Cleaning the litter box is often the most dreaded chore for any cat guardian, but using one of the best cat litters can make the task much easier. That said, what's ideal for us may not be what our cats prefer. If the texture isn't quite right or it has added fragrances, your cat may choose to do their business outside the box.
For this guide, I consulted several veterinarians and, alongside another reporter, cumulatively tested 33 cat litters to find which ones work best for both cats and their humans. Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Multi-Cat Strength is the best overall litter I've tested. It produces minimal dust, offers strong clumping without sticky residue, and provides effective odor control. A more affordable option is Arm & Hammer Super Scoop Clumping Litter, which will save you about 30 cents per pound compared to Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract. While it’s the heaviest litter we tested, it also tracked the least. Learn more about these litters below as well as other top picks, including lightweight and natural litters.
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Our top picks for the best cat litter
Best overall: Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Multi-Cat Strength Litter - See at Chewy
Best lightweight: Frisco Lightweight Cat Litter - See at Chewy
Best budget: Arm & Hammer Super Scoop Clumping Litter - See at Chewy
Best natural: Sustainably Yours Small Grains Cat Litter - See at Chewy
Best paper: Ökocat Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Litter -See at Chewy
Best overall
This clumping clay litter offers the best balance of cat-preferred texture, strong odor control, easy scooping, and long-lasting freshness.
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Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Multi-Cat Strength Litter makes litter box duty noticeably less unpleasant for people while encouraging consistent use among cats. It remained odor-free for three weeks with twice-daily scooping, and clumps lifted cleanly without leaving sticky residue.
If you're unsure of your cat's litter preferences, this fine-grain clay litter is a safe bet. My cats often chose it over others in side-by-side testing, likely because of its sand-like texture, minimal dust, and lack of noticeable fragrance. Cats are naturally drawn to sandy textures like this one, which are gentler on their paws and more comfortable for digging than coarser alternatives, says Dr. Bethany Hsia, veterinarian and cofounder of CodaPet.
The formula also includes a proprietary blend of herbs intended to attract cats to the box. Mikel Delgado, a certified cat behavior consultant, says she's seen the litter successfully encourage litter box use in her client work and at home. However, litter attractants aren't a substitute for proper box setup and cleaning or a veterinary evaluation for cats that go outside of the litter box.
The litter absorbed liquid almost instantly and formed solid clumps, although a few broke during scooping. We used about half of a 40-pound bag to fill a large 20-by-24-inch litter box roughly 3 inches deep. At around 80 cents per pound, it offers good value for its longevity. It was easier to pour and scoop than my heavier budget pick, and tracked less than my lightweight pick. However, pouring produced a small amount of dust and left a fine residue on my hands.
The brand says the only difference between this litter and its Ultra Litter is the addition of cat-attracting herbs, but we found Ultra consistently stuck to the litter box. And while Ultra is about 20 cents per pound less, it needed a full refresh after just two weeks of twice-daily scooping.
Best lightweight
A unique, lightweight blend of bentonite clay and sustainable grass seed keeps this formula virtually dust-free, scent-free, and strain-free — for caregivers and cats alike.
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Lightweight litter can be a good choice for many cats, especially for senior cats with arthritis or kittens with tiny paws, since the lighter granules are easier to dig in. When it's time for you to lift and pour the litter, the lighter weight is also a back-saver. However, litter that is too light can get pushed out of the box or tracked through the house. Enter Frisco Lightweight Cat Litter, which hits a sweet spot.
Made from a unique blend of clay and grass seed, it weighs less than half as much as my top pick but has just enough heft to stay mostly contained in the litter box. The clumps are easy to scoop, though they aren't quite as firm as other litters in this guide and occasionally break in two. On the plus side, dust is virtually nonexistent.
My colleagues and I haven't always had success with grass litters — some of our cats have tried to eat them while others refused to use them entirely — so I was genuinely delighted that my cats used this one immediately and consistently throughout testing. Even after Lyra rolled around in the box (a true testament to her approval), the litter didn't cling to the sides of the box walls or her fuzzy paws. Over the course of a week, I collected just under a quarter cup of tracked litter, and most of it was within a few feet of the box and caught by the litter mat.
The 9-pound jug filled my large 20-by-24-inch litter box less than 2 inches deep, so I'd need at least two jugs a month for the best depth. It also costs about 10% more than my top pick from Dr. Elsey's. As the litter level dropped, I noticed slightly more sticking, and after two weeks, a small amount of residue was left at the bottom of the box. Even so, with twice-a-day scooping, I didn't notice any foul smells.
Best budget
Costing half as much as our best overall pick and much less than many competing litters, Arm & Hammer Super Scoop offers the best value with excellent odor control, solid clumps, and very little tracking.
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A low price doesn't mean much if a litter does a poor job of absorbing liquids or trapping odors since frequently litter changes can quickly drive up the cost. At about 50 cents per pound, Arm & Hammer Super Scoop Clumping Litter is the most affordable formula among the best cat litters we tested, and it proved very effective.
This litter produced very little dust and absorbed liquid almost immediately. Urine consistently formed tight clumps without breaking or sticking to the scoop or box, and it stayed fresh for three weeks when scooped twice daily. The clay formula contains baking soda crystals, which helps control odors by neutralizing the pH of cat urine.
While my cats used this litter, they often preferred other clay options in side-by-side tests. Despite being advertised as unscented, I noticed a faint fresh laundry-like smell when scooping, which some cats might find off-putting.
Arm & Hammer Super Scoop Clumping Litter has heavier grains, which means less tracking outside the box than with my other picks. However, heavier litter comes with a trade-off. The extra weight makes pouring and scooping noticeably harder. It can also make it more difficult for cats to dig and fully bury their waste. This can contribute to litter box odors in some households, but it wasn't an issue during my testing.
Best natural
Our cats preferred the soft texture of this corn and cassava litter, and we loved that it clumped on contact and was practically dust and odor-free.
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Thanks to its impressive odor control, this plant-based litter earned the top spot in my guide to the best natural cat litters. During testing, there was no noticeable odor, even after a month of continuous use by two cats.
A single 13-pound bag of Sustainably Yours Small Grains Cat Litter was enough to fill a large litter box, and with average twice-daily use by both of my cats, the litter remained odor-free for the entire 30 days. Made from a blend of corn and cassava — a starchy plant — it outperformed similar litters in clumping. Urine formed clumps and was scoopable in about 8 seconds.
The litter's texture was fine enough that my cats had no issues with it. They even seemed to enjoy using it, especially when it was fresh. While the finer consistency resulted in more tracking compared to other litters we tested, it was less bothersome than clay litters due to its softer texture.
Another reason it's my top choice for natural litter is its very low dust, and one of the main reasons experts recommend natural litter over traditional clay. This makes it a good choice for cats or people with respiratory issues.
Best paper
Ökocat's Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Litter is the most absorbent of all paper litters we tested and produces virtually no dust.
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Most paper litters come in the form of small, firm pellets. Because they are virtually dust-free, they are a good choice for cats or caregivers with respiratory issues and may also be recommended after surgery to keep incisions clean. Of the five paper options we tested, Ökocat Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Litter absorbed liquid the fastest without falling apart right away. These pellets were also the softest and smallest, making them well-suited to a cat's natural scratching, digging, and burying behaviors.
Despite these positive qualities, our four adult tester cats wouldn't use any paper litters, so we tested odor control over 12 hours using a vinegar-and-water mixture. The scent was only detectable within a few inches of my nose, though this was still stronger than other paper litters tested.
One distinct advantage, however, is how quickly Ökocat pellets absorb liquid. The pellets puff up on contact, which helps prevent urine from spreading throughout the box. This keeps the litter box cleaner than slower-absorbing paper brands. However, paper pellets don't form clumps that can be easily buried and removed. Urine-saturated paper can break down and mix with clean litter, leading to lingering odors and less hygienic conditions.
Ökocat Non-Clumping Paper Pellet Litter is 35% to 60% more expensive than the other paper litters we tested. Unlike most options, which are made from recycled paper, Ökocat uses sustainably sourced, dye-free white paper that is free of synthetic chemicals. While it may not be as eco-friendly as litter made from recycled materials, Ökocat prioritizes sustainability through its use of responsibly sourced paper and natural dyes. The weight and shape of the pellets suggest they are much less likely to track than smaller-grained clay and natural varieties.
What to look for in cat litter
There are so many different kinds of cat litter on the market that it can be hard to decide on which one is best. "Many of the variations are made to appeal to owners, rather than the cats who are using them," says Dr. Elizabeth Whitlock, a veterinarian and partner at CityVet in Woodstock, Georgia. "I think the most important thing to consider is what a cat actually prefers. Because if cats don't like it, they won't use it."
It's also important to keep in mind what litter works with your litter box. For standard litter boxes, like my top pick for the best cat litter boxes, any type of litter should work. The best automatic litter boxes, like Whisker Litter-Robot, often limit the type of litter you can use. "The litter must be able to clump quickly prior to cycling for proper use," Whitlock says.
Still, there are other considerations. "Selecting the ideal cat litter involves considering various factors to ensure your cat's comfort level and convenience," says Dr. Joanna Herberger, a veterinary consultant at PetSprint. You'll want to consider the following qualities when choosing among the best cat litters.
Odor control: No one wants their house to smell like a litter box, but strong perfumes that claim to mask odors can be overpowering. "Cats are very sensitive to odors and may refuse a litter if the fragrance is too strong for them," Whitlock says. For that reason, an unscented cat litter is usually the best option for most cats. You can find products that provide odor control without fragrance, including the best cat litters we recommend in this guide.
Scoopability: When it comes to cleaning the litter box, Herberger says litter that clumps or forms solids when it comes into contact with liquid makes it easier to scoop out both liquid and solid cat waste without having to change the entire box. Not only is it more convenient, but cats also often prefer it over non-clumping litter, she adds.
Texture: Cats can get fussy about what they're squatting in, and Whitlock says some will object to natural substrates such as corn, pine, or nut shells. She has found that accidents may increase when cats don't like the texture of their litter. One of the most popular types of litter, clay, tends to be well-liked by most cats.
Cleanliness: Some litters claim to be low-tracking, meaning they keep the litter in the box where it belongs. Others are marketed as low-dust, which can be useful for cats or people who suffer from respiratory issues.
Sustainability: The best cat litters are not always the best for the planet, and you may want to use eco-friendly litter for that reason. However, some cats will reject it. "The most accepted one I've seen is made from recycled newspaper," Whitlock says, adding that this type of litter requires more upkeep than the average clumping clay litter. So it's a matter of what you prioritize and what your cat will accept.
Price: Your budget also factors into the litter you choose to use. "It is essential to strike the right balance between quality and cost to ensure you get the best value for your product without breaking the bank," Herberger says. Clay litters tend to be less expensive than natural substrates or crystal or manufactured litters, Whitlock says.
How we tested the best cat litters
Over several years, freelance reporter Shoshi Parks and I tested and retested more than 30 cat litters. Most recently, I tested a dozen top contenders with my two cats, building on previous testing by Parks and her two cats. I've also evaluated dozens of natural cat litters, but only the top-performing litter is featured in this guide.
We've also consulted veterinarians and cat behaviorists to refine our testing methodology, with contributions from freelance reporter Jill Waldbieser as well. Based on our experts' insights, we assessed each litter for qualities important to both cats and their humans. Each litter was then poured into a litter box for the cats to use, allowing us to test real-world factors such as cat appeal, odor control, and tracking. For each litter, we performed the following tests.
Ease of cleaning: We scooped the litter boxes once to twice daily, noting how easy it was to remove solids and urine and whether any residue was left behind in the box or on the scoop. To test absorption and clumping in real-time, we added ¼ cup of water to 2 cups of litter in a glass container. We observed how quickly the litter absorbed moisture, how much litter became soiled, and whether clumps held together, when applicable.
Odor control: We tested each litter for a minimum of two weeks, extending to three weeks if the litter remained fresh with once- or twice-daily scooping. We monitored for changes in the smell, appearance, or texture of the litter.
For any litters Leeson's cats did not willingly use, she adapted the ease-of-cleaning test to assess odor control. She added 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to the ¼ cup of water used in that test and poured it over 2 cups of litter in a glass container. She then held the bowl at arm's length and gradually moved it closer to note when we could detect the smell and then repeated the test after 12 hours.
Biologically appropriate qualities: We considered several qualities that make a cat litter appealing to cats.
- Weight: Lighter weight litters make digging and covering waste easier for cats. We measured 1 cup of each litter on a kitchen scale to compare weights side by side.
- Size: Cats generally prefer small, sand-like granules. We sifted each litter through a colander and noted any pieces too large to pass through.
- Diggability: We observed whether our cats were able to bury their waste and noted any changes in digging behavior or litter box use.
- Texture: We felt the litter substrate between our fingers, noting sharp edges or discomfort.
Tracking: A clean litter mat was placed in front of each box. We measured how much litter escaped onto the mat and surrounding floor, noted how far it traveled, and checked for any litter stuck in our cats' fur.
Scent: We evaluated the smell of the unused litter when pouring it into a clean litter box and by carefully sniffing it from a few inches away. We noted any strong scents in the room or on our cats during the testing period.
Dust: We observed dust produced when pouring and scooping, as well as any residue left on the pan or our cats' fur. We also ran our hands through the clean litter to check for any particles left behind.
Cat preference: While every cat has their own preferences, observing if and how our cats used each litter provided valuable insight into qualities that encourage or discourage use, or make digging and covering difficult. When Leeson's cats didn't readily use a litter, she drew on experience using some of these litters while fostering over 50 cats and kittens and during five years of professional cat sitting.
Cat litter FAQs
What kind of cat litter is best?
Nearly every one of the more than a dozen veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists, and cat behavior specialists we've spoken to agrees that most cats prefer, or are at least more tolerant of, nonperfumed clay litters. "Generally speaking, I recommend a fine-grained, clay-based clumping litter that is unscented," says Dr. Karen Sueda, a veterinary behaviorist. While litter preferences vary from cat to cat, she says every feline wants a substrate they can easily dig and cover their waste in. Cats with sensitive feet may avoid using litters with sharper granules, such as crystal or pellet formulas.
What are the differences between clumping and non-clumping litters?
Clumping cat litters, including those made from clay, corn, wood, and grass, form solid masses when they come into contact with urine, and those must be removed from the litter daily. Non-clumping litters absorb urine, but instead of forming clumps, the granules of silica, wood, or paper become saturated. On each cleaning, the saturated litter must be scooped from the box. There is no difference between how non-clumping and clumping litters interact with solids — feces must also be scooped daily.
Is there a dust-free cat litter?
Dusty natural and clay litters can be problematic for both cats and people. Dust may cause sensitive cats, particularly those with allergies or respiratory issues like asthma, to cough, sneeze, or wheeze during or after using their litter box. Litter can produce the same effect in humans when they fill or scoop the box. While no litter is completely dust-free, those that produce very little dust are less likely to have respiratory effects.
Is fragrance-free cat litter better?
Our experts recommended sticking to an unscented litter. Because cats have an extremely strong sense of smell, the scent of a litter is a significant factor in whether they will use or avoid a litter box, says Dr. Christine Calder, a veterinary behaviorist. Even a natural scent may deter a cat.
How many times a day does a cat normally use the litter box?
On average, cats urinate two to four times a day, but Sueda says this can vary from cat to cat. Scooping litter boxes at least once daily can help guardians determine if there's a change in frequency, which may indicate a health problem. Typically, cats defecate one to two times a day, but this, too, can vary from cat to cat. Like with urination, sudden changes in frequency may indicate a health problem.
What size and how many litter boxes do I need?
A litter box should be at least 1.5 times the length of a cat, large enough for them to comfortably scratch and bury their waste. The standard rule of thumb is to have one litter box area per cat plus one extra, and ideally one on each floor of a home. In a home with multiple cats, Sueda says you may be able to get away with fewer extra-large litter boxes as long as they are scooped at least twice a day.
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