The Best Cat Litter in 2022

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that all cat litters are the same! Although it is likely that your kitty has the final say, you may also want to make decisions about what you feel are important features.

Here are some of the things that you may want to look out for in the best cat litter.

• Material

Cat litter can be made from clay, silica or plant-based material. They are all absorbent and all have some odor control. The choice comes down to personal preference. It is also up to your cat. Cats will make up their own mind based on whether they like the feel of the litter under their paws and on whether they like the odor of it.

• Environmentally friendly

If you want an environmentally-friendly product, you will probably opt for one of the plant-based litters. Some are made from recycled paper but others are made from things like walnuts.

These products are sustainable and do not damage the environment.

• Clumping

Some cat litters form clumps when they come into contact with moisture but others do not. Some cats and their owners prefer clumping litters. It is easy to remove solid clumps with a scoop. Then you top up the litter. It cuts down the frequency with which you have to clear out the whole litter tray.

• Fragrance

Some cat litters have fragrances added. This helps to mask the smell of cat urine which can be very unpleasant. However, some cats do not like the smell and can be put off using the tray. Others are even allergic to artificial scents so this is something to watch out for.

• Non-tracking

It’s no fun having to sweep up cat litter from all over your house. Litters that are non-tracking do not get stuck in between your cat’s feet and will not get transported out of the litter tray! This means less work for you.

• Odor control

Cat urine has a pungent smell and it spreads throughout a home. Look for a cat litter that has exceptional odor control so that your house will stay smelling fresh. Natural products that capture odors (like baking soda) are preferable to artificial scents which merely mask the smell.

• Dust free

Some of the older cat litters were very dusty and this was not good for the cats or the owners who could breathe in the fine dust. It also caused a mess around the litter tray. Many modern cat litters are described as 99 per cent dust free.

• Flushable

Think about how you will dispose of the cat litter. Some are described as flushable, and this may seem like a convenient option, but they must be septic safe or they could cause problems. Also, check with the authorities in your area. Some States do not recommend that cat litter is flushed at all.

• Biodegradable

When it comes to disposing of cat litter, the biodegradable litters are the most environmentally-friendly. They will break down naturally in landfills.

The three broad categories of cat litter are clay, silica and plant material. Within each of these categories, there are many variations.

• Clay cat litter granules

Clay was the original material used in the first commercially available cat litters and is still very popular. It can absorb its own weight in cat pee and naturally reduces odor. This only lasts for so long and it will eventually become saturated and will start to smell. Some manufacturers add things like baking soda or charcoal to help with odor control.

Some clay litters do not clump so you will need to change them often. Others have a special type of clay called bentonite added to them and this clumps when it comes into contact with moisture. All you have to do is remove the clumps with a scoop and top it up with more litter. The whole tray needs to be cleaned out around once a month.

• Silica cat litter granules

Silica gel can be used to make crystallized cat litters. This material is highly absorbent and controls odors. On the whole, they do not produce as much dust as clay cat litters but they are toxic. This is a problem if the silica is ingested by cats or other household pets.

• Plant cat litter granules

Biodegradable cat litters are a good option for cat owners that want to protect the natural environment. They can be made from recycled paper or from plant products such as pine, wheat, corn and walnuts. They will break down naturally and quickly in landfills.

Cat litters have plenty of features that you may or may not like. One of these is the ability to form clumps. Not all cat litters do this and, as always, there are advantages and disadvantages to this feature. Before you make a decision about what would suit you, here are the main pros and cons of each.

• Non-clumping cat litter

Cat litter that does not form clumps can be made from clay or from plant-based materials such as pine, corn or wood. It tends to be less expensive than clumping litter and some cats prefer the texture. It is very good at removing odors from cat urine and is very absorbent. Many are unscented but have additives to help control odors including baking soda or charcoal.

The disadvantage is that it can become saturated and urine can pool in the bottom of the litter box which makes it hard to clean out. Often, the whole litter box needs cleaning out at least once a week.

• Clumping cat litter

As the name suggests, clumping cat litter forms clumps around the pee and poop that are deposited into the box. This means that the soiled litter is very easy to remove with a scoop and you don’t have to clean out the whole box so often. The most commonly used ‘clumping’ material is bentonite which forms a very solid clump but some natural fibers will do the same.

Once the clumps have been removed from the litter tray, you simply have to top it up with fresh litter. Then, around once a month, you need to clean out the entire litter tray.

Therefore, the choice is up to you. Some owners prefer the convenience of clumping cat litter whereas other owners are happier with non-clumping. Of course, your kitty will also have their own opinions! Some cats prefer clumping litter as they find it easier to move around whereas others prefer the non-clumping varieties.

You can get the most out of your cat litter by knowing how to use it correctly. Here are five top tips for using cat litter.

• Get a cat litter that your cat likes

Cats have their own preferences when it comes to cat litter. It’s best to go with your cat’s preferences or they may end up rejecting the litter tray altogether.

• Transition carefully

Don’t make a sudden switch from one cat litter to another. Mix a small amount of the new litter with the old one and then gradually increase the proportion until you are using only the new litter. This will increase the chances of your cat accepting the change.

• Cut down on tracking

It can be a nuisance when cat litter gets tracked all over the house. You can reduce this problem by selecting a litter that does not track and by placing a mat in front of the litter tray so that your cat has to walk over it. Head over to our review of litter mats for cats for more choices.

• Clean it out often

Cat litters can help to control odor but they can only do so much. You have to remove soiled litter regularly and clean the whole thing out at least once a month.

• Be very careful with hygiene

You can pick up diseases from cat feces including toxoplasmosis and salmonella. Dispose of cat poop very carefully and wash your hands very thoroughly, with soap, afterward.

Cat urine is not a smell that you want in your home! The main reason that your cat’s litter tray smells of cat pee is because it needs cleaning out but there are some other things that you can do to keep it smelling fresh.

• Buy a clumping cat litter. This encourages you to keep the tray clean because you only have to remove the clumps. A complete litter change is only needed once a month or so.
• Buy a very absorbent cat litter. Cat urine sloshing around the base of the litter tray is never going to smell great! Don’t let that happen. Buy a super-absorbent cat litter that will lock in the moisture.
• Buy scented cat litter. This will do a good job of masking the litter smell but not all cats like it. Some can have allergic reactions to scents and fragrances so be on the lookout for this.
• Buy a suitable scoop. When you scoop out the clumps, you don’t want to leave any soiled granules behind because as these will retain a smell of urine. Therefore, use a scoop that has small and closely set holes, so that all of the granules will be removed.
• Add some baking soda. This is a natural odor-remover that will not irritate your cat. When you have added fresh litter, sprinkle some baking soda and mix it in.
• Give the box a good clean out. Once a month (or perhaps more frequently), the entire contents of the litter box need to be dumped. Soak the box in hot water for a while to give it a good clean. You can add some liquid dishwashing soap if you need to clean away any dirt but harsh cleaning chemicals and disinfectants are not needed. Vinegar is also a good option. Never use any cleaning products that contain ammonia or bleach.
• Dry the box thoroughly. This is best done with a paper towel. Then sprinkle the bottom with baking soda to absorb any odors.
• Avoid adding scents. You may be tempted to add perfumes to the litter tray but these can be toxic for cats and can end up putting them off. If your cat is peeing outside the litter tray, it is going to smell even worse!
• Get two litter trays. If you have more than one cat, it may help if you use multiple litter trays.

Find out more about Pet Odor Neutralizer here.

A natural, clay cat litter that has a medium-sized grain and that will not track. It forms clumps and seals in moisture before it reaches the bottom of the litter tray.

It is dust-free and will work in sifting and self-cleaning litter boxes too. Odors are sealed in but it contains no artificial scents that may irritate you or your cat. It is hypoallergenic and completely safe.