Best Clumping Cat Litter
World’s Best Unscented Clumping Corn Cat Litter
-
Material: Corn
-
Multiple Cats or Single?
-
Flushable: Yes
World’s Best Multicat Unscented Clumping Corn Cat litter is suitable for homes that have two or more cats. Multi-cat litter absorbs more liquid than cat urine and can withstand repeated use over the day.
It will benefit from being skimmed and cleared more often, and thanks to the quick clumping nature of this corn-based all-natural litter, it is easy to skim the clumps away and replenish the litter stock a little at a time.
The natural litter is made from corn husks. These are more environmentally friendly than clay: the process of mining the clay leads to the destruction of trees and other local plants and wildlife. Clay can also emit dust, which is not only unpleasant for the cat but may even be dangerous for you.
This litter is made entirely from clay and does not include artificial fragrances, artificial additives, or artificial colors. It’s a good choice for cats. The litter is affordable and available in many sizes to suit your needs.
We think that this cat litter is by far the most clumping of all 2021.
- Produced from corn
- No artificial perfumes
- Low dust
- Affordable price
- Clumping in a flash
- Can stain white fur and furniture
Why should you trust our recommendations?
The number of cat litter reviews out there is uncountable. What you need to realize, however, is that many of those reviews aren’t based on testing. While it’s fine to read what the manufacturer says about their product, their ultimate goal is to sell cat litter. They will spend less time highlighting the negatives and more on the benefits.
Our cat litter recommendations are based on a combination of testing and research. As cat owners ourselves, we understand the day-to-day realities of dealing cat litter, the good and the bad. We’ve also tested dozens of the top brands, including multiple formulas from each.
Each brand of cat litter has been thoroughly tested. Multiple formulas for each brand have also been tested. In addition to doing our own testing, we’ve taken the time to research the companies we’re backing to learn more about the products so we can bring you an honest and accurate assessment.
There are many cat litters on the market. Not all litters are created equally and each one is not perfect. It really depends on what you want. Many cat owners prioritize odor control while others are more concerned with tracking or dust. Some cats prefer to use natural products, while others are more concerned about the environmental benefits of litter that can be composted or flushable.
We’ve done our best to assemble a comprehensive list of the best clumping cat litters in different categories to help you nail down the best option for you. These are our top picks.
#10 Best Chemical-Free Clumping Cat Litter: Okocat Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter
Buy On Chewy Buy On Amazon
Read Our Full Brand Review
- The key features: Lightweight, reclaimed wood, without chemicals or dyes
Cat litter can contain chemicals, even if it is made of natural materials. Okocat Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter has no chemicals, dyes or scents.
Being made from wood, this litter is very lightweight and highly absorbent – it’s also biodegradable. The litter is slightly scented and works well at controlling odors. The clumps don’t harden as much as they do for clay litters, but they still make it easier to separate clean and dirty litter.
#1 overall Best Frisco Fresh Scent Multi Cat Clumping Litter
Buy On Chewy
Read Our Full Brand Review
- Key Features: Affordable price, fresh scent for odor control, fast clumping action
Many cat owners are concerned about affordability above all things when shopping for cat litter. There are plenty of low-priced brands out there, but we think Frisco offers the right combination of affordability and quality.
For long-lasting protection, this clay litter has odor neutralizing technology. This clay litter is very absorbent, and it forms large, hard clumps which are easy to scoop. This litter also has a pleasant, light scent. It can initially be strong but it will fade after some time. It’s great for multicat households and is affordable.
#5 Best Scented Clumping Cat Litter: Scoop Away Complete Performance Scented Cat Litter
Buy On Chewy
Read Our Full Brand Review
- The key features include a long-lasting, effective odor control and paw-activated freshness.
Scoop Away is a highly-priced brand that sells many formulas in small bags, which are conveniently packaged in multipacks. The Complete Performance formula will keep your litter box fresh up to 10 days.
It offers excellent odor control and is made with superfine granules that are paw-activated to release a fresh scent with each use. This cat litter forms hard, tight clumps with further supports odor control and makes scooping very easy.
Large volumes of liquid can sometimes soak into the bottom of the box, but normal use isn’t a problem. Although it can be dusty initially, the liquid dissipates rapidly and fine granules might track better than other litters.
This Mat traps cat litter particles
This Gorilla Grip mat is another favorite of our family. It prevents litter from getting all over the place. It captures litter in its grooves, as well as the bits your cat’s fur balls kick out of the box. It’s tough but soft enough for cats to walk on. It can be vacuumed and washed with soap and water, and it’s available in four sizes, and comes in nine colors.
A cat lover says that Gorilla Grip cat litter mats have the highest praise. They last forever. I own several! In addition to doing the job for which they are intended, they’ve been pooped on and peed on and barfed on (you cat owners know what I mean) and they clean up easily and are just like new. I recommend getting the largest one you can accommodate. You should give your cat enough space to move on the bed so there is no litter.
Purina Tidy Cats 4-In-1 Strength Clumping Cat Litter
- Clay is the material
- Single or Multi-Cat: Multi
- Flushable No
Purina TidyCats 4-in-1 Strength Clumping Cat Litter contains clay litter. It is reasonably priced and although it does cause some dust, as is typical with all clay litters, it does a better job than a lot of alternatives of offering a dust-free environment around the litter. The litter clumps together and creates a strong bond. This makes it easier to remove soiled areas, but it can also make cleaning the tray difficult if the moist areas stick to the bottom of the tray or around the edges.
Purina litter comes with a pleasant floral scent that masks the smell of urine and ammonia. It also has a handy plastic jug. One thing worth noting is that clay litter is quite heavy and it can be difficult to pour into the litter itself. The large opening of the jug does make it easier and eliminates the risk of getting more on the floor than in the tray.
Overall, this is a decent clay litter. Although it’s a bit dusty, the litter is still affordable and is packaged in an easy-to-use jug. Whether you like the litter or not will largely depend on your appreciation of the floral scent. The smell, while it might be preferable to cat pee, is strong and chemical.
- Floral scent
- Get Cheap
- Convenient jug design
- Clumps well
- It is difficult to clean the tray after each use
- Chemical smell
Granule Size
Particle or granule size is also a matter of preference. For my cat, the smaller particles are preferred (in finer, more sandlike formulations). This is because wetter stuff tends to stick together easier, making it much simpler for me to pick up and dispose of. Other feline owners may, however, go for heavier gauge, medium-sized granules because they’re more difficult for your kitty to kick out of the box and thus there’s generally less dust and less tracked around the house.
Below, find the right solution for your cat and yourself.
We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. This article was created by the Commerce team. We might receive some sales.
Nature’S Miracle Intense Defense Clumping Cat Litter
- Clay is the material
- Single or Multi-Cat: Multi
- Flushable: No
Nature’s Miracle Intense Defense Clumping litter is a clay-based cat litter. It comes in three sizes: jug/pale or box and in many different sizes. It is convenient because of its size and pouring options. Nature’s Miracle claims that the litter is suitable for high-traffic boxes and for multi-cat houses and that its formula will help eliminate odors straight away by fighting ammonia, urine, and feces smells. The bentonite makes it clump quickly and prevents wetness spreading to other areas.
The litter has become more polluted since recent changes to its formula. The litter tracks poorly through your cat’s house and does not manage odors as well as before. The litter is not effective at eliminating unpleasant odors but it does have a pungent chemical scent.
- Good choice of sizes and containers
- Cheap
- Dusty
- Smells
- A mess is what you get when you leave.
Value Pack
This low-dust, clumping litter is a good option for budget cat owners. It provides powerful odor control. The clay litter has a built-in fresh scent to deodorize waste smells before they spread throughout your home. It’s specifically made for busy litter boxes in multi-cat homes and includes natural plant extracts to fight odors for up to 10 days. As the litter is activated by movement, some fragrances are released every time your cat uses it. The litter creates tight clumps, preventing any crumbles from remaining in the litter box after you’ve scooped. It comes in four packs, each weighing 10.5 lbs. The litter can be resealed to keep freshness in check.
Arm & Hammer 40Lb Clump & Seal Platinum Cat Litter
- Material: Clay
- Multiple Cats or Single?
- Flushable No
The clay litter can be purchased cheaply and also includes baking soda which acts as an anti-odorant. The clumping nature will trap most of the smells, and any that do get through, which is more common with feces than with urine smells, will be masked with the baking soda.
This litter is more problematic than clay litter. It does cause a cloud, which is not only a problem when pouring but also when the cat tries digging and covering up a mess. The cloud can also stick to litter trays and make cleaning more challenging.
- Very affordable
- Forms a strong clump
- Includes baking soda for improved odor control
- Creates clouds
- Difficult to clean the rock-hard clumps
What is the best time to switch litters?
Switching to a different litter can help your cat to urinate more easily. If you find that the litter box constantly smells bad or you are changing the litter out completely every day then it may be time to look into a different cat litter.
It can be difficult to switch cat litter. You should not just change the litter one time. You should instead make a gradual transition to ensure your cat isn’t forced to change too quickly. This will help reduce accidents.
Mix your existing litter with the new litter by adding a few inches to the bottom of the container. Continue this process for several days, until your entire box has been filled with new litter.
While you’re making the transition, you’ll also want to consider how often your cat is using the litter box. You should also consider how often your cat uses the litter box.
Final Remarks
There are so many different cat litters out there that you could spend the entire day shopping and still not make a choice. The truth is that most cat litters are pretty similar. If you don’t have specific needs or preferences, you could pick just about any litter off the shelf and be perfectly happy.
You should shop around if your cat has particular preferences. Take a look at our top picks above – you might just find the perfect clumping cat litter that will satisfy both you and your cat!
Choosing the right cat litter is one thing but knowing how to use it properly is another thing entirely. We’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions to help you make the most of your litter. Take a look!
Swheatscoop Multi-Cat All Natural Clumping Cat Litter
This is another clumping cat litter that comes vet-recommended. The product promises to be quick-clumping, excellent at odor control, and biodegradable as well. It’s also free of added dyes and perfumes, making it an ideal choice for your skin-sensitive kitties.
It contains wheat which is rich in enzymes to neutralize bad smells, and starches that clump fast (great for homes with multiple cats). And according to the company, it’s septic safe. However, some reviewers don’t flush it down their toilets out of caution.
Another benefit of the wheat in this litter? Some reviewers have noticed that their cats actually made better stools, probably thanks to the inadvertent ingestion of some extra fiber that they get from cleaning their paws.
- The pros: All-natural, biodegradable litter donated to charity organizations. Excellent odor-cutting scent even in small areas; flushable. Great for multi-cat households
- Cons: This product may not be suitable for cats sensitive to gluten or wheat. Some owners won’t flush the product from septic tanks.
Boxiecat Premium Lightweight Clumping Cat Litter
- Material: Plant-Based
- Multiple Cats or Single?
- Flushable
Boxiecat Air, a light and strong litter made from plant-based materials is lightweight. This litter is made not from clay, but from a mixture of plant-based materials such as barley. Although litter has a 60% lower weight than those made from clay, it forms tight bonds around the waste, helping to prevent any liquids or odors. Boxiecats claims that the USA is responsible for all ingredients.
It clumps easily and forms a strong bonded clump which lasts until it is empty. The natural smell helps to remove urine, feces and ammonia.
The litter is lightweight and natural, and it is gentle on cats, but it is also very pricey when compared to other brands and types of cat litter.
- All-natural plant-based ingredients
- USA-sourced materials
- Good odor control
- Extremely expensive
Cat Litter Scent
It is a matter of personal taste whether you prefer cat litter with a smell. For the most part, the best cat litter for heavy urination is scentless as the smell of urine is going to be hard enough to handle on its own. You may get a more unpleasant odor if you combine the smell of cat urine and scented litter. However, you may prefer to use a scent litter that neutralizes the urine smell.
What Is The Difference Between Clumping And Non-Clumping Cat Litter?
What the litter reacts to cat urine is what makes the difference between non-clumping and clumping. Non-clumping cat litter will soak up the urine and typically does a good job removing odors. However, once the non-clumping cat litter is saturated urine will begin to pool inside the litter box requiring more frequent changeouts.
Cat litter that is too clumpy will absorb the urine and make it more difficult to scoop out. It reduces the amount of saturated urine and makes the litter easier to clean.
Odour Control
Clumping litter will have scented and unscented options. It’s important to buy clumping cat litter that provides protection from any lingering smell. But you want to avoid scented cat litters, especially if you or your kitty has a sensitive sense of smell.
Some brands offer odour protection technology, or an odour control warranty. This is what you should be looking for.
Clumping Effectiveness
Just because a litter is described as clumping doesn’t mean that it actually clumps well. Some litters only clump weakly, causing them to fall apart when you try to scoop them. Other litters just become sticky, which makes it difficult to remove the litter from the pan.
Sadly, there isn’t much that you can do to test this feature without actually purchasing the product. After all, no company is going to advertise that their litter is bad at clumping.
Still, you can read reviews to get an idea of which litters do a good job at clumping.
Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Clumping Litter
This litter claims a 7-day guarantee on odor and a 100% dust-free formula. Don’t mind if we do!
It turns out that Arm & Hammer, a well-known brand, may have figured out the solution. The product is very popular and has received many positive reviews.
The cat lavatory is protected by a proprietary formula, which locks scents in even when there are many cats using it!
- Pros: great for multi-cat homes
- Cons: Expensive; Heavy; Not clear if flushing is safe.
World’S Best Cat Litter Clumping Formula
Number two on our list is not called “World’s Best” for no reason! This one has minimal dusting and has a fast-acting clumping ability to make clean-ups faster than ever.
Because it’s biodegradable (made from renewable corn kernels! ), you can go ahead and flush this litter down the toilet, too. Some users believe the litter is clumpable, but others aren’t so sure. This could depend on the number of cats using it.
- Pros: can be flushed down the toilet; minimal dusting
- Pros: It can be expensive; users have complained about the strong scent; it is easy to break down clumps.
Bag
Bringing together the best qualities of pellet litter and clumping litter, this unique formula clumps on contact with urine or feces. This all-natural, whole kernel corn litter is free of harmful chemicals and silica dust. This litter, unlike other litters which must be thrown out in the garbage cans, is easily flushable and safe to use on both septic and sewer lines. The litter is unscented, but it provides long-lasting odor control. The quick-clumping formulation prevents stuck-on messes and makes litter box cleanup easy.
What is the Work of Clumping Cat Litter?
In order for clumping litters to work properly, it needs to be super absorbent. Look closely at labels to see that almost all the top clumping litters contain bentonite clay. Bentonite clay has a high absorbency. It will bind to liquids and create a solid, hard mass if it is in direct contact. All you need to do then is a little excavating with your little shovel and you’re good to go!
Bag
This unscented, clumping litter is made from biodegradable wheat. It effectively captures odors and is easy on the environment. This litter is free of any perfumes or dyes, and uses natural enzymes to eliminate urine ammonia odors. It’s also flushable and dust-free. It is easy to track and works for both single and multiple cats. Because it’s unscented, it’s ideal for cats and humans who are sensitive to smells or have asthma.
Dust
Dust-free means better cleanliness and indoor air quality–which is good not only for your kitty but for the rest of your family, too.
Look closely at the urine and feces clumps when you visit. Do you see dust in the air? You want to make sure there isn’t too much dust in your cat litter. This will allow you to keep it clean and less chance of your cat getting sick.