The Best Cat Litter for Cats in 2025: Reviews and Buying Guide

Dr. Elsey’s Ultra Unscented consistently outperforms other cat litters in our testing, making it our top recommendation for most cat owners. This clay-based clumping litter forms exceptionally hard clumps that maintain their integrity during scooping, preventing smaller pieces from falling back into the box and prolonging the life of your litter.

What truly sets this litter apart is its superior odor control. Without relying on artificial fragrances, Dr. Elsey’s naturally traps and neutralizes odors, keeping your home fresh even in multi-cat households. The medium-sized granules are gentle on cats’ paws while being heavy enough to minimize tracking throughout your home.

At approximately $0.50-$0.60 per pound, Dr. Elsey’s also offers exceptional value compared to premium alternatives that can cost two to three times as much. While no litter is completely dust-free despite manufacturer claims, Dr. Elsey’s produces less dust than many competitors, though it’s not the absolute best in this category.

For environmentally conscious cat owners, World’s Best Cat Litter offers a compelling alternative to traditional clay litters. Made from whole-kernel corn, this biodegradable litter provides excellent performance without the environmental concerns associated with clay mining or the potential respiratory issues from silica dust.

The clumping action is impressively strong for a natural product, forming solid clumps that are easy to scoop. While the odor control isn’t quite as powerful as our top clay pick, it still performs admirably, especially with regular scooping. The natural corn scent is subtle and generally well-accepted by cats and humans alike.

One of the standout features is how little dust this litter produces. During our testing, it generated significantly less airborne particles than clay alternatives, making it an excellent choice for households with respiratory sensitivities. The lightweight nature of the corn granules makes the bags easier to handle, though it does contribute to slightly more tracking than heavier clay options.

If odor control is your primary concern, Arm & Hammer Super Scoop delivers exceptional performance thanks to its baking soda-infused formula. The baking soda component actively neutralizes odors rather than just masking them, making this litter particularly effective in multi-cat households or smaller living spaces where litter box odors are more noticeable.

The larger granule size of this litter contributes to significantly reduced tracking compared to finer-grained options. During our testing, we found noticeably fewer litter particles scattered around the litter box area. The dust level is also relatively low when pouring and scooping, though not completely dust-free.

Where this litter falls slightly short is in clumping strength. While it does form clumps, they tend to be softer and more prone to breaking apart during scooping than our top pick. This can result in smaller pieces of soiled litter remaining in the box, potentially reducing the overall lifespan of a box of litter.

Fresh Step Ultra Unscented excels in multi-cat environments where litter boxes face heavy use. Its activated carbon technology provides extended odor control that maintains effectiveness even with multiple cats using the same box. The strong clumping action quickly encapsulates waste, preventing urine from reaching the bottom of the pan and creating those difficult-to-remove stuck-on patches.

This litter forms firm, cohesive clumps that maintain their integrity during scooping, making daily maintenance quick and efficient. The medium-fine granule size is generally well-accepted by most cats, including those with sensitive paws. Despite being labeled “unscented,” we detected a slight mineral scent, though it’s much milder than Fresh Step’s scented varieties.

The primary drawback is the dust level, which is higher than our top picks. When pouring or during vigorous digging by cats, visible dust can be released. This makes it less ideal for cats or humans with respiratory sensitivities. The tracking is moderate – not the worst we’ve tested but not the best either.

PrettyLitter stands apart from traditional cat litters with its unique health monitoring capability. This silica gel crystal litter contains pH-detecting particles that change color when exposed to abnormal levels in your cat’s urine, potentially alerting you to health issues before they become serious problems.

The color-changing technology can indicate various conditions: blue/green suggests possible urinary tract infection, orange/red may indicate kidney issues or inflammation, and dark yellow/olive is the normal range. While not a replacement for veterinary care, this early warning system can be valuable, especially for cats prone to urinary issues or older cats with developing health concerns.

As a silica gel litter, PrettyLitter doesn’t clump but instead absorbs liquid and dehydrates solid waste. The ultra-fine, sandy texture is extremely gentle on paws and produces very little dust. However, this fine texture also means it tracks more easily than heavier clay or larger pellet options.

If tracking is your primary concern, Feline Pine Original offers an excellent solution with its large pellet format. Made from 100% natural pine, these substantial pellets are significantly less likely to stick to your cat’s paws and be carried throughout your home. During our testing, we found virtually no tracking beyond the immediate litter box area.

The natural pine scent helps mask litter box odors without artificial fragrances, though the odor control isn’t as long-lasting as clumping clay options. When exposed to moisture, the pellets break down into sawdust, which helps indicate when cleaning is needed. This non-clumping litter requires full replacement rather than daily scooping of clumps, though solid waste should still be removed daily.

The pellet format produces almost no dust, making it an excellent choice for households with respiratory sensitivities. However, some cats may initially reject the unusual texture, requiring a gradual transition period. The pellets can also be uncomfortable for cats with sensitive paws or declawed cats.

Kittens require special consideration when it comes to litter, as they’re more likely to ingest litter while grooming or playing. Fresh News Recycled Paper litter provides a safe, non-toxic option that won’t expand or clump in a kitten’s digestive tract if accidentally consumed. Made from 100% recycled paper, it’s also environmentally friendly.

This litter is virtually dust-free, making it ideal for kittens’ developing respiratory systems. The soft texture is gentle on sensitive kitten paws, encouraging proper litter box habits from an early age. The larger pellet size also minimizes tracking, keeping your home cleaner as your energetic kitten zooms in and out of the litter box.

As a non-clumping litter, Fresh News relies on baking soda to help control odors, though it’s not as effective as clumping options for long-term odor management. The pellets absorb moisture well but will eventually become saturated, requiring complete replacement rather than selective scooping of clumps.