Paper-Based Litter

• Composition: Recycled paper formed into pellets.
• Pros: Virtually dust-free, soft on paws, ideal for cats with respiratory issues.
• Cons: Does not clump, requires frequent complete changes, moderate odor control.

Top Clay Clumping Litter Brands

1. Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra

Price Range: $12–$20 per 40-pound bag

A veterinarian-formulated favorite, Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra is renowned for creating rock-hard clumps that simplify scooping and provide outstanding, fragrance-free odor control.

Key Features:

• 99.9% dust-free formula
• Heavy, low-tracking granules
• Superior clumping strength
• Hypoallergenic and unscented

Pros:

• Extremely durable clumps
• Excellent odor control without perfumes
• Low dust levels
• High cat acceptance rate
• Great value for premium quality

Cons:

• Very heavy bags
• Not flushable or biodegradable
• Can generate dust when poured

Best For: Multi-cat households, cats with sensitivities, and owners who prioritize clump integrity.

2. Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal

Price Range: $15–$25 per 28-pound box

Arm & Hammer integrates baking soda technology to "seal and destroy" odors on contact, offering a 7-day odor control guarantee with various scent options.

Key Features:

• Micro-granule formula for tight sealing
• Baking soda enhanced
• Multiple scent options (unscented, fresh, light)
• 100% dust-free platinum formula available

Pros:

• Exceptional, long-lasting odor control
• Wide range of formulas
• Strong brand reputation and availability
• Effective clumping action

Cons:

• Some scents can be overpowering
• Premium price point
• Lighter granules may track more

Best For: Homes where odor elimination is the top priority, especially those preferring scented options.

3. Fresh Step Advanced

Price Range: $12–$22 per 37-pound box

Fresh Step utilizes activated carbon and plant extracts (often with Febreze technology) to target and neutralize odors while providing reliable clumping.

Key Features:

• Activated carbon technology
• Febreze freshness partnership
• Gain-scented options
• Paw-activated fragrance release

Pros:

• Powerful immediate odor control
• Good clumping ability
• Readily available in most stores
• Effective for multi-cat homes

Cons:

• Fragrances may be too strong for some
• Can be dusty
• Potential for tracking
• Not all cats accept scented litter

Best For: Owners who prefer strongly scented litters and need immediate odor solutions.

4. Tidy Cats Free & Clean

Price Range: $10–$18 per 35-pound pail

Part of the Purina family, Tidy Cats Free & Clean is a budget-friendly, unscented clay litter that uses activated charcoal for natural odor control.

Key Features:

• Unscented formula
• Activated charcoal for odor control
• 99.9% dust-free
• Tight clumping action

Pros:

• No added perfumes or fragrances
• Excellent value for money
• Reliable performance
• Widely available
• Suitable for sensitive cats

Cons:

• Moderate tracking
• Clumps can crumble if too large
• Average dust levels
• Not as long-lasting as premium brands

Best For: Budget-conscious owners seeking a reliable, unscented clay litter.

Top Crystal/Silica Litter Brands

5. PetSafe ScoopFree Premium Crystal Litter

Price Range: $18–$25 per 8-pound bag (lasts ~1 month for one cat)

Designed for automatic boxes but effective in traditional ones, these crystals absorb urine and dehydrate solid waste for superior, low-maintenance odor control.

Key Features:

• Absorbs urine on contact
• 5x better odor control than clay (per manufacturer)
• 99% dust-free
• Lightweight

Pros:

• Exceptional odor control
• Minimal dust and tracking
• Long-lasting (monthly replacement)
• No need to scoop urine clumps

Cons:

• Requires regular stirring to distribute moisture
• Higher upfront cost
• Texture can be sharp on sensitive paws
• Not all cats accept it

Best For: Busy owners, low-maintenance seekers, and automatic litter box users.

6. Ultra Pet Micro Crystals

Price Range: $15–$22 per 8-pound bag

Ultra Pet offers finer micro-crystals that are gentler on paws than standard crystals while maintaining excellent absorption.

Key Features:

• Micro-crystal size for comfort
• Quick absorption
• Long-lasting formula
• Low dust and tracking

Pros:

• Softer texture than regular crystals
• Good absorption and odor control
• Gentle on sensitive paws
• Low maintenance

Cons:

• Still requires stirring
• Monthly replacement needed
• Limited in-store availability

Best For: Cats with sensitive paws and owners transitioning from clay to crystal litter.

Top Natural/Plant-Based Litter Brands

7. World's Best Cat Litter

Price Range: $15–$28 per 28-pound bag

The pioneer in corn-based litter, World's Best offers clumping performance that rivals clay, is flushable, biodegradable, and has very low dust.

Key Features:

• Made from whole-kernel corn
• Quick-clumping, easy scooping
• 99% dust-free
• Flushable and septic-safe
• Lightweight

Pros:

• Excellent clumping for a natural litter
• Environmentally friendly and flushable
• Very low dust
• Good natural odor control
• High cat acceptance

Cons:

• Premium price
• Can attract insects if stored improperly
• Corn scent may not appeal to everyone

Best For: Environmentally conscious owners seeking flushable litter with clay-like performance.

8. ökocat Natural Wood Clumping Litter

Price Range: $14–$24 per 20-pound box

ökocat creates sustainable litter from reclaimed wood fibers, offering natural odor control with surprisingly strong clumps.

Key Features:

• Made from reclaimed wood
• No artificial fragrances
• Biodegradable and compostable
• 7-day odor control

Pros:

• Sustainable and eco-friendly
• Effective natural odor control
• Good clumping for wood litter
• Low dust
• Pleasant natural scent

Cons:

• Clumps are softer than clay
• Higher cost than traditional litter
• Some tracking
• Not flushable

Best For: Eco-conscious owners wanting natural odor control without synthetic perfumes.

9. Naturally Fresh Walnut-Based Litter

Price Range: $12–$20 per 26-pound bag

This litter uses walnut shells—a food processing byproduct—to create a fast-clumping, highly absorbent litter with superior natural odor control.

Key Features:

• Made from walnut shells
• 3x better odor control than clay (per manufacturer)
• Quick clumping
• Virtually dust-free

Pros:

• Excellent natural odor control
• Forms hard clumps
• Extremely low dust
• Uses a sustainable byproduct

Cons:

• Dark color can make waste monitoring difficult
• Some cats dislike the texture
• Potential for tracking
• May temporarily stain light-colored paws

Best For: Multi-cat homes seeking natural litter with strong odor control and minimal dust.

10. sWheat Scoop

Price Range: $12–$22 per 25-pound bag

A pioneer in wheat-based litter, sWheat Scoop uses natural enzymes to neutralize odors and provides clumping in a renewable, biodegradable form.

Key Features:

• Made from wheat
• Natural enzyme odor control
• Flushable and biodegradable
• No added dyes or perfumes

Pros:

• Good natural clumping
• Flushable and eco-friendly
• Safe if accidentally ingested
• Renewable resource

Cons:

• Softer clumps than clay
• Can attract bugs if stored improperly
• Odor control may be weaker than other natural options
• Not suitable for cats with gluten allergies

Best For: Owners wanting a flushable, biodegradable litter from a renewable resource.

Specialized & Emerging Litter Brands

11. SmartCat All Natural Grass Litter

Price Range: $18–$28 per 20-pound bag

Made from 100% grass seed, this litter forms remarkably hard clumps that rival premium clay, offering excellent odor control in a lightweight, renewable format.

Key Features:

• 100% grass seed
• Excellent, clay-like clumping
• Biodegradable and chemical-free
• Very lightweight

Pros:

• Clumps as hard as premium clay
• Superior odor control for a natural litter
• Extremely lightweight
• Renewable resource

Cons:

• Expensive
• Can attract insects
• Some tracking
• Premium pricing

Best For: Those seeking top-tier clumping performance from a natural, renewable source.

12. Yesterday's News Paper-Based Litter

Price Range: $15–$25 per 30-pound bag

Made from recycled newspaper pellets, this is a dust-free, gentle option ideal for specific health and recovery situations.

Key Features:

• Recycled paper pellets
• 99.9% dust-free
• Soft on paws
• Unscented

Pros:

• Ideal for cats with asthma or allergies
• Virtually no dust
• Soft texture, good for post-surgery
• Biodegradable

Cons:

• Does not clump
• Requires frequent complete changes
• Some cats reject pellet texture
• Moderate odor control

Best For: Cats with respiratory issues, post-surgical recovery, and kittens.

2026 Cost & Performance Comparison

*Cost for one average-sized cat; varies based on usage and brand efficiency.

How to Choose the Right Litter for Your Cat & Home

Prioritize Your Cat's Preferences

Cats are individuals. Most prefer:

• Texture: Fine to medium granules with a soft feel.
• Scent: Unscented or very lightly scented.
• Depth: 2–3 inches of litter in the box.

Signs your cat dislikes their litter: Avoiding the box, eliminating just outside it, excessive scratching near the box, or vocalizing while using it.

Evaluate Your Household Needs

• Multi-Cat Homes: Opt for "multi-cat" formulas with enhanced odor control and stronger clumping.
• Small Spaces: Prioritize superior odor control and low-tracking formulas.
• Health Concerns: Choose dust-free options (crystals, paper) for cats or owners with asthma/allergies.
• Environmental Values: Select biodegradable, compostable, or flushable plant-based litters.
• Budget: Traditional clay litters often provide the best cost-to-performance ratio.

Successfully Transitioning to a New Litter

Cats dislike sudden change. Transition gradually over 10–14 days:

1. Days 1–4: Mix 25% new litter with 75% old.
2. Days 5–8: Use a 50/50 blend.
3. Days 9–12: Mix 75% new with 25% old.
4. Day 13+: Use 100% new litter. If your cat resists, slow the transition or consider a different litter type.

The Bottom Line

For 2026, Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra remains the benchmark for clay clumping litter, offering unbeatable clump strength and odor control. For a top-tier natural alternative, World's Best Cat Litter provides clay-like performance with environmental benefits.

Crystal litters like PetSafe ScoopFree offer the ultimate in low-maintenance and odor control for busy households. Natural options like Naturally Fresh (walnut) and SmartCat (grass) appeal to eco-conscious owners without sacrificing performance.

The perfect litter is a balance between your cat's acceptance, your budget, and your household's specific needs. Be prepared to try a few options—finding the right match is key to preventing litter box issues and ensuring a happy, clean home for everyone.

Last Updated: 2026