scented | No |
| Dust Free | Yes (99.9%) |
| Best for | Homes with multiple cats & mechanical litter boxes |
5. Ever Clean Extra Strong – Best Scented Cat Litter
If you need a cat litter that prevents bad smells from forming and escaping from the litter tray then Ever Clean Extra Strong is the best option. This is a scented, clumping cat litter that smells fresh and eliminates odours immediately.
This cat litter uses unique carbon technology to absorb and lock in bad smells rather than masking them. This means odours are dealt with on contact so there won’t be any nasty smells coming from the litter box. The litter is also scented but the scent is only released when the litter box is in use.
This is a clay litter which is extremely absorbent and neutralises ammonia to prevent the growth of urine odours.
As these granules are very fine and clump together into firm clumps that don’t crumble. This makes it easy to scoop out only the wet clumped granules and leave behind the clean granules.
Firm clumps also means less waste and one 10L box can last up to 2 months. The litter box will only need to be fully changed every 2-3 weeks so you can enjoy easy maintenance and financial savings.
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| Type | Clay |
| Clumping | Yes |
| Size | 10L |
| Biodegradable | No |
| Scented | Yes “fresh scent” |
| Dust Free | No |
| Best for | Multiple cats |
6. Breeder Celect – Best For Allergies
This dust-free, paper-based cat litter is perfect for cats with allergies and those that suffer from asthma or breathing problems. The litter is non-toxic, gentle and handles moisture and odours efficiently without the need for chemicals or artificial fragrances.
The litter produces next to no dust and doesn’t get stuck to your cat’s paws meaning there is very little tracking around the house after they use the litter tray.
The Breeder Celect litter is non-clumping and comes in compressed cylindrical pellets that are made from 99% recycled paper. There are no clouds of dust to contend with and the litter tray is easy to clean as needed.
The pellets are soft on cat’s paws, good for the environment and biodegradable. Although not scented, this litter is highly absorbent and is able to deal with odour naturally. The pellets are fragrance free and contain no chemicals and additives.
Breeder Celect is a gentle, non-toxic option suitable for all cats as well as kittens. It is particularly good for cats with allergies or respiratory conditions as it is dust-free and free from additives and chemicals.
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| Type | Paper |
| Clumping | No |
| Size | 30L |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Scented | No |
| Dust Free | Yes |
| Best for | Hypoallergenic cats |
7. Tofu Cat – Best Flushable Litter
Tofu Cat is an environmentally friendly, flushable and biodegradable cat litter. It is made from pea fibre, corn starch and activated carbon to offer a clumping, absorbent and odour-eliminating option that is great for your cat and for the environment.
The tofu cat litter is toilet friendly as it breaks down when immersed in liquid. This 4.58kg bag of cat litter should last a one-cat household one month.
The fine particles create a better wrapping effect that effectively deodorizes soiled areas within the litter tray.
The pea and activated charcoal work together to ensure there are no odours or smells in or around the litter tray. The activated charcoal helps to purify the air and make the environment more comfortable.
The litter absorbs water in just 1.5 seconds which reduces the chances of cat litter getting stuck to the bottom of the box or to your cat’s paws. The small particles clump together when soiled making them easy to clean.
The ingredients used to create the Tofu Cat litter are high quality and raw so they are safer and healthier. This means the litter is suitable for kittens and it is harmless if it is swallowed.
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| Type | Biodegradable & Flushable |
| Clumping | Yes |
| Size | 4.58KG |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Scented | No |
| Dust Free | No (Low dust) |
| Best for | All cats and kittens |
8. Biokat Diamond Care – Best For Sensitive Paws
Biokat’s Diamond Care is a natural clay litter that contains aloe vera to help care for your cat’s paws and natural active carbon to eliminate odours.
The active carbon is made from coconut shells which is a renewable natural raw material. The porous nature of the coconut shells gives the carbon a large surface area to make it more effective and highly absorbent.
Strong odours are naturally attracted to the carbon and bind to them making it incredibly effective in removing unpleasant odours.
Although the litter has “green diamonds” that visually represent the aloe vera, the aloe vera is actually spread across all of the particles to ensure your cat can gain the full benefits of the aloe vera.
This fine grain litter has a fresh fragrance to keep the litter tray hygienic and smelling good even after use. The grain produces very low dust so you don’t need to worry about it getting stuck on your cat’s paws or getting tracked through the house.
When the particles come into contact with moisture they clump together and lock away odours. This helps keep the litter tray smelling fresh and makes it quick and easy to remove soiled litter with a scoop.
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| Type | Clay |
| Clumping | Yes |
| Size | 8L |
| Biodegradable | No |
| Scented | Yes “fresh” |
| Dust Free | No |
| Best for | Sensitive paws |
9. Felight Antibacterial – Best Low Weight
The Felight Antibacterial cat litter is lightweight, low-dust and non-clumping. It is made in the UK and uses patented antibacterial silverfresh technology to neutralise odours and keep bad smells away for up to 10 days.
This is a great option for controlling odours, particularly if you don’t want to clean the litter tray out every single day. The highly absorbent material acts like a sponge to soak up any moisture and the antibacterial properties keep the litter tray clean, safe and hygienic.
This cat litter is gentle yet effective, it is fast-acting and stops the growth and development of bacteria. The litter is super light without compromising on its absorbency and ability to handle nasty odours.
In addition to the anti-bacterial properties, this litter won’t stick to your cat’s paws so is comfortable and convenient.
Felight Antibacterial is made using calcium silicate and it instantly traps odours. The packaging is also 100% recycled making it a good choice for the environmentally-conscious.
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| Type | Silica |
| Clumping | No |
| Size | 10L |
| Biodegradable | No |
| Scented | No |
| Dust Free | No (Low Dust) |
| Best for | All cats |
10. Bio Catolet – Best Paper Based Litter
Bio Catolet is a 100% natural, biodegradable and compostable option ideal for cat owners looking for affordable, environmentally friendly options.
As it is made from recycled paper it is completely safe for pets and people. The paper has been mulched and compressed to create densely packed pellets that are super absorbent and long-lasting.
The pellets are lightweight and easy to clean up. This is a non-clumping litter that is dust-free and 100% biodegradable. You can dispose of soiled litter in a compost heap, in the household waste bin or it can be burned.
The paper pellets are soft and gentle on your cat’s paws. They are also scent-free which is often appreciated by fussy and sensitive cats. This cat litter also includes insect repellent to help keep your cat free from fleas.
Bio Catolet doesn’t stick to the sides of the litter tray, is easy to scoop out when soiled and it retains odours very well.
This litter prevents bacterial growth and is manufactured without causing any pollution to the environment.
12L of this cat litter can last up to 10 days. Bio Catolet is a well-known, trusted brand that has been selling paper-based litter in the UK for over 20 years.
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| Type | Paper |
| Clumping | No |
| Size | 2 x 25L |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Scented | No |
| Dust Free | Yes |
| Best for | All cats – Environmentally friendly option |
11. Pettex Pampuss – Best Budget Litter
If you’re looking for a high-quality, low-cost cat litter Pettex Pampuss is the best option.
This cat litter is made from 100% recycled wood using leftover wood shavings that are turned into pellets.
The wood pellets are highly absorbent, great at handling bad odours and very affordable.
They are light to handle making it effortless to fill the litter tray and keep it clean.
They smell like natural pine and have no added fragrances, glue or additives.
Each pellet can retain up to 2x their weight in liquid so will be able to keep the litter tray drier for longer.
The Pettex Pampuss pellets are dust-free and offer effective odour control.
The pellets are easy to dispose of, they can be thrown into a waste bin or composted. There is also no expiry date for the pellets as they keep extremely well.
This is a low-cost environmentally friendly option.
The 30L bag is very economical and will help keep the litter tray hygienic and fresh with little maintenance.
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| Type | Wood |
| Clumping | No |
| Size | 30L |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Scented | Yes – Natural Pine |
| Dust Free | Yes |
| Best for | All cats and kittens |
An Important Note On Corn Based Cat Litters
You will see many other websites promoting a well-known brand of corn-based cat litter.
We do not promote corn-based cat litters due to safety concerns, primarily relating to aflatoxins.
Aflatoxins
Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mycotoxin which is produced by a fungus, it can grow on corn, particularly corn that has been exposed to moisture.
Aflatoxins can cause liver damage and a range of symptoms from vomiting to loss of appetite and in extreme cases can result in death.
There have been a number of pet food recalls over the years as a result of aflatoxin contamination.
Even though your cat won’t be eating the litter there is still a danger to using corn-based cat litter.
Commercial cat litter is tested before hitting the shelves however there is concern regarding the testing accuracy as well as the risk of aflatoxin growing after the bag has been opened and the litter has been exposed to moisture.
Avoiding corn based cat litter is a simple way you can protect your cat against Aflatoxin.
Clumping Vs Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Clumping and non-clumping cat litter both have their pros and cons.
Generally clumping cat litter has smaller particles, this helps it clump but this also creates a lot more dust make it a bad choice for anyone who suffers from asthma.
Non-clumping cat litter tends to be cheaper however you will usually get through it quickly as you have to change it more regularly.
Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Cat litter started out as non-clumping, there’s a wide range of materials that fall into this category meaning cat owners can enjoy plenty of choices.
There’s scented and non-scented options and there are many reasons non-clumping litter is a good choice.
Benefits of Non-Clumping Cat Litter:
- Good at removing odours
- Highly absorbent
- Easy to use
- Not as sticky as clumping litter
- Doesn’t tend to stick to cats paws
- Low cost (you can compare cat litter costs here)
- Low maintenance
- Large selection of options
Downsides of Non-Clumping Cat Litter:
- More difficult to remove soiled litter without changing all of the litter
- Inability to clump
- Can be hard to see which areas are soiled
- Needs to be changed more often
Clumping Cat Litter
Clumping options are a lot newer so there tends to be less of a selection to choose from.
Clay with bentonite is often the most popular material when it comes to clumping litter.
The particles in this litter clump together when they are soiled, this makes it easy to remove just the soiled litter and leave the clean litter.
Benefits of Clumping Cat Litter:
- Highly absorbent
- Easy to clean
- Easy to see when the litter needs to be cleaned
- Able to hold odours for longer
- Makes cat waste easy to identify
- A bag will last longer than a bag of non-clumping litter so can save money over time
Downsides of Clumping Cat Litter:
- Not recyclable
- Usually not suitable for kittens
- Can be heavy
- Can create a lot of dust – may not be great for asthmatic cats/ people
- Tends to track more
- Can be difficult to clean the litter tray if damp
Also Read:
How To Dispose Of Cat Poo
How To Stop Your Cat From Tracking Litter Everywhere: 7 Methods
Environmentally Friendly Cat Litter
If you’re looking for environmentally-friendly cat litter, the most important things to look for include the material used, the manufacturing process and how the litter is disposed of after use.
The litter should be free from chemicals and additives.
Most environmentally friendly options are made from reclaimed or recycled materials and are biodegradable too.
Top environmentally-friendly cat litter materials
- Paper – paper cat litter pellets are usually made from recycled paper. They are highly absorbent and dust-free but require frequent changing to keep odours under control.
- Wheat – this is a popular eco-friendly option as wheat is renewable, biodegradable and sustainable. Wheat litter clumps together when it comes into contact with moisture and can be easily scooped when dirty. The texture is soft and fine so it is gentle on cats paws and wheat controls odour well.
- Wood – wood litter such as pine or cedar comes in the form of either fine shavings or pellets. Wood cat litter is generally made from recycled materials. This often has a pleasant natural smell and is highly absorbent. This litter does not clump although you can find clumping varieties. Wood-based cat litter needs to be changed frequently.
- Walnut – this is litter made from walnut shells, a product that would typically go to waste. Walnut shells are absorbent, dust-free and have a natural, pleasant smell.
Common Characteristics of Environmentally Friendly Cat Litter include:
- Biodegradable
- Dust free
- High absorbency
- Good odour control
- Flushable – many natural options can be disposed of via the septic/ sewer system but not all can so check the label to make sure
- Free from additives, chemicals and fragrances
If your focus is finding an eco-friendly option, avoid clay and silica options.
The raw materials for these are extracted from mines and are not biodegradable so are less sustainable and will end up in landfill after use.
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Hi my kittens have clumping catsan ,but the try to dig a hole and the hole fills up ver quickly leaving poop on surface and hard for them to cover then they step on it and then they have smelly feet .please help me to choose a better cat litter . thanks wendy
Hey guys just want to say that after I read this I bought the world’s best cat litter clumping corn and I have to say it really is the best. I don’t think i’ll bother with any other ever again now. Hope they don’t go out of business lol!
Good luck with it Doreen, I haven’t heard of many people (or cats of course!) being dissappointed with World’s Best!
Hi TC
Can I just start by saying WOW! You really have put a lot of effort into writing this massive post on cat litter and you can tell a mile off you’re a great owner of cats and take great care when writing this content. There’s a lot of websites out there so it’s refreshing to see one of a higher quality. Hats off to you!
Any way my question was which is the best cat litter for masking odours? In your opinion?
Thanks for the support Kevin!
The best cat litter for masking odours would probably be the Ever Clean – which is our Best Scented litter. Hope that helps!